Table of Contents

1. The Old Castle . . . 3

2. Zam the Wizard . . . 9

3. The Wooden Chest . . . 11

About the Author . . . 17

1. The Old Castle

"Race you to the castle!" cried Mina. Her younger brother Liam shook his head. "Nah," he said. "That place is haunted!"

    Mina rolled her eyes and dragged Liam's arm with her. "It's not!" she said. "You're coming with me. You're such a scaredy-cat."

    Mina dragged him all the way to the castle. It wasn't that creepy. It didn't look haunted at all.

    "It looks scary," commented Liam.

           🏰

    Mina sighed. There was nothing she could do to change her brother's mind. "Well, let's check out the library," she said, leading Liam to the bookshelves in the old castle. Liam's face brightened.

    He found a book about dinosaurs, but when he opened it, the book began to speak, with the pages as its mouth!

           📖

"I know the castle's secrets," the book said in a hushed voice. "If you take me, I will show something

behind your imagination."

    "Fine," Mina agreed, but Liam was frightened. He was dragged along once again.

    The book led them all the way to a grand hall, then led them to a wooden door that was all broken down. "This leads to the dungeon," the book said. "Someone lies down there, and we need to rescue him."

    Liam shivered. "Who is he?" he asked.

    The book said, "It is the great Zam the Wizard."

 🧙‍♂️ "Wow!" Liam said, way too loudly. 

📖

👦🏻 

👧🏻

Mina shushed him.

    They went all the way down to the dungeon, where it was cold and gray. The book closed itself around the lights, and tugged on the string to turn it on. "That's better," said Mina.

    In the middle of all the dungeons, there was a circle shaped empty corner. A man lay down on it. It looked as if he were paralyzed, but his eyes were closed.

    "That's Zam," the book spoke. "He has been put under a spell. We must wake him up from his sleep."

           🪄

    "Okay!" said Liam, a little too excited. They stomped around the circle three times. Then the book recited a magic spell and Zam came to life!

2. Zam the Wizard

Zam first noticed the kids. "Hey kids!" he exclaimed. Mina and Liam already liked him. Then he noticed the book. "Hi there, old spell book! I've missed you," he said.

    Liam was confused. "Why is your spell book about dinosaurs?"

    Zam shrugged. "It's a little spell I put on it," he said with a smile. "Well, did you find the old sorceress Maeve? She was a nice one, so sweet."

           🦖

           🗺

    Liam bit his lip. "I hate to break it to you, Zam, but we're not in those medieval times anymore. This is year 2024. You're the only one left."

    Zam began to feel sad. "What about all my buddies?" he cried.

    To try to cheer him up, Mina said, "How 'bout we do some exploring?"

    Zam's face lit up. "Off we go!" he said. "My dear spell book, please arrange yourself back on the shelf." The book nodded and zipped off.