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?