Short Story by Ursula Le Guin. A 15th century French scientist, frustrated with being unable to prove a theory he had developed, decides to experiment with black magic. His first spell is a “success”, allowing him to teleport kindred spirits from the past and future to join him.
Grade 7-8 Story by Gish Jen. A Chinese-American girl admires a beautiful white umbrella at piano class. She knows that if she asked for one, her mother would say: “All you want is things, just like an American”. Her kind teacher gives her the umbrella. Shortly afterwards, she throws away!
Quick Reads by Katharine Weber. A young girl is hired by a couple she has never met before to baby-sit while they go to the movies. They tell her the baby sleeps soundly and won’t need to be fed or changed. When she tries the nursery door, it is locked.
Short Story by Conrad Aiken. A psychological horror fantasy in which a young boy’s growing fascination with snow and imagined snowfalls cause him to lose touch with reality. In the disturbing climax, the boy’s “snow voices” come alive and he completely withdraws into himself as they tell him a story.
Short Story by Ron Carlson. A young man who grew up in a family of 'geniuses' experiences a sudden sense of relief and freedom after discovering he is “ordinary”. He gets a low-level job, buys a car, drinks beer and starts to enjoy life for the first time.