best middle school short stories

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.

One of the best middle school short stories is 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson. It's a thought - provoking story that shows how blindly following tradition can lead to cruel outcomes. The plot is set in a small town where an annual lottery is held, but the 'prize' is not what one would expect.

You can start by asking your school librarian. They are usually very knowledgeable about age - appropriate literature and can recommend some great short stories. Libraries also often have sections dedicated to middle school reading, so you can browse there.

'Thank You, Ma'am' by Langston Hughes is also a wonderful short story for middle schoolers. It's about a boy who tries to steal a woman's purse, but instead of getting him in trouble, she takes him home, feeds him, and teaches him a valuable lesson about right and wrong. It's a story full of kindness and redemption.

One of the best middle school stories could be about a group of friends forming a secret club. They had their own handshake, a hidden meeting place in the old abandoned janitor's closet. They would share their dreams and fears there. It was like a little haven in the chaos of middle school.

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.

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.