Forest Secrets

Book excerpt: A Rhotosaurus, a phantom kid, a ghost mountain and a "Bushman Extraordinaire" called Reginald Blowhard, all come together to form David Laing's latest tale, "Forest Secrets" the third book of his trilogy for young adults. The protagonist is a young Aboriginal girl called Jars, who, along with her faithful dog, Shadow and her tearaway cousin, Snook, embark on an adventure neither will forget.On an impulse, they enter the Cray Bay Photographic competition, which takes them to the Gorge Camping Ground. And that is when their plans are shattered - by an eerie and sudden darkness that comes over the gorge. But that's not all - they are visited by a cheeky possum called Charlie, their bothersome camping companion and Reginald Blowhard finds himself in strife in lots of ways, and, along the way, our heroes just happen to discover "The Find of the Century".