The Land of Idlewilde

By Ann Ritchie and Amy Laubach

The Land of Idlewilde is beckoning the two sixth grade heroes to exciting adventures, many new discoveries, and even a life-threatening sword fight. It all began when Steve played in a Championship Soccer Game and Tommy attended the Boy Scout Award ceremony. After the game they chase a soccer ball that is bouncing into the woods and realize that things are not as they seem. Unknown to either boy, the Land of Idlewilde is beckoning them to make an exciting adventure. One very unusual and strange event follows another until the boys land in the most unique place they have ever been: Idlewilde. Here everything is very, very small. The devices that the Idlewildians have invented are efficient so that people the size of the Idlewildians may use them. Some of the new discoveries are magical to give the people of Idlewilde pleasure and rapid movement. This magic is learned by training to receive special powers. It is these special powers that appeal to Steve and Tommy. Should they stay and learn them?

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Aug 18, 2017
• ISBN: 9781468594812

Ann Ritchie

Ann Ritchie has loved writing since she was a young girl. She has written stories for children and articles for teachers as well as taught students to read. The Land of Idlewilde grew within her as a tiny spark of an idea that developed into an adventure that two young boys had.

Book preview

The Land of Idlewilde

Written by: Ann Ritchie

Illustrations: Amy Laubach

35907.png

AuthorHouse™

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.authorhouse.com

Phone: [phone]

© 2017 Ann Ritchie. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse   08/04/2017

ISBN: 978-1-4685-9481-2 (e)

ISBN: 978-1-4685-9482-9 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4685-9483-6 (sc)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012907341

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

To Nick and Rachel; Ethan and Zach:

Explore your ideas and follow your dreams.

That is the only way they will come true.

For the curious souls who read this book, an explanation of the name of Idlewilde:

In my younger years I took my first trip to New York City and landed at Idlewilde International Airport. That name, to me, meant Land of Adventure and Excitement. Thus the name of the Land of the Little People in this book is Idlewilde. This airport name was changed after the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy to JFK International Airport.

Chapter 1

I dribbled the ball down the field — first with my left foot, then my right. The wind blowing my hair felt good. Even running against the wind was no challenge to me. I knew I could do this. " We can win with this goal . I dribbled to the center of the field. The herd of boys chasing me could not break my concentration. Line the ball up with the goal," I told myself . I glanced at the goalie. " Good. He’s shifted positions with me." I scooted to the right to make him move from center goal. That’s it. The goalie squared off in front of me.

Waiting. Ready for me to slam the ball. I edged to the right just a hair. I kept a poker face. I refused to show my thoughts on my face. I knew that my kick had to be deep in the left pocket. The score was tied.

"Concentrate on what you can do. I glared at the goalie. I can do this. Left pocket goal. I can do this; I can do this." I took a deep breath and slammed the ball with my right foot. It zinged into the left corner of the goal. The goalie dived. He missed! The crowd went wild. I leaped and roared! I leaped so high I almost touched the sky. I dropped to the ground. Panting. Sweat and tears covered my face. I’d scored — scored the winning goal. I stood up slowly. My teammates were all around me. I could just stare at them. Someone handed me a towel to wipe my face off. The roar in my ears was caused by the fans, yelling and screaming. My team gave me high fives as fast as I could return them. They lifted me up on someone’s shoulders. I was screaming and laughing at the same time. Man! What a game. There could never be such a feeling as this. I grinned so hard my face was sore.

The coach thumped me hard on the back. Good work man. What a goal! You’re one of the best sixth grade forwards I’ve ever seen. He put both his hands on my shoulders. In fact that last shot just might earn you the Player of the Year Award. I beamed.

The sixth grade soccer championship game was over. I sat by my best bud Tommy on the team bench. We watched in wonder as a soccer ball zipped past us. Would you look at that! Tommy poked me. It’s headed to the woods. C’mon Steve. Let’s get it." He took off.

I shook my head. You’re over-dressed in that Boy Scout uniform.

At least I’m closer to it than you.

I flung my towel over my shoulder and trotted past Tommy. Care to comment, Scout Man?! This ball is moving and so am I. The ball shot into the woods. We leaped over undergrowth and broken sticks.

Whoever kicked this has a strong leg. We need him for our team.

"Why doesn’t that ball have the same trouble moving through