It's 1866 and just like the bird that is his namesake, Chickadee is small and clever. When Chickadee's twin brother pranks Shigaag, the tribe's ne'er-do-well, Shigaag's unruly, bumbling sons kidnap Chickadee as revenge. He's taken farther from home than he's ever been. But Chickadee is not afraid because he remembers the saying his grandmother taught him: small things have great power. To find his way back to his home and his family, Chickadee must make a daring escape, forge unlikely friendships and set out on the most exciting and dangerous journey he's ever taken. This story of Chickadee and his family is based on Louise Erdrich's own family history.

Some editions include the following extras: Five questions for Louise Erdrich -- Chickadee's family tree -- Make your own family tree -- See how Chickadee's mother, Omakayas, and her family's journey began in "The game of silence".