When an envelope arrives in the mail filled with letters of acceptance, congratulations, and salutations from Laurelton University, Joshua Clafston is transformed from someone quite ordinary into a blossoming prodigy. Now no longer a boy or even an adolescent, Josh finally takes the first step on the irrevocable road to manhood. After he embarks on his journey into the unique, uncensored world of higher education, Josh is soon immersed in the uncertainties, angst, and exhilaration that accompany his academic demands and social obligations. While learning how to negotiate the line between pretension and maturity, he obtains sage advice on what to do when life does not turn out according to plan. Joshs fellow students, who are intellectually curious, playful, politically active, and eccentric, help to shape his ideas, hopes, and perspectives on life. As Josh searches for grounding and truth in his Ivy League education, he grows and changes through experiences that include losing his innocence, discovering the steadfastness of true friendship, and realizing the limits of love. Elis Children weaves together a tapestry of inspiration, purpose, friendship, justice, love, tolerance, and betrayal as a college student attempts to answer the age-old questions of life and learns to embrace the notion of love.