Message from Annabelle: My Hero

The hero of Gateway to Magic is 11 year old Steven Topcliff, a sensitive and imaginative boy who has learned to hide these qualities in order to ‘fit in’.  An only child, he lives in a well ordered home with a loving family.  His Mum is a bit of a worrier, and her anxious nature has rubbed off on him.

The story begins in the summer holidays, and Steven is spending most of his time in his bedroom, glued to his games console.  He doesn’t want to think about the coming autumn, when he has to start comprehensive school – he’s heard all sorts of stories about rampant bullying and ridiculous amounts of homework.  The gaming world is a world he can control, where he can be a powerful hero.

Steven doesn’t believe in fairies or magic – that stuff is strictly for girls – so he’s horrified when he finds himself in Fairyland.  He’s even more horrified when he discovers there are no video games.  He has to learn to fit in all over again, in a place that’s far more dangerous than any school.  If he wants to get back to his own world, he’s going to have to wake up that rusty imagination and use it for all he’s worth.

Likes:

• A video game called McDivott (it’s his favourite)
• Cartoons
• Chicken nuggets and chips

Dislikes:

• Fruit and vegetables
• Fungus (he’s allergic to it)
• His cousin Tracy