The Magic: Immersed

By JA Gandulla

The Magic takes its readers on an unforgettable adventure and chronicles the story of a young boy named Paul, who lives in a small town in Montana. When Paul makes some unfortunate decisions and casually uses his "worry rock" for comfort, he awakens an ancient magic. After the rock's creator appears with a warning and guidance, Paul finds himself racing against the clock. For Paul to succeed he must learn what The Stone wants in the most unique of ways, all while he is enmeshed in the wilderness.
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Building upon each adventure, the series follows the emergence of an ancient fairy clan that created the worry rock. As Paul overcomes each worry, more of this cursed clan is freed. However, revenge against the other fairies threatens, ultimately leaving Paul to put all he has discovered to use in order to save everyone.
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The Magic features short chapters with attention-grabbing content focused on the young reader. Reaching beyond traditional tools, cleverly weaving real-world scenarios with biology, mythology, and philosophy, to establish nature as an ongoing teacher for everyday difficulties. Created to demonstrate ways of being versus a how to guide, each book focuses on a particular virtue by way of an exemplary animal teacher. Through Paul's struggle and consequent connection with that virtue and animal, the reader is empowered to create their own connection to a virtue, nature, and self. The story's "factual fiction" structure makes it dynamic, appealing to children of all ages, as well as parents, and educators. The adventure is followed by a scientific summary of each animal highlighted in the storyline, as well as questions and points of conversation included for book clubs.
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Whether for the recreational reader, parent or teacher, The Magic is a truly holistic piece of fiction that promises to be an entertaining and educational experience.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Apr 27, 2022
• ISBN: 9781667840666

Book preview

cover.jpg

Copyright © 2022 Julie Ann Gandulla

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-66784-065-9 (printed)

ISBN: 978-1-66784-066-6 (eBook)

In memory of my father Heriberto Gandulla

May this creative light reach you and spark the one you kept hidden.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Prologue

When Fortune Knocks

Something Different

Adventure Awaits

Memories

Listening

Smart As A…

Wake-Up

All Together

Ready?!

Filling in the Team

Sherloctopus

Lost for Words

Strange Currents

Hitting the Books

LPSO

Family

Thinking Out Loud

An Underwater Valley

Listening

Sparks

A Gift

Connection

Octopus

Larger Pacific Striped Octopus

The Magic – Book Club

The Magic – Glossary

Sources

About the Author…

A

cknowledgements

~ To my daughter Fallon, without whose heart and imagination this book would not have happened.

Special Thanks To…

~ My sister Stephanie for always helping in any way she can.

~ Michael who continues to bravely offer his opinion.

~ Colleen whose fur babies helped bring the Pooka to life!

~ Tandy for her photos - a peek into her creative world.

~ The California Academy of Sciences for their image of the LPSO, shown on pages 23, 39, 44, and 70. Larger Pacific Striped Octopus © 2013 California Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.

Prologue

In a small town in Montana, a young boy named Paul casually used a worry rock for comfort and awakened an ancient magic. After the rock’s creator appeared with warning and guidance, Paul found himself racing against the clock. For Paul to succeed he must learn what The Stone wants, all while enmeshed in the wilderness and seized by The Stone’s magic.

Now, with each use of The Magic, Paul continues to awaken ancient fairies that may threaten not only each other but the world as he knows it. Ultimately, Paul must use all he has learned, and all he will discover, to save everyone.

When Fortune Knocks

Heavy, huge doors groaned as Paul put all his weight into heaving them open. Art classes, concerts, plays, and much more happened in this building. Paul had been to one of Eileen’s dance recitals here, ate pizza in the small restaurant on the far side, and successfully completed an art-themed scavenger hunt with Aunt Teto...all at The Emerson.

But what I’m doing here now?

Summer was in full swing. The mountains still held some green -- the hot sun and sparse rains hadn’t turned them totally brown yet, and the outdoors called. He liked The Emerson. He had gone to a pottery class here once that was pretty fun. But heading out on his bike through his neighborhood, to the park, and who knows where next, sounded a million times more exciting.

Instead, he found himself being ushered by his mom into a medium-sized room full of other kids around his age. Stained sinks lined one wall, while cluttered shelves took up most of the remaining space. The center of the room had a handful of easels and stools already occupied by other children that looked equally uncertain. A wave from a disheveled man who seemed to be in charge told Paul he should take a seat. As he landed, choosing one of the few open seats next to the window, his mom chimed in.

Phew we got here just in time! So, I put your bag by the door. I know you aren’t thrilled about a class in the middle of your summer vacation, but this really doesn’t count as school. It’s an art class and that’s supposed to be fun! Remember, it’s only for a couple of hours, then we’ll get back to the sunshine. Do you need anything before I go?

Whisper yelling Paul replied, Maybe an explanation? What am I doing here? But as soon as Ann’s eyes narrowed, he knew he had worded that wrong and jumped to correct himself. I mean, ok fine a couple hours a day for a week, no biggie. But what are we doing? Drawing, pottery, woodcuts, carving?! Any of those would be awesome. Just tell me it’s not painting, I hate painting.

I’m not sure, shrugged Paul’s mom. Just as the words escaped her lips, a mischievous smile bloomed on her face.

What?! How can you sign me up for a class and not know what it’s about? muttered Paul from