Description: ""One of the pleasures of the young is dress-up, imagined time-travel, and participation in events more significant than life has afforded them thus far. All of these elements abound in All in a Garden Green. Based on a real castle-like estate house in England and a historical visit by Queen Elizabeth I, the novel's protagonists find themselves in unasked-for adventures that both define and stretch them. And readers will greatly enjoy the ride."" --Daniel Taylor, author of Woe to the Scribes and Pharisees ""Fling together a girl about to leave childhood behind, an ancient house filled with chapels and towers and chambers and hidden staircases, lutes and virginals, Queen Elizabeth I, a wise and knowing mentor, and two huge St. Bernards--and then mix them with the slipperiness of time, and you have this rollicking novel that speeds its way to its nick-of-time ending. This is a playful book, spanning four centuries of a changing language, and undergirded by the lovely certainty that what lies ahead will always be better. --Gary Schmidt, Professor and Department Co-Chair of English, Calvin College, and author of Okay for Now ""All in a Garden Green is a journey both real and fantastic. During her family's stay at Hengrave Hall, Erica discovers a portal to England's late sixteenth century. Abruptly, history explodes into fascinating and well-researched detail--altered language, antiquated musical instruments, secret rooms and hidden staircases, even a visit by Queen Elizabeth I. Erica's piano lessons were never like this! The story gives young readers a fresh take on resonances between past and present. Highly recommended."" --Ellen Chavez Kelley, author and poet ""In an old English manor house a young girl enters into history in a way that entices readers to suspend disbelief and take delight in sharing her journey across time. Skillfully drawing upon his own semester with students in England and upon records of a royal visit to Hengrave Hall, Paul Willis has woven a tale that deserves to be read aloud and enjoyed by adults and children old enough to wonder about time past. Ancient customs, young romance, a courtyard, a moat, a mysterious nun, and two St. Bernards are only a few of the features that give this story its singular charm."" --Marilyn McEntyre, author of Caring for Words in a Culture of Lies

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