With his family struggling to survive in late-1890s Norway and his father leaving on a ship for America to earn much-needed money, 10-year-old Yohan devises his own plans to help his family, but his jealous older brother has other ideas and, unbeknownst to their parents, he signs a contract with an agent for Yohan to become a farm laborer. Now consigned to being a child wanderer, Yohan is sent off to provide cheap labor on a faraway farm. Yohan embarks on a long, rugged journey filled with danger, loneliness, and feelings of abandonment. Along the way, he meets two other child wanderers, 8-year-old Anna and her younger brother. Together with other child wanderers led by menacing boy Aslak, the group makes its way on foot through the countryside until Yohan finally arrives at the farm where he is expected to work. He becomes a shepherd boy, protecting the farmer's livestock from wolves and grizzly bears. His boss Nome is a harsh disciplinarian, impossible to please. Following his heart and with good intentions, Yohan makes decisions that are misunderstood by local adults and sabotaged by other envious children. Unjustly accused, he is punished and beaten by Nome. Events only get worse, with wild animals attacking Nome's herd on Yohan's watch, while Yohan discovers that his friend Anna and her brother have been beaten at a neighboring farm. Using his resourcefulness and ingenuity, a battered Yohan sets out to help Anna and her brother escape from the farm owners.