Carag is a shapeshifter who has lived so far as a puma. His family are pumas as well as shapeshifters. They can turn into humans though they seldom do. The mother goes into town with Puma and his little sister. It is the first time for Carag and his sister. Carag’s mother gives them some money and reminds them not to change back into their animal self while she goes off by herself on some errands. When the three are together in the town again, they are treated to ice cream cones. Carag gets his first taste of chocolate ice cream and find it’s a delicious flavor. Back at his home, he keeps thinking about humans and what it must be like to live like one. When he tells his parents that he wants to try living as a human. His father tells him no and if he still goes, he will not be part of the family any more. He decides to try being human. When he goes to town, he is put in a foster family home. He finds it difficult to get along with his foster brother as bullies him when no one is around. Going to school is not much different as there are kids there that bullied hi m there. One day at school, he hears his name being called. When he follows the voice, he meets a woman that tells him about a boarding school for shapeshifters. If he wants to go, he needs to let her know. He ends up telling his foster parents that he wants to go to this school. When his parents are told about it, he said s they can’t afford it but the teacher tells that.he does so well bat his present school, that they will give him a scholarship. Carag will get to go. Unfortunately, he will find bullies there for him. As Carag experiences his new school, he is mainly happy except for the bullies. There is a man who has decided to mentor Carag. At first, he appreciates his new mento until his mentor tells him how much he hates humans. Carag will need to make a decision on what he should do — stay with mentor or not. What will Carag do?

The text is translated from German. It is done very well. Black and white ‘artwork of Carag is throughout the book. I would had like to seen him as what he looked like as a human. I enjoyed Carag’s interactions at his boarding school loved how he treated his foster brother to get some respect from him. The ending was good but I want more! Fortunely at the end of the novel, the author gives us a glance at the second volume of this new series. I can’t wait for it!

we don't really see a lot of middle grade books about shapeshifting and be done as well as this book does. It had everything that I wanted it to. The story was what I was hoping for and I was invested in what was going on in this universe. The characters were perfect and worked in this universe. I look forward to read more from Katja Brandis.

"Thank you, Carag,” she whispered, standing behind me in line. “I’m glad you taught them a lesson. They’ve spent too long thinking they’re the greatest and strongest. But I think real weakness is looking down on other woodwalkers like they do.”