List of stories

List Stories - Wattpad

#1

His Reporter Biwi.✅by thegirlnextdoor7781

Excuse me!? .. What? Marriage? What marriage are you talking about?" I shouted. Shreya, you are being called. You start in exactly 1.5 minutes. Hurry up!" sho...

Completed

• marriage
• hisreporterbiwi
• featured

+18 more

#2

A kiss with a Fist (boyxboy)by StayNerdyMySexyBeast

Nick and Jess twin brothers and best friends, that was until 9th grade when Nick came out of the closet. Jess became a huge homophob and became friends with another homo...

Completed

• gay
• kiss
• homophobic

+13 more

#3

Vocabulary / Word Lists for writersby -b e a r o s e-

A list of words that would help you to polish your writing. *** DISCLAIMER: All word lists and vocab came from different websites. Therefore, they are not mine.

• list
• vocabulary
• random

+9 more

#4

How To Play the Player (COMPLETED)by Kyra Weiss

Reese Taylor; the quiet girl in the back of the classroom in desperate need of date to Prom. Liam Scott; the football star with a reputation as bad as his attitude. W...

Completed

• list
• youngadult
• onenightstand

+10 more

#5

BL Novels You Must Read!by Lord of the Pumpkins/Zillah's...

A list of recommendations for BL novels- You. Must. Read! A/N: Picture in the Book Cover is credited to BUILD_FAMILY. They are the secondary (or third?) couple in the no. ..

Completed

• mixedgenre
• ahjislist
• recommendations

+12 more

#6

Kissing Danger by Midika

"Is this what you want?" he murmurs, gaze gliding down to where his fingers linger dangerously on my upper thigh. Resting his hand on the surface beside me, he...

• sensual
• supernatural
• passionate

+20 more

#7

List O' Wedgiesby TwinsareUniversal

The Wedgie It's safe to assume that ever since people have worn pants there has been the complaint of fabric packing itself into the tight space of any butt crack it cou...

Completed

• wedgie
• list
• funny

+3 more

#8

Fate/Liber Novusby Leandro Gutierrez

An book of OC Servants that haven't made an appearance in canon. An re-write but some may remain the same

• fateprototype
• fategrandorder
• fate

+11 more

#9

Book Name Ideasby oceansinfinity

I have come up with ideas for book names for anybody Over 2000 book names ideas. Started 2013, still ongoing! Reached #5 in category of random 22/03/17 #1 for #helpful...

• helpful
• random
• ideasforbooknames

+7 more

#10

Three Monthsby Vic ☾

Paisley has a bucket list. After all, she's going to die in three months. What she expects is for her little excursions to be fun-filled and light-hearted, but what she...

Completed

• teenfiction
• paisley
• jude

+10 more

#11

Ilomiloby Wktulip

What if you lose someone you cherished, only to find the love of your life, but which one are they? Ilomilo = fear of losing someone.

Completed

• list
• lgbtpride
• poem

+22 more

#12

200 Best Werewolf Storiesby llamaxgoat

All our favorite Werewolf stories and your new favorites. Tip: Check the comments on the chapter before going to read the book you found by my summary. Some stories hav...

• boy
• mate
• recommendations

+17 more

#13

Behind The Maskby C.A. Kerst

When Brody challenges his stepfather who tries to rape him, his "step-loser" as he calls him has his revenge by throwing acid in Brody's face. Brody is almost...

• suicide
• sadness
• gay

+21 more

#14

america's secretsby andraerawr

The allies and the axis are staying at America's house for a month

• chores
• axis
• hetalia

+7 more

#15

Ninjago Shipsby ᦓᦓꫝꫀ᥅ꪗ ꪶꪮᥴᛕꫀ᥅

List of Ninjago ships ( ╹▽╹ ) Are you a new Ninjago fan? Are you interested in some ships and looking for a full list of them? Then you've found the right book! Welcome. ..

• mossshipping
• ninja
• plasmashipping

+14 more

#16

𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭 | Rini AU |𝟸𝟺𝚒�...by 24iJenz

~ 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭: Rini AU ~ ONGOING ~ When finding a list he wrote when he was small, Ricky is determined more than ever to complete the tasks, yet he needs the help...

• popular
• lists
• shortstory

+22 more

#17

glory days ↣ joshler ✓by c

"It's okay to get a little irresponsible, cause we're making up the blueprint as we go. We're on our way to the glory days." Josh and Tyler are two best friend...

Completed

• list
• college
• bucket

+16 more

#18

One piece-my Devilfruit ideas!by Jahvaun Ernest

As often as I can I will update new ideas for devil fruits. so if anyone likes a certain DF please Message me the one you want and we can talk about it!

Completed

• powers
• devilfruit
• onepiece

+2 more

#19

101 SAVAGE QUOTESby Emzo JJ

"It's hard to be nice when you're surrounded by idiots". Here are 100 savage and sarcastic quotes for you all. I'll try to update every week. I DO NOT OWN THES...

Completed

• funniest
• funny
• tags

+22 more

#20

Crowned By The Devil - BOOK 3 ✔ (U...by Emotional Person

Book 1 - Saved By The Devil ✅ Book 2 - Return Of The Devil ✅ Book 3 - Crowned By The Devil ✅ Book 4 - War With The Devil ✅ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Scene from book: ". ..

Completed

• demon
• wattys2017
• fallenangel

+22 more

31 Best Short Stories and Collections Everyone Should Read

Blog – Posted on Sunday, Jun 17

If you are on the lookout for great storytelling but don’t want to commit to a full-length novel, then short story collections are the answer. Whether it’s just before bed, during your commute, or waiting to see your doctor, small chunks of time are perfect for reading short stories.

Here we have gathered thirty-one of the best short stories and collections, from all sorts of backgrounds and sources, to help you grow your “To Be Read” pile.

For your convenience, we've divided this post into two parts: 1. the ten best free short stories to read right now, and 2. best short story collections. Feel free to jump to the section that you prefer!

If you're feeling overwhelmed by the number of great short stories out there, you can also take our 30-second quiz below to narrow it down quickly and get a personalized short story recommendation 😉

📚

Which short story should you read next?

Discover the perfect short story for you. Takes 30 seconds!

Free Short Stories to Read Right Now

These individual short stories are the best of the best — and the even better news is that they're available for free online for you to peruse. From classics published in the 1900s to a short story that exploded in late 2017, here are ten of the greatest free short stories for you to read.

1. “Lamb to the Slaughter” by Roald Dahl

While not exactly a philosophical or political tale like our first two examples, this twisty short story from Dahl does delve into some shady moral territory. We are introduced to Mary Maloney: a loving wife and dedicated homemaker. In just a few short paragraphs describing how she welcomes her husband home, Dahl makes us sympathize with Mary — before a rash act turns her life upside down and takes the reader with her on a dark journey.

For those who haven’t read it, we won’t spoil the rest. However, it’s safe to say that Dahl serves up a fiendish twist on a platter.

2. “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson

A perennial feature in many a high school syllabus, Shirley Jackson’s best-known short story clinically details an unusual ritual that takes place in a small town. There’s not exactly a lot of plot to spoil in The Lottery — but within a few short pages, Jackson manages to represent the mob mentality that can drive reasonable people to commit heinous acts.

3. “How to Become a Writer” by Lorrie Moore

Told in the second person point of view, this story from Moore’s debut anthology Self-Help takes an honest look at the inner life of a struggling artist. Through the use of an unusual POV, the author manages to turn her reader into a confidante — making it abundantly clear that the ‘you’ the narrator is speaking about is actually herself.

This story is a standout, but the entire collection is well worth a read for its insight, humor, and disregard for literary norms.

4. “Cat Person” by Kristen Roupenian

In the Social Media Age, no short story has gone viral the way this New Yorker contribution from Roupenian has. Arriving at the height of #MeToo, it begins with 20-year-old Margot embarking on the early stages of flirtation with an older man, Robert. As she gets to know more about this man (as well as filling in the gaps with her imagination), the power dynamic in their relationship starts to fluctuate.

Lauded for its portrayal of Margot’s inner life and the fears many modern women face when it comes to dating, it also has its fair share of detractors — many are critical of the central character, some are downright outraged by the story’s success. Still, this story undeniably struck a chord with the reading public, and will likely remain relevant for some time.

5. “Cathedral” by Raymond Carver

First published in The Atlantic Monthly in 1981, “Cathedral” is today known as one of Raymond Carver’s finest works. When it opens, we meet a narrator whose wife is expecting a visit from an old friend, a blind man. Dissatisfied and distrusting of people not like him, our narrator struggles to connect until the blind man asks him to describe a cathedral to him.  

 “Cathedral” is one of Carver’s own personal favorites, and deservedly so. His characteristic minimalist style is devastating as the story builds up to a shattering moment of emotional truth — an ultimate reminder that no-one else can capture the quiet sadness of working-class people like him. 

6. “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” by Flannery O’Connor

Innocuously titled, “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” is nevertheless Flannery O’Connor’s bleakest — and most famous — work. It begins unassumingly with a Southern family who’s planning to go on a road trip. Yet the journey is rudely interrupted when their car overturns on an abandoned dirt road — and they are met by an enigmatic group of three men, coming up over the far hill. 

This short story inspired some strong reactions from the public upon publication — and the conversation continues today as to its frank depiction of the nature of good and evil. Again, we won’t spoil anything for you, except to say that “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” is well worth your time.  

7. “Symbols and Signs” by Vladimir Nabokov

The famous author of Lolita wrote “Signs and Symbols” in 1948. Its premise is seemingly simple: an elderly couple visits their mentally ill son in the sanatorium in America. Yet their background and trials come into sharp focus as the story develops, until an explosive ending disrupts everyone’s peace of mind. 

As you might expect, the somber “Symbols and Signs” diverges sharply from Lolita in terms of both tone and subject — but its ending will keep you awake at night thinking about its implications.  

8. “Sticks” by George Saunders

Not so much a short story as it is flash fiction, “Sticks” is written from the perspective of a young man whose father has an unusual habit: dressing up a crucifix that’s built of out a metal pole in the yard. One of America’s greatest living short story writers, George Saunders explained: "For two years I'd been driving past a house like the one in the story, imagining the owner as a man more joyful and self-possessed and less self-conscious than myself. Then one day I got sick of him and invented his opposite, and there was the story." 

The result is a masterful piece of fiction that builds something out of seemingly nothing — all in the space of only two paragraphs. 

9. “The Veldt” by Ray Bradbury

If there’s anyone who you can trust to deliver thought-provoking, terrifying science fiction on the regular, it’s Ray Bradbury. In “The Veldt,” George and Lydia Hadley have bought an automated house that comes with a “nursey,” or a virtual reality room. Worried about the nursery’s effect on the kids, George and Lydia think about turning off the nursey — but the problem is that their children are obsessed with it. 

As an ominously prescient prediction of the downside of technology, “The Veldt” is a short and shining example of how Ray Bradbury was an author before his time. 

10. “Flowers for Algernon” by Daniel Keyes

In this classic short story, we are privy to the journals of Charlie Gordon, a cleaner with an IQ of 68. ("I reely wantd to lern I wantid it more even then pepul who are smarter even then me. All my life I wantid to be smart and not dumb.”) Charlie’s luck changes when he is selected for an experiment that purports to turn him into a genius — but everything that goes up must come down in the end. 

“Flowers for Algernon” won the Hugo Award in 1960 for its groundbreaking presentation. Heartbreaking and rich with subtle poignance, it is likely to remain a staple for centuries to come.  

Best Short Story Collections to Devour

If you'd like many short stories at your fingertips all at once, short story collections are where you should look. Here, we've collected 21 of the best short story collections — along with the standout story in each volume.

11.

Although published only a couple of years ago, the 43 short stories in this posthumous collection were written throughout Berlin’s entire life. Combining humor, grit, wit, and melancholy, her vibrant short stories follow a series of women in different occupations — from cleaning women to ER nurses — all struggling to survive.

Standout Story: “A Manual for Cleaning Women”

12.

First published in 1967 under the title End of the Game and Other Stories, this collection includes fifteen short stories from the Argentine author Julio Cortázar. In it, Cortázar showcases his masterful use of language to tell vivid (if often bizarre) stories that seem to not make much sense — at least not at first glance.

Standout Story: “House Taken Over”

13.

Published in 2012, this short story collection by Krys Lee offers a poignant glimpse into the Korean immigrant experience. Crossing decades and continents, the stories show children and adults alike as they face their pasts and fight for survival in less than ideal conditions.

Standout Story: “Drifting House”



14.

If you’ve ever wondered what life was like in Ireland at the beginning of the 20th century, then look no further. The fifteen short stories in this collection form a vivid image of traditional Irish middle-class life at the height of Irish nationalism, and these middle-class citizens’ desperate search for identity. Published in 1914, Dubliners was the first outing for several characters who eventually make their way into Ulysses, Joyce’s magnum opus.

Standout Story: “The Dead”

15.

Featuring some truly dark and horrific denouements, this short story collection includes three award-winning stories, one of which won the O. Henry Award for best short story of the year in 1996. Each story also includes personal commentary by King himself!

Standout Story: “Riding the Bullet”

16.

Written between 1941 and 1956, Ficciones compiles the most popular short stories of Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges. First translated into English in 1962, the collection is divided into two parts and contains seventeen different stories full of labyrinths (both literal and metaphorical), philosophical issues, and whole universes where reality blends with myth, legend, history, and fantasy to the point that it’s nearly impossible to tell what’s real and what’s not.

Standout Story: “The Garden of Forking Paths”

17.

With stories spanning towns and even centuries, Florida features a that is none other than that sultry mistress, the Sunshine State. Swamps, hurricanes, snakes, gators, unyielding heat, and permanent swarms of bugs intertwine with the lives of unsuspecting humans in tales of survival, motherhood, and abandonment with a vivid sense of place that is both ingenious and relevant.

Standout Story: “Above and Below”

18.

Published in 2006, this collection includes over 30 short stories, poems, and novellas full of Gaiman’s magical and imaginative creations. It won the Locus Award in 2007 for Best Collection and several of the individual stories have also won the Locus and Hugo Awards.

Standout Story: “The Flints of Memory Lane”

19.

If you’re expecting Matilda or Willy Wonka sequels, then think again. While it may be the same author, that’s where the similarities end; the twelve stories in this collection are geared toward a much more adult audience, full of sinister undertones and packed with revenge, lies, death, and the darker sides of human nature.

Standout Story: “The Pig”

20.

From the author of Norwegian Wood comes this recent collection of seven stories that deal with loss and loneliness. These melancholic tales focus primarily on despairing men who are left to cope with the loss of their loved ones.

Standout Story: “Samsa in Love”

21.

Chances are you’ve heard of Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, but did you know that he also wrote short stories? In this collection you’ll find (surprise!) nine stories that showcase Salinger’s brilliant writing — the same writing that made his magnum opus a classic of American literature.

Standout Story: “For Esme - With Love and Squalor”

22.

With one of the most prestigious Japanese literary prizes named after him, there are few who can match Akutagawa’s legacy when it comes to short stories. This collection includes eighteen stories that range from traditional tales of Samurai and Shoguns to autobiographical accounts, all of which combine the humor, cynicism, and rich imagery that characterize Akutagawa’s writing.

Standout Story: “In a Bamboo Grove”

23.

This award-winning collection features eight stories by Canadian author Alice Munro. With straightforward and accessible prose, Munro tells stories of women and their relationships — with strong themes of love, friendship, and motherhood, among others. Aptly named, the idea of running away is another theme found throughout these stories.

Standout Story: “Runaway”

24.

Written between 1976 and 1982, the twelve stories in this collection have one theme that joins them: Latin Americans adrift in Europe. Using the magical realism that characterizes most of his writing, García Márquez, a giant in Latinx literature, explores the feelings of melancholy, wonder, sorrow, and ambition that define the migrant experience.

Standout Story: “The Trail of Your Blood in the Snow”

25.

This 1994 National Book Award finalist brings together stories from The Little Disturbances of Man, Enormous Changes at the Last Minutes, and Later the Same Day, three previous collections by Paley. With changing points of view and a poignant voice, this collection features character-driven stories that intertwine humor with social and political issues as we follow the lives and relationships of people living in the Bronx.

Standout Story: “A Man Told Me the Story of His Life”

26.

This posthumous collection is divided into three parts and includes all seventy of Hemingway’s short stories — definitely a treat for all short story lovers out there. The first part contains all the stories from First Forty-Nine Stories. The second one contains stories published in other books, magazines, or independently throughout the author’s life. The third one is a collection of seven previously unpublished stories, some of which are unfinished or are excerpts. In his short fiction, Hemingway paints a vivid image of human nature though happiness and loss that will keep readers turning pages.

Standout Story: “Hills Like White Elephants”

27.

Published posthumously in 1972, O’Connor’s Complete Stories actually won the National Book Award that same year. This collection includes 31stories, twelve of which had never been included in any of O’Connor’s previous collections. They are told from the perspective of characters from the American South, as they deal with social issues like racism, religious hypocrisy, gender roles, and more.

Standout Story: “A Good Man is Hard to Find”

28.

With a rich narrative that provides social commentary and depicts frequent class conflicts, this volume collects twenty of the two hundred short stories that Chekhov wrote throughout his short life. All the stories in the collection were written between 1886 and 1899 —  the author’s most fruitful years — and although they are over one hundred years old today, they capture life in such a way that still feel relevant and fresh.

Standout Story: “The Lady with the Dog”

29.

From Pulitzer Prize winner Thanh Nguyen comes this collection of eight short stories that are all about immigration, in particular that of Vietnamese refugees who have moved to the US. However, instead of describing the hardships of their trips, Nguyen focuses on the lives they’ve established in their new country. Each story demonstrates a unique immigrant experience as characters move between cultures, countries, relationships, memories, and emotions.

Standout Story: “I’d Love You to Want Me”

30.

This collection of twelve short stories by award-winning writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie takes place in Nigeria, the author’s birthplace, as well as the United States. The stories showcase the lives of men, women, and children who have either immigrated to the U.S. or have family who have done so, and how their experiences have shaped their individual relationships along the way.

Standout Story: “The Thing Around Your Neck”

31.

Rosario Ferre is one of the most influential women writers in the Spanish language. The sixteen stories in this collection display a masterful use of language and fertile imagination, while criticizing and deconstructing the roles of hispanic women in a very traditional and patriarchal society. Ferre’s stories are set in Puerto Rico, her native country, and the author herself translated her own works.

Standout Story: “When Women Love Men”

***

Ready to write your own short story? Check out these short story ideas for all your inspiration needs.

User Stories | Examples and Template

Short Description : A user story is a description of the functionality of the software in simple, general terms, written from the point of view of the end user. It is written to explain how a feature will benefit the customer.

There is a tendency to think of user stories as simply functional requirements for software. But it's not.

The unique thing about agile software development is that it puts people first, and user stories serve to ensure that actual users are always at the center of the conversation. Stories are written in simple language, without technical specifics, and serve as a context for the development team and their activities. By reading the user story, the team knows why they create what they create and what value it generates.

User stories are one of the core components of an agile program. They allow you to organize your daily work into a user-oriented system, which helps to strengthen collaboration, search for innovative ideas and improve the quality of the product as a whole.

What are user stories in agile?

The user story is the smallest unit of work in the agile methodology. It is an end goal, not a capability articulated from the point of view of the software user.

A user story is a description of the functionality of the software in simple, general terms, written from the point of view of the end user or customer.

A user story is written to explain how the completion of a work task will lead to the creation of specific value for the customer. "Clients" do not have to be third-party end users in the usual sense of the word. This role can be played by internal clients or colleagues within the organization who rely on your team.

User stories consist of several sentences that describe the desired result in simple terms and in general terms. They do not contain small things. The requirements will come later when the team discusses them and comes to an agreement.

User stories fit neatly into Agile practices such as Scrum and Kanban. In Scrum, user stories are added to sprints and tracked on burndown charts throughout the sprint. Kanban teams add user stories to the backlog and run them through the workflow. This is how Scrum teams improve their sprint estimation and planning skills, increasing their forecasting accuracy and their flexibility. With the help of stories, Kanban teams begin to more professionally manage work in progress (WIP) and can further improve workflows.

User stories are also significant elements of Agile practices, such as epics and initiatives. Epics are large work tasks that are divided into multiple stories. A group of epics forms an initiative. Through these large structures, the daily efforts of the development team (in work on stories) lead to the achievement of the goals of the organization, expressed in epics and initiatives.

Learn more about epics and initiatives

Why do we need user stories?

For development teams new to agile, user stories seem like an extra step. Why not just break a big project (epic) into several steps and then deal with them? But with stories, the team gets the necessary context and connection between tasks and the value that comes from completing those tasks.

User stories have several important advantages.

• Stories keep the focus on the user. A to-do list will help the team focus on the issues at hand, while a set of stories will help participants focus their efforts on solving real user problems.
  
• Stories create conditions for collaboration. Once the end goal is defined, the team can work together to find the best solution for the client and the best way to achieve that goal.
  
• Stories encourage the search for non-standard solutions. Stories force the team to think critically and creatively about the best way to achieve the end goal.
  
• Stories set the pace. After completing another story, the development team completes a small task and rejoices at the intermediate success, which helps to move on.

See how user stories are implemented in Jira Software

Working with user stories

Once you've written your story, it's time to build it into your workflow. Typically, a story is written by the product owner, product manager, or project team leader, and then submitted for review.

During a sprint or iteration planning meeting, the team decides which stories it will complete during that sprint. During this phase, the teams discuss each user story's requirements and associated functionality. This is a chance to showcase your skills and creativity and contribute to bringing history to life with your team. Upon completion of the approval, the requirements are added to the history.

Even in meetings, stories are evaluated based on their difficulty or the time it takes to complete. Teams calculate scores in T-shirt sizes, Fibonacci sequence scores, or planning poker. The story needs to be large enough to be completed in a single sprint, so as each story is evaluated, the team ensures that stories that are too laborious or time consuming are broken down into smaller chunks.

How to write a user story

Keep the following in mind when writing user stories.

• Operation readiness criteria . Typically, a story is considered "done" when the user is able to do what was requested. However, be clear about your goal.
  
• Brief description of tasks and subtasks . Determine which specific steps to go through and who is responsible for each one.
  
• Customer types . For whom? When there are multiple types of end users, it is desirable to write multiple stories.
  
• Stages as part of chain . Write a story for each step that makes up the larger process.
  
• Feedback . Keep in touch with users to see the problem or need through their eyes. Why guess when you can hear the story from the customers themselves?
  
• Time . Time is a very touchy subject. Many development teams are afraid to raise questions about time at all, relying on their own estimates. Stories should be completed in a single sprint, so stories that can take weeks or months to run should be split into several smaller stories. Alternatively, consider them standalone epics.
  

Once you've created user stories, make sure they're shared with the entire team.

User story template and examples

User stories are often presented as a simple sentence like this:

"Like [customer type], [want this], [to do something]."

Let's analyze this wording.

• “Like [type of client]”: who are we doing this work for? The position is not so important for us, but the personality, what stands behind the type of client. Here is Max, for example. Our team needs to have a unified idea of ​​what Max is as a person. Luckily, we interviewed a lot of Maxes. We understand how this person works, how he thinks and how he feels. We have empathy for Max.
• "I want this": This part is the intention of the user, not the features they are using. What does the user want to achieve? In this statement there should not be a word about the ways of implementation. If you describe any detail of the user interface, ignoring the purpose of the user, you are missing the point.
• "To do something": what place is given to this momentary desire of the client on a larger scale? What overall benefit does the client want to derive? What is the big problem that needs to be solved?

User stories might look like this, for example.

• As Max, I would like to invite my friends so that we can enjoy this wonderful service together.
• Like Sasha, I want to organize my work in order to better control the situation.
• As a manager, I want to see how my colleagues are progressing so that we can report more accurately on our successes and failures.

This structure is not required, but it helps to define the criteria for job completion. The story is completed when the mentioned customer type receives the required value. Ideally, teams formulate their own structure and stick to it.

Getting started with user stories in agile

User stories reveal the essence and purpose of the day-to-day work of development team members. They are often written in the form " customer type + need + goal ". To make the process work like clockwork, it is important to understand the role of stories: they explain what the team should do and why they should do it.

Start by evaluating the next or most urgent major project (eg epic). Break it down into small user stories and bring it to perfection with the development team. When the stories are ready and presented to the judgment of the whole team, you can get to work.

Max Rehkopf

I used to consider myself a “chaotic gouge”, but agile techniques and principles have helped to bring order to my daily life. It's a real joy for me to share this knowledge with others by posting numerous articles, participating in conversations, and sharing the videos I create for Atlassian.

[Kaleidoscope of stories 12+] Alternative list of books for teenagers

Recently, we talked about summer reading for younger students, today it is the turn of older children. If your teen doesn't read, they just haven't found their book yet! I am sure that even children who are not interested in books will find something to their liking in our list! Here are collected the most interesting books of modern authors, forgotten stories of the past, historical stories, which were chosen by the guys themselves!

Books are like mirrors: they only reflect what is in your soul. Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Wind Shadow

Let's start with Jacqueline Kelly's The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate and The Wonderful World of Calpurnia Tate. O! How I envy those who are yet to get acquainted with these works! Believe me, they deserve to become the favorite stories of everyone who reads them! Our contemporary wrote about the adventures of Calpurnia Tate, and she managed to do it in the tradition of the best examples of world literature for children. And it is no coincidence that the books of Jacqueline Kelly, according to the results of various polls, are one of the most popular. The action of "Evolution" takes place on the eve of the coming 20th century in the family of a farmer who has several sons and one daughter. It is the daughter named Calpurnia who will outshine all the boys in the family with her talent. Kelly decided to devote herself to science in the future. And this at a time when it was believed that the purpose of a woman is completely different! The girl's parents have something to think about, because they see the future of their daughter in a completely different way... If you think that this is a boring pseudo-scientific narrative, you are mistaken: this is a fascinating read about mutual understanding, about family, about how important it is to support the choice of your child. And also about the fact that in childhood, future scientists may well be pranksters and dreamers, and it is very important to develop their abilities.

Ulf Stark My Friend Percy, Buffalo Bill and Me. Percy comes to spend the holidays with his friend's family, and with his arrival, life in the village changes. The boy finds a way out of any situation, and he also loves everyone around him, and they reciprocate. Even the grandfather, whom his own grandchildren consider an evil old man, after meeting Percy, understands that he is not so old yet and can do something. This book has a lot of sun, sea, and also Indians, first love and unforgettable adventures! And who is Buffalo Bill, you will read about this in this wonderful book. Ulf Stark is a recognized classic of modern children's literature, and if for some reason you are not familiar with him yet, urgently fill in the gap! All teenagers, without exception, like his books, because the author talks about their pressing problems and at the same time speaks the same language with them.

Another name that readers aged 12-14 should remember is Maria Gripe. First of all, I want to mention her tetralogy about shadows. The first book in the series is The Shadow on the Stone Bench. A new maid Carolina comes to the family of the main character Berta. The maid behaves mysteriously: she disappears somewhere at night, steals photos from the family album, and she also has a double, and someone unknown to us calls her crazy! Phew! More than enough puzzles! Gripe talentedly reveals the inner world of his characters, tells how important it is for everyone to have a native, not necessarily by blood, person. In the second book, And White Shadows in the Woods, Bertha and Caroline decided to start looking for a summer job together. A suitable job immediately appeared. But here's the problem: the owners can only hire a girl and a guy, not two girls! Carolina takes care of everything. On the pages of this book are disguises and love, mysterious suicide and nightmares, ghosts and skeletons in the closet. But the impossible is not enough for the heroines: they will brilliantly solve all the riddles and secrets of the past. The third and fourth books have not yet been published, but they can be searched and read on the Internet.

Left: "My friend Percy, Buffalo Bill and me. " Right: The Wonderful World of Calpurnia Tate. Publishing house "Scooter". Source

Another Gripe book that I would like to talk about is "Cecilia Agnes - a strange story." The heroine of the story, Nora, was left an orphan (her parents died in a car accident) and feels very lonely. It seems to her that in the foster family they neglect her, they are burdened by her company, while she herself does not notice that she is pushing away the people who love her. Suddenly, Nora finds herself embroiled in a series of strange and incomprehensible events, as a result of which she learns the history of her ancestors and acquires new relatives. The girl is faced with the adult world and understands that there are people who have a much worse and more difficult life than her... And also, that sometimes strangers turn out to be closer to relatives, and in order not to feel loneliness, it is necessary to give a piece of warmth to others herself. The book keeps you in suspense from beginning to end. The genre of the story is not easy to define: there are elements of mysticism, detective story, love story, family saga - for teenagers for every taste! What is more important, the story also has an educational component: after reading a book, you ask yourself a lot of questions, and this is the main thing, in my opinion, when reading any work.

Now fast forward to the middle of the 19th century with the American writer Carol Ryrie Brink and her book Caddy Woodlawn. Caddy Woodlawn grows up in a large family. As a child, she was often sick, and her father decided that she needed to spend more time in nature, running with the boys. This helped the girl to get stronger, but changed her character. Caddy has become such a tomboy that now she can be mistaken for a boy ... Yes, she continues to race with her brothers rather than sit with her sisters for needlework. Meanwhile, the girl must solve difficult moral problems. Can she become a worthy representative of the Woodlawns? Will he betray his relatives, and most importantly, himself. .. The book is read in one breath. Boys will surely like this book too - there are Indians and children's pranks, historical events are described - the war of the North and the South, the assassination of Lincoln.

The reader will not be indifferent to Michael Morpurgo's book "War Horse". This is a story about a devoted and faithful friendship between man and animal, which is not afraid of either time or distance. Much attention is paid to the theme of rock and faith. The joys of peacetime and the horrors of war through the eyes of Joey the horse - the whole story is told from his name. Joey will repeatedly have to part with his master Albert, but Fate will bring them together again and again. The author keeps us in suspense to the end. The ending is unexpected and poignant. Highly recommended for family reading. The book was published in the "Classic Classics" series by the "Makhaon" publishing house.

By accustoming a child to a book, you not only teach him to read, but also make his future life brighter, more interesting and richer. Oleg Roy

A wonderful, slightly forgotten story by Natalia Solomko "White horse - grief is not mine." The book is about a young teacher who came to work at the school, about his relationship with the students and the administration (the situation is complicated by the fact that the school director is the father of the hero), about the first mistakes and victories, about the emerging love... A kind, bright and pure story which both adults and children will read with equal interest.

And now let's turn to other topics - for example, to history. Firstly, I would like to recommend Olga Guryan's book The Tale of Faithful Aniska. The name Guryan was forgotten for a long time, meanwhile, more than one generation of readers grew up on her works. The daughter of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, Anna Yaroslavna, must go to her fiancé in France. She is accompanied by her little faithful friend Aniska. Yes, and Anna Yaroslavna herself was only 14 years old at the time of the action. Aniska has many dangerous adventures. Will Anna Yaroslavna appreciate her sacrifice? You can find out about this only by reading the story to the end. We do not undertake to judge how much the book corresponds to historical truth, but the fact that it will not leave indifferent and will motivate further study of history is undeniable.

Another book indirectly connected with history is "Man Ivan Chizhikov" by Galina Shiryaeva. Echoes of the Great Patriotic War can be heard in this story... Elements of drama and tragedy, detective story and melodrama are intertwined here, and generously sprinkled with humor! It seems to me that this is exactly the recipe for a fascinating book for teenagers, to whom "The Man Ivan Chizhikov" is primarily addressed. The action takes place in the post-war period. A father died in the Chizhikov family, but both his wife and children hold his memory sacred. Due to a combination of circumstances, the daughter has a hope that her father is alive, and she goes in search of him. Will the search be successful? I can only say that the ending will be very unexpected.

Left: Jellyfish Report. Publishing house "Scooter". Right: The Ballad of the Broken Nose. Publishing house "White Crow"

I would like to draw your attention to the wonderful series "Laureates of the Sergey Mikhalkov International Competition" - the name speaks for itself. All books in the series are designed for ages 12+. You can safely choose any work, each entered the golden fund of modern literature. Thanks to this series, I discovered Yulia Kuznetsova and her wonderful story "Lilka's Flashlight". This is a book about friendship and loneliness, about love and trust, about adults and children, about how difficult it is for teenagers on the verge of growing up. And also about the fact that people meet each other for a reason, and the presence of a real friend nearby can change your whole life. A subtle, poignant story.

And in conclusion, two books about serious teenage psychological problems. The first, The Jellyfish Report, is the debut of writer Ali Benjamin. The book was written in 2015 and became an instant bestseller. The main character, 12-year-old Susie, learns that her best friend Franny drowned while on vacation with her parents. Susie can't believe it, because Franny was an excellent swimmer. In addition, before Frannie left, the girls quarreled, and Susie did something for which she will now blame herself for the rest of her life... Susie finds an explanation for the death of her friend: dangerous jellyfish are to blame, which can be a threat to life for people. The girl begins to seriously deal with the problem of jellyfish, completely immersed in herself. Her parents take her to a psychologist, but Suzy doesn't need a psychologist. She cannot accept that sometimes tragedies happen by coincidence... A difficult and wise book.

The Ballad of the Broken Nose by Arne Swingen. The main character, a 13-year-old boy named Bart, is a boxer and sings opera arias. The family in which Bart grows up is dysfunctional in our understanding: a bad area where drug addicts live, lack of funds, absence of a father, and mother .

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