It is sunrise in the Teatown Woods of New York's Hudson Highlands. Rebecca, a young explorer, climbs a beech tree to the canopy-the highest layer of plant life-to begin her vigil for the mysterious ovenbird. "I'll know an ovenbird," she says to herself. "Uncle Luke said it's a wizard. A wizard does magic. That's easy."

During her day-long outing, Rebecca discovers that wizardry abounds in this magnificent woodland. She is enchanted by the magic of a flying squirrel, disappearing deer, and wood ducklings. But Rebecca does not know in which layer-the canopy, shrub, or field-the ovenbird lives. And the elusive bird keeps her waiting.

Newbery Medalist Jean Craighead George vividly describes the beauty and symbiotic relationships present in the Northeastern Deciduous Forest. Her lyrical prose, enhanced by Gary Allen's thoughtful, detailed illustrations, exquisitely captures a young girl's spirit of adventure and sensitivity to nature.