Author: Ariel Goodbody
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The Shadow Club #4: Hunting for Shadows
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Genre: ActionSetting: ModernNew Vocabulary: Bench, Bend back, Chapel, Cross your arms, Daft, Hairs stand on end, Knock over, Loser, Patrol, Split upWord Count: 1851Original Author: Ariel Goodbody‘Hey, what are you three losers up to?’ I turned around. Bethany was standing right next to us. She was the only girl in our team, and none of the other boys liked her very much. Sure, when we were on the field, we were a team, but it was strange when you were hanging…
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The Little Frog with the Big Mouth (Pre-Intermediate)
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Genre: Children’sSetting: FairytaleNew Vocabulary: Creepy, Cut in half, Feather, Hay, Hop, Lick your lips, Nap, Watermelon, Worm, X o’clock sharpWord Count: 1269Original Author: Ariel GoodbodyOne day, the Little Frog with the Big Mouth woke up and thought, ‘I don’t feel like eating flies today. I have eaten flies every day of my life. How about a change?’ But the Little Frog with the Big Mouth had never eaten anything else before. He didn’t know what other food there was.…
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The Shadow Club #3: A Strange Kind of Club
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Genre: ActionSetting: ModernNew Vocabulary: Chest, Give up on something, Hesitate, Lunge, Mark (damage), Overhead, Slide, Swipe, Timeout, Whistle (object)Word Count: 1863Original Author: Ariel Goodbody‘Shadows,’ said Max. ‘Let’s call them shadows. They’re all dark, and they change shape. Just like a shadow.’ ‘Max,’ I said, ‘this isn’t a video game, you know.’ ‘I know, but we’ve got to have a name for them.’ ‘Ugh,’ I said. ‘Fine then. We’ll call them shadows.’
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The Shadow Club #2: Shadows and Lightning
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Genre: ActionSetting: ModernNew Vocabulary: Drag, Forbid, Milkshake, Miracle, Nod, Pass (sports), Pyjamas, Resit an exam, Shoot up/through, Stomach clenchesWord Count: 1653Original Author: Ariel Goodbody‘What’s up, Coach?’ ‘Bad news, I’m afraid. Although the weather is lovely today, there’s a storm forecast for Saturday. A big one. A bit of rain might be OK, but a storm… Unless a miracle happens, I’m going to have to cancel the match.’ My stomach clenched again, and I felt like I was going…
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The Shadow Club #1: A Boring Life
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Genre: ActionSetting: ModernNew Vocabulary: At some point, Claw, Duck (movement), Ignore, Priority, Punch, Roman, Stare, Volcano, Way moreWord Count: 1754Original Author: Ariel GoodbodyJemima started hissing. ‘I agree, Jemima. He’s being a real—whoa!’ I turned around and saw why Jemima was so angry. Next to her, there was something. It was big and had lots of black hair, sharp teeth and claws. They made Jemima look like a mouse. The monster was moving slowly towards Max, and it…
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Butcher Boy George
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Genre: ActionSetting: FairytaleNew Vocabulary: Belly, Crooked, Demon, Duel, Glow, Pinky finger, Pop up, Sign of the cross, Witch, With your bare handsWord Count: 1691Original Author: Fairy TalesAs he walked through the shadows of the trees, he saw an orange glow in the distance, shining like a star. It was a fire, and at once he headed towards it, as his feet were cold and his belly was empty. ‘But wait!’ thought Butcher Boy George. ‘What if that fire was built by…
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Love Like Salt
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Genre: PhilosophicalSetting: FairytaleNew Vocabulary: Bland, Cloak, Frown, Get into trouble, Lord, Maid, Make up, Marsh, Once (after), PretendWord Count: 1490Original Author: Fairy TalesSatisfied, he asked the third daughter, ‘How much do you love me, my dear?’ The third daughter was more creative than the other two. She often got into trouble by saying clever things. So she said, ‘I love you like fresh meat loves salt.’ Her father frowned. ‘You don’t love me at all!’ he cried.…
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The Tooth Fairy
‘Can you replace it this time?’ said Alex. ‘I know you did it last time, but I’m so tired.’ ‘I didn’t do it last time,’ said Kayla. ‘Huh?’ said Alex. ‘You did! Last time, I went and looked under the pillow, but the tooth had already been replaced.’ ‘I’m telling you, I didn’t do it!’…
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The Monsters Inside Us
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Genre: Coming of AgeSetting: ModernNew Vocabulary: A figment of your imagination, Arse, Cowboy, Dissertation, Dread, Guardian angel, Medication, Psychosis, Skinny jeans, Student counsellingWord Count: 4520Original Author: Ariel GoodbodyEveryone thinks I’m crazy, and they don’t even know about the voices inside my head. Well, it’s just one voice, really. He’s called Cam, and he’s been with me all my life. He’s the little voice that tells me what I should be doing with my life. He tells me to stop being lazy, to…
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The Most Wanted Woman in Town
‘The Most Wanted Woman in Town has decided to have a competition,’ he announced. The people all went quiet. ‘Lady Rae knows that you all want many things from her. But she will not give her prizes to any man or woman. You must win the key to her heart. And the key is here.’