"Sara-Kate Connolly thinks she's got elves," eleven-year-old Hillary tells her mother one day after spending an afternoon in the Connolly's neighboring yard. And, indeed, it appears that she does have them, if the elaborate elf village in Sara-Kate's yard is any indication of truth. Hillary's fascination with Sara-Kate, her elves and her mysterious home life grows as she becomes more and more involved in her alternate world. Changing perceptions of reality resonate as a central theme in a finely crafted novel. (Ages 9-12)

In "this enchanting story about friendship," two fourth grade girls discover a magical world hidden in one's backyard ( Publishers Weekly).


No fourth grader trusts Sara-Kate Connolly. Her boots are dirty, her clothes are weird, and she's so maladjusted that the school had to hold her back a grade. But Hillary is her next-door neighbor, and can't say no when the unusual loner invites her over to play. In Sara-Kate's overgrown backyard, Hillary will find proof of a world of magic—the kind that can only blossom between true friends.



Among the rusted car parts and wild plants, a miniature village has sprung up. It has tiny houses made from string, sticks, and maple leaves; a well with a bottlecap for a bucket; and even a little playground with a Popsicle-stick Ferris wheel. But there's absolutely no sign of who built this miniature world. To Sara-Kate, the answer is clear—only elves could be responsible for something so enchanted. As she and Hillary watch for their elusive new friends, they learn that friendship, like magic, springs up where you least expect it.



This ebook features a personal history by Janet Taylor Lisle including rare images and never-before-seen documents from the author's own collection.