The Mundane World

Gregor the Overlander is an ordinary 11 year old boy living in New York city with his family. Gregor is demure and never was really happy since his father mysteriously disappeared.

The Call To Adventure

One day while Gregor was doing the laundry, Gregor’s 2 year old sister Boots falls into an old air vent and Gregor falls in himself trying to save her. When they hit the bottom, they are taken captive in the Underland, a world with talking bats, giant cockroaches, and scary, man-eating rats.

Crossing The Threshold

In the Underland, he finds out that his missing father could still be alive, but is taken captive by rats. Gregor also finds out that he is a major part of the Prophecy of the Gray. Gregor doesn’t think that a puny 11-year old kid can be a warrior, but his determination to find his dad overtakes him and he says “yes” to the quest.

The Path of Trials

In this journey to find his dad and to defeat the rats, Gregor luckily had many allies to help him on the quest. His mentor is Vikus, the ruler of the Underlander humans and the ruler of Regalia, the Underland city for Underlanders. Some friends that join him on the quest are Luxa, Solovet, and Mareth. Later on, 2 rats, spiders, and bats join them on the quest. His enemies all throughout the book was King Gorger, the King of the Rats, and all his followers. One trickster on this quest was Henry, who turned out to be a spy. But jovially, Gregor beats the rats and rejoices with his father.

Master of Two Worlds

Gregor returned to Regalia with open arms. He had learned that the greatest warriors have to make the greatest sacrifice to get a great reward. Regalia loved him as their hero and treated him with deference. He went back to New York with many sanguine but morose goodbyes, and Boots, Dad, and Gregor finally returned home!

Submitted by: Luisa T. from Gale Ranch Middle School

Picture: bdevries at DeviantArt

The Mundane World

Cole Matthews (from “Touching Spirit Bear”) is a 15 year old teen with a “slight” anger issue. He says it’s not completely his fault, his mom and dad are alcoholics and his dad beats him with the metal end of his belt. Cole takes his anger out on a freshman- Peter Driscal, a skinny 14 year old who told the police Cole stole from a local store. Cole brutally beats him up and leaves him with slurred speech and diminished coordination. Even though he leaves Peter still taking therapy sessions a year after he was beat up, Cole doesn’t care. He hates his life and hates his family’s “fake” concern. But mostly, Cole doesn’t want any kindness or help from anyone.

The Call To Adventure

Cole’s done many crimes before. He knows his parents give him many second chances. He just doesn’t care and knows “your last and only chance” will repeat after all of his crimes. But this time, “your only chance” is literal, this chance is given to him by Garvey, a parole officer who is part of the Tlingit tribe. Cole hates the idea of going to jail, and this time in court, his own parents didn’t plead “not guilty”, only Garvey gives him a chance. A chance to survive and hopefully change on an Alaskan island for a year, alone. Cole knows if he blows his chance, he’ll get a jail sentence, and Cole will do anything in his power to avoid jail.

Crossing The Threshold

Garvey and another Tlingit elder, Edwin, take him to the Alaskan island and talk to Cole about all the things he needs to know. They tell him which plants to eat, what’s poisonous, and how to keep warm in the winter. Edwin also builds Cole a cabin along the bay and forest, and Garvey gives him his at’oow, a colorful blanket that symbolizes trust. They leave him alone after giving him his supplies and sail away on the rigid waves. Cole hates Garvey and Edwin and thinks he’s strong and doesn’t need anyone. He thinks everything and everyone is afraid of him and he likes that, so he burns the cabin and the supplies; then he leaves for the forest with a smirk.

The Path of Trials

A massive, white bear waits for him, not more than ten feet away. Edwin’s told him about this bear, one he called Spirit Bear. It’s not afraid, just waiting, Cole doesn’t like this bear and tries to kill it. He stands no chance against the bear, towering above him; then Spirit Bear attacks and puts Cole unable to move, he has a broken right arm and hip and faces a storm. No food, no water, just laying there, he becomes familiar with his surroundings. He eats the worms crawling in the dirt, the bugs and crickets from a fallen tree, soggy patches of grass, even tree bark. Then he searched for the baby birds he’d seen before the storm, and he finally found them. There in the grass lying with open mouths were the sparrows. That’s when the realization started. He thinks he should be the one to die after the harshness he’d shown towards Peter.

Then it all went black, he lay weak in a hospital bed and went back to the island six months later to finish his sentence. This time Edwin and Garvey went with him and Edwin taught him many things: what lessons can be learned from all the animals they see, how he can eliminate his anger, and most importantly forgiving yourself. To do these things Cole soaks in the pond to clear his thoughts; this helped because it made him calm. After his soak he carried the ancestor rock up a hill and rolled it down as if rolling away his anger. Finally he helped others, especially Peter, who he helped heal. By doing this, he also healed himself.

Master of Two Worlds

When Peter comes to the island both boys heal: Cole sees his anger in Peter, and helps him by teaching him the same things Edwin taught him. Cole knows what he used to be like and certain pieces of Peter’s personality match his as well as Edwin’s personality. Cole starts teaching Peter everything he knows and both learn friendship in the end. They work on their carvings together and a huge change happens between them. It goes from Cole beating Peter up and hating everything around him to Cole and Peter working together as one. In that moment of friendship, they both see Spirit Bear, and they realize to heal and get rid of anger is forgiving yourself.

Submitted by: Harini from Gale Ranch Middle School

The Mundane World

Molly (from “The Girl Who Threw Butterflies”) is having a hard time dealing with life with her father dead. But she’s not the only who’s in denial, her Mom is too. They don’t give any time to getting to know each other, and in turn they are always fighting. ‘Anybody can become angry – that is easy, but to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way – that is not within everybody’s power and is not easy.’ -Aristotle

The Call To Adventure

Molly one day has a thought to try out for baseball. On the boy’s team. Her Mom is surprised. Her best friend, feminist Celia, agrees readily. The boys are doubtful – except for Lonnie. And Molly just wants to play ball. Not to rebel against authority, not to make a strong point about women empowerment. But because its a way to reconnect with her Dad. Baseball is what they shared together. Whether it was when they were playing catch in the backyard, or watching baseball games on the couch. Her Dad is the reason for her love of baseball. This is expressed when it states in the book, ‘The knuckleball wasn’t just a pitch. It was an attitude towards life; it was a way of being in the world. It was a philosophy. “You don’t aim a butterfly,” her father used to say. “You release it.” Each pitch has a life of its own. It wasn’t about control, it wasn’t about muscle. Each floating and fluttering pitch was a little miracle. It was all about surprise.’

Crossing the Threshold

When Molly crosses the home plate to get to baseball tryouts, she is crossing the threshold. She is entering the world of baseball. But, with a new set of rules.

The Path of Trials

Once Molly makes the boys’ baseball team, the trouble doesn’t end there. All the boys (except for Lonnie) doubt she has what it takes. So they decide to test her. Also, she faces challenges with her Mom understanding her and figuring out how she feels about Lonnie. The only boy that was nice to her on the team. He had been her savior when everyone was partnering up during the tryouts. And having to dodge a news reporter to top it off!

The Master of Both Worlds

In the end, Molly realizes that though her life will never be the way it was when her Dad was alive, she’s beginning to accept it – as the boys on the baseball team are beginning to accept her – and trying to make the most of the life she’s living now. The last scene is Molly, her mother, Lonnie, and Celia sitting on the porch drinking lemonade. This shows that even if she and her mother fight, it just means they care for each other. And even though she and Celia don’t agree about why she joined the baseball team, they still will stay friends. And even though she doesn’t know how she feels about Lonnie, he’s still trying to figure out his feelings about her too.

Submitted by: Megan from Gale Ranch Middle School

The Mundane World

Wendell was a normal hid–a geek that no one paid any attention to, except for his best friend, Evan Mathews. Fresh out of High School, Wendell and Evan are enjoying the first day of summer, having a conversation in the Mathews backyard…

When Evan enters the house, leaving Wendell alone, everything changes…

The Call To Adventure

A troll shows up, falling out of the bushes. Wendell is chased, grabbed…and kidnapped–taken light years from home.

Crossing The Threshold

Wendell is presented to the High Elder, leader of the Iskari High Council. The Iskari are a race of blue-skinned people, living on an isolated moon. They are the guardians of the Ithari, also know as the Gem of the Heroes.

The High Elder explains to Wendell that he is the last in a long line of royalty, destined to become the greatest Hero the world has ever known. Wendell believes his experiences are nothing more than a dream, and “accepts the gem”.

In return, Ithari accepts Wendell as her ‘host’.

The Path of Trials

Wendell never had high hopes or aspirations for his own life. Truthfully, he thought he would spend the rest of his life caring for his mother, after his father died of cancer. Yet somewhere, deep inside, he yearned to prove he could be so much more.

Now he finds himself in an irreversible situation where he has the unspeakable power to save an entire world…but he must voluntarily give up his old life in exchange.

His decision to stay comes when Wendell meets Kyliene: an adorable, kind, energetic Iskari girl who instantly takes to Wendell, not knowing who he actually is.

Wendell is forced to make a difficult, even painful choice–but agrees to stay and take on the mantle of Hero.

His kidnapper, Dax, is assigned to be Wendell’s guardian…and a senile old wizard named Morphiophelius (a.k.a. Chuck), his teacher. Chuck is the oldest living being–and knew the last Hero personally.

As the new Hero of the Gem, Wendell is expected to defeat Dark Lord Mahan–the most powerful mago (wizard) of the age. Mahan has been banished by the previous Hero, to Unrest–a frozen world on the outskirts of the solar system. Foretold of his escape, Wendell must learn how to use the powers of the Ithari and prepare not only for the inevitable confrontation–but prepare the world of Elama, by uniting the races.

Master of Two Worlds

Wendell’s journey is still being told…but he’s already seen much sorrow and conflict.

He’s had to learn that there is a difference between what is acceptable and what is right.

He has discovered that he can be more than what his enemies believe him to be.

Wendell has also discovered that though you may not always control your circumstances, you ALWAYS have control over how you will respond TO them.

Submitted by: Jaime Buckley

The Mundane World

The royal city, Canterlot, is Twilight’s home. She studies there under Princess Celestia.

The Call To Adventure

Princess Celestia appointed her to check on the “Summer-Sun-Set-Celebration” in a town called Pony-Ville.

Crossing the Threshold

Twilight Sparkle used the Canterlot wagon and, with some guides, headed to Pony-Ville.

The Path of Trials

She had to stop the power from a mare named “Nightmare Moon” from causing everlasting night using some object called The Elements of Harmony. The person she listens to a lot is Princess Celestia, but she sometimes loves to do tricks on her so she can learn a lesson. She met her new friends: Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rarity. She initially refused to accept their friendship but found it handy in her quest. They all defeated Nightmare Moon, but saw that she changed into Princess Luna: Princess Celestia’s younger sister.

The Master of Both Worlds

Pony-ville put up a large festival for Twilight and her friends, and Luna went back with Celestia to Canterlot. Twilight refused to leave, for she just discovered friendship and didn’t want to leave it. Celestia granted her request, as long as Twilight send a message on what she learned about friendship every now and then.

Submitted by: Kane Aquino

The Mundane World

Katniss Everdeen was a girl who lived in the Seam of District 12, hunted in the woods, and traded in the Hob.  Her life was a series of days repeating those three things in order to keep her family alive.  She shared her life with her mother, sister, and hunting friend, Gale.

The Call To Adventure

Katniss’ sister, Prim, was randomly chosen to represent District 12 in the Hunger Games.  The games are a yearly penance for an ancient rebellion by the Districts against the Capitol of Panem.  One boy and one girl from each District are placed into an arena and forced to kill each other until one winner remains.  Rather than seeing her innocent sister die, Katniss volunteers to take her place.

Crossing the Threshold

Along with Peeta, the male competitor from District 12, Katniss travels to the Capitol where she is lavished with comfortable clothes and accommodations, as well as delicious food.

The Path of Trials

The path begins for Katniss with training.  She is mentored by Haymitch, the only previous District 12 winner of the Hunger Games.  Initially appearing useless, Haymitch turns out to be a valuable ally for Katniss when she enters the arena.

After scoring an 11 out of 12 in the training exhibition, Katniss enters the arena with a large target on her back.  Some of the competitors had been training all their lives for this event and were thus efficient killers.  Katniss knows her best bet was to run as fast and far as possible.

As competitors start to die, Katniss finds herself in a strong position.  She destroys the supply centre of the strongest competitors, finds an ally in Rue from the 11th District, and eventually partners with (and falls in love with) Peeta.

The Master of Both Worlds

When every competitor is dead except for Peeta and Katniss, they are encouraged to kill each other.  Katniss refuses, instead offering a suicide pact to Peeta.  He accepts, but they are stopped by the organizers of the game, and crowned co-winners.  Katniss goes back to District 12 having discovered love for Peeta as well as increasing her sense of mistrust for the Capitol and her sense of independence.

The Mundane World

Samuel is a boy who loves to be in the woods because it’s his routine and it is fun in his opinion. Samuel lives in the edge of the wilderness in the British colony of Pennsylvania, it is a long way from all civilization for any town. Samuel’s valley is huge bowl shaped in some hills in the part of far western Pennsylvania. He has parents that are educated. That is rare to have in his time period. Samuel is to protective of his parents that is why he is held from his adventure. Samuel became a courier du bois (woods runner) because he was good at hunting and that is why he became special to everyone.

The Call To Adventure

The hero comes into the story because he is in the woods one day and he sees smoke rising from the tree tops and starts to worry. He then decides to run home and see what happened, and to his surprise finds his entire village destroyed by a fire that the British started. Then he runs looking for his house and sees that it burnt down with no remains, along with all the other houses. He then yelled for his parents but no response, and then he sees all the people that were killed. But he could not find his parents bodies anywhere, and he starts to think that they were captured by the British and that they are in New York.

Crossing the Threshold

Samuel looked around the cabin for footprints of his parents and he found his parents footprints in the soft dirt. His mother’s footprint were easy to identify because he made moccasins for his mother which made tiny footprints. His dad’s footprints were right foot toed in slightly because he broke his ankle from jumping off a shed roof because he was showing off as a small boy.

The Path of Trials

Samuel’s biggest trial is going on British Territory, getting shot in the cheek, and hitting a guard in the head with a brick. Samuel takes huge risks, using his forest skills, trying to save his parents and keep himself alive. One of his struggles was running out of food. The friends he met were Annie and Abner. The foes were the British and the Iroquios. His mentor was John Cooper.

The Master of Both Worlds

Samuel has matured after all of the war is over. The war has evolved him into a man. It has let him see and feel what it is to be a man and he finally is one.

Submitted by: Jay P., Hailey W., Nick R., and Kaitlin B. from Baker Middle School

The Mundane World

James Pompaday lives with his mom, stepfather, and his baby brother. He is an eleven year old boy who is about to have a life changing situation. Marvin is a beetle who lives with his family under the kitchen sink in the Pompaday’s house. They help with a lot of problems – like a leaking pipe or a ring being accidentally dropped in the sink.

The Call to Adventure

When James’ real father comes for his birthday, he gives James a pen-and-ink set.  Marvin uses it to draw an amazing picture and James gets all of the credit. But the next night, James sees Marvin drawing and they became friends.

Crossing the Threshold

James’ real dad sees the picture and takes James to an art museum.  James takes Marvin with him.  His dad introduces him to the director (Christiana).  She asked him to copy a drawing from the famous artist Durer. She asked him to do that because one of his drawings that they have is about to be stolen. There are four drawings in the group and three had been stolen.  This art museum has the last one. James and Marvin have to work with Christiana, Denny (James’s dad’s friend), and his dad to make a copy and catch the thieves.

The Path of Trials

When they gave James some time to do the drawing, Marvin came out and they made it just in time. The fake that Marvin made was out in the hall the night of the burglary and the painting was stolen. But it was the real one that was stolen, not Marvin’s!  So Marvin stayed overnight, and went inside Denny’s case and Durer’s paintings were there. Denny stole them! Marvin saw a sticky note with Denny’s address on it. He took it and went back to Denny’s suitcase. When Marvin got back to James, he showed it to James. They both went to the address and found the paintings! They called Karl and figured out the case, but Denny was long gone.

Master Of Two Worlds

All of the paintings were returned, and James became the hero. Even though it was Marvin who did most of the work. James was the one who found the four paintings that were stolen.

Submitted by: M. Reddy from Baker Middle School

The Mundane World

Gopal starts the story living in a village with his family who are Aai, Baba, Naren, and Sita. His friends are Mohan and Shiva. He has love for telling kahanis (or what we would call stories) to his family and friends. He lives a peaceful life.

The Call To Adventure

Gopal’s family heads to Mumbai to avoid paying up to the moneylenders and the meet a friend called the Card Man who gives Gopal cards from the city.

Crossing the Threshold

A man named Jatin from the city takes Gopal to a restaurant to have some tea and says that he could earn money for his family if he works for him. The reason seemed reasonable to Gopal but he never knew the conditions and he agreed to work for him and instead of getting paid he get non tasty and little food. His tea also gets drugged so he gets carried off to the place where he stays for life.

The Path of Trials

Jatin took Gopal to work as a slave – forced to make beaded frames in harsh conditions, for no money and little food. They’re not even allowed to speak or use their real names.

His main allies are the police inspector, Kabir, Barish, Roshan, Sahil, and Amar. His enemies are Scar and Jatin. The mentors are his wisdom to find a way to get back home. The main trial is how to escape the wrath of Scar.

Using his storytelling abilities, he manages to convince the others boys to plan an escape.

The Master of Two Worlds

Gopal sends a note to help get his friends and him rescued from Scar. Gopal becomes braver and wiser because of the obstacles. He makes new friends and lives a happy life.

Submitted by: Jay P. from Baker Middle School

The Mundane World

Fadi lives in Afghanistan with his mom, dad, two sisters, and brother. Fadi helps his mom around the house a lot by cooking and cleaning because his mom is very ill. Fadi does not want to leave Afghanistan or his family because he likes them and his home very much.

The Call To Adventure

Fadi and his family were trying to get onto a truck that would take them safely away when some soldiers came. In a rush to get into the truck, Fadi lost grip of his sister’s (Marriam) hand and his sister was left behind in Afghanistan.

Crossing the Threshold

To enter the new world Fadi’s second sister offers to give Fadi fifty dollars so he can join the photography club. He wanted to get in the club because the winning prize was a trip to the Great Wall Of China, The Taj Mahal, or on a Safari in Kenya. He was going to try to win because India is right next to Pakistan. If he won he was going to look for Marriam.

The Path of Trials

Fadi loved photography and had a natural talent for taking photos. Then the contest came – one picture, one chance. Fadi put all his effort into taking pictures that would please the judges. All the students turned in their pictures and a few days later the results came. Fadi crossed his fingers and waited. The teacher announced the grand prize winner and Fadi almost fainted, he had failed, this had been his chance to save his sister and he had failed. Although he didn’t want to go to the awards ceremony he went after being pushed to go by a friend. As he was viewing the pictures, one of the judges that had loved Fadi’s photo came up to him and started talking.  He showed Fadi a photo album of his collection of photos taken at different refugee camps. Seeing the pictures made Fadi think about his sister, and just as he was about to cry, a picture caught his eye. It was a picture of a little girl carrying a little Barbie doll. It was Marriam.

The Master of Two Worlds

When the journey is over the family reunites in San Francisco with Mariam. Fadi has changed by being more mature, smarter, more careful, happy to have his sister back, and not feeling guilty anymore for losing his sister.

Submitted by: Kaitlin B. and Akash W. from Baker Middle School