Short Stories and Essays to Read Aloud at the High School Level
Suggestions from Cathy Belben, Librarian, Burlington-Edison High School
Updated February 2003
Disclaimer: This probably goes without saying, but I'm
recommending these materials as my personal favorites, and as pieces that I feel
comfortable reading aloud--you might feel differently, and your school or
classroom may not be the same as mine. I am not recommending these as books that
are "appropriate," (whatever that means), but as read-alouds that I
like and think have something to offer young people. Read at your own risk...
If You Need Something to Read Aloud RIGHT THIS MINUTE:
"Name That
Band: A Do-It-Yourself Primer" from ReadyMade Magazine
A few consistent sources of read-aloud material:
Dave Barry's column appears in many Sunday
newspapers. His humorous essays are appealing and often relate to issues going
on in the news. The Miami Herald, his employed, provides an archive of his stuff
here: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/living/columnists/dave_barry/
Rick Bragg is an incredible news reporter for the New York Times. His articles can be accessed via ProQuest, or you might check out his collection of articles, Somebody Told Me.
Tom Bodett (the voice of Motel 6) writes some great short stories and essays. His collection Small Comforts is one of my favorites, and is especially nice to listen to aloud when he reads it, if you can find the audiobook. In the meantime, here are links to some of his essays:
Canus Minor
A Writer Who Doesn't...
ID vs. Evolution
Man With A Mac
Quote Me
Turning Fifty
Red State
Blues
History Tour
Free Agent Fan
Mud Season
Forgive Me
Anna Quindlen writes for Newsweek and her column, "Last Word" appears at the end of each issue. You can also find the text of her commentaries on life, living, and society here: http://www.amuniversal.com/ups/features/anna_quindlen/
Rick Reilly is a commentator for Sports Illustrated. I happen to like his stuff, but not everyone does. His column appears on the last page of SI. Although his columns are sports-oriented, they also address societal issues (one column, for example, was about the death of Columbine High School coach Dave Sanders, and what he meant to his students). His collected works are available in a book, Life of Reilly.
And Now for a Few Specific Suggestions:
Alvarez, Julia. "Snow," from How
the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents.
A young girl moves to New York City during the Cuban Missile Crisis and has
an unusual lesson in learning about English--and about nuclear war. A
short, powerful story.
Belben, Cathy. "The Patron Saint of Membership." English
Journal, 1996.
A young teenager, away at a Catholic summer camp with her best friend,
experiences a life-changing event. (See me for full text of this story).
Belben, Cathy. "Throw Dummy." Cicada, 2000.
A teenage boy is persuaded by his best friend to try out for the school
wrestling team, and he learns an important lesson about himself and about being
a good friend.
Bryson, Bill. "An Address to the Graduating Class of Kimball Union Academy,
Meriden, New Hampshire." from I'm
a Stranger Here Myself.
Bryson's work is all very funny, but this entire collection of his essays offers
a number of pieces that would make great read alouds. This particular
essay is just one of my favorites. He is funny, insightful, and offers
great examples of combining anecdote, research, and humor. His books are also
great on tape--his voice is an American/British amalgam that is great to listen
to.
Cisneros, Sandra. "Eleven," from Woman
Hollering Creek.
Rachel's eleventh birthday is spoiled by a teacher who insists that an ugly
red sweater found in the coat room belongs to her. A funny, sad
read, with some brilliant observations about getting older and about being
a kid. Cisneros is a poet whose fiction is a testament to her ability to use
words wonderfully.
Crutcher, Chris. "A Brief Moment in the Life of Angus Bethune."
from Athletic Shorts.
Crutcher's short stories are powerful, funny, and deliver poignant messages
to students. Read them aloud after you've read them yourself--some have edgier
language. This particular story is the basis for the movie "Angus."
Crutcher, Chris. King of the Mild Frontier.
Any of the individual chapters in Crutcher's autobiography would make for a
great read-aloud. He has some very funny stories about his adventures growing up
in small-town Idaho.
Gallo, Don (editor). Join In: Multiethnic Short Stories by Outstanding Writers for Young Adults.
Gallo, Don (editor). No Easy Answers: Short Stories About
Teenagers Making Tough Choices.
My favorites in this collection are "The Photograph" by Will
Weaver and "Bliss at the Burger Bar" by Louis Plummer. Both are
appropriate for high school listeners.
Gallo, Don (editor). On the Fringe.
My favorite in this collection is "Guns for Geeks" by Chris Crutcher,
about a student who responds to bullying with violence.
Gallo, Don (editor). Short Circuits: Thirteen Shocking Stories by Outstanding Writers for Young Adults.
Gallo, Don (editor). Ultimate Sports.
"Superboy" by Chris Crutcher is a favorite of mine from this
collection!
Peck, Richard. A Long Way from Chicago.
The first short chapter called "Shotgun Cheatham's Last Night Above Ground"
is absolutely hilarious.
Sedaris, David. "A Plague of Tics," "The Drama
Bug," and "Cyclops" from Naked.
The author recounts his experiences as a child, specifically, the hilarious
way in which Tourette's Syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder affected his
life; his early exposure to drama and his attempts to sprinkle his conversations
with Elizabethan English, and his father's dire--yet suspect--warnings about
possible household accidents. (High school.)
Thomas, Rob. "Box Nine." from Doing
Time.
A teenager participating in the delivery of canned foods to needy families
with her classmates is in for shock and shame when the last house they visit is
her own.
Thomas, Rob. "The War Chest." Anthologized in Twelve
Shots, ed. by Harry Mazer.
In this powerful and disturbing story, a high school basketball player who joins
an "adopt-a-grandparent" program as a part of his school's mandatory
volunteer requirement becomes close with an elderly man who takes advantage of
their friendship to commit an act of violence.
Walker, Alice. "Flowers."
In this short story, a young girl discovers the body of a man who been lynched,
forever altering her view of humanity. Haunting.