Chapters 1 and 2 Summary

Chapter 1: A girl named Hillary Lenox sees the elf village for the first time one afternoon. A girl named Sara-Kate Connolly is showing her. The elf village is a miniature village apparently populated by tiny elf people living in Sara-Kate's backyard, though the elves hide when people come. They have built intricate houses out of twigs and leaves, and even have a water well. Hillary can't believe her eyes, and wonders if the village was made by mice or if there is some other explanation.

Sara-Kate seems an unlikely person to be associated with such a magical village. She is a bland, unkempt, even homely girl, who is made fun of at school for her wrinkled clothes and slovenly appearance. True to form, Sara-Kate's backyard is equal parts junk and grass, with bits of glass and rope strewn about, and a...