The New Kid at School
The New Kid at School — an illustrated stories story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Books.
Page 1
Dust motes danced in the shafts of sunlight piercing the towering shelves. Marco loved getting lost amidst the endless rows of whispering books. "Do you think any story ever feels lonely here, Nils?" he asked, his voice echoing slightly in the cavernous library.
Page 2
Nils shrugged. "Maybe," he replied, kicking a loose stone across the floor. Suddenly, a shimmering portal flickered to life between two shelves! A young boy tumbled out, looking dazed. "Whoa! Where am I?" the boy exclaimed, brushing dust from his clothes.
Page 3
Marco helped the boy to his feet. "You're in the Great Library. I'm Marco, and this is Nils. Are you alright?" Santiago rubbed his head. "I... I think so. I'm Santiago. I was just reading about this place and then... bam!" Nils, ever cautious, stepped back a pace. "Is this some kind of trick?" Marco smiled reassuringly. "We believe in impossible things here, Nils. As J.R.R. Tolkien said, 'Not all those who wander are lost.' We're happy to help."
Page 4
"This is school, in a way, Santiago. Welcome to our classroom!" Marco beamed, clapping Santiago on the shoulder. "But this isn't your school, or world, is it?" Nils jumped in. "What's your story, new kid? Do they even have libraries where you're from?" Santiago started to tear up a bit. "My library is... gone. Taken. The Ink Thief took it all, and I barely escaped with this book I was reading."
Page 5
Marco examined the book Santiago clutched so tightly. "'The Book of Everlasting Stories'... it's blank?" Santiago nodded miserably. "The Ink Thief steals the stories, leaving the books empty. He feeds on them!" Nils gasped. "Then every story in the Great Library is in danger!" Marco's eyes flashed with determination. "We have to stop him."
Page 6
The trio crept through the shadowy aisles, the silence broken only by their soft footsteps. Suddenly, a section of shelves CRASHED down! "He's here!" Nils shouted, scrambling back. A swirling vortex of ink appeared, and a shadowy figure emerged, its eyes glowing red. "The stories are MINE!" it roared, its voice like rustling pages and shattered spines.
Page 7
"We have to work together!" Marco yelled, dodging a spray of ink. "Nils, remember what you read about counter-spells? Use it! Santiago, use your book as a shield!" Nils frantically recited an incantation he'd learned from an ancient tome. Santiago held the blank book in front of him, and the Ink Thief's inky blast splashed harmlessly against it.
Page 8
The Ink Thief shrieked as Nils's spell weakened him. Marco noticed something: the Ink Thief seemed to be absorbing the color from the library, turning it gray and lifeless. "Santiago!" Marco cried, "Remember the first story you read from your world, before the Thief stole it? Tell it, NOW!" Santiago closed his eyes, picturing the vibrant world he'd lost. He began to speak, his voice trembling at first, then growing stronger.
Page 9
As Santiago spoke, color returned to the library. The Ink Thief howled, shrinking back into the vortex. Marco grabbed the 'Book of Everlasting Stories' and thrust it towards Santiago. "Write your story, Santiago!" As Santiago's pen touched the page, words shimmered into existence, filling the book with light.
Page 10
The Ink Thief was gone, and the library was safe. "Thank you," Santiago said, his voice full of emotion. "I finally have a new home and friends." Marco smiled. "That's what libraries and schools are for." Nils grinned. "Besides, one story can change the world, as my Mom always says, and that's something worth fighting for." From that day on, Santiago was no longer the new kid; he was their friend, and the Great Library was more vibrant than ever.
About this story
- Audience: kids (ages 6–12)
Questions and answers
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