At the outbreak ofWorld War I, eleven-year-old Elsie Clarke is shipped off to Wales to attend MissColeridge's Academy for Gifted Youths. What at first appears to be aninstitution for talented academics soon reveals that 'Gifted' means somethingelse entirely, and only the mysterious Madam Tryll holds the answers.

Only she can openthe Gateway to The Place Where Lost Children Go - a sentient forest calledElsewhere with the power to enhance the talents, desires, and fears of uniquesouls. And then there's Elsie, the newest Guardian, with the power to open theGateways into Elsewhere, borrow Gifts in emergencies, and enhance other Giftswith her touch so that her Gifted friends can grow stronger. But Elsie's powersare unpredictable and her new role as mentor comes with a lot ofresponsibility.

Meanwhile, the warrages on, and the headmistress believes the students are the solution. She intendsto push them to their academic limit, training them in the art of war,stripping them of their childhood. The Gifted must use their newfound talentsto bring down her awful regime and win a battle of their own. But with the wargrowing ever closer to home, Elsie can't help but feel like Elsewhere has beenrecruiting them too, training them for something bigger than just school.