Apollo

Apollo: Short story by Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieThe major themes of this story by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie are aging, parent-child relationships, class, sexuality, jealousy and betrayal. A young Nigerian man is reminded of a time when, thanks to a shared interest in martial arts, he had bonded with one of his family’s houseboys (Raphael). Despite their differences in age and social class, the two spent hours practicing moves and mock fighting whenever his parents were away. For the boy, the relationship changes when Raphael contracts Apollo (conjunctivitis) and is confined to his room. Later, jealousy leads to betrayal with dire consequences for poor Raphael’s future.

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Be-ers and Doers

Be-ers and Doers: Short story by Budge WilsonIn this coming-of-age story by Budge Wilson, a woman looks back on her life and the relationship between her mother and younger brother. The mother is a “do-er”, someone driven by success and always on the go. Her father and brother are “be-ers”, people who are more laid back and take time out to savour the world around them. The boy rebels after years of pressure from his mother to make something of himself, ultimately living a simple, secluded life as a part-time writer and poet. Themes include identity, family, parental pressure, acceptance (of individual differences), self-realization, courage.

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On the Bridge

On the Bridge: Short story by Todd StrasserIn this coming of age story by Todd Strasser, a young teen learns the importance of being himself. As the boy (Seth) and the “cool” friend he looks up to (Adam) stand smoking on a highway bridge, Adam brags about his toughness and experience with older girls. When Adam throws his cigarette onto the windshield of a passing car, the three occupants confront the boys. Adam points to Seth as the culprit, and stands by as Seth is brutally beaten. Seth finally sees Adam for what he is: a boastful fake. Themes include friendship, social acceptance, bravado, betrayal, violence, enlightenment.

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Rules of the Game

Rules of the Game: Short story by Amy TanThe title of this story by Amy Tan refers to both the game of chess and the game of life. A Chinese-American mother’s term for one important rule is the art of invisible strength (self-control). The story deals with a number of themes: poverty, respect (for parents, others and one’s cultural heritage), pride vs. humility, passion and dedication, and mother/daughter relationships. At the end of the story, both fail in exercising the art of invisible strength. The mother’s understandable pride leads to bragging; the daughter’s response is rudeness and running away. Whose wind (willpower) will blow the strongest?

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Cooking Time

Cooking Time: Short story by Anita RoyAnita Roy’s Cooking Time is about Mandy, a teenage girl living in a future dystopian world. An environmental disaster has destroyed all agricultural production. Everything is controlled by a huge company that makes the world’s only source of food… a processed product sold in squeeze packs. The story introduces some powerful themes inside an entertaining backstory built around the Masterchef TV show. Mandy rises above her poor background, surprising everyone by qualifying for the competition. In this version, contestants travel back in time to catch/gather and cook their meals. Mandy has an ulterior motive: to try to change the future!

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Hamadi

Hamadi: Short story by Naomi Shihab NyeIn this story by Naomi Shihab Nye, a bookish fourteen-year-old Palestinian-American girl develops a strong connection with Saleh Hamadi, an ageing Lebanese immigrant. Both share an interest in Kahlil Gibran, and in particular his book The Prophet. The girl is pleasantly surprised when the eccentric Hamadi, who lives a spartan, solitary life, accepts an invitation to join her Christmas caroling group. During the evening, she overhears some life advice she will remember for years as Hamadi comforts a friend who is in tears over being snubbed by a boy. Themes include connection, compassion, perseverance, resilience (life goes on), wisdom.

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The Lady or the Tiger

The Lady or the Tiger: Short story by Frank StocktonThe appeal of this classic children’s story by Frank Stockton lies in its so-called “unsolvable problem”. Readers must use context clues and their perceptions of human nature to decide the story’s outcome (i.e. what lies behind the arena’s right-hand door). Whichever door is chosen, the King wins and the princess loses. The young man’s fate depends on how well he understands the workings of the semi-barbaric princess’s mind. Was her secret signal influenced by selfless love for him, or jealousy of the lady? Themes: choices and consequences, fairness, power, class/forbidden love, jealousy/possible betrayal.

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A Brief Moment in the Life of Angus Bethune

A Brief Moment in the Life of Angus Bethune: Short story by Chris CrutcherAngus, Chris Crutcher’s self-proclaimed fat kid with perverted parents, suffers major self-image problems. Constantly ridiculed for his size and unusual family, he is nevertheless surprisingly agile and a defensive force to be reckoned with on the school football team. A prank sees him voted the school Senior Winter Ball King. His “Queen” is the long-term girl of his dreams, who he has always considered out of his league. She arrives with one of the most popular boys at school but, after sharing a secret with Angus, they connect and leave together. Themes: body shaming, prejudice, bullying, self-image, courage, acceptance, homosexuality.

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