Beyond Lantern Gate lies Allele & Ink—a place of laboratories and gardens, old paths and new discoveries, careful work and unexpected wonder.
Here, curiosity has a way of leading somewhere. A question can open a door, an overlooked path can reveal a forgotten place, and even the most ordinary work can become part of a much larger story.
The Allele & Ink stories follow the people and curious characters who live and work across the campus as they observe, investigate, experiment, solve problems, and occasionally discover something they weren't looking for.
Each story stands on its own, offering another glimpse into a world that is always a little larger than any one book can show.
There is no required reading order. Enter wherever curiosity leads you.
For ages 7-12
When a mysterious door that has always been locked suddenly opens, Iris and Owen step into an unexpected adventure filled with familiar faces, curious discoveries, and questions around every corner. Through the Door is a richly illustrated story of curiosity, collaboration, and problem-solving that invites young readers to observe closely, wonder freely, and discover that sometimes the most interesting answer is another question.
When an inaccurate survey leads Nico and Nora beyond a forgotten gate in Rowan Woods, they discover an abandoned Observatory no one knew was there. With few records and more questions than answers, they must learn from the clues the building left behind—and decide what it means to carry a place forward when its beginning has been lost. Under an Older Sky is a richly illustrated Allele & Ink story about curiosity, discovery, preservation, and the stories hidden in the places around us.
A five-minute stop at the Allele & Ink Library becomes an investigation when a ribbon of colored light appears on Vinnie’s sleeve. Following the light through restoration records and architectural drawings, Vinnie and Roxy uncover the names of four Library gargoyles—and evidence of a pattern preserved in glass and stone. This richly illustrated story introduces readers ages 8–12 to observation, measurement, refraction, vibration, and the value of following an unexpected question.
