Do Not Use the Vending Machine

Most kids at Ahlers Creek Middle School are just trying to survive until lunch. Noah is no exception. Then he discovers something strange hidden in a forgotten hallway: a vending machine that doesn't sell snacks. It sells exactly what people want. Confidence Gum. Champion Chocolate. Truth Taffy. Popularity Gummies. At first, the results seem incredible. One student becomes fearless. Another suddenly gets all the attention they've ever wanted. Problems disappear overnight. Or so it seems. Because the machine is terrible at understanding people. The more students use it, the more chaos follows. Friendships start falling apart. Secrets refuse to stay hidden. And every wish comes with consequences nobody expected. Now Noah must figure out what the mysterious machine really wants—and how to stop it before the entire school learns the hard way that getting what you want isn't always the same as getting what you need. Funny, mysterious, and packed with unexpected twists, Do Not Use the Vending Machine is a middle-grade adventure about friendship, self-acceptance, and the surprising cost of shortcuts. Perfect for readers ages 8–12 who enjoy school mysteries, quirky adventures, and stories with a touch of magic.