-Short Story Recommendations-
I wrote the Boy Stories collections of short stories for fifth graders to celebrate their crazy energy and unique humor, hoping to help young boys fall in love with reading through short, packed stories about school, friendship, and wild day-to-day adventures.
These great and classic short story collections inspired my stories and I hope they will also inspire you to read and write stories of your own. Happy reading!
Easy Reads
The Complete Tales of Winnie the Pooh
A classic, hands down. Such wonderful stories and the perfect read aloud. Boys, you’re never too old for the humor of Winnie the Pooh.
I took so much inspiration from the pace, tone, and humor of A.A. Milne’s classic for Boy Stories. They paint a beautiful portrait of friendship and the joys of play.
The Wayside School Collection
I loved these books as a fifth grader and read each volume many times. If you like the zany, ridiculous side of Boy Stories then these stories are definitely for you. A great follow up if you’re looking for something similar to read next.
The Complete Roald Dahl Collection
Another favorite of mine growing up. I remember going to the library and checking out everything Dahl wrote. These stories are wildly imaginative with a razor sharp edge; they will give you hours upon hours of easy reading and fun. I loved them as a kid, and still do now.
Medium Reads
The Wind and the Willows
Timeless stories that never get old. They were read to me as a small boy and I still have memories of laughing at Toad. The characters paint a beautiful picture of friendship and appreciation of life. A great read aloud or early middle school read.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
I first read these stories as a boy and my mind was blown. I loved them so much that I tried to capture much of Tom’s mischievous energy in the Boy Stories series. Sometimes the style can feel a bit older but it’s not a big obstacle: another must read.
The Blue Fairy Book by Andrew Lang
I actually named the Boy Stories books after these collections (slightly tongue in cheek because I have always been a fairy tale fan, but Boy Stories are not fairy tales). Each of these stories, though maybe more difficult reading now, are treasures. You’ll recognize many of the titles that have been made into Disney movies and more.
Hans Christian Anderson’s Fairy Tales
Again with fairy tales, the imagination and depth of feeling in these stories is incredible. You’ll laugh and want to cry on the same page. This was a favorite read aloud in my classroom, especially “Little Claus and Big Claus”. A necessary collection for anyone who loves a moving story.
Difficult Reads
The Complete Sherlock Holmes
The best selling short stories of all time. These are so fascinating, often full of the mysterious and fantastical, not simply who-did-it mysteries. Just as entertaining today as when they were first published. Could be a challenge for younger readers, but it’s never too early to start.
Very Good Jeeves
by P.G. Wodehouse
Noticing a trend? I love British authors. These are ridiculously entertaining stories and so fun to read out loud. A good challenge for an ambitious young reader who’s interested in improving their vocabulary. Refined, eloquent, and also so, so silly. The link below is for this small short story collection to give you a taste.
The Complete Works of Saki
My grandfather gave me this collection when I was in seventh grade and I have no idea how many times I’ve read it cover to cover. It sits on my bedside table to this day. Besides Shakespeare, Saki is my favorite. Why? His stories are short, eloquent, and fantastically unpredictable.
Stories like “The Open Window,” “The Storyteller,” “Toys of Peace,” “Tobermory,” and “The Unrest Cure” all show exactly the ideas I stole for Boy Stories. (I could’ve added about a dozen more stories to that list).
Saki’s influence on British humor and literature in general cannot be understated. In my eyes, he’s a master. Warning- some of these stories have a dark sense of humor. (Recommended only for advanced Middle Schoolers and up). I’ve included a link to the edition I own, though it might be better to start with a smaller volume, such as “Beasts and Superbeasts.” Enjoy!