Sawyer is a young boy who is a loner and does not do well in school. One day he stumbles on a dolphin trapped in a crab trap on the beach. While help is on the way, he stays with the animal until it is brought to the aquarium. He plays hooky in school, to check on the dolphin at the marine facility, where it is being cared for by Dr. Clay, his daughter Hazel, and a team of others. Sadly, the tail has been badly damaged and has to be cut off. The dolphin, Winter, has difficulty swimming, and the unusual motion of its swimming is damaging his tail further. Every day, Sawyer visits the team to help out and think of a solution. His bonding with the animal has greatly improved his social and school skills, which impresses his mom. When his older cousin Kyle comes home injured from war, he meets Dr. McCarthy who helps amputees. He asks for his help in fitting Winter with a prosthetic tail. After several attempts, Winter rejects the prototypes. But after tweaking the attachment device, Winter takes to the newest model. Meanwhile, the aquarium is in debt and is going to be sold. The animals will have to be relocated much to everyone's disappointment. Sawyer and Hazel drum up awareness about Winter, and soon catches the attention of the would-be buyer. The team fix up a charity event to raise funds, and the buyer, inspired by Winter, decides to keep the place open, offering to fund it. Winter, the team, and the rest of the animals get their happy ending.
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Best part of story, including ending:
It shows how compassion for an animal can heal others.
Best scene in story:
When Sawyer visits the aquarium for the first time, he realizes he belongs there.
Opinion about the main character:
Sawyer is a precocious and resourceful boy, and Winter's lucky to have him.
