Drama of an abused, backwoods girl coming of age in the Depression-era South.

In the middle of the night, in a house on a quiet street in suburban Minneapolis, intruders silently murder Luke Ellis' parents and load him into a black SUV. The operation takes less than two minutes. Luke will wake up at The Institute, in a room that looks just like his own, except there's no window. And outside his door are other doors, behind which are other kids with special talents - telekinesis and telepathy - who got to this place the same...

A young victim of child abuse gradually overcomes his fears and suspicions when placed in a home with other boys.

An American child of the early 1920's who sells matches is visited by visions that bring some beauty to her tragic life.

After their mother marries a child abuser, Mike decides to help Bobby escape by turning their Radio Flyer wagon into a magic rocket ship that will carry Bobby to safety.

Julia, pregnant at age forty-one, travels through fear, longing, and love on a journey back to childhood when she returns home to the father she has not seen in twenty-three years to learn why her family came apart.

"As a child, Abby had the same recurring nightmare night after night, in which she wandered through a field ridden with human skulls and bones. Now an adult, Abby thinks she's outgrown her demons until, the evening before her wedding, the terrible dream returns, forcing her to confront the dark secrets from her past that she has kept from her new husband, Willem. The following day-less than 24 hours after exchanging vows-Abby steps out into traffic....