The Criminal Quest
What happens when you're 19 years old, have telekinesis powers from a science experiment gone wrong, and two powerful robbers are on the loose in New York City. In this episode, Detective Aliea is on top of a building in her office when she hears the news. She's got her German Shepherd sidekick Maxie (black and white dog with X-ray vision and laser eyes) ready to go. They've got to find these two powerful criminals before the money goes down. Chapter One tells us how Aliea got her powers: she was 15, in science class, did an experiment that exploded (BANG!), banged her head in the explosion, moved back from the jump, and was given a detention. But she also gained telekinesis, the ability to control stuff. Chapter Two: They're on their way to the bank when suddenly the emergency alarm goes off. They can see the two people robbing the bank. They run to catch them, but they're too late. The criminals escape. Now they need a plan: set up a trap using fake money to catch them and jail them. To be continued... Fast-paced, cleverly structured with origin story flashback, and featuring a German Shepherd with laser eyes, this is a story about young detectives, powers gained through accidents, and the eternal truth that you need a good plan (and fake money) to catch criminals. This story proves what one Year 6 student told us: "The only superpower you need is imagination." About the Story Story Type: Detective action with superhero origin story elements Themes: Partnership (human and dog), consequences of accidents becoming powers, strategic thinking, persistence after setbacks Setting: New York City (office on top of building), streets, bank Why This Story Matters This author has created something brilliantly structured: a detective story that opens with present-day action, flashes back to explain the origin story, then returns to present crisis and ends on a cliffhanger with the next strategic move. Notice the narrative voice: 'Maybe you're wondering how I got it.' This child understands audience awareness. They know readers will have questions and addresses them directly. And that detail about getting detention for the explosion that gave her powers? That's brilliant. The school system punished her for an accident that turned her into a superhero. Real-world bureaucracy meets superhero origin. Maxie isn't just 'a dog sidekick.' He's specifically a German Shepherd with X-ray vision and laser eyes who is 'cuddly and loving but also very dangerous and scary.' That's character complexity. He's both comfort and weapon, both friend and fierce protector. When children are given complete creative autonomy, they write stories with: Strategic cliffhangers ('to be continued') Origin story structures embedded in present-day narrative Sidekicks with specific powers that complement the hero Plans that acknowledge setbacks (too late, criminals escaped, need new strategy) Visual evidence references ('we can see the fake money they're using') That ending, setting up a trap with fake money, shows tactical thinking. They can't just chase criminals again (already failed). They need to outsmart them. Bait the trap. That's detective work. About StoryQuest⢠StoryQuest is a validated methodology that achieves 100% engagement across all learners, including reluctant writers, boys, and students with SEND. The approach is simple but profound: give children complete creative autonomy over something that truly matters to them. Resources & Links Bring StoryQuest to Your School: Visit my-storyquest.com to download the curriculum guide and discover how your students can become published authors. Start Friday Night Storytelling at Home: Download Gabriel's StoryQuest Family Kit at theadventuresofgabriel.com Read Gabriel's Adventures: The international #1 bestselling series that started it all, co-authored by Kate Markland and her son Gabriel Khan. Available at theadventuresofgabriel.com Connect with Kate: Website: katemarkland.com Share This Episode Know a teacher struggling with reluctant writers? A parent whose child says 'writing is boring'? A school leader looking for proven literacy solutions? Share this episode with them. Because every child has a story. And when we give them the freedom to tell it, extraordinary things happen. Keywords Child authors, creative writing for children, literacy education, reluctant writers, StoryQuest, student engagement, children's storytelling, authentic writing, educational innovation, child-led learning, detective stories, superhero origin, telekinesis, German Shepherd sidekick, New York City, bank heist, Bradford UK, UK education, December Story Celebration Next Episode Subscribe to Stories Without Borders to hear more incredible stories from children around the world who discovered their voices through StoryQuest. Tomorrow: Another story from our December Story Celebration, 31 stories over 31 days. Production: StoryQuest "When given complete creative control, children don't just create great stories, they discover their voice. And that voice deserves to be heard." - Kate Markland