The brief life of Sumi, a coho salmon, is the subject of this lyrical picture book. All phases of Sumis life are shown, from her trip downriver to the ocean; to her time as a mature fish swimming in the great seas; to the most mysterious period in her life cycle the determined return against great obstacles to the remote creek of her birthplace. Annette LeBoxs poetic yet scientifically accurate text and Karen Reczuchs shimmering illustrations offer young readers a lesson in ecology and a moving story of the natural world.