Due to the length of our stories this issue, we have opted to publish two rather than three. We hope you enjoy these truly fantastical tales!
QUEST FANTASY
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THE QUEEN OF THE MIDDLEMIST
by ALEX MAXFIELD (Featured New Author!)
10-13 YEARS
He spoke in a low whisper, “The Devil Thorn is just in this next clearing. The sun should be going down any minute now, and once it gets dark, I need you to stay right where I can see you.”
Daffodil nodded and crouched down to grab onto the fabric of his brown tunic. Clover moved quietly through the tall reeds of grass on the way to the edge of the trees. There in front of them stood the most wicked plant either of them had ever laid eyes on.
COMING-OF-AGE FANTASY
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A LEGENDARY VACATION
by MARIA CARVALHO
6-9 YEARS
Squinting to get a better look, he was stunned to discover that it wasn’t a person after all—it appeared to be a gigantic bird, its head bent down as it drank from the stream.
His entire body tingled as his heart raced. It couldn’t really be Retty…could it? Maybe he was seeing things. He shut his eyes tight, then opened them. The giant bird was still there.
SPRING 2025