It's 1800's Maine. In the village, thirteen-year-old Peter Poppin and his friend Marian go about their daily routines, attending school in the one-room school house, doing chores for their parents, and building friendships that will last a lifetime. With their schoolteacher Ms. Prim, Peter and Marian help Ahmik, a new schoolmate and a member of the Abamela clan of Native Americans, to learn English. Soon, Peter, Marian and Ahmik become best friends, sharing information about their lifestyles, their families, and their chores that are not all that different as it turns out.
But Peter soon becomes preoccupied with a special project he has in mind for his mother's birthday gift. Peter loves to "whittle" or carve wood into beautiful creations. He wants to carve a mermaid for his mother's birthday. But he has to find the perfect piece of driftwood for the project. There is only one place where mounds of driftwood can be found. At the bottom of a treacherous cliff lies a hidden beach, one with tales of treasure, pirates, and sunken ships and a mountainous pile of driftwood. With his mother's birthday only ten days away, Peter decides that he needs the very best piece of driftwood to create the perfect woodcarving. He knows just where to go.
Peter, Marian, and Peter's trusted dog Patches, scale the cliffs to the beach below. While trying to retrieve a piece of wood, Peter finds a small metal box which is rusted shut. He slips it into his pocket to investigate later and continues to try to free the wood from the tangled woodpile. Suddenly, the wood is pulled free but hits Peter in the eye.
Marian and Patches get help and Peter is taken home to be treated and to recover. The terrible accident leaves Peter blinded in one eye and he is devastated, fearful that he'll never be able to carve wood again. Peter tries to cope with his injury and eventually returns to school. There, some boys taunt him because of his eyepatch which he must wear. Just when the taunting boys have Peter at a disadvantage, a giant eagle flies overhead--screeching and warning the boys to leave Peter alone. When Ahmik hears about the skirmish, he tells Peter that he is now "Eagle Boy" which means he is under the protection of the eagle which just happens to be the protector of Ahmik's village.
Ahmik tells Peter that a Shaman in his village can heal the sick and may be convinced to heal Peter's blindness because of the eagle's protection. The three friends hope that Ahmik will convince the Shaman to heal Peter's blind eye.
Peter, Marian, and Ahmik travel to the village where the Shaman performs a healing ritual that gifts Peter with magical new sight. Peter is able to see clearly--as clearly and sharp as an eagle. But magic has a price. Peter not only is able to see the present, but he is now able to see into the past. Through visions, Peter remembers the metal box he found on the beach. He pries it open to reveal a jewel--a shiny green emerald of great value.
Another vision reveals a great shipwreck, a young woman in distress, and a pirate ship. Peter understands that the jewel belongs to the young woman and that it must be returned to his rightful owner.
When two strange men come to town, Peter realizes that they may be thieves seeking to steal the emerald. With the help of his father and the townspeople, a plan is hatched to foil the thieves' plan before they can steal the jewel.
Follow Peter, Marian, Ahmik, and Patches, as they navigate obstacles of all shapes and sizes. From friendships and bullying, to pirates and giant eagles, their journey inspires us all as we travel with Peter and his loyal friends. Together, we learn to overcome fear, be true to ourselves and others while we face challenges and embrace destiny!