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Story starter library
Story starters to spark every class's imagination
Choose a professionally written opening, and your pupils decide what happens next. Fiction, non-fiction and poetry, ready to go.
Story starters
AdventureFiction
AdventureThe Midnight Key
When a mysterious letter and a glowing key appear in their room, everything changes. The letter calls them “chosen” and warns them to trust only the bearer of the key. As midnight approaches, a shadow appears at the window, and the adventure of a lifetime is about to begin.
AdventureThe Door in the Oak
When Sam and Amina find a hidden door in the old school oak tree, they're pulled into a magical world of mystery, adventure and wonder.
AdventureThe Bookshop That Breathed
When Maya and Daniel enter a strange old bookshop, they find a book that writes their story as they turn the pages. But when the next line predicts that one of them will vanish, their ordinary day turns into a race to uncover the shop's secrets.
AdventureThe Tiny Door
When Lily discovers a tiny red door at the base of the old oak tree, her curiosity takes over. But as she peeks inside and hears footsteps coming from the darkness, she realises this is no ordinary door.
AdventureThe Letter
When a glowing letter appears in their room, its shifting words spell out a secret name and a mysterious message. As midnight approaches, a knock at the window reveals a visitor with a silver key.
FablesFiction
FablesThe Fox and the Fireflies
In a moonlit forest filled with glowing fireflies, a clever but proud fox longs to be admired. When his plan to steal their glow leads to danger, he learns that real brightness comes from kindness, courage and what shines inside.
FantasyFiction
FantasyThe Dragon's Door
When a mysterious map leads Leo to a hidden cave, he discovers a glowing stone door marked “Awaken”. As it opens, he faces an ancient dragon and the beginning of an unforgettable adventure.
FantasyThe Tower Beyond the Clouds
When a towering fortress appears above their village, only Mia and her brother can see it. A message from the sky urges them to enter before sunset, or lose their chance forever.
HistoricalFiction
HistoricalThe Fire in the Cave
Deep in the Stone Age, siblings Tura and Ina live by the great river. When a stranger arrives with a blazing torch and a warning of danger, they must choose to stay and fight or journey into the unknown.
HistoricalThe Evacuee's Secret
When Emily and Tom are evacuated to the countryside, their new home seems safe, until they notice Mrs Whitfield locking the cellar each night. Strange noises and late-night footsteps lead to a dangerous secret.
HistoricalThe Code in the Bakery
When twelve-year-old Thomas discovers his uncle is missing, he and his friend Anna find a coded message for the Resistance hidden beneath the loaves of bread. With soldiers closing in, courage is their only chance.
HistoricalThe Quest for the Eagle
Beneath the blazing Roman sun, two children watch the soldiers march by, unaware that before the day is done they'll be swept into a quest that could decide the honour of an empire.
HistoricalThe Shadow of the Colossus
In the moonlit harbour of Rhodes, Marcus and Eleni follow a mysterious parchment to the ruins of the Colossus. As dawn nears, a hidden power begins to awaken that could save their city, or destroy it.
MysteryFiction
MysteryThe Mystery of the Midnight Museum
When a priceless Egyptian mask vanishes from the museum, Sam and Leila race to solve the mystery before the thief strikes again.
MysteryThe Vanishing at Blackwood Manor
Emily expects a quiet summer helping her uncle at stormy Blackwood Manor. But when a guest vanishes during dinner, she and her cousin James must uncover the manor's secrets before someone else disappears.
Myths and legendsFiction
Myths and legendsThe Cave of the Silver Wolf
When Maya and Leo discover a hidden cave beneath the silver moon, they find the legend of the Silver Wolf is real, and must face the creature guarding a secret that could change everything.
Myths and legendsThe Shadow of the Lost Legend
Searching for the lost crown of the Forgotten King, Elena and Tomas uncover a secret buried deep in the cliffs, and must decide whether some legends are meant to be found or left alone.
Science fictionFiction
Science fictionThe Strange Egg
When Mia discovers a glowing egg in her garden, she never expects it to hatch into a tiny talking robot. Together they set out to find where it came from.
Science fictionThe Day the Robots Came
When a spaceship lands at Oakbridge School, Tom is chosen by a mysterious robot for a secret mission, and discovers the robots haven't come to invade. They've come for help.
Science fictionThe Sky Beyond the Glass
In the glass-covered city of Halcyon, no one has seen the real sky, until Kai discovers a crack that reveals the stars, and draws the attention of something watching in the dark.
Stories with dilemmasFiction
Stories with dilemmasA Mysterious Invitation
A note in his locker asks him to meet in the music room after school. Is it a trap, a secret, or something far more important than he ever imagined?
Stories with dilemmasCaution or Consequence
On a stormy riverbank, a precious notebook is swept away. Two friends must decide whether to risk everything to get it back, or live with the consequences.
Stories with dilemmasThe Secret in the Backpack
Jake and Mia find a forgotten backpack under a playground bench, with a glowing wooden box inside that has Jake's name on it.
DiscussionNon-fiction
DiscussionShould Pets Be Allowed in School?
A class pet sounds fun, but is it the best idea for everyone? Explore how animals could help pupils learn, and what schools must think about first.
DiscussionShould Homework Be Banned?
Is homework helpful or too much? Explore both sides of the debate and what makes learning fair, balanced and enjoyable.
Non-chronological reportsNon-fiction
Non-chronological reportsWelcome to the Stone Age
Travel back in time to discover how early humans hunted, built shelters and survived, and what the clues they left behind tell us.
Non-chronological reportsExploring Space
Journey beyond Earth to explore planets, stars and galaxies, and discover why space has fascinated people for thousands of years.
PersuasionNon-fiction
PersuasionA Letter to the Headteacher
A pupil writes to Mrs Patel with a big request: more playground equipment. How could new ideas make playtime healthier, fairer and more fun?
PersuasionA Wildlife Garden
A pupil shares a big idea: turning the empty school field into a wildlife garden, where nature, learning and teamwork can grow.
Or write your own
Use the custom writer tool to create a story starter for any topic you're teaching: a historical report, a persuasive letter, a poem, or a story linked to your class novel.
New story starters are added regularly. Every starter is written for UK primary classrooms, in British English, and supports key parts of the curriculum.
See how BoomWriter supports the writing framework.
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