THROUGH A HOLE IN THE UNIVERSE is the first volume in a two-part science fiction/fantasy adventure for young readers. The story follows the exploits of three kids who, while constructing a tree fort, accidentally create a portal into another universe: a "world next door." Seeing an opportunity for adventure, the three of them set out in secret to do some exploring. Soon, however the trio find themselves trapped and lost in a place known as the Westlands, where it is discovered that they possess knowledge and abilities unheard of in this world. Desperate to find a way to get back home, they make their escape from a hostile village and set out in search of some ancient, all-knowing (and quite probably mythical) beings known as the Elders. On the run, they are pursued by nightmarish flying creatures under the control of a powerful and mysterious dark entity: one who is determined to capture and make use of them in his quest to bring down the Elders-a quest which, if successful, could bring about the end of Westlandian civilization.
About the Author: Kurt Kasner was born in Ohio and moved to Anaheim, California with his family at the age of fourteen. He graduated from UCLA with a bachelor's degree in English and dreams of becoming a published author. Early in 1966 fresh out of college, he accepted a teaching position with the nearby Long Beach Unified School District. For the next three decades, and more, he was kept busy presiding over classes of fourth, fifth, and sixth graders. The original story of the Hole in the Universe was conceived early in his teaching career, when he decided to write a story to share with his students; it was intended as an alternative to the often bland elementary school reading textbooks of the day, and it was well received by his audience; many students began to insist that he should try to get it published. After a few futile attempts to do so in the mid-1970s, he allowed the project to languish as he moved on to other interests. By this time, he had become absorbed with motorcycle touring, and he spent his summer breaks crossing and recrossing North America; eventually visiting all fifty states and virtually every Canadian Province. Following his 1984 marriage, these two-wheeled excursions were largely curtailed (although he did rent a motorcycle on his honeymoon in Hawaii, officially bagging his 50th state). They were cut back even more after his wife, Brooke, gave birth to their son, Christopher, five years later. Over the years, the Hole in the Universe story would resurface periodically, to be read to Kurt's current crop of students. He continually tinkered with the manuscript, polishing a bit of wording here and there, occasionally adding or revising whole sequences. (Sometimes, it seemed, the story would never be completely finished.) Over the years, whenever he shared the story, the response from his audience was the same: he really ought to get the thing published. He eventually did so, as you can see. In 1999, after thirty-three and a half years with the Long Beach school district, Kurt retired as a full-time educator and moved his family to a new home in Woodinville, Washington. Since then he has continued to work with young people as a substitute teacher for the Northshore School District. He is also currently working on a sequel to the Hole in the Universe story.