The Space Academy towers above the planet, gleaming like a diamond. The young boy climbs the ladder, hugging his star-covered book close.
Other children zoom past on rocket-scooters, laughing. The boy stands very still. His book feels like the only thing keeping him from floating away.
A girl with glitter in her hair zooms to a stop. 'What are you reading?' she calls. The boy hugs his book tighter and turns toward a quiet corner.
From the corner, he spots her again. She is hovering near the classroom door, looking back at him with wide, curious eyes.
He walks over and slowly holds out his book. The girl flips through pages of swirling galaxies and glowing comets. Then she gasps and points — 'A dancing star!'
Suddenly, a real star on the classroom wall flickers — and does a tiny, wobbly dance! 'It responds to the book!' she shouts, grabbing his hand.
They race down the corridor together. The walls light up with constellations, and the floor hums like a giant guitar. They burst into the Nebula Garden — and stop.
Soft pink and purple clouds swirl around a tree that grows tiny planets. Their mouths hang open. Too amazed to say anything. The star on the book blinks once — bright and happy.
