The book was written by Frank Sacks; he also wrote the screenplay for the film, which was directed by Graeme Campbell.

The book was written by Frank Sacks and first published by Tom Doherty Associates in 1996 with the front cover art by David Gaadt.

The film was directed by Graeme Campbell based on a screenplay by Frank Sacks, who authored the book.

While shopping at the mall after school one day, Billy stumbles upon a ramshackle petting zoo, where the animals are kept in poor conditions.

Carolyn visits later in the day and tells Billy that he could charge people to see Nico and help his mother, Julie, earn money for her to go to school.

The group doesn't believe Carolyn, but decides to pull a hoax instead for the paper, and plan to take a picture of Nico with a fake horn.

Meanwhile, Carolyn has cycled on ahead to warn Billy, who immediately packs his bag to take Nico to safety up on Big Rock at the top of a dangerous mountain.

Having not gotten very far, Julie soon catches up to Billy, who is discarding his leg cast so he can ride Nico bareback, something that could confine him to a wheelchair if he has a bad fall.

With his mother leading the others away, Billy eventually reaches the top of Big Rock where he and Nico are stuck at the edge of a cliff, behind him a news helicopter lands to take pictures, and Billy and Nico flee but before they can escape, the police, Julie and Carolyn arrive on their horses.

[5] Renee Schonfeld at Common Sense Media wrote that it was a likeable story with good messages and role models, but cautioned that some scenes might be intense for animal-loving children.