The NeverEnding Story

For readers aged 12+

The Neverending Story is a young adult fantasy novel by German author Michael Ende. A somewhat strange boy, Bastian, whose father ignores him after his mother's death, runs away, escaping bullies. Bastian accidentally bursts into an antique bookstore, seeking refuge. Then, his attention is drawn to a book called "The Neverending Story" (not this one, but another). Unable to resist, the boy steals it and begins reading it in the school attic. Bastian then plunges into a world of adventures in the magical land of Fantastica, whose existence is threatened by serious danger. The thing is, only someone who can come up with a name for its ruler – the Childlike Empress – can save the literary realm. It seems like an easy task. But the name must be devised by someone found by a resident of the land – a boy named Atreyu. The dangerous journey doesn't end there. It's better to embark with Bastian into Fantastica, full of dragons, giants, spells, and monsters, and find out for yourself what happens next.