In the first new Poppy book in over ten years, Newbery Medal–winning author Avi relates the previously untold tale of how Ragweed and Poppy first met, with illustrations throughout by Caldecott Medal–winning artist Brian Floca.

Ragweed is on a freight train heading away from Amperville, in search of a new adventure. On his way, he meets Lotar, a baby raccoon who is desperate to locate his mother. Though Ragweed doesn’t want to be tied down, he helps the youngster. After finally getting rid of the pesky creature, a high-flying misadventure lands him in Dimwood Forest. That’s where Ragweed hears another cry for help. Following the call, he finds a cage with a young deer mouse trapped inside. When he asks the mouse’s name, she replies, “Poppy.”

How Ragweed comes to Poppy’s aid, and how Poppy comes to his, is the story of how their fateful friendship begins.