by Donna Jo Napoli

Zel lives on an isolated Swiss alm with Mother, who insists they have everything, for they have each other. But Zel is growing and changing. How can this be enough for her? When Zel shows interest in the young nobleman who is so smitten with her after they meet by chance, suddenly Mother sees the future unfolding: and it holds loss -- only loss. Swiftly she does the unspeakable. She locks her perfect daughter away in a tower, at the same time imprisoning herself in self-hatred and the vain hope that in time Zel will make the choice Mother wants. Meanwhile, day after day, for years, the haunted young man searches for the girl.