Dragon Girls meets Love Puppies in this new chapter book series starring a group of friends who protect animals with magical gemstones!

A little sparkle goes a long way!

Lily the Water Gem helps her family take care of otters who splash around near the lake. When one of the baby otters is injured, Lily rushes to help. It soon becomes clear that the otter needs a special medicine made from flowers that grow beyond a powerful waterfall.

The Gem who goes on the mission to collect the flowers must be brave, strong, and fast―because time is running out. Lily volunteers to make the journey. She’ll do anything to save one of her beloved otters!

About the author

Payal Doshi is the author of Rea and the Blood of the Nectar, a middle grade fantasy novel and recipient of the IPPY Gold Award. Her young adult short story, A Confluence of Fates, can be found in the YA anthology, My Big, Fat, Desi Wedding. Her forthcoming four-book series of chapter books, Magic Gems, published by Scholastic Inc. will be available in 2026. Payal has an MFA in Creative Writing (Fiction) from The New School, New York. When she isn’t writing, you can find her nose deep in a book with a cup of coffee or daydreaming of fantasy realms to send her characters into. Born and raised in Mumbai, India, she currently resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her husband and daughter. She loves writing stories that celebrate and champion her South Asian heritage.