The Last Bone

Written by Joshua Carangi, Ayden Diaz, Ana Zavala, Rosselly Robles, Teresa Cardenas, Kelsey Pena, Naylani Pena, Crystal Anguiano, Maya Zungia, Brillet Ojeada, Michael Hidalgo, Johanna Muniz, Isabela Del Gallego, Violeta Sanchez, Emma, Shelley Johnson, and Jesse Byrd Illustrated by Shelley Johnson

Copyright 2023 The Last B.O.N.E.

By Jesse Byrd Creative Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from Jesse Byrd Creative Inc. ISBN: 979-8-9854099-7-0 Special thanks to D’Ann Jordan and Amanda Bartlett

Written by Joshua Carangi, Ayden Diaz, Ana Zavala, Rosselly Robles, Teresa Cardenas, Kelsey Pena, Naylani Pena, Crystal Anguiano, Maya Zungia, Brillet Ojeada, Michael Hidalgo, Johanna Muniz, Isabela Del Gallego, Violeta Sanchez, Emma, Shelley Johnson, and Jesse Byrd Illustrated by Shelley Johnson

You know what?

The center of the Earth is a magical place.

Who would have thought all this life lived beneath the feet of humankind?

See the explorer with the wagging tail?

That’s SJ. He’s looking for a special energy source to power his experiments.

His sensor picked up a B.O.N.E. in this area.

(A B.O.N.E. is like the most powerful battery in the world.)

His grandmother gave him the B.O.N.E. he has now when he was a puppy. He’s used it to discover amazing things.

But now the B.O.N.E. B.O.N.E.’s energy is low and SJ needs a new one.

He whipped out his locating device and the screen lit up!

“

o o u u o u o nnd it!” o f I He howled.

O R V

!

M O

SJ was blown back as a machine rumbled into the cave.

He ducked behind a rock as a tall figure stepped out of the machine.

She marched over to the B.O.N.E. and lifted it into the air. “My collection is complete!” she cackled.

“It’s Royal B.O.N.E.!” SJ gasped.

Hearing the voice, she spun around and held out her hand.

Before SJ could press the button to activate his shield, everything went black.

Groaning awake, SJ was in a cage, swinging above a river of lava.

“You tried to take what was mine. Those who steal belong in cages.”

“B.O.N.E. B.O.N.E.’s don’t belong to you, they belong to everyone,” SJ yelled. “Why do you keep taking them all?”

She grinned. “I need enough energy to reach the surface world. Now I can go up there and take anything I want. See, I’m an explorer like you.”

SJ growled.“But I’m using the B.O.N.E. B.O.N.E.’s energy to help us all, not just myself!”

“Yeah, right. Nobody does anything just to help.

And I haven’t trusted a dog since I was bitten as a girl. Whew, It’s getting hot in here, isn’t it?

I think I’ll leave. Goodbye.”

Royal B.O.N.E. opened a portal and turned to leave.

With the lava river rising, SJ knew he didn’t have much time. He checked his suit for any power left.

“There might be enough energy in my suit to pick the lock, but is there enough to make it across the lava?” he muttered.

“I guess I don’t have a choice.”

With his energy disc fading, SJ crossed the lava just as Royal B.O.N.E. was escaping.

He snatched the B.O.N.E. right before the vehicle disappeared.

The glow from the B.O.N.E. lit his face as tears welled in his eyes.

With his suit charged to new levels, SJ zoomed to his lab to continue his work helping others.

Jesse Byrd is the creator of the Each Story Matters program that turns kids into published authors and produced this book.

Shelley Johnson is a professional animator and illustrator living in Los Angeles, CA.

Youth at PS 14Q school in New York City created the story for this book!

Joshua Carangi Ayden Diaz Ana Zavala Rosselly Robles Teresa Cardenas Kelsey Pena Naylani Pena Crystal Anguiano Maya Zungia Brillet Ojeada Michael Hidalgo Johanna Muniz Isabela Del Gallego Violeta Sanchez Emma

New York Edge powered this workshop installment.

SJ has discovered a powerful energy source that he believes can help all lifeforms. The problem is, he isn’t the only one who wants it. Will he be able to hold on to this prize or will the forces of greed pry it from his grasp?