Story Thieves

Life is boring when you live in the real world instead of starring in your own book series. Owen knows that better than anyone, what with the real world's homework and chores. But everything changes the day Owen sees the impossible happen - his classmate Bethany climbs out of a book in the library. It turns out Bethany's half fictional and has been searching every book she can find for her missing father, a fictional character.

Owen Conners' whole life changed the day he found out his classmate Bethany was half fictional and could take him into any book in the library. Which story would they jump into next? Another fantasy, like the Kiel Gnomenfoot, Magic Thief books? Maybe something with superheroes? Owen's up for anything except mysteries - those just have too many hidden clues, twists that make no sense, and an ending you never see coming.

Owen and Bethany have sworn off jumping into books for good. But they didn't make any promises about not jumping through strange portals that lead to a comic book world....

Being able to jump into books used to seem like the greatest thing in the world to Owen Conners. But now Owen's trapped in a time travel book where listeners - that would be you - decide how the story goes. As if that weren't enough, Owen's also stuck in a prison for time criminals in a prehistoric era. He's surrounded by bizarre fellow prisoners, including Kara Dox. How does Kara recognize Owen if they've never met before? She seems to think they're old friends, but that can't be possible.

Bethany and Owen have failed. The villain they have come to know as Nobody has ripped asunder the fictional and nonfictional worlds, destroying their connection. Bethany has been split in two, with her fictional and nonfictional selves living in the separate realms. But weirdly, no one seems to mind. Owen and every other nonfictional person have lost their imaginations, so they can’t picture their lives any differently.