The book has 90 pages, 23 illustrations and follows the two eleven year olds, Wayne and Becky, as they deal with feral dogs that Game Warden Bao says need to be put down but, Wayne and his Aunt Grace have another idea. Wayne and Becky rescue six endangered newts being sold illegally by an exotic pet store and have to somehow get them back to their home... over eight thousand miles away! Phil the Hardware Store owner alerts Warden Bao who unfortunately is twenty miles outside of town. Bao calls and tells Wayne and Becky that they have to protect the pond from being poisoned by vengeful girl bullies. Becky arrives ahead of Wayne and surprises everyone, especially Samantha who is two years older, when she stops the four girls and saves the pond. Grandpa Lynn, home for the summer, decides it's time...to tell Wayne about his Salamander King past.