Eleven-year-old Willodeen loves animals of all kinds, especially the ugly ones. Her very special favorites are the unsightly Screechers. The residents of Purchance have nearly eradicated them. They much prefer the cute Bumblebears, which hibernate in the village every year and attract tourists from near and far. But this year, not a single one has returned, and no one knows why. When a handmade gift from her friend Connor unexpectedly becomes magical, she believes there might be a connection between the lives of the Screechers and the Bumblebears, and that all animals play an important role in the intricate web of nature. Willodeen is determined to bring the Screechers back, for only then can her village survive. The award-winning author Katherine Applegate has written a sensitive and wise plea for conservation and biodiversity, wrapped in an exciting fantasy adventure.