This book follows the story of a boy named Billy Colleman whose dream is to get dogs, specifically, 2 coon pups. He spends 2 years working and working to earn the money for the dogs, and when he finally earns it he is ecstatic. He travels all the way to Kentucky for his pups and when he makes it back to his home in the Ozark mountains, he begins to train his dogs. His pups, Little Ann and Big Dan become some of the best coon dogs in the area. Billy learns to conquer his fears and be brave for his dogs as he travels the dangerous and character-building lands of the Ozarks.