The story takes place in and around the Spanish village of El Carpio and follows 14-year-old Mateo, a sensitive and courageous boy with a big heart for animals. His family is deeply rooted in centuries-old hunting traditions, in which podencos -Spanish hunting dogs- play a central role. However, Mateo feels increasingly uncomfortable with the way these dogs are treated and decides that he needs to make a change.
His grandmother Caro and her friend Isabel, both of whom have been active in the fight for animal rights for years, see Mateo as “a child of light”: someone who has the strength and perseverance to inspire the new generation and steer the tradition of hunting in a more respectful direction. While his father clings to the customs of the village and Mateo’s brother Thiago already hangs out with the hunters, Mateo’s desire to give the dogs a better fate grows.

Amidst family ties, village feuds and the difficult past of his parents and grandparents, Mateo discovers that courage means not only standing up for animals, but also repairing torn relationships within his family. Together with his cousin Sofia and supported by Caro and Isabel, he faces the challenge of breaking with old traditions and forging a new path – one in which love, respect and responsibility for both humans and animals are central.

The book is a coming-of-age story about family, friendship, loss and the struggle for change. Mateo learns that staying true to yourself, even when it goes against the grain, is the only way to make a real difference.

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