The Seven Secrets of Somewhere Lake is one of the best books that have come from the pen of this popular author, photographer, lecturer and naturalist. In the summer Sam and Giny plan to make a movie film of the Grand Canyon country. This year, they say, there are to be no baby animals taken in to be cared for. No sooner do they make this resolve than fate dooms it, with several large snickers. They have no choice but to adopt in rapid succession: Zipper, a half-starved fawn; Zowie, a baby red fox; Zanie, a taffy-colored puppy, and Zinnia, a tiny skunk! Then, as if that isn't enough, seven young beavers are literally dumped into Sam's lap.

Sam Campbell, the Philosopher of the Forest, was a legend of the North Country. Once met, he was never forgotten, for he was a fountain of inspiration and buoyant enthusiasm. As one of the early pioneers in the environmental movement, his efforts were aimed at educating and entertaining people in hopes of raising their consciousness. Sam respected the merging breed of politically active conservationists, and acknowledged a great need for them. However, he found that his own personality was much better suited to low-key, friendly efforts to help people appreciate nature and thus lift their thoughts to more lofty values.

Can Carlene really be remembering things from a past life? Strange, fragmented memories have been haunting Carlene since she and her mother came to Lake Isadora. The vivid recollections don't seem to relate to anything in Carlene's own past. Until now, she hadn't even seen the place where Keith, the brother she never knew, disappeared during a storm fifteen years ago. Some think he drowned, but his mother thinks he was kidnapped and is still alive somewhere. She is sure the little boy's clothes that have just been found near the lake belonged to her son. Carlene knows that her bizarre memories have something to do with Keith. They might even help her discover the truth about what happened the day he disappeared. But she can't possibly be remembering things that happened before she was born-unless the memories are from a past life.

Twenty years ago, Emma, Mackenzie and Serena bonded over their New York City dreams. Then, each summer, they spent one week together at the lake. It's been five years since Emma has seen her friends, but now she's in desperate need of their support. But when a terrible accident keeps Emma from saying her piece, Serena and Mackenzie begin to learn about the past on their own. Now, to heal their friendship and their broken lives, the three women will have to return to the lake that once united them and discover which relationships are worth holding on to.

Includes Part 1A: Books

The perfect addition to every family’s home library and just right for sharing aloud, American Tall Tales introduces readers to America’s first folk heroes in nine wildly exaggerated and downright funny stories. Here are Paul Bunyan, that king-sized lumberjack who could fell “ten white pines with a single swing”; John Henry, with his mighty hammer; Mose, old New York’s biggest, bravest fireman; Sally Ann Thunder Ann Whirlwind, who could “outgrin, outsnort, outrun, outlift, outsneeze, outsleep, outlie any varmint”; and other uniquely American characters, together in one superb collection. In the tradition of the original nineteenth-century storytellers, Mary Pope Osborne compiles, edits, and adds her own two cents’ worth—and also supplies fascinating historical headnotes. Michael McCurdy’s robust colored wood engravings recall an earlier time, perfectly capturing all the vitality of the men and women who carved a new country out of the North American wilderness.