A Trip to the Library
Author: Kial (12)
Florida, USA
Twelve-year-old Alex Parker was not your average student. With a mop of unruly brown hair and a pair of glasses that always seemed to slide down his nose, he was known for his insatiable curiosity and love for books. Every day after school, Alex would head straight to the old library at the edge of town. It was a grand, ancient building with towering shelves and the faint smell of aged paper that Alex found comforting.
One crisp autumn afternoon, Alex discovered a hidden door behind a dusty bookshelf in the far corner of the library. His heart raced with excitement as he pushed it open, revealing a narrow staircase leading down into darkness. With a flashlight in hand, Alex descended the stairs, his mind buzzing with possibilities.
At the bottom, he found a small, dimly lit room filled with ancient books and peculiar artifacts. In the center of the room was a large, ornate book on a pedestal. The cover was adorned with strange symbols and the title read, “The Chronicles of Time.”
Unable to resist, Alex opened the book. As he did, a bright light enveloped him, and he felt himself being pulled into the pages. When the light faded, Alex found himself standing in a bustling medieval village. He looked around in awe, realizing he had somehow traveled back in time.
A friendly blacksmith named Thomas noticed Alex’s bewildered expression and approached him. “You look lost, lad. Where are you from?” he asked.
Alex hesitated, unsure how to explain his situation. “I’m from… far away,” he replied.
Thomas chuckled. “Well, you’re welcome here. Come, I’ll show you around.”
As days turned into weeks, Alex adapted to his new life in the medieval village. He helped Thomas in the forge, learned to ride horses, and even made a few friends. But he couldn’t shake the feeling that he needed to find a way back home.
One evening, while exploring the village, Alex stumbled upon an old, wise woman named Elara. She seemed to know more about him than she let on. “You seek a way back to your time, don’t you?” she asked.
Alex nodded. “Yes, but I don’t know how.”
Elara smiled. “The answer lies in the book that brought you here. You must find the missing pages and complete the story.”
With renewed determination, Alex set out on a quest to find the missing pages. Along the way, he faced numerous challenges, from solving riddles to outsmarting bandits. His friends from the village, including Thomas and a brave girl named Lily, joined him on his journey.
After many adventures, they finally found the last missing page hidden in a cave guarded by a fierce dragon. With courage and cleverness, Alex managed to retrieve the page and return to the village.
Elara guided Alex as he placed the missing page back into the book. As he did, the same bright light enveloped him once more. When it faded, Alex found himself back in the old library, the book still open before him.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Alex closed the book and placed it back on the pedestal. He knew he would never forget his incredible journey and the friends he made along the way. As he left the library, he couldn’t help but wonder if the book would ever call him back for another adventure.
The Little Flower
Author: London (13)
Washington, DC
This story is about a young girl named Billie. Ever since she was little, Billie always loved to sing. She would sing show tunes, tv show intros, and everything in between. Her mother and father have always encouraged her to sign up for her school plays but she was always too nervous. One day, she walked into school and spotted a paper on the wall. She stepped out of the crowded hallway to examine it closer and her eyes widened. “St. Xavier Catholic School presents: The Little Flower!”The poster read in bold with a list of sign-up lines under the title. Billie felt compelled to sign up so she reached in her purse for a pen and signed her name.
The following week, Billie stepped into school, eager to see what role she had been given. She pushed her way through the bunch of students and skimmed through the cast list. She beamed with excitement to see her name under the main role of “Little Flower”. She jumped with joy and after school she made her way to the auditorium where the first practice was being held. Billie sat with the other members of the cast. They all look so professional.. She thought to herself, bouncing her leg nervously.
The director began to position people in their spots and gave everyone their script. Billie flipped through the script, her brow furrowing in confusion. Everything was so confusing and complicated to her. She wanted to ask questions but she wanted to make a good impression; after all, she was the main character. It came her time to recite her lines and sing the opening song. She clutched her script and walked on stage.
The music began to play and Billie felt overwhelmed and panicked. She had forgotten the words already and everyone was watching her. Minutes felt like hours and the only sound that could escape her lips were small squeaks. Once practice was over she went home, flopping on her bed, discouraged. Her mother came into her room and sat on the edge of her bed. “How was play practice?” Her mother asked in a gentle voice. “Not great, I was too nervous to sing..” Billie said, her disappointment in herself evident in her voice. “I’m sure things will get better. It’s perfectly fine to mess up. It’s practice and everyone is there to learn.” Her mom said, her voice inspirational. Billie took her mom’s words into consideration and practiced her singing as much as she could that night.
Billie walked into play practice the next week feeling more confident in herself. She sang the opening song and was reciting her lines with a more eager mood than before. Even when she made mistakes, she didn’t let them discourage her. Opening night came sooner than expected and Billie was more excited than she’d ever been. She had been working hard and the whole cast had a huge improvement in their acting skills. The night of the play, Billie was changing into her costume and when she was finished, she peeked out of the curtain. There were so many people and suddenly she wasn’t feeling so sure but with a couple inspiring words from her cast members, she was ready to go. She sang the opening song and the play went amazingly! When the cast joined Billie to take the final bow, the audience cheered and applauded them! Billie climbed off the stage and hugged her parents and friends. They gifted her flowers and candy. Billie went on to join various plays and she never forgot how she started.
The Horrible Nightmare
Author: Caroline (13)
Illinois, USA
“Yum! This is so good,” I thought. It was a dark night in our spooky and tiny apartment and I was eating dinner when...“Beep!” “Beep!” went to my timer.Looks like I might have stayed up too late. I went to my room to sleep, and around me the world seemed to close. “Help!” I tried to scream, but then darkness pulled me in, and I was in a dream. I couldn't wake up because something was holding me back, but what?
“Ow!” “Oof!” I stumbled down a hill screaming as I went. Then… Darkness. I woke and to my surprise there was an outstanding light that could have blinded me. A cackle came from outside.” Witches!” Somebody shouted. An old woman (possibly a grandma,) ran to me. “Come with us.” I went, obediently. “Sit.” “Sit.” The woman said. “Would you like some- dong!” “dong!” “The bell!” She gasped. Everyone rushed out and a magnificent king dressed in red robes decorated with jewels that sparkled like the ocean, and he came out and announced: “I am sorry to interrupt but there are some creatures outside using dark magic, and I need some volunteers to help fight.” He said. At first nobody raised their hand. “I shall also leave my army at your disposal.” The king said. Then a bunch of hands shot up. “That’s more like it.” I thought. My mind raced. Should I go? Yes, I will. Everyone was kind to me and I must return that favor by fighting. I slowly raised my hand while I noticed another knight had raised his hand. “I will leave you all to pairs of swords, armor, horses, and bow and arrows. “Good luck,'' the king said. And with that we were off.
Some time later…
“Ugh!” “Pant!” “Pant!” Me and the knight collapsed exhausted by fighting and we were covered with wounds. I looked around and dead villagers were scattered like rain across the ground. Me and the knight were the only ones left alive. “Are you okay?” I ask him. “I think I can manage.” The knight said. Then he fell. “You should rest.” I said. Then all of a sudden a shadow came over us. “Flap!” “Flap!” A humongous, red, evil dragon flew down to us. I grabbed my sword as the dragon landed. I staggered a little to the left. The dragon suddenly ignored me and it started breathing fire on the trees and was heading towards the village. I was about to shout to get the dragon’s attention but then he saw me. I made contact with the dragon and saw its eyes. The dragon looked like he was worried about something but I couldn't figure out what that was.
I head back to the village on my pure, cloudy, white mare letting the knight ride in front because he was injured. We arrived at the village by dusk. I left the knight with the healer and grabbed my horse's reins and sped off. “Where is that dragon?” I thought. “Man, it's almost pure black and I don’t even have a lead.” Just then, there was a flicker of light. “Aha!” I slowly climb a mountain shivering as we approach the flicker of light. I spot the dragon with a rock, cuddling it and rolling it around like a sad puppy. I look around his home and something catches my eye. I see his chest and it is very bloody with a gigantic sword stuck in it. I step a tiny bit closer to the dragon's tail. The dragon growls. “Easy.” “Easy.” I say. “Calm down.” For a moment the dragon seems to understand. “Hmm… it seems swollen and it looks like a pale stone.” I wonder. “If the healer can get here fast the dragon may make it.” I think. That night I kidnapped the healer. (Nicely of course.) In the morning I lightly open the sack and the healer jumps out like a jack-in-a-box. “What am I doing here? Yikes! Girl kill the dragon now!” The healer said. “Actually I need you to heal his chest.” I said. “Never am I going to go near that thing.” The healer told me. “Would you like to die?” I said. “NO!” The healer yelled. “Then get to work.” I told the healer. First the healer adds some stinging ointment, bandages the wound, and tests if it is comfortable.
When she is done, the dragon snorts happily. Then the dragon waves me over with his wing. He points to his back. “You want me to get on?” I asked. He nodded. “Okay.” I said.
Then we were soaring through the air and I felt the wind in my face. “Ahhh.” I sighed. Then the world closed again but not violently. It faded. Then I. Woke. Up.
Beyond the Veil
Author: Yahti (14)
Michigan, USA
The dim light flickered as Sarah and her friends gathered around the old Ouija board, its wooden surface worn and splintered. A chill crept through the air, wrapping around them like a cold fog. The scent of musty paper and candle wax mingled, creating an unsettling atmosphere. As they placed their fingers on the planchette, a low hum filled the room, vibrating in their bones like the distant sounds of a bell. The planchette glided across the board, which spelt out, “H-E-L-P.” Out of nowhere, a gust of wind slammed the door shut, which threw them in pitch darkness. Their hearts raced in the silence. Each beat reminded them that something was hanging out just beyond the flickering candlelight. “Sarah, you must be messing around with us right now,” Hayley said; one of Sarah's friends. “Guys, I swear I'm not doing anything, I'm just as scared as how you all are.” Sarah muttered. “Hayley, A.J., Lucy, and Lavender. I'm serious. Are you all certain that no one is playing around?” Sarah said. Everyone said no.
Suddenly, tension increases in the air, the atmosphere gets more and more eerie. With trembling hands, they pressed on, terrified yet eager to see what'll happen next. The temperature dropped further, and a whisper that was barely audible slithered through the air, sending shivers down their spines. “Get out,” it hissed. The voice seemed to come from the depths of the board itself. The planchette started to move violently fast. “Guys, I have a terrible feeling about this, let’s stop playing this.” Sarah said, unclear due to the intense moving, others unable to hear her. They spelled out the word from the moving planchette that spelled, “S-O-M-E-O-N-E I-S H-E-R-E.” The girls screamed so loudly, erupting like a chorus of wild sirens, a blend of high-pitched shrieks. In that moment, the realization struck: they had invited something into their world.
As they fumbled to relight a candle, the shadows around
them twisted and coiled, revealing ghostly figures. The air thickened with the scent of decay. Sarah and her friends found themselves drawn into a realm where the veil between the dead and living blurred. Each whisper promises secrets that could unravel the very fabric of reality.
To Far Back
Author: Jayden (11)
Texas, USA
CHAPTER ONE
Into The Time Machine
Today at Colliville, the wind is swaying the trees, the sun is rising and everyone's alarm is going off.
Tiff had the best sleep in his life. "Today is going to be the best day ever! I can't wait to see Jayden!" Said Tiff.
Tiff and Jayden were best friends. They never stopped talking to each other. They wish they could go back in time to fix their grades, relieve good time and see how cool the past was.Amazing ! Maybe!
Tiff called Jayden's phone and in a flash, he picked up. "Yo wassup" Jayden said. "What's good" replied Tiff. Are you down to explore abandoned places, said Tiff. Yeah! I'm down, meet me up at that one abandoned lab. Alright say less said, Tiff said.
Thirty minutes later, they both met at the abandoned lab. The front door was locked up with the series of pass codes. They split up to look for the pass codes. When they came back, they both had a lot of codes. They tried all of them but the door was still not opened until they tried the last code. "Passcode approved" flashed their eyes and they both jumped with excitement.
Tiff, I'm scared, said Jayden. Don't, for we are together, said Tiff. They entered and found chairs and tubes everywhere . Tiff pressed the light switch and the lights turned on."Wow!" the lights still works, said Tiff. I guess, said Jayden.
Let's go inside and explore said Tiff. Okay let's split up said Tiff. No! I don't want to said Jayden. Let's go upstairs. They both went upstairs and wow! what's that? It says time traveling . Let's go in said Tiff. I'm going to count from three to one and we will both go in at the same time. Three!Two!! and One!!! They were both in.
CHAPTER TWO
In The Past
Woah! It's a dinosaur said Tiff. Errrmm.....What now? said Jayden. Let's go find somewhere to camp for now said Tiff, Ok, said Jayden. They put up their camp under an arch tree. Bro! it's night and time for bed. See you tomorrow morning. Good night Jayden;.... Good night Tiff.
The next morning when they woke up, Jayden screamed upon seeing an unfamiliar thing. Be quiet said Tiff. It's just a baby Tyrannosaurus. You are such a scary cat. Anyways! Do you have your backpack? asked Tiff. Jayden responded in affirmative. Give it to me, Tiff said. You are a life saver. You got takies and sprite. Let's have a feast. You are eating as if you haven't eating for a while.
After eating, Tiff said to Jayden " let's go explore". Ok said Jayden but first, let's pack up the tent. A few minutes after packing and on their way to explore, a bird pooped on Jayden. Hahaha! laugh Tiff. Let's sit down a little bit, I need to clean the bird poop said Jayden. It's a good idea.
After cleaning, they continued their journey. All of a sudden, Jayden shouted Look! Sabertooth tiger. Tiff pulled out his notebook and wrote about the sabertooth tiger. We need to sneak past the tiger to get a clear view of it said Tiff. As they tried to sneak past it, it noticed them. Oh! Oh! said Tiff. Run!!. They took off without thinking and ran their hearts out until they couldn't see or feel the tiger again before they could stop to take a breath. That was a close call said Jayden.
Jayden got scared and wanted them to go back but Tiff insisted on seeing the last thing before returning. When the walked for about five minutes, they saw a cave and they decided to enter. Jayden being the scary thing had his reservation but Tiff convinced him.
They entered and immediately saw a group of gorillas, They wanted to run but it was too late as Tiff was captured though Jayden was able to escape. Jayden sat by himself crying thinking about his friend and how he would go back.
An idea came to his mind to pretend to be like a gorilla. He did exactly that and went in again. When the gorilla saw him, they didn't react as they thought he was one of them. Tiff was so scared that he pooped on himself.
Jayden started singing a song and it was so beautiful that all the gorillas began to sing along, dancing and beating their chest. Jayden and Tiff hatched a perfect plan to escape when the gorillas were not watching. When an opportunity came for them to escape, Jayden called Tiff and all of a suden Jayden woke up to realize it was all just dream.
My Second Day in Wisconsin Dells
Author: Sofia (10)
Illinois, USA
I wake, to hear my friend (Valeria) screaming, “Sofia your dad is not here, let’s watch tv!” We are in Wisconsin Dells, having a sleepover in my hotel room. As I yawn, I mutter, “Fine.” While we brush our teeth, we talk about what we should watch. As I put down my toothbrush, I run out into the main room. I grab the remote, and go straight to YouTube. “What should we watch?” I ask. “I know this really cool YouTuber that plays Minecraft,” she says. I say, “Cool, what is his name?”
“Acookiegod,” she answers. We turn on a video, and watch tv until my dad comes back. My dad comes, and we start jumping on the beds, but Valeria hits her knee! We are so worried, and were rushing to get a cold towel. I think to myself nervously, “What if she can’t go to the waterpark?” We head down to breakfast, but she was feeling a bit better since we quickly put cold on her knee. While we were eating breakfast, I decided to grab a waffle, but the line was so long! Though she is still hurt, Valeria stood with me in the line. “What a great friend,” I think to myself. We finish up breakfast and head to the car.
My dad says to me and my friend, “Today we are going to Mt.Olympus, the place with the tallest water slide in America!” Our jaws drop to the floor when we hear that, but I also don’t want to go to the waterpark. When we enter, we first see a giant roller coaster that went underground! “I am never riding that,” I think, just as Valeria says, “I am definitely riding that.” “Ironic,” I smirk and roll my eyes. Just as we come in, the security stops them at the checkpoint. The security tells Valeria’s mom that they can’t bring food into the waterpark. Then, Valeria’s mom starts arguing! “I know your tricks! I don’t want my children eating your horrible junk food,” she screams. “Sorry ma'am, rules are rules,” the worker hesitantly says. “Wow, fierce,” I thought. In the end, they have to bring the food back into the car.
While we are walking through the park I feel the aroma of ice cream, popcorn, hot dogs, and many other delicious foods. “This might not be a bad day after all,” I think. When we arrive at the main pool we see a water slide that is spinning! My dad says, “It is probably just for decoration,” so we go there. We stand in line for probably half an hour, but as we reach the top, Valeria says, “Wow, it really is spinning!” “Just like my head,” I think to myself. I started shaking in fear, but a random boy sees me and says, “It’s not as scary as you think.” I was so surprised! I think to myself, “People rarely comfort me, especially strangers!” I am so happy because I felt that people actually care and notice me, even strangers! When we get on, we are not actually spinning, but we are going up and down. After about 30 seconds, I hear screaming behind us and my heart skips a beat. I feel like the other people are going to crash into us! After we finished we decide to go eat.
My dad got me some food, but my friend actually got ice cream! I asked my dad, “Can I have an ice cream too?” Though he refused. For me it was pure torture watching my friend eat ice cream. After we ate we went on the chain swing, even though I was terribly afraid of heights. When I got off, I thought to myself, “This was actually very relaxing.” Then we decided to go on these cars where we actually drove them! “That, unlike the chain swing, was horrible.” I thought to myself laughing. I crashed about five times, and once, lost control! After the cars, my friend and her mom decided to go on the underground roller coaster. Since I was too terrified, I decided to go on a calmer ride, but it was still really fun! While we were waiting for my friend, I decided to go to the wave pool. The pool was freezing, but the wave was two times bigger than me! It was amazing! After I finished we all decided to go to Top Secret. We jumped into the car, thinking if it would be fun.
I leaped out of the car, but when I walked in I found out it was actually just an upside down version of the White House. It cost only five dollars, but it was a good price since it was really boring because we did nothing but look around. After Top Secret, we decided to go for dinner at a cool place. The place had a bus in the air where you could eat, and it had booths made of trucks! I thought to myself, “I am so happy this is all recycled materials, they are helping the environment!” I ordered chicken tenders and a milkshake for dinner. We were fooling around, and decided to go upstairs to the bus. While, we were on the bus, we were fooling around, but then realized that other people were watching! “Oops,” we said. We kept running around, and eventually we tired ourselves out, and went back into the car collapsing in the back seat together.
When I stepped out of the car, I immediately asked my dad, “Can we go to the pool and hot tub to relax?” “Yes,” he answered. We had to be separated to go to change though. “Please can she come and we take turns in our bathroom?” “Please,” I pleaded. “No Sofia I’m sorry,” he answered. After we met at the pool, I stepped cautiously into the hot tub, but it was perfect! Then, I crawled out and jumped into the pool and back. I kept jumping back and forth for a while, until staying in the pool. While I was swimming I noticed how cute Valeria’s little sister was. “Your sister is adorable!” I whispered to Valeria. “This is the only time she is,” answered Valeria, rolling her eyes. When we finally had to leave, I exclaimed to my dad, “In a way this was funner than Mt.Olympus!” While we were heading back to my room for, yet another sleepover, I whispered to Valeria, “We are so lucky, and I am so grateful for how fun this day turned out to be.” After we reached my room we collapsed on my bed, sound asleep.
The Child Who Took the Reins of Her Life
Author: Mike (12)
England
Suddenly the alarm clock arouses me from my slumber, demanding my attention with its vexatious sound. I get up and the only thing I see is the desolation of the match-box sized apartment. As I roll out of the rock-hard bed, I notice my school tie has gone missing, but there was another thing missing: love and joy. My parents were nowhere to be seen.
I began walking slowly to school. All of my body is shaking from the uncertainty of my parents' whereabouts, but suddenly the torrential rain pulls me from my sad thoughts. I start galloping like a horse running from a predator towards the nearest establishment. But the storeman won’t let me in unless I buy something.
“Come on Sir,” I said breathily, “all the other shops are closed.” I am penniless.
He replied without remorse, “I don't care. You either buy something or you leave.”
In my mind I respond: You are a weak ant without opportunity. You are like a withered flower amongst dazzling flowers that illuminate the past, present and future. You’re a hypocrite. You are the devil. But the only thing that comes out of my cowardly mouth is: “I don’t have any money. I’d better go, sorry for the inconvienience.” I leave faster than a sniper’s bullet, like the f-117 travelling into an enemy zone.
But all that effort was for nothing. I go to my destination but they don’t let me in because I am damp and in a bad mood. Mr Simone demands, “Why are you late?”
“They d-didn’t let me in. I’m freezing and they said that they can’t let me in because I'm late.”
“I would let you in but you need to go directly to recovery now!”
"Okay Sir, I will but I don't know where recovery is.”
“Don't worry, I can show you where recovery is.”
We go to recovery. I’m there for five hours with immature students throwing paper at me. The worst part is that the teachers don’t do anything.
When the teachers let me go during lunch break, I try to buy food from the canteen. I go to put my finger on the scanner but I remember that I don’t have money on my ParentPay account. I didn’t even have breakfast at home.
The cashier asked me with a benignant smile, “Are you okay? The school will pay for it.”
Since I’m too benevolent, even for my own good, I respond, “Nothings wrong, I’m fine.”
On the way out of the canteen building, I have another gift. The bullies from recovery come over and hit me. They hit me repeatedly and I am unable to defend myself. I feel really small. They bully me just because I’m the new student, the weak and lonely student without friends.
But what I didn’t realise was that someone had seen this and anonymously called the police.
I go home and all I see is the same emptiness. Suddenly, Knock Knock. I hear someone calling through the door, “Is Sara Pennington here?”
“Yes,” I answered, “I'm here. What do you want?”
“We are the police. Open up, we want to help.”
With a sense of foreboding, I ask “Do you have a warrant?”
“Come on miss, we just want to help.”
After a couple seconds thinking, I say “Come in but don't do anything weird.” The police come in and they see how the apartment is so small and empty.
One policeman asks, “Where are your parents?”
“I don't know where they are.”
“Sara… Sara…SARA…SARA!” It’s my mum, ”Sara are you okay? You wouldn’t wake up.”
“I have had a terrible nightmare…”. I explain the dream, trying not to cry.
“Coldness, solemnity, abandonment. The world is cruel and society wants you to be perfect, but no one is perfect. Everyone has errors but errors are part of people's personality. Try not to care about anyone's negative opinions and don't get upset over a dream.”
I am a human being who should be treated like everyone else. From today, as Sara Pennington, I am going to take the reins of my destiny and be my own heroine. I am going to be the only one who has to decide my future. I am my everything and my nothing. I will let go of my reins that were drowning me in suffering and I will throw them away, crush them and forget them. The first day of school is going to be great!
