During the Depression, a young Memphis boy trains his pet duck to do tricks in the fountain of a grand hotel and ends up becoming the Duck Master of the Peabody Hotel.

"Summer has come to Fernwood Forest, and the staff of the Heartwood Hotel must trust each other as they contend with their biggest challenge yet"--

When his uncle causes the hotel to fall and stop functioning, Warren must travel into the dangerous Malwoods to rescue the hotel and his friends from evil Queen Calvina, who sees the hotel as the perfect way to spread her control and power.

The six horrible Herdmans, the worst kids in the history of the world, cause mayhem throughout the school year.