THIS IS NOT the summer camping trip of Sammy’s dreams. She imagined shade, streams, a deer or two. But she winds up in a phony forest with scrubby shrubs, blazing sun, rattlesnakes, and scorpions. Her fellow campers are desperate to catch a rare glimpse of an endangered condor in the wild. Sammy’s seen enough—that bird is ugly!

But when she and two other girls find an injured condor, Sammy’s intrigued. The girls stray away from their group to track down a clue, but instead stumble onto two classmates and wind up lost. Which leaves three girls and two boys in the middle of a canyon with one tent and six billion biting flies. Oh—and an armed and dangerous high-stakes poacher.

S’mores, anyone?

 Back to top | e-mail or print this page

“Quick-witted banter makes this a fast-paced joyride of a read. Think a combination of Carl Hiaasen’s Flush and Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum books and you’ll be right on target.”—School Library Journal

“A winning series about a smart, brave young sleuth.”—Booklist

 Back to top | e-mail or print this page

Click here for Wendelin Van Draanen’s printable Author Bio.

 Back to top | e-mail or print this page

Wendelin Van Draanen was a teacher for many years before turning to writing full-time. She lives in California with her husband and two sons.

 Back to top | e-mail or print this page