Twelve-year-old Courtney dreads the day when she will become a woman, for it is then, that she must leave Elysia, the world of light, goodness, and beauty-never to return again. Recently elected queen, Courtney knows the rules of Elysia are unyielding. Only children are allowed. Courtney's world was once normal. But after her father disappears, Courtney, desperate to escape her depression, begins entering a fantasy world every night as she sleeps. As young as she is, even Courtney knows this place cannot possibly exist; still, in this colorful world filled with delightful creatures, everyone wants to make her happy-including her new best friend and the boy of her dreams. But unfortunately, an evil civilization also exists nearby, and its king has stolen the magic crystal that provides power to the beautiful world she has come to love. Now Courtney and her friends must journey into the dangerous darkness to try to get the crystal back-before they become adults. In this fantasy tale, as Courtney and her new friends come of age, they must somehow find the strength and character inside each of them in order to save their world from destruction.