middle school level short stories

One interesting middle school level short story is 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry. It tells the story of a young couple who are very poor but deeply in love. They each sacrifice their most precious possession to buy a gift for the other. It shows the selfless nature of love.

They are great for teaching literary devices. For example, students can learn about foreshadowing in a short story like 'The Monkey's Paw'. By analyzing how the author hints at future events, students understand how to create suspense in writing.

Mysterious figures or presences are often in these stories. It could be a ghost of a former student or just a shadowy shape that the protagonist can't quite explain. They add to the mystery and horror. For instance, a figure that disappears when you get close or one that just stares at the main character from a distance.

One middle school level horror story is about a girl who always heard strange scratching noises coming from the old attic in her school at night. Every time she passed by it during the day, she felt a cold chill. One night, she was forced to stay late for detention. As she walked down the empty hall, the scratching got louder. When she finally mustered the courage to look up at the attic door, she saw a pair of glowing eyes staring down at her.

The characters in these stories are often relatable. In 'The Lottery', the townspeople seem like ordinary people at first, which makes the shocking ending more impactful. And the settings are diverse. Some are set in small towns like in 'A Sound of Thunder', while others can be in a more fantastical place like Venus in 'All Summer in a Day'.

One interesting middle school short story could be about a shy student who overcomes his fear of public speaking during a school debate. He practices hard in secret and finally surprises everyone with his confident performance.

Good middle school short stories often have relatable characters. For example, characters who are going through typical middle - school experiences like making friends or dealing with schoolwork. This makes it easy for middle school students to connect with the story.

Another good one is 'Thank You, Ma'am' by Langston Hughes. This story is about a boy who tries to steal a woman's purse but instead she shows him kindness and understanding. It's a simple yet powerful story that teaches about empathy and second chances. It's short enough for middle school students to understand easily and the characters are vividly drawn.

They often have a sense of mystery. For example, the settings are usually in some isolated or old - fashioned places like an abandoned house or a spooky forest. This creates an immediate atmosphere of unease. Also, they might involve some sort of supernatural element, such as ghosts or strange curses.

Most of them have a clear moral or lesson. Like in 'The Tortoise and the Hare', it teaches about the value of perseverance. Also, they usually have a relatively straightforward plot to keep the young readers engaged without getting them too confused.