"The last memory Thomas has of his mother is the delicious poutine she made him for his fifth birthday. The next morning, she was gone. All that remained were the five candles she stuck into the concoction of French fries, gravy, and melted cheese curds. On his twelfth birthday, Thomas comes up with a plan: if he makes the biggest poutine in the world, he'll get his name into the Guinness World Records. Maybe then, his mother will take notice and come back home"--Back cover.