Miracle — J. Helen Elza

¬¬Twelve year olds Willie MacGregor and his best friend Johanna set off from their New York City high rise for an exciting mountain adventure. The two find way more adventure than they bargain for when a bit of fairy magic goes awry, Johanna goes missing, and Willie's search for her begins. A splendid cast of new and loyal forest friends that include Eleanor, a plucky eagle with a broken wing, Boomer, a sticky-pawed raccoon that is fond of shiny things, Millicent, a near-sighted mole that is jealous of the great eagle Eleanor, and Isha, a reckless young colt that jeopardizes his friends when he invites Willie into their forbidden pasture aid Willie in his search. Too soon Willie learns that the forest holds dark secrets and that he has trespassed against Fallon, the evil prince with a fondness for disguises who delights in thwarting Willie's search. In escalating clashes with Fallon Willie discovers the prince's true identity, that it is the prince himself that has snatched Johanna and now demands Willie make a choice that no twelve year old should have to make: With Johanna's life hanging in the balance, Willie must choose between his faith and his friend. In her debut novel for kids, Elza has employed talking animals, angels, fairies, and demons in crafting an engrossing tale of fun and high adventure that is interwoven with valuable life lessons, encouragement, faith, and inspiration. Young readers, parents and teachers alike will discover many miracles in the pages of J. Helen Elza's Miracle.