Young Ben sets out to explore the river equipped with a sturdy boat, some sample-collection gear, and his scientific curiosity. Along the way he meets a black bear taking a swim, a moose all wobbly and slim, a goose with a gorgeous grin, and a heron all proper and prim...but things really start happening after the owl HOOs loudly on a whim. A humorous exploration of a northern river ecosystem with an intrepid young boatsman is paired with an extended author's note about its ecology and key species.

Openly gay sixteen-year-old Ben must make difficult decisions when his experiment to prove he is gay leads to his best friend Maxie becoming pregnant.