Elsewhere

World War I has just begun, and Elsie Clarke is sent to a mysterious school in the woods for only the most talented children. But fewer still are invited to the other side a sentient forest with a magical secret. That secret is the only power on Elsie's side when the headmistress reveals that she'll do whatever it takes to win the war. At the outbreak of World War I, eleven-year-old Elsie Clarke is sent to a mysterious school in the woods for only the most talented children. But fewer still, the Gifted, are invited to the other side – a sentient forest called Elsewhere with a magical secret. Elsie’s world is transformed by the knowledge of Gifts – special talents born from their traits, desires and fears. Talents they will need when the formidable headmistress reveals that she’ll do whatever it takes to win the war, robbing the students of their childhood. The Gifted must bring down her awful regime and win a battle of their own. But is Elsewhere recruiting them too, training them for something even bigger? At the outbreak of World War I, eleven-year-old Elsie Clarke is shipped off to Wales to attend Miss Coleridge’s Academy for Gifted Youths. What at first appears to be an institution for talented academics soon reveals that ‘Gifted’ means something else entirely, and only the mysterious Madam Tryll holds the answers. Only she can open the Gateway to The Place Where Lost Children Go – a sentient forest called Elsewhere with the power to enhance the talents, desires, and fears of unique souls. And then there’s Elsie, the newest Guardian, with the power to open the Gateways into Elsewhere, borrow Gifts in emergencies, and enhance other Gifts with her touch so that her Gifted friends can grow stronger. But Elsie’s powers are unpredictable and her new role as mentor comes with a lot of responsibility. Meanwhile, the war rages on, and the headmistress believes the students are the solution. She intends to push them to their academic limit, training them in the art of war, stripping them of their childhood. The Gifted must use their newfound talents to bring down her awful regime and win a battle of their own. But with the war growing ever closer to home, Elsie can’t help but feel like Elsewhere has been recruiting them too, training them for something bigger than just school.

Pages: 400, Edition: New, Paperback, Wombat Books