Story Lines

WONDERWORKS
presents a reading-intensive exploration of fiction plus films based on fiction, and creative writing.

15 June – 17 July 2026 | 10AM - 4PM, M-F | University of Houston

The house of fiction has in short not one window, but a million.

Henry James “Preface,” The Portrait of a Lady (New York Edition), 1908

Great stories unlock not only creative potential but critical reasoning as well. Dive into some of the most amazing stories ever written by writers ranging from Boccaccio and Chekhov to Virginia Woolf and Philip Roth. We’ll cover genres from microfiction to short stories, the novella to the novel, as well as literary movements from the Renaissance to Post-Modernism and beyond. This program is designed for serious readers who want to explore texts that are not usually taught in high-school English courses. 

To start each day, you’ll unpack a short story or short novel you’ve read the night or weekend before in an engaging and interactive seminar. In the afternoons, you’ll watch thematically-paired narrative films and discuss them with your classmates and teachers. Occasional creative writing prompts will follow from our readings and discussions, resulting in short pieces that may spark your creativity outside the classroom. Avid readers only! 

Story Lines is open to high school students of special promise and ability who will be entering grades 10, 11, or 12 next fall or who will have just graduated from high school this spring. Admission is competitive – Wonderworks requires at least a 3.0 cumulative grade-point average plus a high level of achievement in relevant core subjects and commensurate scores on relevant sections of the PSAT/SAT or ACT.

Tuition and fees (not including parking) are $750. Scholarships are available in the form of full-tuition waivers, but only for students demonstrating true financial need. Admissions are determined on a need-blind basis. No student will be prevented from participating in the program because of inability to pay tuition.

The program is held at the University of Houston Central Campus, Monday – Friday, except 19 June and 3 July. Story Lines is meant to be enjoyable, but is also challenging and requires focused effort and commitment.

Please apply online starting 1 January. To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 1 June. Early applications are encouraged and will receive early decisions. Late applications will be considered only if space remains available.

If you have questions or need additional information, please e-mail info@wonderworkshouston.org.