The Adventures of Lauren MacPhearson

Lauren, 9 1/2, who comes from Scotland, has elective mutism, but that doesn't stop her from having adventures, which she tells us about in four stories of her encounters with thieves, bears, forest fires, white water, biting horses, stolen art and ghosts from April to August.

- Lauren MacPhearson and the Scottish Adventure -
In April, in Scotland, Lauren stays the weekend with her father, where he works, sees the Company's cat, Ginger, catch her own special brand of "mice," and watches a pain-in-the-neck eat crow pie.

- Lauren MacPhearson and the Colorado Adventure -
In June, Lauren flies to a Colorado Dude Ranch to meet cousin Andi, Aunt Daisy and Uncle Bill. She meets up with bears, forest fires, white water--and, worst of all, a three-year old boy.

- Lauren MacPhearson and the Jumbled Cupboard Adventure -
In July, in Mirasol, California, where Andi and her family live, the girls go to Summer School. Lauren is fascinated with the stuffed cupboard of a teacher, Mrs. Utamaro. So stuffed that things keep falling out of it. A beautiful poster on the inside of the cupboard door is of a wave. The original print hangs in a local museum. Or does it?

- Lauren MacPhearson and the Ghostly Adventure -
In August, while Lauren continues her visit with cousin Andi in Mirasol, she learns that her cousin is psychic. The ghost of the woman who died next door won't let Andi rest until her murder is solved.