Claire Youmans first went to Japan in 1992 and was immediately captivated.  After years of travel and study, she continues to be charmed and amazed by a fascinating history and a culture that's both endearingly quirky and entirely unique. She is a retired lawyer who now lives in Tokyo. Her family, including her daughter and two grandsons, live in Seattle, USA.

In 2014, she started Tales of the Meiji Era with The Toki-Girl and the Sparrow-Boy's unparalleled blend of historical fantasy in the first book of the series, Coming Home.  She continues exploring the combination of history and folklore to share her love and fascination with a very different country and culture. 

Exciting adventures continue to unfold in this delightful fantastical yet historical world as social and political changes expand, technology explodes, and two very unusual children grow up.  



The Toki-Girl and the Sparrow-Boy

"Renko-san?" Shota spoke through his Wishing Rock, on the tightest band he could create. Something was wrong; it had to do with Renko. She was his best friend, and he was being left out. He was convinced if anyone could help Renko, whatever the problem was, it was him.


"Pssst." He tried again. She wasn't answering him. He didn't know if she couldn't hear him or if she was ignoring him. "Renko-san, please answer me!"


Despite his sparrow form, he shivered. If Renko wasn't talking to him, she wasn't talking to anybody. He felt more bereft than he had felt in a very long time.


Suddenly, a flake of snow landed on his head. It was the tiniest of flurries, for it was late in the winter for snow. A few other flakes fell around him. He tried to decide if it was a fluke of nature or a message from Renko when he heard Azuki's human call.


"Please come talk to me. I want to tell you what's going on!"


Chapter 156