My Far Out Life as a Middle School Author
Adults Ruin Everything!
by Todd-Michael Bégin

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“You’ve met your match, Stahlker!” I shout, holding the shiny wand in my hand tightly. It glows rapidly, feeling like an extension of my own arm. “You wouldn’t dare,” Stahlker snarls, taking a few steps backwards. “Put it down!” she cries out, before turning and running nervously in the opposite direction. “Never! I will never back down!” I yell, picking up speed. “You’ve eaten your last child! You’ve sucked your last soul! You’ve . . . well, whatever other crazy things you do!” I run as fast as my feet will carry me. My wand fires out beams of concentrated energy as Stahlker swiftly leaps around to dodge them. “I’m not afraid of you anymore!” Captain Awesome is back, everybody! My broken arm is finally out of that itchy cast, and I can write again! Just in time too, because I’m still trying to get out of the sixth grade alive! My allies are increasing, yet the number of villainous, interstellar threats has never been greater! Hard as I try to be a hero, my brain keeps getting taken over by evil forces that make me do wild things, and everyone is starting to hate me. I have discovered why all of these bad things keep happening to me, though. It’s the adults! They ruin everything! With my faithful companion, Bearosaurus Rex, my awesome allies, and a mighty imagination, we can solve the mystery of why adults have set out to destroy my life. Join me, as I try to survive another far out week as a middle school author.

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As a child, Todd-Michael Bégin became enamoured with writing after reading the juvenile horror novels, Goosebumps, as well as playing script-heavy video games such as EarthBound. Todd’s decade-plus career as an educator, his own neurodivergent experiences growing up, as well as raising children with unique qualities, all make him well-suited to pen relatable and engaging stories for middle schoolers, as well as parents and teachers alike. The first book in his My Far-Out Life as a Middle School Author series, My World is Home, was published in 2025. He enjoys playing story-driven video games, swimming/teaching aquatics, sports, music, exploring outdoors, and just generally enjoying life with his friends and family. Todd lives in Manitouwadge, Ontario, Canada, with his children and cats.

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Contributors

Author

Todd-Michael Bégin

Artist

Cassia Tugwood

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