The Portal

By Amerigo Pinelli and Megan Atwood

Eva’s parents can’t afford to buy her the expensive things that the popular kids have. After being teased about it one day, she walks into a mysterious store called “Dreams Come True.” Can its mysterious dressing room portal solve all of Eva’s problems? Or will it lead her down a path of doom? Eva must decide between being popular and doing the right thing. Will she make the right choice before it’s too late?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Capstone Young Readers
• Release date: Aug 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9781669033899

Amerigo Pinelli

Long ago, Amerigo Pinelli met a pencil when he was a child living in the heart of the city of Naples, Italy. From that moment on he started to play, joke, fight, and make peace with it. Today, he works in animation and publishing, and he also teaches kids in the comics school of Naples. He thinks making a living doing the thing he enjoys the most is a great gift, and he considers himself very lucky. His three daughters Chiara, Teresa, and Irene fill his life with color and joy. They are really unpredictable! For him and his wife,Giulia, it's impossible to get bored!

Book preview

You tried to get away, but you couldn’t help returning to this odd little town. Every time you wandered, you stumbled onto its streets. It sits along the highway, and off the beaten path. It’s in the depths of a forest, and in the middle of a desert. It’s surrounded by mountains, and balanced on the edge of a deadly cliff. It’s the place where weird things happen, where the unreal becomes real.

Welcome back to RAVENS PASS. It’s been waiting for you.

A full moon shines behind ravens perched on a twisted tree. Mountains are in the background. Fog fills the scene.

CHAPTER 1

STARTING OVER

Eva’s mom tucked a stray hair behind Eva’s ear. My sixth grader, she said. Eva rolled her eyes but smiled. She tried not to let the butterflies in her stomach take over. She pulled down her shirt and ran her hand through her hair.

Mom, stop it, Eva said. She glanced down at her clothes—she really hoped she was wearing the right things. She knew she didn’t have the name-brand sneakers everyone loved, but her parents couldn’t afford them. She hoped nobody would notice.

Her dad kissed her on the forehead and handed her a chalkboard that said, 1st day of 6th grade. Eva rolled her eyes again.

Seriously? she said.

Every year! her dad said cheerfully.

She held up the sign and smiled self-consciously. Please don’t post this online! she said and handed the chalkboard back to her dad. Can we go now? She shifted on her feet.

Let’s do it! her dad said and kissed her mom on the cheek. Eva and her dad got into their old Toyota and headed off to school—the big, scary middle school she’d been dreading. Her elementary school had been small, but the middle school drew in students from many elementary schools in the area. And her best friend from fifth grade had moved away. She felt like she was starting all over when it came to making friends.

A block away from school, Eva said, Um, Dad, can you drop me off here?

He looked at her and grinned. Embarrassed of your dad? he asked, laughing.

Eva was embarrassed by the Toyota, to be honest, but she just shrugged. He pulled over and ruffled her hair. Have a great day, kiddo, he said.

Eva suddenly felt tears in her eyes. She hadn’t realized she