PodCastle Miniature 008: Believe

Show Notes

Rated G. Contains quarters in unexpected places.


by Katherine Sparrow

“I’ve been practicing.”

Kenya nods her head. “It takes a lot of practice.”

“How long did it take you?”

“Forever!” Kenya claps her hands and makes two more quarters appear. At lunch she buys two chocolate milks with her quarters and gives one to Maria. It is sweet and thick and better than the wheat bread and yellow rubber-cheese sandwich her Mom packed for her.

They have a test in long division after lunch and Maria feels mad that Kenya can just get an ‘A’ with magic but she has to work hard. She knows how to do it but keeps forgetting to carry the ones and the twos and the only thing that matters to the teacher is getting the answer right. I believe I’ll get an A, Maria thinks as hard as she can. D into A, D into A!

“Can you do more magic?” Maria asks Kenya at recess.


“Will you show me?”

“Maybe tomorrow. I have to believe more first.”

About the Author

Katherine Sparrow

Katherine Sparrow writes middle-grade, young adult, and adult fiction for humans of all ages. She understands that all stories are sneaky. Sometimes they take you somewhere fun and exciting. Other times they change minds and save lives. Her fiction tries really hard to do both. She was nominated for a Nebula Award, attended the Clarion West Writers Workshop, and organizes workshops for writers at all parts of their journey.

When not writing, she spends her time chasing two young children around, enjoying Seattle’s ample and lovely gloom, and planting things in a garden that mostly molds.

Find more by Katherine Sparrow


About the Narrator

Ann Leckie


Find more by Ann Leckie