A boy learns to read the river when he goes white water rafting with his dad.

Twin brother and sister, James and Morgan, go on an adventurous camping and hiking vacation with their parents to Bryce Canyon and Zion national parks and learn about the history, unusual geology, famous sites, plants, and animals of these two closely situated but very different parks. Accompanying sidebar notes include additional facts about the area and describe the facilities and rules of the two parks.

Found in the desert as a baby by monks who named him, thirteen-year-old Marcus, who has been confined to a wheelchair ever since he can remember, knows nothing of his background and endures the difficulties of his daily life in various foster homes and schools by dreaming of Farworld, a magical place whose pull seems to be getting increasingly stronger.

Having discovered that his destiny is tied to that of Farworld, Marcus, despite his growing power over water, struggles with physical pain and inner doubts as, with the help of his companions, he tries to complete the quest to find the other elementals that will help destroy the evil force of the Dark Circle.

When her behavior escalates out of control, fourteen-year-old Wren is taken away to a wilderness therapy camp where she is forced to develop new skills, including the courage to ask for help.