Will—a major character in the author’s last book, The Bear—is once again presented with serious challenges deep in a Pacific Northwest forest. He has returned to his grandparents’ resort, Bridal Veil Falls Lodge, for the summer. He and two cousins take a backpack trip up a dilapidated and highly dangerous mountain trail. The trail takes them to Lake Serene, a small mountain lake and potential state park. They spend a number of days at the lake site. During their stay, they are confronted with a number of challenges: crossing rushing mountain streams, scaling a nearly perpendicular cliff, and encountering a variety of wild animals, including a cougar. The boys learn valuable lessons in woodsmanship, self-reliance, cooperation, and the power of nature. Most importantly, they learn to work together during times of stress and danger.

--James C. McElroy

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