"The Indians had great respect for the salmon. Every year they watched for the return of the first fish on its run back from the sea. They felt this first fish was a scout for the rest of the village."

A salmon's life is a fascinating journey of thousands of miles, from freshwater streambeds to the wide salty ocean. For centuries this journey has been an essential part of the balance of nature in the salmon habitat. But recently, pollution, dams, commercial fishing, and other factors have greatly endangered the survival of this important fish. How can the salmon population be preserved?

In her personal narrative style, Brenda Guiberson describes the salmon--its history, present troubles, and hopeful future. With detailed black-and-white illustrations by the author and vivid color photographs, this is an accessible introduction to ecology and environmental responsibility.