Aldo's Fantastical Movie Palace by Jonathan Friesen

Stand alone novel

Summary: 

In the Darkness of this Theater, Anything Can Happen

The family's broken-down theater has always been a safe place for Chloe. There, no one can see the scars that line her face—scars her inventor father accidentally caused, leaving even deeper wounds between them. In the darkness she meets Nick, a boy with his own hurts. While Nick isn't the most pleasant companion, a rocky friendship is formed over their love of films.

Soon the two are working on a movie script about a fantastical world—one that suddenly comes alive on the screen. Chloe and Nick are transported into an adventure beyond what they ever imagined, filled with dragons, magical pools, and a sinister vapor that threatens to destroy everyone. But when tragedy strikes, Chloe must find the courage to step out of the shadows and find what she’s always longed for.

Opening Lines:

"I'm a genius, Chloe." Dad raised his fists to the sky. "Someday, a teacher will ask you to name the world's greatest inventor, and your answer will not be Thomas Edison, no siree." He lowered a hand, placed it on his chest, and bowed. "You'll say, 'It's none other than humble Ray Lundeen.'"

Chloe laughed. "Humble?"

"Okay, humble is a stretch. But great? Absolutely." Dad led her around the barn to the daisy field and the rusted horse trailer. He pointed to his head, and then shook his finger at heaven. "Today, I will pull Inky, and her trailer, using magnetism!"