Sentin1910tolivewithdistantrelativeswhoownarubberplantationalongtheAmazonRiver,EnglishorphanMaiaisexcited.Shebelievessheisinforbrightlycoloredmacaws,enormousbutterflies,and"curtainsofsweetlyscentedorchidstrailingfromthetrees."HerBritishclassmateswarnherofman-eatingalligatorsandwild,murderousIndians.Unfortunately,noonecautionsMaiaabouthernasty,xenophobiccousins,whodousethehouseinbugsprayandforbidherfromventuringbeyondtheircoiffedcompound.Maia,however,isresourcefulenoughtofindherselfsmackinthemiddleofmoreexcitementthansheeverimagined,fromamysterious"Indian"withaninheritance,toanitinerantactordreadinghisimpendingadolescence,toaremarkablejourneydowntheAmazoninsearchofthelegendarygiantsloth. 　　EvaIbbotson,authorofDial-A-Ghost,IslandoftheAunts,andotherpositivelydelightfulanddrollfantasies,wonaGoldAwardforthisbookinthe2001NestléSmartiesBookPrizes.Likableheroines,loathsomevillains,andsplendidadventures—-alongwithKevinHawkes'sappealinginkillustrations--makeIbbotson'snovelsamustforeverybookshelf.(Ages9andolder)--EmilieCoulter--ThistextreferstotheHardcoveredition.