Tales from Outer Suburbia

Tales from Outer Suburbia by Shaun Tan is weird. That's probably why I like it so much. This collection of short stories is all over the map. Sometimes they are hilarious, like the kids of the neighborhood who all get advice from a water buffalo. Sometimes they are heartbreaking, but still satisfying, like when the area dogs get revenge on the owner who beat one of their own to death.

My favorite story in the collection is about Eric, the foreign exchange student. Sounds like a pretty normal thing, until you see Eric, who lives in the pantry. The greatest concern for the family is if Eric is happy where he is, and I love how their question is answered.

While the stories themselves make this anthology a good read, the pictures make it breathtaking. Together, they tell a story with a normal setting that isn't so normal.

911 The Book of Help

911 The Book of Help edited by Michael Cart

This is a book about the 9/11/01 tragedy of the World Trade Center. In this tragedy, 3,497 people were killed. This book tells about people before, during and after the incident either in poems or short stories. This book is for people affected by the crash to help them recover from their grief and misery. The mood of the book is heartfelt grief and sadness.
We highly recommend this book to people who need to recover from the grief of the September 11th attacks.

Recommendation by Grant, Jeremiah and Denton

In the Land of the Lawn Weenies

In the book, In the Land of the Lawn Weenies by David Lubar, we read the story, "A Fairy in a Jar."
"A Fairy in a Jar" is about a child catching fireflies in his backyard. He sees an extra spectacular light. He sweeps the net near the light, puts it in his room and turns on the light revealing the fairy in his jar. The fairy promises the child a diamond for her release. If you want to find out what happens next in "Fairy in a Jar," check out this fabulous book from your local library.
People that like reading short stories and fantasy would highly enjoy this series of short stories by David Lubar.

Recommended by Sarah and Dacia

Guys Write for Guys Read

Guys Write for Guys Read edited by Jon Scieszka

We read the short story, "My French Teacher Tried to Kill Me" by Anthony Horowitz. This story is from the book, Guys Write for Guys Read. If you hate long stories, but love an action book, this is the book for you.
The genre of this book is short story,and the subgenre is realistic fiction.
The setting of this story is a French teacher's classroom in the present day. The French teacher is actually an assassin stalking Anthony. Anthony has meddled in his affairs once too many times. Will Anthony survive when the French teacher takes this situation too far, or will the French teacher get his revenge?
This is an easy to read, but suspenseful short story. This is obviously a short story for a guy who likes action packed stories.

Recommended by Connor and Riley

Best Shorts

Best Shorts selected by Avi

Best Shorts is a book of short stories for people who like a mix of emotions. The genre of this book is realistic fiction and the main characters in the short story, "The Caller", are Aunt Margaret, Lindsay Walters, Missy and Ms. Walters. This short story takes place in a town suburb and it is present time.
The mood of this story is filled with anger, hatred and sadness. The first thing that happens in this story is that Lindsay and her whole family have to go to a funeral which ruins her plans to go hang out with her friends. She is secretly trying to sneak away from the funeral but gets caught and gets in trouble. The rest of the short story is filled with Lindsay's troubles and conflicts with not being able to hang out with her friends.
We think people who would like this book are people who enjoy conflicts and solving problems.

Recommeded by Anthony and Braxton

Invasion of the Road Weenies

Invasion of the Road Weenies by David Lubar

We have read short stories from the book, Invasion of the Road Weenies by David Lubar.

"The Last Halloween" is about a girl who doesn't want to go trick-or-treating because of something a few boys did last year when she went. Her mind is quickly changed when she finds a special pair of gloves in her basement and then she decides to be a veiled lady. Once she hits the streets for trick-or-treating, she encounters the boys once again, but something amazing happens. You'll have to read it to find out.
This bone-chilling story by David Lubar will leave readers wanting more. There are many great stories from paranormal and freaky to funny and weird.

Recommended by Noland and Jon

The Tales of Beedle the Bard

The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J. K. Rowling

"Babbity, Rabbity and her Crackling Stump"

The Tales of Beedle The Bard gives you a whole new perspective on the fantasy world, starting with a devious tale of a cunning charlatan, foolish king, and Babbity, the washer woman witch. This tale takes place in a far off land.

The foolish King sets out a proclamation asking to be taught magic. No true witch or wizard would dare volunteer for the post. They are in hiding from the Brigade of Witch-Hunters. A greedy charlatan sees his chance for a "get rich quick" plan, so he goes to the King pretending to be a wizard of great power.
He demands gold to buy wands and rubies to be used in the casting of charms, but the charlatan keeps the gold and snaps two twigs from a tree, saying they are powerful wands. All this time Babbity, the washer woman witch, is watching him.
Once Babbity sees their foolishness, she laughs out loud. The King grows impatient, demanding to show the world his magic, so the charlatan knows it is time to run. He says he is leaving for a long voyage. The King won't take no for an answer and says he will have him beheaded.
The charlatan threatens to reveal Babbity as a witch (He sees her polishing her wand) if she doesn't perform the tricks for the King. When the King attempts to bring a dog back to life, even Babbity knows that her magic can't do that. The King grows angry at the charlatan, so the charlatan, (attempting to bring it off himself) yells, "There your Majesty, there! I see her plain, a wicked witch who is blocking magic with her own evil spells! Seize her! Somebody, seize her!"
What will happen to Babbity? Will the Brigade of Witch-Hunters catch her? Will the charlatan's cunning tricks pay off, or will Babbity's magic reveal his true identity to the foolish king?

Recommended by Grace and Maddie

More Horowitz Horror

More Horowitz Horror by Anthony Horowitz

We read "The Hitchhiker" by Anthony Horowitz. On a highway between Ipswich and Southwold, Jacob and his family pick up a hitchhiker near an insane asylum. His name is Mr. Rellik. Notice anything about the name? Well, Jacob does. When Jacob thinks his family is in danger, he may do anything to save them and himself. Will Jacob be able to save his family in time? Or will they all be lost forever? Find out in this horror story, "The Hitchhiker."
This book is an easy read that holds darkness and many ominous things. This book is for anyone who loves surprises and likes easy reads.

Recommended by Lauren and Moriah

The Curse of the Campfire Weenies

The Curse of the Campfire Weenies and other Warped and Creepy Tales by David Lubar

We read The Curse of the Campfire Weenies by David Lubar. In this book there was a short story called "Spin". If you like weird books read this. This story is about a couple of boys named Jimmy and Darin. Ray is their friend. When Darin's brother, Jimmy, finds something that looks spinnable, he spins it on his finger. Darin gets really annoyed by this. Will Darin succeed in helping Jimmy stop spinning everything he sees? This book is very easy to read and has very wacky subjects. You might like to read this if you like funny and weird books. We would recomend this to anybody, boys and girls, or to anyone who likes fantasy.

Recommended by Megan and Alexa

Unexpected

Unexpected: 11 Mysterious Stories edited by Laura E. Williams

"Who Broke Harry's Head?" by Graham Salisbury

This book really is unexpected! In the short story, "Who Broke Harry's Head?", Joey's mom is having tough times, and doesn't need any more trouble. But when his sister's rocking horse's head is broken, who is to blame? His mom's boy friend? His babysitter? His sister? Him? In the story, three major events happen. First, his babysitter's bird goes missing. Second, Joey's mom has a break down. Third, his sister's rocking horse's head is broken. This book would be a middle paced read for most people. People who like a combination of strange science fiction and mystery, would like this book. This collection of short stories is for anyone looking for something good.

Recommended by Garret, Trevor and Zach

The Complete Horowitz Horror

The Complete Horowitz Horror by Anthony Horowitz

"Bath Night" is not for the weak hearted, in fact it may not even be best for the strong hearted. Bath Night is not a pleasant night for Isabel. Isabel has a mother and a father who are always fighting and never agreeing on anything. Isabel's mother and father don't believe anything she says about Bath Night. It all started when her mother and father traded in their old bathtub for a Victorian bathtub used by a murderer. Isabel finds out who last owned the tub and tries to destroy it...This collection of short stories is horror filled.

Recommended by Tanner, Killian and Mitch

Shattered

We read the book, Shattered, by Jennifer Armstrong. It is a short story book. We read the short story, "The Second Day." It is historical fiction. It takes place during wartime in the Middle East. It is about a girl, her parents and her siblings. This is a sad, aggressive and emotional story that will hook you from the start. This family has to run away from home. On their way a tank almost hits them. They have to keep moving until they hit the border. This is about real people or based on real people.
I would say that this book is on the easy side. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes sad emotional books.

Recommended by Gabby and Hannah

Losing Is Not an Option

This book of short stories is definitely for those who can identify with athletes. From football stories to great track stories, Losing Is Not An Option by Rich Wallace will resonate with readers who have experienced the ups and downs of competing in the athletic world.
In the title story, "Losing is Not an Option", a High School Senior, Ron, is a school track star. He is a long distance runner, and has won honors in Cross Country, but now in the Spring, is competing in track events. Despite distractions, like girls, card games and separated parents, Ron devotes himself to pushing his body every day to increase its endurance and strength. He often recalls his domineering father's words that "losing is not an option," and steps up his efforts to be the best runner he can be. Ron is confident he can win each race he runs until he faces the big state tournament. Self doubts threaten to take control.
Ron wants more than anything to win that State title...will all of his hard work pay off?
The author of Losing is Not an Option, Rich Wallace, seems to know what it takes to make an outstanding athlete. This book is geared toward High School students, but Middle School teens will enjoy it as well. Readers will not be disappointed with the realistic tension created by the characters as they enter high stakes sports contests.

The Pit and the Pendulum and Five Other Tales

The Pit and the Pendulum and Five Other Tales by Edgar Allan Poe

This is a collection of short stories written by one of the most respected authors of horror stories, Edgar Allan Poe. The lead story, "The Pit and the Pendulum", is riveting in its ability to draw in the reader. In the first line of the story, we learn that someone has been sentenced to death by the Spanish Inquisition. The prisoner's hands and feet are bound. When he comes to, he finds himself in a dark dungeon. He is blinded by the blackness, but begins to desperately explore his cell by feeling along the wall and floor. When he trips, he finds his chin hard against a cold slimy surface, but his nose and cheek contact nothing, nothing at all...that is his first inkling that there is a deep, seemingly endless pit in the middle of his dungeon.
Inventive torture is a specialty of the Spanish Inquisition. After the prisoner does not fall into the pit, the jailers need to find another method to torture him to death. When he wakes up next, he finds himself completely bound, lying on a table. The only part of him that can move is his left elbow and hand. The prisoner is extremely hungry and thirsty. He finds a bowl full of meat just within reach of his hand. He begins to eat bits of meat...then he hears rats creeping out of the pit. The rats are horrifying enough,but when he sees a strange pendulum moving back and forth above him, he realizes it is swinging lower toward him with each pass. The pendulum is posed exactly above his heart.
Will the prisoner survive the pit and the pendulum? Will the torturers break his willl to live, or will he lose his sanity to the evil devices of those who conspire against him?
Edgar Allan Poe user a large vocabulary and is fond of making descriptive passages, but this is part of the intrigue and helps set the eerie quality of his stories.
Edgar Allan Poe's stories are classics and will be something you hear about the rest of your life. His stories will haunt you for years to come.