My World Is Home (My Far Out Life as a Middle School Author)

"Can you repeat the question?" I ask in a soft, sympathetic voice.

Mrs. Stahl rolls her eyes. "When I'm talking, you need to listen!" she shouts in a shrill voice. "You and I are going to have a chat during recess." . . .

Footsteps draw close behind me. The monster is here. My worst nightmare has begun.

"What are we going to do?" Stahlker snarls, her long, slithery tongue extending out of her mouth. "The noose? The guillotine? No. Too easy. Too simple. I think I'll steal your soul. Or gobble you up right here!" she laughs, her toxic breath filling my nostrils.

"Please," I stammer, but my mouth feels like it's full of cotton.

"Are you trying to plead for your pathetic little life?" Stahlker spews out as she crouches beside me . . . I stare straight ahead as her face becomes level with mine. Her green, noodle-like hair casts a reflective glare in my eyes. Like snakes . . .

"If you're going to eat me . . ." I start nervously, before pausing for a moment. "Please swallow me whole. It will hurt less."

Maybe your week was normal, but mine was anything but. I, Captain Awesome, started the school year off on the wrong foot. My teacher, the monstrous Stahlker threatened my very soul, and my classmate, the Meanie, was determined to add to my misery.

My life at home wasn't much better, either! Mom had the nerve to leave me alone in the dark, while Super Creep, the dreaded furnace monster, became my worst nightmare.

Luckily, I had the help of my best friend, the noble Captain Spirit, my loyal teddy bear/t-rex hybrid, Bearosaurus Rex, and a few other surprising allies. Together we battled the forces of evil within the walls of the Lizard King's stronghold. I'll need to keep my wits about me if I want to not only make it to the weekend, but also get out of the sixth grade alive.

Todd-Michael Bégin has loved to write stories since he was in elementary school, oftentimes inspired by story-driven video games, movies, books, and childhood adventures in real life.

He has a Bachelor of Education, with a major in English, and was a teacher for ten years. Reflecting on his own childhood, his decade as an educator, and becoming a parent himself inspired him to write a book from a child's perspective using inspiration from all of these areas.

Todd lives in Manitouwadge, Ontario, Canada, with his foster son, Jesse, and three cats, Lukie, Spark, and Cheeto.

When he isn't penning humorous semi-autobiographical fiction, Todd enjoys swimming, going on inspirational walks with music, writing songs, playing video games that have elaborate plots, watching movies, and spending time with his family and friends.

My World Is Home is the first in the My Far Out Life as a Middle School Author series.