Afternoon of the Elves

This Newbery Honor book tells the story of Hillary, a nine-year-old who forms an unexpected friendship with her peculiar neighbor, Sara-Kate. Sara-Kate, known for her messy appearance and sometimes aggressive behavior, captivates Hillary with a meticulously crafted elf village in her overgrown backyard. As Hillary spends more time in this enchanting miniature world, she starts to notice unsettling details about Sara-Kate's life, such as her frequent absences from school and the mysterious disappearance of her mother. The book gently explores themes of friendship, empathy, and uncovering difficult truths, prompting readers to look beyond appearances. It's suitable for children aged 8-11, offering a thoughtful narrative about compassion and understanding.

A Newbery Honor Book An American Library Association Notable Children’s Book A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year Janet Taylor Lisle’s captivating Newbery Honor book explores how, like friendship, magic can emerge when you least expect it—and when you need it most. All you have to do is look deep. Anything might happen in Sara-Kate’s backyard. For that matter, anything was happening. For nine-year-old Hillary Lenox, being friends with Sara-Kate Connolly is a complicated business. Sara-Kate’s clothes don’t match, her hair’s a mess, and she’s known to spit at people when they make her mad. But when Sara-Kate shows Hillary the tiny elf village in her overgrown backyard, Hillary decides she can’t be as awful as all that. Hillary is amazed by the delicate houses, the miniature well, even an intricate Ferris wheel made of bicycle wheels and popsicle sticks. But the more time she spends in Sara-Kate’s yard, the more questions she has. How come they never go inside Sara-Kate’s house? Why is Sara-Kate sometimes missing from school? And why hasn’t Hillary ever seen Sara-Kate’s mom? If Hillary can just look deep enough, she hopes, she will uncover the secrets of the elves—and of her new friend.