High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The Secret River is a children`s fantasy book by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, author of the The Yearling. Published in 1955, The Secret River received a Newbery Honor Award. The first edition, illustrated by Caldecott Medal winner Leonard Weisgard, was issued after Rawlings` death. The book was revised and reissued in 2009 with illustrations by Caldecott Medalists Leo and Diane Dillon. The new edition received an international children`s book design award in 2012. The Secret River is the only book Rawlings wrote specifically for children. The story of young Calpurnia, who goes on a quest to find a magical river and catch fish for her starving family and friends, it has two themes common in Rawlings` writing, the magic of childhood and the struggle of people to survive in a harsh environment.