When his family leaves Ukraine to make a new life in the Americas, twelve-year-old Andrei is furious and upset at having to leave behind his loyal companion, Brovko the sheepdog. Brovko isn't happy either. It soon becomes clear what he has to do: find a way to follow Andrei and be reunited with him.

With a little help from a mysterious hermit, Brovko embarks on his adventurous mission to find Andrei. Along the way, he rides on trains, becomes a guide dog for a kobzar, learns the ways of the big city and escapes a dogcatcher, herds bulls and even performs a daring rescue. Once across the sea, Brovko begins a long and perilous trek on foot, following his nose. When he runs into serious danger, the hermit's magic isn't enough to save him--but help comes from another, unexpected direction.

The traditions of Ukraine are woven into this story of incredible escapades and true grit, which will wrap young readers in its magic.