The Wishing Star

By Rita Salter and Ken Koestler

When Robbie fails to get a special birthday present, he makes a farfetched wish on a falling star, waking to find he is a newborn Apatosaur. Confused and afraid, he must learn to adapt to his new surroundings in order to survive. As Robbies plan unfolds for the final standoff with the ferocious T-rex, Tyra, he must decide if he is willing to risk losing his life for the sake of his friends.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Mar 14, 2014
• ISBN: 9781491728635

Rita Salter

Rita Salter is a retired legal secretary, residing with her husband and pets in Locust Fork, Alabama. Her short stories were published in Mosaic, a multi-author anthology, and she is currently working on Saura’s Tale, a sequel to The Wishing Star.

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Copyright © 2014 Rita Salter.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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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.

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.

ISBN: 978-1-4917-2862-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4917-2863-5 (e)

iUniverse rev. date: 03/12/2014

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

CHAPTER 1: THE BIRTHDAY WISH

CHAPTER 2: THE BIG GIFT

CHAPTER 3: HUH?

CHAPTER 4: BRONELLA

CHAPTER 5: THE LEARNING PLACE

CHAPTER 6: FAST FOOD

CHAPTER 7: THE TERRIBLE ONES

CHAPTER 8: A DAY IN THE FOREST

CHAPTER 9: EATING OUT

CHAPTER 10: SNEAKERS

CHAPTER 11: THE GATHERING

CHAPTER 12 : HATCHING A PLAN

CHAPTER 13: THE CONSTRUCTION CREW

CHAPTER 14: ROBBIE HAS SECOND THOUGHTS

CHAPTER 15: SHOWDOWN!

CHAPTER 16: THE WISHING STAR

EPILOGUE

GLOSSARY

The Wishing Star is an original, entertaining, deftly written story that carries a message of courage, compassion, and friendship, while thoroughly enthralling young readers with a fantasy adventure that will be remembered long after the story is finished and the novel set back upon the shelf.

James A. Cox

Children’s Bookwatch

Midwest Book Review

The Wishing Star is an excellent object lesson and science class taught in an entertaining way.

Bob Spear

Heartland Reviews

The Wishing Star is Rita Salter’s debut fable about being careful of what you wish fore, friendship and courage. She’s a natural born storyteller, and I sure hope she’s got more up her sleeve.

Rebecca Brown

Rebeccas Reads

Author, Rita Salter, captures the imagination of her reader with her startling descriptions and intense emotion. Children everywhere of all ages will love this story.

Shirley Roe

AllBooks Reviews

Rita’s writing is full of colorful descriptions, detailed characters, and a great story. I’m looking forward to the next book by this talented author. Let’s see who else can wish on The Wishing Star.

Brian Reaves

Author of Stolen Lives, and

Chase the Shadows, An Ian Richardson

Thriller

For my loving husband, Kent.

Do you not know big wishes must be made with special care?

—Bronella

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

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I wish to thank God for gifting me for the talents and participation of all the wonderful people credited below for their valuable assistance in accomplishing this project.

To my husband for his undying love and support throughout this entire process.

My friend, Barbara Tanner who was my first official reader, for her time spent in poring over an early manuscript and especially for her enthusiastic encouragement.

To Brian Reaves, author of Stolen Lives, and Chase the Shadows, an Ian Richardson Thriller, for his line-by-line analysis and suggestions.

To Joe Tucciarone, for permitting me the use of his fantastic work of art Masters of the Earth which graces the cover of this book.

And finally, to talented artist, the late Ken Koestler, for his tireless diligence in creating the inside illustrations to bring the story to life.

CHAPTER 1

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THE BIRTHDAY WISH

Robbie rapidly clicked his mouse blasting Orcs across the alien landscape in a kaleidoscope of crimson and green. The hideous monsters were tough to defeat, and several times his health meter fell into the red danger zone. Robbie fired once more for good measure and then clicked on his prize—a treasure sack filled with gold coins. A broad grin spread across his freckled face as he leaned back savoring his hard-fought victory.

He clicked off his cordless mouse, remembering his dad ranting about not wasting the battery. He didn’t want to stir that up again, not when he had a more important issue to deal with. Pushing away from the computer station, he stood and stretched. It was the eve of his tenth birthday and he didn’t want any distractions when approaching his dad about a big gift. He took a deep breath, deciding there was no time like the present.

Robbie bounded down the stairs, pausing just outside the living room where his parents sat watching the news on their big screen television. His dad hated to be interrupted during his news program, but his birthday request was news, wasn’t it? He hoped his dad would understand. Surely, he’d been a kid once. Robbie hoped his dad could remember back that far. He squared his shoulders and entered the room.

Astronomers are predicting a great night for you star-gazers out there. You don’t want to miss this opportunity. They’re calling for a spectacular meteor display and . . .

Robbie couldn’t contain himself a second longer. Dad, there’s this great mountain bike…

Robbie, please! Can’t you see I’m watching the news?

. . . that I want for my birthday. Robbie felt a tear well up and he slapped it away as it eased down his cheek.

His dad sighed and turned to face him. "Son, please try