There is no magic mirror around, no sign of a frog or a possum, as Valerie and Samantha get ready for a canoe trip down the river with Val's dad. As they wait for him by the river, their world transforms before their eyes. Through the stormy sky, a dragon approaches. With the help of a young man who suddenly appears, they take cover. Discovering a baby dragon hidden in his knapsack and his intentions with it, they know what they are sent here to do. They didn't expect the task at the end of their adventure: to help awaken a sleeping princess.

With Samantha's little brother Joshua along, the girls didn't think they'd get to go on an adventure this summer. They could not have been more wrong. Josh disappears mysteriously into the cornfield while on his pony ride. Marcus, happy to finally be allowed to reveal himself to Val and Sam, informs them that Josh has been taken to another realm. It's now up to them to find a treasure in exchange for his safe return home. With help from a new friend, they follow secret caves and tunnels, and even discover the city of gold. But they learn that is not the greatest treasure of all.

Valerie and Samantha are looking forward to a day of fun at the Science Museum in St. Paul, playing with gadgets and doing science projects in the lab. What they don't expect are the gnomes, Marcus and Michael, showing up again and sending them on a wild scavenger hunt through time. Meeting interesting people from history, discovering new musical instruments, ancient healing devices, and even a torture chamber are a part of their oddest adventure yet. So is Val's big brother, Darrell, who shows up to help just when he's needed most. Collecting a series of items - all with intriguing symbols -...