The Little Secret

When Jane is invited to spend her summer vacation with her new—but admittedly odd—friend, Staffa, it feels like a dazzling daydream. Jane is lured by the promise of beautiful gowns as delicate as cobwebs, fancy parties as elegant as castle balls, and more fun than she can possibly imagine.  

But there’s something menacing about the gleam in Staffa’s mother’s eyes. Something not-quite-right about the long drive over the hills of Scotland. Something strangely alluring about the mysterious, glowing box she is told she must never open. Never, ever, for any reason . . . Until, of course, it is opened on her behalf. 

If Jane goes home with Staffa—if she enters the world of the box—will she be trapped forever? Or will she become every girl’s secret idea of a princess?   

Kate Saunders takes readers into a wildly imaginative miniaturized world of castle balls, death-defying bee riders, and giant racing spiders. A world where wicked plots are hatched, exciting rescues staged, and where the power of friendship can be a match for even the most dastardly of villains. 

KATE SAUNDERS worked as an actress until she was twenty-five and then became a writer. She has written books for children, books for adults, and many, many articles for magazines and newspapers. She lives with her family (and her cats) in London.  She has never ridden a bee or drank a cup of Haw-Haw tea, but she's certainly had an adventure or two. 

WILLIAM CARMAN draws pictures in his studio in Boise, Idaho, where he also has a family.  Though his house is more like an Animal Garden than a Boy Garden, he enjoys living there anyway.  He has received many honors for his artwork, including a Society of Illustrators Gold Medal. Whenever he has a chance, he fishes.