80 Short Stories for Middle School

Short stories are a fantastic way to spark a love for reading in middle school students. With their manageable length, compelling narratives, and relatable themes, they provide an ideal platform for exploring literature in the classroom. This collection of ideas and guidelines is designed to help educators and students discover the joys of short stories while fostering critical thinking and creativity.

The Power of Short Stories

Short stories allow students to explore a variety of characters, settings, and conflicts in a condensed format. They’re perfect for middle schoolers who are developing their reading comprehension and analytical skills. These stories can be tailored to suit diverse interests and learning objectives, making them versatile tools in any educational setting.

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Themes to Captivate Middle School Readers

1. Friendship and Belonging

Stories about building connections, overcoming misunderstandings, and celebrating differences resonate strongly with middle schoolers. For example, a tale about a new student navigating friendships in a new school can foster empathy and understanding.

2. Courage and Resilience

Protagonists who face fears or overcome challenges can inspire students to tackle their own obstacles. A story of a young person standing up for their beliefs despite adversity is both empowering and relatable.

3. Mystery and Curiosity

Mysteries encourage critical thinking and problem-solving skills. For instance, a group of kids solving a neighborhood mystery can keep students engaged while teaching the importance of teamwork and observation.

4. Fantasy and Imagination

Fantasy stories transport readers to magical worlds, stimulating creativity and wonder. A narrative about a child discovering they can talk to animals invites students to explore their own imaginative capacities.

5. Diversity and Inclusion

Stories that explore cultural, social, and personal differences broaden perspectives. A narrative centered on a cultural festival through the eyes of a middle schooler can teach students to appreciate and celebrate diversity.

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Exploring Genres

Short stories span a variety of genres, ensuring there’s something for every reader:

• Realistic Fiction: Stories grounded in everyday experiences.
• Adventure: Fast-paced tales full of action and excitement.
• Science Fiction: Stories that delve into futuristic or technological themes.
• Historical Fiction: Narratives set in different historical periods.
• Humor: Lighthearted stories that entertain and amuse.

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Elements of an Engaging Short Story

To ensure middle school readers stay captivated, short stories should have the following characteristics:

• Length: Short, manageable reads (2,000-5,000 words).
• Characters: Relatable middle school-aged protagonists.
• Conflict: Age-appropriate conflicts that promote problem-solving.
• Resolution: Thought-provoking but clear endings, leaving room for discussion.

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Making the Most of Short Stories in the Classroom

Literary Elements

Short stories provide an excellent opportunity to teach core literary concepts:

1. Plot Development: Help students identify the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
2. Character Analysis: Encourage understanding of character motivations, changes, and relationships.
3. Themes and Messages: Guide students in recognizing and interpreting the underlying lessons of each story.

Discussion Prompts

Engage students with open-ended questions:

• What would you have done in the protagonist’s place?
• How does the setting influence the story?
• What lesson did you learn from this story?

Creative Exercises

Promote creativity through activities such as:

1. Writing an alternate ending.
2. Creating a dialogue between two characters after the story ends.
3. Designing a comic strip of a key scene.

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Celebrating Diversity in Authors

Introducing stories by diverse authors allows students to see the world through various perspectives. Highlighting voices from different cultural backgrounds and experiences enriches the reading experience and fosters inclusivity.

80 short stories suitable for middle school students.

Classic Short Stories

1. The Necklace – Guy de Maupassant
2. The Gift of the Magi – O. Henry
3. The Tell-Tale Heart – Edgar Allan Poe
4. The Monkey’s Paw – W.W. Jacobs
5. The Most Dangerous Game – Richard Connell
6. A Sound of Thunder – Ray Bradbury
7. The Lottery – Shirley Jackson
8. All Summer in a Day – Ray Bradbury
9. Thank You, Ma’am – Langston Hughes
10. Harrison Bergeron – Kurt Vonnegut

Contemporary Short Stories

11. Charles – Shirley Jackson
12. The Veldt – Ray Bradbury
13. The Fun They Had – Isaac Asimov
14. Seventh Grade – Gary Soto
15. The Scholarship Jacket – Marta Salinas
16. Eleven – Sandra Cisneros
17. Rules of the Game – Amy Tan
18. Names/Nombres – Julia Alvarez
19. The Third Wish – Joan Aiken
20. On the Sidewalk Bleeding – Evan Hunter

Mystery and Suspense

21. The Landlady – Roald Dahl
22. Lamb to the Slaughter – Roald Dahl
23. The Hitchhiker – Lucille Fletcher
24. Three Skeleton Key – George G. Toudouze
25. The Open Window – Saki
26. The Adventure of the Speckled Band – Arthur Conan Doyle
27. The Signal-Man – Charles Dickens
28. August Heat – W.F. Harvey
29. The Boarded Window – Ambrose Bierce
30. Man from the South – Roald Dahl

Fantasy and Science Fiction

31. The Machine That Won the War – Isaac Asimov
32. Zoo – Edward D. Hoch
33. There Will Come Soft Rains – Ray Bradbury
34. The Star Beast – Nicholas Stuart Gray
35. The Pedestrian – Ray Bradbury
36. The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas – Ursula K. Le Guin
37. Examination Day – Henry Slesar
38. The Rocket – Ray Bradbury
39. Flowers for Algernon (excerpt) – Daniel Keyes
40. 2 B R 0 2 B – Kurt Vonnegut

Historical Fiction

41. The Sniper – Liam O’Flaherty
42. The Drummer Boy of Shiloh – Ray Bradbury
43. Courage – Anne Sexton
44. The War of the Wall – Toni Cade Bambara
45. Button, Button – Richard Matheson
46. The Scarlet Ibis – James Hurst
47. Miss Awful – Arthur Cavanaugh
48. The Finish of Patsy Barnes – Paul Laurence Dunbar
49. After Twenty Years – O. Henry
50. The Cask of Amontillado – Edgar Allan Poe

Humorous and Lighthearted Stories

51. The Ransom of Red Chief – O. Henry
52. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty – James Thurber
53. The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County – Mark Twain
54. How the Camel Got His Hump – Rudyard Kipling
55. To Build a Fire (condensed version) – Jack London
56. Fish Cheeks – Amy Tan
57. The Catbird Seat – James Thurber
58. My Financial Career – Stephen Leacock
59. The Lumber Room – Saki
60. An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge – Ambrose Bierce

Inspirational and Thought-Provoking Stories

61. The Lady, or the Tiger? – Frank R. Stockton
62. The Hundred Dresses (excerpt) – Eleanor Estes
63. The Stone – Lloyd Alexander
64. As Ye Sow – Dorothy Canfield Fisher
65. The Selfish Giant – Oscar Wilde
66. The Happy Prince – Oscar Wilde
67. The Man Without a Country – Edward Everett Hale
68. Hearts and Hands – O. Henry
69. An Angel in Disguise – T.S. Arthur
70. The Great Rat Hunt – Laurence Yep

Global and Multicultural Stories

71. The Old Man at the Bridge – Ernest Hemingway
72. Girl – Jamaica Kincaid
73. The Two Brothers – Leo Tolstoy
74. The Wise Old Woman – Yoshiko Uchida
75. The Green Leaves – Grace Ogot
76. The Princess and the Tin Box – James Thurber
77. A Canoe in the Rapids – Sigurd Olson
78. No Witchcraft for Sale – Doris Lessing
79. The Address – Marga Minco
80. The Bamboo Beads – Siew Yue Killingley

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Would you like summaries, analysis, or lesson ideas for any of these stories?

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What makes a short story suitable for middle school students? A suitable short story for middle school students should have relatable characters, age-appropriate language, and themes that resonate with their experiences. The story should also be engaging, with a clear plot and meaningful conflict.

2. How can I encourage reluctant readers to engage with short stories? Choose stories with exciting genres like mystery or adventure, and introduce creative activities like writing alternate endings or acting out scenes. Relating the themes to their personal lives can also increase engagement.

3. How long should a short story be for middle school students? Stories between 2,000 and 5,000 words work well, as they are long enough to develop a plot and characters but short enough to maintain attention.

4. Can I use short stories to teach literary analysis? Yes, short stories are ideal for teaching literary elements such as plot structure, character development, and thematic analysis. Their concise format allows for focused discussions and exercises.

5. Where can I find diverse short stories for middle schoolers? Look for anthologies that focus on multicultural authors, visit online platforms that offer free short stories, or explore educational publishers that curate age-appropriate content.

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Conclusion

Short stories offer a wealth of opportunities for middle school students to explore, imagine, and learn. By selecting engaging themes and genres, incorporating meaningful discussions, and celebrating diverse voices, educators can create an enriching literary environment. Encourage your students to dive into the world of short stories—they might just discover a lifelong love for reading.