Fox Hunt

Fox Hunt: Short story by Lensey NamiokaThis story by Lensey Namioka is a blend of legend and reality . A studious Asian-American boy preparing for the PSAT exam is the only one in his class without a “study buddy”. The boy is pushed to do well by his father, who is descended from a long line of Chinese scholars. One day, his mother tells him a tale about how an ancestor was helped in his studies by a huli, or fox spirit disguised as a girl. Shortly afterwards, the boy meets his own huli. Themes include culture, alienation, pressure to succeed, determination, friendship, coincidence vs. the supernatural.

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Monkeyman

Monkeyman: Short story by Walter Dean MyersW. D. Myers’s Monkeyman is a quiet, bookish senior high-school student who steps in to prevent two “lady” members of a street gang from slashing the face of a girl he knows. The rest of the gang is honour-bound to extract payback. Instead of hiding, he challenges one of them to meet in a park. As a large crowd gathers to watch, Monkeyman does something that surprises everyone. Three weeks later, he is fighting for his life in hospital. At the time, the narrator thinks Monkeyman’s actions in the park were stupid. Years later, he/she thinks differently.

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Melvin in the Sixth Grade

Melvin in the Sixth Grade: Short story by Dana JohnsonThe major theme of this story by Dana Johnson is maintaining one’s identity vs. the desire to “fit in”. A sixth grade girl is having trouble settling in at a new school. The only African-American in class, she is ostracized and made fun of because of her race and appearance. Her only friend is Melvin, a strange-looking boy from Oklahoma she describes as “my beautiful alien from Planet Cowboy”. Melvin appears proud of his identity. She is so desperate to be accepted by the others that, when forced to choose, she forsakes him. Other themes: racism, bullying, appearance, friendship, betrayal.

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Click-Clack the Rattlebag

Click-Clack the Rattlebag: Short story by Neil GaimanThis short campfire-style horror story by Neil Gaiman sucks you in (no disrespect to Click-Clacks intended) and then at the very end surprises. A young man is spending time with his girlfriend’s much younger brother. The boy asks for a bed-time story that is “a little bit” scary. In describing what he means by this the boy tells the man about Click-Clacks, “the best monsters ever”, that come from the dark when you don’t pay attention. We are left wondering how the narrator is still around to tell the tale. Themes include fear, awareness, manipulation, the power of storytelling.

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Names/Nombres

Names/Nombres: Short story by Julia AlvarezThis is a personal essay reflecting incidents in the life of author Julia Alvarez. On the one hand, it examines the important relationship between name and identity in Hispanic culture. On the other, it highlights the desire for migrants, especially children, to ‘fit in’ with an anglicized name that is easily pronounced. Finally, we have her mother’s wisdom in saying that it doesn’t matter, quoting the English idiom A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. In the final paragraph, the girl wonders what name she will go by when she is well-known. We now know the answer!

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Popularity

Popularity: Short story by Adam BagdasarianThe protagonist in this story by Adam Bagdasarian is a ten-year-old boy who has trouble making friends at school. His biggest wish is to be able to hang out at recess with the most popular group in fourth grade. He decides that the only talent he has that might gain him entry is his sense of humor. When the opportunity arises to make a joke, he is an instant success. However, he never feels secure among the group because his inclusion was at the expense of another member. Themes include alienation and loneliness, fitting-in, the shallow nature of teenage popularity.

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The Legend of the Christmas Rose

The Legend of the Christmas Rose: Short story by Selma LagerlöfThe major themes of this Christmas story from Selma Lagerlöf are faith, forgiveness, redemption and, of course, the supernatural (the miracle of the Christmas garden). When the wife of an infamous outlaw is discovered admiring a monastery’s herb garden, she tells its Abbot that his prized garden is nothing compared to the one that emerges from the snow outside their forest hideout each Christmas Eve. In the hope of getting her husband pardoned, she agrees to lead the Abbot to see the miracle. Other themes: judging by appearances, mistrust, and materialism (the idea that the poor are closer to God).

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The Master Cat; or, Puss in Boots

The Master Cat; or, Puss in Boots: European Folktale from Charles ParraultPuss in Boots is sometimes criticized for the mixed message it sends to children. Derived from a 14th Century Italian folktale, a clever cat helps its slow-witted master win the heart of a princess through trickery, lies, threats and theft. To condemn the story because of this seems a little unfair, since folklore is full of likeable tricksters whose crimes are far worse than the cat’s. These characters often play an important role, challenging traditional beliefs through satire. Here, the cat’s actions show up both the greed and gullibility of the king and the shallowness of his daughter.

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