<DIV>Young readers love following this inquisitive eight-year-old and his trusty dog, Neptune, on misadventures that are full of fun, humor, suspense, and natural history, geography, and other lessons in life.</div><div> </div><div>This exciting series continues with Sam dreading the looming first day of school where he fears his annual back-to-school essay about his summer's activities will not be as impressive as the know-it-all Melody Chambers's. For an end-of-summer adventure, Sam goes blueberry picking with his mom and best friend, Billy. He learns the hard way about safety and respect for wildlife when he has a face-to-face encounter with a bear cub, its protective mom close behind. Heroic Neptune saves the day as she protects her masters after they are chased back into their truck. Find out if this exciting turn of events will make Sam's essay a grand prize winner.</div>