The Story Gobblers: Secret Library Adventures

By Jeanne McAtee

Tess MacMillan is a talented storyteller and a student in the third grade at Homer Higgins Elementary School. After a new boy moves to town and joins her class, Tess discovers she has a terrifying problem.  The new kid, Dean Marks, follows Tess everywhere, hounding her to tell him more and more stories.  The more stories Tess tells Dean, the fatter he gets--and the skinnier she gets.  Now he intends to force her to give him her secret soul stories. What can Tess do to get Dean out of her life before he gobbles up her very soul? She will need courage, ancient magic, and the help of special friends to save her from the monsters who hunt her relentlessly--to save her from the story gobblers!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jeanne McAtee
• Release date: May 16, 2017
• ISBN: 9781519150493

Book preview

Chapter 1

Tessaroo, that was awesome! Jackie shrieked as she jumped to her feet. Her frizzy, red hair bounced around her face. "I don’t know how you do it. You tell the most incredible stories! You have the most amazing imagination!"

Thanks, Jackie. Tess smiled softly. She stood up and brushed the dry leaves from her white jeans and powder-blue sweater.

I wrote it last night. I’m glad you liked it. Tess looked at the watch her parents had given her for her birthday. Oops! We’d better get going or we’re going to be late for class!

The girls hurried across the school lawn, heading for the entrance to Homer Higgins Elementary School. As they passed a big oak tree, Tess noticed a tall, skinny boy she’d never seen before peeking out from behind its trunk. He stared into her eyes as she and Jackie went by, but he didn’t smile or speak. Tess felt a nervous little flip-flop in her stomach. She peeled her eyes away from his and focused on the front of the school.

C’mon, Jackie, Tess said, grabbing her friend’s hand and pulling her along at a run. I don’t want to be late!

The girls made it to their third grade classroom and sat down at their desks just as the bell rang.

Their teacher, Mrs. Hurley, came in with the tall, skinny boy beside her. She led him to the front of the classroom.

Class, I would like to introduce you to a new student who has just moved into town. This is Dean Marks. Please make him feel welcome.

Dean seemed nervous about being the center of attention. Some of the kids looked him over suspiciously. Some smiled at him. But Dean didn’t smile or look at anyone. He didn’t speak. He stared at his grungy tennis shoes and scowled.

Tess felt that flip-flop in her stomach again. She didn’t like that feeling. It had always meant trouble in the past.

Mrs. Hurley showed him to an empty desk. Then she went back to her desk and began to take attendance.

Tess glanced back at Dean and saw that he was hunkered over his desk like he was trying to become invisible. His dark, oily hair hung in his eyes and made him look spooky. He stayed that way for the rest of the morning.

At lunchtime, Dean slunk over to the cafeteria table where Tess and Jackie were eating their lunch. He stared at Tess. His eyes glittered.

You’re name is Tess McMillan, right? I think I heard the teacher call you that.

Yeah, that’s right, Tess replied, shifting uneasily in her seat.

I heard you tell that alien story this morning in front of the school. It was good! What other stories have you got? Dean licked his lips then grinned at her.

Well, all different kinds, Tess said. I have other E.T. stories like the one I told this morning and I have one about a giant that ate Texas and got really sick. But my favorite ones are stories about vampires, goblins, and trolls.

Wow! Dean cried out. Tell me lots and lots of stories right now!

Tess discovered that her mouth was dry and her skin felt prickly, like sharp little insect feet were running all over it.

Jackie looked at Tess and then back at Dean. "Hey, new kid, my name is Jackie Armbruster and I’m her best friend. What I wanna know is why should she tell you stories right now? Jackie stuck out her chin and glared at him fiercely. This is lunch time, not story time. Why don’t you just go away? You’re weirding us out!"

Dean grimaced and stomped off. He sat alone at the end of a table on the other side of the cafeteria. He hung over his tray and shoveled big gobs of food into his mouth, tilting his head up from time to time to peer at Tess.

When Jackie caught him doing this she glared at him until he turned his attention back to his lunch.

What a weirdo! Jackie snorted. What’s his problem anyway?

Well, Tess said, flicking her hair away from her mouth so she could spoon in some chocolate pudding, maybe he’s lonely and looking for new friends. He is a new kid. I remember how I felt when we moved here last year. I thought I’d never have any friends. I was so shy. I’m lucky that you were nice to me. Without you, I would have been all alone. Maybe we should be nice to this new kid, even if he does seem kinda weird.

Jackie rolled her eyes and sighed heavily. "I suppose so. I just don’t like the way he stares at you—like you’re on the