Story and Play: Interactive Fiction for Kids

October 2011
Pollard Memorial Library
Lowell, Massachusetts

Interactive Fiction is a story that plays like a game.  It is also a type of literature in which the reader is a participant. You read what happens in the story, you type what you want to do, and the game reacts to it. Whether or not you're new to interactive fiction, you can join us to play "Mrs. Pepper's Nasty Secret." We will decide what the central character will say and do, and solve some challenging puzzles along the way. In "Mrs. Pepper's Nasty Secret," we will try to find our stolen skateboard and discover who is trapped in Mrs. Pepper's residence.

You don't have to know anything about interactive fiction to have fun at this reading, but, if you're interested, you can learn more at Fun and Learning With Interactive Fiction.

Also, if you like, you can have a look at the following list of interactive stories that many kids enjoy. Just click on a story to try it in your Web browser. Please bear in mind that these stories can be hard to read without help. However, you'll get all the help you need at the May 1 reading!

Winter Wonderland by Laura Knauth (This story has good built-in hints, but it can still be somewhat difficult at times.)
Mother Loose by Irene Callaci (This story has very good hints for the harder puzzles.)
Dragon Adventure by William Stott (Here's a solution for this story.)
Aotearoa by Matt Wigdahl (This story has excellent built-in hints, but here's a solution, in case you need it.)

For more help with interactive fiction, which can be a challenging form of literature, read "An Introduction to Interactive Fiction" by Emily Short

This public reading of interactive fiction is brought to you by the People's Republic of Interactive Fiction.  The reading is a part of the Pollard Memorial Library Mystery Club.

For more information, contact Brendan Desilets (bdesilets@comcast.net).