short story for education

Elementary Classrooms 10 Short Stories Elementary School Teachers Love

Allie Liotta

These compelling short stories are sure to engage your students and build reading comprehension!

When it’s time to plan a new unit that adheres to ELA standards, it can be daunting to find high-quality, relatable short stories your students will enjoy. That’s why we’ve put together this roundup of engaging, thematically rich stories that elementary school teachers love.

Whether you’re new to CommonLit or a longtime CommonLit fan looking to refresh your lesson plans or supplement your ELA curriculum, you’re sure to find great literary texts for your students from this list!

" A Fish Named Dog " by Christyne Morrell (3rd Grade)

In this short story for 3rd graders, the narrator receives a goldfish instead of the dog she asked from her parents. In protest, she names the goldfish “Dog.” As the narrator complains to her friend about not getting a dog like everyone else, she realizes that Dog might be more special than she originally thought when Dog swims in her direction every time she says its name.

After students finish reading the text, they can complete CommonLit’s assessment questions, such as Assessment Question 4, “What lesson does the narrator learn from the fish named Dog?” This question will help students understand how the narrator came to appreciate the goldfish she originally underestimated.

" Impossible to Train " by David Hill (3rd Grade)

In this short story for 3rd graders, Bea, Jesse, and Sammy describe how difficult it is to train their pets, but also what they love about them. At the end, it is revealed that Bea, Jesse, and Sammy are actually pets talking about their human owners.

This funny short story would make a great choice for teaching about animals. Students would enjoy the humor throughout the text, especially the twist ending, as they explore the relationship between humans and animals. You can find more texts about pets for elementary students in CommonLit’s free digital library.

" MVP " by Clare Mishica (3rd Grade)

In this short story for 3rd graders, Derek is determined to outscore his teammate Cole and become his basketball’s team MVP, or most valuable player. After Cole sprains his ankle and sits out of the game, Derek realizes that his teammate was helping him be a better player. With only a few minutes left on the clock, Derek focuses on helping his team win the championship game and relies on his teammates for support.

If you’re looking for literary texts that support personal development, “MVP” will make a great addition to your ELA curriculum. This short story will show students the importance of teamwork and how much they can accomplish collaborating with a team, as opposed to working alone. You can moderate an engaging classroom discussion about the power of teamwork with CommonLit’s discussion questions, including Discussion Question 1, “How does working together help the narrator's basketball team win? Describe a time when you worked with others and how it helped you accomplish a goal.”

" An Honest Mistake " by Karen Meissner (4th Grade)

In this short story for 4th graders, Karie receives a prize for getting a perfect score on her spelling test. After she shares the exciting news with her mom, Karie realizes that she misspelled the word “honestly.” Conflicted, Karie doesn’t know if she should tell her teacher that she made a mistake on her test and return her prize.

“An Honest Mistake” would be a perfect read if you’re planning a character development unit for your class. Ask students to think about Assessment Question 5: “What do Karie’s thoughts and actions show what kind of person she is?” This assessment question will challenge students to explore the moral of the story and encourage them to always be truthful.

" Stray " by Cynthia Rylan (4th Grade)

In this short story for 4th graders, Doris discovers a stray puppy in front of her house during a snowstorm. Doris’ parents allow her to keep the puppy in the basement until the snow clears. As the snowstorm persists, Doris tries to convince her parents to let her keep the puppy, but they tell her that they cannot afford to care for it. After nine days of snow, Doris’ father takes the dog to the pound. Upset, Doris locks herself in her room, until dinner when she learns of a surprise.

As students read the text, they can take notes on Doris and her parents’ point of views. Assessment Question 5 will challenge them to analyze the father’s character development in the story: “How does the change in the father reveal the theme in the story?” This particular question will help students understand how pets bring out the best in people.

" Tamitha and the Dragon " by Elizabeth C. Desimone (4th Grade)

In this short story for 4th graders, a dragon snatches Tamitha and confines her to his castle, where she must clean his mess or face his wrath. In the castle, she discovers other creatures with problems of their own. After several escape attempts, the dragon manages to find and imprison Tamitha each time. With the help of the creatures, Tamitha finds a way to trick the dragon into cleaning his own castle.

Tamitha, a young girl full of grit, is a great character to inspire perseverance in students during difficult times. Ask students Discussion Question 1: “Have you ever tricked someone for their own good? If you have not tricked someone before, do you think it is ever okay to trick someone like Tamitha did?” This question will help students understand why Tamitha’s character traits help her overcome difficulties.

" Her Hands That Held the Stars " by Rebecca Birch (5th Grade)

In this science-fiction short story for 5th graders, set in a polluted future where the sky is covered by eversmog, Akeisha is determined to see the stars. Akeisha bravely sneaks up to the rooftop, and her Nana points out the stars glimmering in her hands. Nana tells Akeisha that the stars are calling her, and Akeisha decides she wants to figure out how to share the sky she sees with everyone.

Have students make connections between science-fiction and real life. Start a classroom discussion with Discussion Question 2: “Science fiction writers often write stories because they want us to think about our own world and what we value. Could we one day be living in a world that is similar to the setting of this story? Why or why not?” Encourage students to draw from the text and their own experiences to support their thinking.

" Sometimes a Dream Needs a Push " by Walter Dean Myers (5th Grade)

In this short story for 5th graders, Chris joins a wheelchair basketball team after a car accident has left him unable to walk. Chris’s dad, who blames himself for the accident, helps the team by showing them how to shoot better. Even though the team loses a big game, Chris is proud of their hard work and glad to have his dad’s support.

The complex relationship between Chris and his dad provides a great opportunity for analyzing character development and making connections. Ask students Discussion Question 3: “In the context of the text, what makes a family? What are some of the experiences you have had where the support of family and friends made a significant difference?” Encourage students to use examples from the text and their own lives to build reading comprehension.

" Eleven " by Sandra Cisneros (5th Grade)

In this short story for 5th graders, the eleven-year-old narrator, Rachel, struggles to speak up for herself when her teacher, Mrs. Price, forces her to wear a red sweater from the lost and found, convinced that it belongs to Rachel. Thinking to herself, Rachel wishes she was older, so that she didn’t feel so powerless with Mrs. Price, an adult whose word holds more authority over Rachel’s. The narrator's internal monologue artfully captures her emotions and what it’s like to be eleven years old.

As students read, have them follow the annotation task, which asks them to take notes on how the narrator reacts to the red sweater. Students can use the annotation tool to provide evidence in their short answers for the reading assessment. After they finish reading, you can lead a classroom discussion and have students make text-to-self connections by asking if they have ever been in a situation where they felt powerless because of their age.

" Marble Champ " by Gary Soto (5th Grade)

In this short story for 5th graders, shy Lupe knows she is a great student, but she is determined to also be good at a sport, so she decides to become a competitive marbles player. She practices hard to improve her thumb and wrist strength, and in the end, her dedication pays off and she wins the championship!

Looking for a way to support your students who speak Spanish at home? This short story is also available in Spanish as “ Campeona de canicas .” CommonLit Español offers hundreds of Spanish texts to support learning differentiation. Using CommonLit’s guided reading feature, which includes a translation tool, word definitions, and footnotes, you can have students read the two versions to practice key skills and build vocabulary in both English and Spanish!

Are you a teacher looking for more elementary content on CommonLit? Browse the CommonLit Library or come to one of our webinars!

If you are an administrator looking to leverage CommonLit in your school or district, our partnerships team can help. We offer benchmark assessments, professional learning, and more!

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by Michelle Boyd Waters, M.Ed.  

40 Excellent Short Stories For Middle School

May 13, 2014 in  Pedagogy

Middle school is a funny place. Students can be mature and insightful one minute, obtuse and petulant the next. Yet even the most resistant scholar will enjoy a good story. The 40 stories below are sometimes surprising, other times hair-raising. They are all guaranteed to raise questions and instigate discussions in your classroom that can lead to meaningful dialogues about what really matters in the lives of your students.

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All Summer in a Day

" All Summer in a Day " by Ray Bradbury is a science fiction short story that transports us to Venus, where the sun only shines for two hours every seven years - quite the weather shock, huh? The plot revolves around Margot, a young girl from Earth, and her classmates who've never seen sunlight. Margot, who remembers Earth's sunlight, is eagerly awaiting the brief summer. However, her classmates, jealous and unable to comprehend her experiences, lock her in a closet, causing her to miss the rare sunshine. Bradbury's vivid description of the yearning for sunlight and the emotional cruelty of children leaves a haunting impression. This story will make you feel the sun on your face a little differently, trust me!

Short Story Unit  |  Short Story Unit on TpT

Amigo Brothers

" Amigo Brothers " is a heartwarming tale by Piri Thomas , revolving around two best friends, Antonio and Felix, both superb boxers from New York City. Here's the twist - they have to fight each other in the division boxing finals! Even though they're both fiercely competitive and want to win, their friendship is always front and center. The real punchline comes at the end when, after giving it their all in the ring, they leave without knowing who won, because their friendship outshines any championship. This engaging story is a fantastic knockout that explores friendship, sportsmanship, and loyalty like no other. Be ready to be floored!

The Scholarship Jacket

" The Scholarship Jacket " by Marta Salinas is an inspiring tale that tackles themes of perseverance, integrity, and the true meaning of success. The story follows Martha, a hardworking Mexican-American student who has always looked forward to earning the coveted scholarship jacket, awarded annually to the school's top eighth-grade student. However, when the school decides to charge for the jacket, effectively meaning it would go to the student whose parents can afford it, Martha finds herself in a moral quandary. Faced with the reality of her financial limitations, she must stand up for what she believes is right. Salinas' narrative powerfully explores the intersection of education, social inequities, and personal courage. This is an encouraging read that reminds us that true merit cannot be measured in monetary terms. Get ready to cheer for Martha as she fights for her rightful recognition!

Icarus and Daedalus

" Icarus and Daedalus " is a captivating Greek myth that paints a vivid picture of inventiveness, daring, and the perils of overconfidence. Daedalus, renowned as a brilliant craftsman, and his young son Icarus are stranded on the island of Crete. To find a way off the island, Daedalus hatches an ingenious plan: he crafts wings out of feathers and wax for both of them. Despite Daedalus' words of caution about the wings' limitations, Icarus is exhilarated by the prospect of flight. As they take off on their daring escape, you'll be left on the edge of your seat, witnessing the suspenseful consequences of Icarus' boldness. Buckle up for a riveting journey into Greek mythology!

Flowers for Algernon

" Flowers for Algernon " by Daniel Keyes is a profound science fiction story that explores the human condition, intellect, and emotions through a unique lens. The narrative unfolds through the diary entries of Charlie Gordon, a man with intellectual disabilities, who undergoes an experimental procedure to increase his intelligence. As Charlie's intellect begins to surpass that of the doctors who created the experiment, he experiences the world in ways he never could before. However, alongside these exhilarating discoveries comes the understanding of his past treatment and a newfound loneliness. This story takes you on an emotional rollercoaster, probing deep questions about intellect, happiness, and the essence of human experience. It's a powerful read that is sure to leave a lasting impression!

Harrison Bergeron

" Harrison Bergeron " by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. is a provocative dystopian short story by Kurt Vonnegut Jr., set in a future where the government enforces 'equality' by handicapping the gifted and talented. This compelling narrative introduces us to Harrison Bergeron, a teenager who, being exceptionally intelligent and athletic, is burdened with severe handicaps. When Harrison rebels against this oppressive system live on national television, things take a dramatic turn. Vonnegut's tale masterfully highlights the danger of enforced uniformity, posing potent questions about individuality, equality, and freedom. It's a thought-provoking read that'll challenge your perspective on societal norms. Get ready for a rollercoaster of ideas!

Raymond's Run

" Raymond's Run " by Toni Cade Bambara is an uplifting short story that explores themes of self-discovery, personal growth, and the power of love. Our protagonist is Squeaky, a fast and fiercely competitive runner with the responsibility of caring for her mentally disabled brother, Raymond. Squeaky's world revolves around winning races and protecting Raymond, but when a rival runner challenges her, she experiences a transformation in her understanding of what truly matters. Bambara's narrative beautifully captures the journey from personal ambition to a broader sense of community and love. It's a heartwarming read that showcases the strength of sibling bonds and the victories that matter most in life. Get ready to cheer for Squeaky as she races not just for victory, but for love and acceptance!

Rules of the Game

" Rules of the Game " by Amy Tan is a captivating story that explores themes of cultural identity, family dynamics, and personal growth through the lens of chess. The story is a part of Tan's novel "The Joy Luck Club," and focuses on Waverly Jong, a Chinese-American girl living in San Francisco. When she receives a chess set as a Christmas gift, Waverly quickly becomes a child prodigy under her mother's intense encouragement. However, this success strains their relationship as Waverly struggles with her mother's high expectations and the complexities of navigating two distinct cultures. Tan's narrative is a powerful exploration of the delicate balance between respect for tradition and the pursuit of individuality. It's a fascinating read that serves as a metaphor for the intricate game of life. Prepare for a compelling journey into the mind of a chess prodigy and the intricate dynamics of a mother-daughter relationship.

The Monkey's Paw

" The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs is a gripping tale of fate, magic, and unintended consequences. The story begins when Sergeant-Major Morris, a friend of the White family, brings an unusual memento from his travels—a monkey's paw that allegedly grants three wishes to its holder. Despite Morris's warnings about the paw's curse, Mr. White, spurred by curiosity and the prospect of altering their humble lives, makes a wish. What follows is a chilling series of events that powerfully highlight the perilous side of having one's desires fulfilled. Jacobs' narrative is masterfully crafted, intertwining suspense and the supernatural to create a cautionary tale about tampering with fate. Brace yourself for a hauntingly memorable journey into the world of the uncanny!

The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant

" The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant " by W.D. Wetherell is a poignant coming-of-age tale about the agonizing choices of adolescence. Our protagonist is a 14-year-old boy, torn between his passion for bass fishing and his crush on the sophisticated, indifferent Sheila Mant. The climax hits when he's forced to choose between reeling in a record-breaking bass and potentially embarrassing himself in front of Sheila. It's a striking story that explores the bittersweet nature of growing up and the painful lessons of prioritizing the superficial over true passion. It's sure to tug at your heartstrings!

To Build a Fire

" To Build a Fire " by Jack London is a gripping tale of survival set in the harsh, unforgiving wilderness of the Yukon. The story follows an unnamed protagonist as he embarks on a treacherous journey through the freezing cold temperatures of the Klondike in order to reach a mining camp. With only a dog as his companion, the man faces numerous challenges and setbacks along the way, including his underestimation of the extreme weather conditions and his inability to build a fire to keep himself warm. As his situation becomes increasingly dire, the story unfolds with a sense of impending doom, highlighting the power of nature and the frailty of human existence in the face of its merciless forces. With its vivid descriptions and suspenseful narrative, "To Build a Fire" serves as a cautionary tale, reminding readers of the inherent vulnerability of mankind when confronted with the raw power of the natural world.

The Ransom of Red Chief

" The Ransom of Red Chief " by O. Henry is a hilarious and unexpected tale that turns the concept of kidnapping on its head. The story revolves around two hapless criminals, Sam and Bill, who kidnap a boy named Johnny, hoping for a hefty ransom. However, they quickly find that Johnny, who insists on being called "Red Chief," is more than they bargained for, with his wild imagination and boisterous antics. As the kidnappers struggle to handle their energetic and uncontrollable captive, they find themselves in a host of comical situations. O. Henry's narrative is a delightful reversal of roles, filled with wit and humor. It's an entertaining read that playfully reminds us that things aren't always as they seem, and sometimes the best-laid plans can go hilariously awry. Prepare for laughter and surprise as you follow the misadventures of Sam, Bill, and the irrepressible "Red Chief."

Seventh Grade

" Seventh Grade " by Gary Soto is a charming tale that captures the ups and downs of adolescence, as well as the complexities of young crushes. The story follows Victor, a seventh grader who's excited and nervous about his first day of middle school. On this day, Victor decides he will impress his crush, Teresa, with his 'maturity.' He signs up for French, a subject Teresa is also studying, and even tries to fake fluency in French. However, his plans go comically awry, leading to a series of amusing and relatable situations. Soto's narrative is a delightful exploration of young love, friendship, and the trials of growing up. This light-hearted read will surely take you back to your own school days and the simplicity of first crushes. So, buckle up and get ready for a nostalgic ride back to the adventures of seventh grade!

A Sound of Thunder

" A Sound of Thunder " by Ray Bradbury is a captivating science fiction short story that takes readers on a thrilling journey through time. Set in the future, the story follows a group of adventurous hunters who travel back in time to hunt dinosaurs. However, they are strictly instructed to avoid altering the past in any way, as even the slightest change can have unforeseen and catastrophic consequences on the present. Amidst the danger and excitement of the hunt, one hunter inadvertently steps off the designated path, crushing a seemingly insignificant butterfly. Little does he know that this small act sets off a chain of events that alters the course of history, leading to a chilling and thought-provoking twist. Bradbury's skillful storytelling and vivid imagery leave readers questioning the fragile nature of time and the potential consequences of our actions, emphasizing the importance of our choices in shaping the world around us.

The Tell-Tale Heart

" The Tell-Tale Heart " by Edgar Allan Poe dives deep into the human mind's dark abyss. Here's the deal: the story features an unnamed narrator, haunted not by ghosts, but by the "vulture eye" of an elderly man he cares for. It drives him so mad, he actually decides to... well, let's just say things get quite intense. After the 'incident,' our narrator stashes something under the floorboards, pretty confident he's managed a perfect cover-up. But then he starts hearing a sound – a heartbeat, louder and more persistent, echoing from beneath the boards. Is it real or is it all in his head? Driven to the brink, the narrator... But hey, no spoilers here! You've gotta dive into Poe's world to find out. Now that's a story you don't want to miss!

The Lady or the Tiger?

" The Lady or the Tiger? " by Frank R. Stockton is an intriguing short story that dabbles in love, jealousy, and suspense, all while keeping readers on their toes. Set in an ancient kingdom, the narrative spins around a semi-barbaric king's unique method of justice: a public arena with two doors, one hiding a fierce tiger and the other a beautiful lady. When the princess's secret lover, a lowly courtier, is accused of a crime, he's thrown into the arena to choose his fate. Now, here's where things heat up: the princess knows what's behind each door and signals her lover towards one. But, does she lead him to a gruesome death or a life married to another woman? Stockton leaves us guessing, turning this tale into a riveting debate about human nature, passion, and choice. This is one story that'll get your mind racing!

There will Come Soft Rains

" There Will Come Soft Rains " by Ray Bradbury is a captivating short story set in a post-apocalyptic world. In this haunting tale, an automated house, devoid of human inhabitants, continues its daily routines, dutifully preparing meals and cleaning, unaware that humanity has been wiped out by a devastating event. As nature slowly reclaims the surrounding landscape, the house persists in its futile efforts to serve its nonexistent occupants, creating a poignant juxtaposition between the persistence of technology and the transience of human existence. Bradbury's masterful storytelling and evocative descriptions compel readers to contemplate the fragility of civilization and the enduring power of nature.

The Lottery

" The Lottery " by Shirley Jackson is a riveting short story that takes a seemingly idyllic small town and turns it into a setting for a chilling tradition. The narrative centers around an annual event known as "the lottery," where the townsfolk gather, led by Mr. Summers, to draw slips of paper from a black box. The seemingly innocuous event builds an air of suspense and mystery as Jackson masterfully drops hints about the lottery's true purpose. As the tradition unfolds, we're confronted with a shocking revelation about the town's disturbing practice. "The Lottery" is a haunting exploration of conformity, tradition, and the dark side of human nature. Get ready for a story that will leave you stunned and make you question the power of societal norms!

Hearts and Hands

" Hearts and Hands " by O. Henry is a short story that masterfully spins a tale of identity, deceit, and the surprising complexities of the human heart. The narrative unfolds on a train journey where Miss Fairchild, a young and sophisticated woman, unexpectedly encounters Mr. Easton, an old acquaintance. Easton, handcuffed to another man, tries to maintain his dignity by introducing the man as an annoying Marshal who's escorting him to a meeting in the West. But as the story evolves, we realize that appearances can be misleading, and the truth is often far more surprising. O. Henry's narrative is renowned for its unexpected twists and touching exploration of human character. It's an intriguing read that serves as a reminder that true gentleness and nobility of spirit can exist in the most unlikely places. Prepare for an exciting journey filled with unexpected revelations!

Mother and Daughter

" Mother and Daughter " by Gary Soto is a heartfelt short story that explores the complex dynamics of the mother-daughter relationship. Yollie, an intelligent and spirited teen, and her mother, Mrs. Moreno, a hardworking and devoted single parent, face life's challenges with resilience and humor. However, their relationship gets strained as Yollie grapples with typical teenage struggles and the hardships of poverty, particularly when a stained dress ruins her chance to shine at a school dance. Through the ups and downs, Soto paints a tender portrait of love, sacrifice, and understanding, highlighting the unbreakable bond between a mother and her daughter. It's a touching narrative that's sure to stir your emotions and make you appreciate the strength of family ties!

" Miss Awful " by Arthur Cavanaugh is a delightful tale that invites readers to question their perceptions of people and life. The story unfolds in a third-grade classroom where the students are initially overjoyed when their beloved teacher, Miss Branding, takes a week off. Her replacement, Miss Orville, dubbed "Miss Awful" by the kids, seems to be their worst nightmare: she's strict, assigns lots of homework, and believes in learning by doing rather than just fun and games. However, as the week progresses, the students start to see Miss Orville in a new light. Cavanaugh's narrative cleverly explores the balance between discipline and creativity in learning, making us reevaluate our quick judgments and appreciate the value of differing teaching styles. It's a charming read that's both entertaining and thought-provoking!

" Charles " is a whimsical short story by Shirley Jackson , revolving around Laurie, a kindergartner with a flair for tall tales. Laurie regales his parents daily with stories of a classmate named Charles, who seems to be a magnet for trouble. As the tales of Charles's misbehavior escalate, Laurie's parents grow increasingly concerned and curious about this notorious boy. Jackson expertly weaves humor and suspense into the narrative, keeping readers on their toes about the true identity of Charles. So buckle up, this rollercoaster ride of childhood imagination and parental bemusement is sure to leave you entertained and guessing till the end!

The Moustache

" The Moustache " by Robert Cormier is a touching short story that explores themes of memory, aging, and familial bonds. The narrative follows seventeen-year-old Mike, who decides to grow a moustache, making him look older than he actually is. One day, he visits his grandmother at a nursing home, and due to his moustache, she mistakes him for her deceased husband. In their conversation, Mike learns more about his grandmother's past, her regrets, and the toll that time can take on memories and relationships. Cormier's story offers a poignant reflection on the cycle of life, the bonds that connect generations, and the surprising ways we learn about ourselves and our loved ones. It's a sweet, thought-provoking read that'll warm your heart and make you ponder the passage of time.

Young Goodman Brown

" Young Goodman Brown " is a gripping short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne , and it's all about the struggle between good and evil inside us. Goodman Brown takes off one night into the sinister woods of Salem, leaving behind his wife, Faith. In the forest, he runs into all sorts of crazy stuff like witches, demons, and even his seemingly upright neighbors and mentors practicing devilish rituals! This wild and eerie journey shakes Goodman Brown to his core, making him question everything he knows and trusts. By the time he gets back home, he's so disillusioned that he can't even look at his wife and townsfolk the same way again. It's a haunting, suspenseful story that really gets you thinking about faith, trust, and the darkness hidden in all of us.

The Metamorphosis

" The Metamorphosis " by Franz Kafka is a profound and surreal narrative that explores themes of alienation, guilt, and identity. The story centers around Gregor Samsa, a traveling salesman, who wakes up one morning to find himself transformed into a gigantic insect-like creature. This inexplicable metamorphosis drastically alters Gregor's life, confining him to his room and straining his relationship with his family, who are both repulsed and dependent on him. Kafka's narrative brilliantly explores the depths of human isolation and the societal pressures that can shape our existence. With its symbolic imagery and thought-provoking themes, "The Metamorphosis" is a fascinating read that will leave you pondering the essence of human nature and the meaning of life. Trust me, it's an experience like no other!

The Most Dangerous Game

" The Most Dangerous Game " by Richard Connell is a pulse-pounding short story that brilliantly explores themes of civilization, savagery, and the human will to survive. Our protagonist, the accomplished hunter Sanger Rainsford, finds himself marooned on an isolated island, the guest of the mysterious General Zaroff. But there's a twist: Zaroff, a hunting aficionado, has grown bored of hunting animals and has turned to a new game, the most dangerous game, humans. Rainsford becomes the unwilling participant in Zaroff's twisted hunt, turning from hunter to hunted in this deadly game of survival. Connell's tale is a thrilling exploration of the thin line between hunter and hunted, civilization and savagery. Buckle up for a heart-racing adventure that'll keep you on the edge of your seat!

The Two Brothers

" The Two Brothers " by Leo Tolstoy is a thought-provoking fable that examines the dichotomy between materialistic and spiritual pursuits. The narrative centers on two brothers who embark on contrasting paths in life after their father's death. The elder brother chooses a path of wealth and worldly success, while the younger one opts for a life of simplicity and peace in the countryside. Over time, their choices lead to vastly different outcomes and experiences. Through these brothers, Tolstoy paints a vivid picture of human values and the true meaning of success. This poignant story is a meditation on the essence of happiness and the inherent worth of a simple, honest life. Prepare for a contemplative journey that invites us to reflect on our choices and what truly matters in life.

The Black Cat

" The Black Cat " is an unnerving tale by Edgar Allan Poe , master of the macabre. This chilling story plunges us into the dark descent of an initially loving narrator who, under the influence of alcohol, grows increasingly violent towards his pets, especially a black cat named Pluto. After a gruesome act, a series of strange, horrifying events unfold - including the appearance of a second black cat, chillingly similar to Pluto. The narrator's spiralling madness and guilt culminate in a twist ending that's classic Poe. This gripping story will make your spine tingle - it's a compelling exploration of guilt, madness, and the supernatural. Brace yourself for a thrilling, hair-raising read!

" The Veldt " by Ray Bradbury is a riveting short story that takes readers on a chilling journey into a future where technology dominates every aspect of life. Set in a high-tech automated house, the story follows the Hadley family, who are captivated by their advanced virtual reality nursery, which can create any environment the children desire. However, the parents grow concerned when they notice their children's obsession with the African veldt, a hyper-realistic savannah filled with lions. As the tale unfolds, Bradbury masterfully builds suspense, delving into the sinister consequences of unchecked technology and the perils of an overly immersive virtual world. With its thought-provoking exploration of human dependency on technology and the erosion of family bonds, "The Veldt" serves as a haunting cautionary tale that reminds us to preserve our humanity amidst the ever-advancing digital age.

Rip Van Winkle

" Rip Van Winkle " by Washington Irving is a tale that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy. The story revolves around Rip, a lovable but lazy villager in pre-Revolutionary War New York, who's well-liked but often escapes from his nagging wife into the tranquil landscapes of the Catskill Mountains. On one such outing, Rip encounters strange men playing nine-pins, drinks their mysterious liquor, and subsequently falls into a deep sleep. When he awakens, he finds that his world has drastically changed: his beard has grown long, his dog is gone, and he discovers that he has slept through the entire American Revolution. Irving's whimsical narrative takes us on a journey of time, change, and the enduring charm of the past. Get ready for a heartwarming read that'll transport you to a world where reality intertwines with fantasy!

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

" The Legend of Sleepy Hollow " by Washington Irving is a classic that melds together folklore, humor, and the supernatural. The story is set in the tranquil town of Sleepy Hollow, known for its ghostly tales, the most famous being the terrifying Headless Horseman. Enter our protagonist, Ichabod Crane, the town's new, superstitious schoolmaster who's smitten with the beautiful Katrina Van Tassel. However, he faces a rival in the boisterous Brom Bones. One night, after a failed proposal to Katrina, Ichabod encounters the dreaded Headless Horseman, culminating in a chase that leaves his fate a mystery. Irving's tale weaves suspense, romance, and the uncanny into a timeless tale that will give you just the right amount of chills. Get ready for a fantastic journey into American folklore!

The Third Wish

" The Third Wish " by Joan Aiken is a captivating short story that follows the life of Mr. Peters, a mild-mannered, solitary man who discovers a magical fish while out fishing one day. With each wish he makes, Mr. Peters unintentionally faces unexpected consequences that lead to an amusing and thought-provoking tale. Aiken weaves together themes of fate, the power of wishes, and the importance of selflessness, leaving readers pondering the complexities of human desires and the potential price one may have to pay for their fulfillment. With its delightful blend of fantasy and moral lessons, "The Third Wish" is a must-read that will leave you enchanted and contemplating the intricacies of life's choices.

The Landlady

" The Landlady " is a spine-chilling short story by Roald Dahl that brilliantly dips into suspense and the macabre. The plot follows a young man named Billy Weaver who, while on a business trip, is drawn to a seemingly charming bed and breakfast. The quirky landlady who runs the B&B seems harmless, if a bit odd, and mentions only two other guests ever stayed there. But as the evening unfolds, Dahl sprinkles in eerie details that make Billy and the readers question the true nature of the landlady and the fate of her previous guests. Dahl's masterful storytelling creates an atmosphere of creeping dread that hooks you from start to finish. Get ready for an unnerving read that'll leave you questioning every turn!

Rikki Tikki Tavi

" Rikki Tikki Tavi " by Rudyard Kipling is a thrilling tale that celebrates the spirit of bravery and loyalty. The story centers around Rikki Tikki Tavi, a courageous mongoose who becomes the unlikely hero of a human family living in India. After being washed away by a flood, he's adopted by the family and soon takes it upon himself to protect them from dangerous creatures - particularly the menacing cobras Nag and Nagaina. Through a series of exciting battles and clever strategies, Rikki illustrates the power of courage and cunning against formidable odds. Kipling's narrative brings the animal world to life with vivid descriptions and fast-paced action, making this a truly unforgettable read. Buckle up for a wild ride with Rikki Tikki Tavi, as he takes on the venomous threats to safeguard his adopted family!

The Fall of the House of Usher

" The Fall of the House of Usher " is an iconic gothic tale by Edgar Allan Poe that draws you into a world of decay, madness, and eerie supernatural elements. The story circles around the final days of the Usher family, as narrated by a friend who visits the dilapidated mansion. He arrives to find the siblings, Roderick and Madeline Usher, in a state of despair and illness. The house itself, mirroring its inhabitants, seems to be decaying and imbued with an air of uncanny dread. As the chilling narrative unfolds, Poe masterfully weaves a tapestry of terror and suspense, culminating in a horrifying climax. Prepare yourself for an intense, spine-tingling experience with this classic piece of horror literature!

Thank you, Ma'am

" Thank You, Ma'am " by Langston Hughes is a heartwarming and thought-provoking short story that revolves around an unexpected encounter between a young boy named Roger and a kind-hearted but tough woman named Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones. After Roger attempts to steal her purse, he is caught by Mrs. Jones. Instead of handing him over to the police, she takes him to her home, cleans him up, feeds him a delicious meal, and listens to his story. Through this encounter, Hughes explores themes of compassion, forgiveness, and the transformative power of empathy, leaving readers with a profound sense of hope and the belief that a single act of kindness can change a person's life.

Names/Nombres

" Names/Nombres " by Julia Alvarez is a delightful autobiographical story that explores the struggles of cultural identity and assimilation. The story recounts the Alvarez family's move from the Dominican Republic to the United States, focusing particularly on Julia's personal experiences with the transition. One of the main challenges she encounters is the frequent mispronunciation and misspelling of her name by her American peers, symbolizing her struggle to maintain her cultural identity while integrating into a new environment. Through her heartwarming narrative, Alvarez skillfully captures the immigrant experience and the complexities of finding one's place between two cultures. It's an insightful and relatable read that will resonate with anyone who's ever felt caught between different worlds.

• The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry |  Assessment Activity & Creative Writing Project | Assessment Activity & Creative Writing Project on TpT
• The Possibility of Evil by Shirley Jackson |  Assessment Activity & Writing Project |  Assessment Activity & Writing Project on TpT
• The Masque of the Red by Death by Edgar Allan Poe* |  Assessment Activity | Assessment Activity on TpT
• The Stone by Lloyd Alexander (Available in our Curated Short Stories Library)
• 2 B R 0 2 B by Kurt Vonnegut (Available in our Curated Short Stories Library)
• The Pedestrian by Ray Bradbury
• The Adventures of the Blue Carbuncle by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Note:  An RTE subscriber emailed me to ask if there was a simple way to subscribe to all the curated resources in one place, without having to enter an email address for every short story. At the time, there wasn’t, but we have worked out a way to make it easy for you to access all the resources in one place — right here on this page! For just $10 per month, you can have ongoing access to current and future curated resources! Let us do the late-night searching for you! Learn more here .

Copyright notice:  These stories are published on sites other than reThinkELA.com and NO copyrighted stories are excerpted or quoted in RTE-created materials. Some stories are in the public domain (not copyrighted), or are excerpts of larger works, while others are not. In some cases, teachers may print a class set for their own classroom usage, but there are exceptions. Please check with your district regarding its policies and licenses for reproducing printed copies. Generally speaking, you may ask students to download their own copies (outside of the one you download for your own use) to their devices for their own educational studies.

Related topics: Short Story Lesson Plans

About the author 

Michelle Boyd Waters, M.Ed.

I am a secondary English Language Arts teacher, a University of Oklahoma student working on my doctorate in Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum with an concentration in English Education and co-Editor of the Oklahoma English Journal. I am constantly seeking ways to amplify students' voices and choices.

Man, oh, man…I don’t usually use capitals in the comments section, but I’m going to mind my p’s and q’s in the presence of an English teacher with a short story list this awesome. Much obliged.

Thank you very much, Ann. I’m glad to be of help.

Hey, I have a book report that I have to do. i have to pick a short story and fill out a sheet. It asks for, setting, pov, characters, conflict, climax, resolution, theme. Which story from the list would be the easiest and most fun?

I liked the stories because they are just cool! 🙂 My classmates are choosing stories from here to read in our book club! 😀

Wow that’s great

The sniper was really good Thank you Mrs. Waters

I am a fellow English teacher and I greatly appreciate this litany of excellent short stories. Cheers!

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Can you suggest any short stories that have characters clearly acting on their beliefs or values?

Hi Jennifer! I think “Raymond’s Run” and “Thank you, Ma’am” will both fit the bill. Have you considered those stories before?

Where are all the fairy tales?

I am working on an article with a list of fairy tales and resources. If you’re following this blog , then you’ll receive an update whenever I publish new content.

All Summer In A Day, is an amazing book! I suggest it to everyone!

Thank you, Brandon!

it’s amazing!

I know this might be off topic, but I need help coming up with ideas for a writing piece I have to do for my English class. My teacher isn’t being very clear on what we need to do, as “there are no expectations or boundaries”.

-Your grade will be determined by your display of “growth mindset” characteristics throughout the process and by the timeliness of your submission. -All genres of writing will be accepted; however, only narrative, informational, and argumentative pieces can be considered for the district writing contest. -You are allowed to submit up to three (3) original works; however, only one will be expected.

This is all she told us. Maybe if you have any writing topic ideas for a argumentative, informal piece? I’m not a fan of narrative, it make me feel self centered.

Thank you so much.

Scroll through this list of writing prompts , particularly the persuasive ones. Perhaps something here will inspire you. If that doesn’t work, go to Debate.org and look for topics that are of interest to you.

I would like to read a great book have any suggestions?

Oh wow! There are so many great books to read, it’s hard to suggest just one. What genre of books do you like? Perhaps then I can recommend one that my students enjoy.

Thanks so much for this wonderful collection !! What a time saver 🙂

Thank you so much for the links! This is an excellent compilation.

Have you ever read “Priscilla and the Wimps” by Richard Peck? It’s a great story and would make a great addition to your (already amazing) list!

No, I have not read that story yet, but I’ll have to check it out. Thank you!

Hi Mrs. Walters, I’m currently student teaching and I was wondering if you could help me. I love your list that you have provided. I have used some of these short stories with my students. I’m reviewing Lit Analysis with students again before the PAARC exams in a few weeks. I feel that my students are strong with Lit Anal but I want to give them a practice test that is authentic and not from the PAARC study materials. What two texts would you recommend for students to use to address, theme, tone, POV, or characterization? I need some inspiration. This will be part of a Thinking Skill Drill unit, which asks students to think critically about how they will answer the prompt, create thesis statements, find evidence, etc, they will not be assessed on actually writing the paper itself. HELP! I was thinking of “Raymund’s Run” for one text, since I have not used that in this class yet.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

I think “Raymond’s Run” is an excellent choice! Also, I’ve added another story, which I found on an ACT sample question site: 2 B R 0 2 B by Kurt Vonnegut, which I recommend as well. You can view the ACT sample questions that go along with the story on the this practice site or peruse the speaking and writing prompts in this file .

Ms. Waters I want to say thank you so much for putting so much hard work and effort into making this page so useful for everybody. I have used many of these stories in the past and, without your page here, had to search high and low for just the story while here it is just waiting for us! It makes putting together my lesson plans so much easier as I work with special needs students and I do not always have good materials for them so your materials here are a huge help! I do appreciate your hard work here as I know that you are probably already taxed with too much work.

Thank you so much for your kind words, Elizabeth! I’m glad to have been able to help you.

I agree with Elizabeth 1000%!!!!! Thank you Mrs. Waters for taking the time to put this list together, saving so many of us across the interwebs both time and stress. I am a freelance tutor in New York City who teaches several subjects, and I recently began working with a literature/writing student. She loves to read but has not been exposed to many classic works of literature. She also particularly loves to write short stories. Tracking down a variety of tried and true short stories seemed like a no brainer for our first few sessions, but I had no idea where to find them quickly. Lo and behold I stumbled upon your site and this fantastic list. It has been invaluable in terms of my lesson planning, and frankly, these stories are always worth re-reading for students of any age. I might just stay up for the next few hours reading all of them!! So very glad I’ve found your page, and I know my students will be too. Your passion for teaching and your empathy for and understanding of human nature are all extremely evident. THANK YOU!

Thank you, Sarah! I really needed to hear these words this week.

Yes Ama, What a wonderful world we live in 😉 ( ﾉ ﾟｰﾟ)ﾉ

I have to write a character analysis on “The Sniper,” and with there being two different snipers in the story, and the title being “The Sniper” I would like to know if I should address the main sniper the story is about by anything other than just the main sniper. Thanks, Adam Swaggington

If your teacher didn’t tell you which sniper to analyze, then I’d just pick the character that you prefer to write about. The Republican sniper is the protagonist while the other sniper is the antagonist, so that might make a difference to you.

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Thank you very much! This helped a lot!!!!

Glad to hear it, Ama!

I been meaning to ask you a question if you don’t mind?

If you have a question unrelated to this topic, you’re welcome to ask via my Contact Page .

This is an amazing resource! Thank you truly from the bottom of my heart for all the hard work you have put into collecting these stories.

You’re welcome! I’m glad this resource helped you!

this website is really cool and it helps a lot 🙂

Thanks a lot.

Thanks a lot for these. I am looking forward to reading them myself! I’m hoping they’ll be useful for my students.

Thanks so much for this fantastic list. Several of these I have taught in Grade 8 and 9; they are spectacular! Do you recommend any stories specifically for grade 7 (based on reading level, etc.)

Many thanks!!

What non-fiction short stories would you recommend for middle school children?

I like to either find articles at NewsELA.com, or let the kinds find articles on their own that they like on the site. Other sources of non-fiction include The Learning Network at The New York Times.

Does anyone know a short story about a granddaughter going through the woods on a full moon night to get a doctor/medicine for her ailing grandmother… and she turns into a hart deer?

I’m sorry. I have not heard of this short story. Do you know any more details that you can share? If not, try posting the description on this Goodreads forum or follow this advice .

I am looking for a short historical fiction selection to read to my middle school students who are completing a Historical Fiction Unit. Are any of your selections here in that genre?

Generally speaking, historical fiction is written by contemporary authors who craft a story set in the past. While the majority of these stories are set in our past, the authors created settings that were contemporary to them at that time. If you’re wanting a story by a current author who is intentionally creating a historical setting, check out this Pinterest board . Most of the listings are of books, but some of them may be relatively short.

Can you tell me about a story which I can act — a story of around 3 minutes?

I recommend you choose one of the short stories above, and then choose your favorite scene, or a very dramatic scene to act out. You might write a one-minute part for a narrator to fill in some background to setup the scene, then write the dialogue and stage directions for two or three actors who will convey the action of the scene. The narrator can then fill in the rest of the story in a minute or less.

I absolutely love “All Summer In a Day” and “Rules of the Game”! I definitely recommend both. 🙂

I was wondering if any of these shot stories included challenging vocab for ninth graders.

The Fall of the House of Usher, The Landlady, and The Most Dangerous Game all have vocabulary that would be challenging to 9th graders, as well.

Thank you so much! 🙂

You’re welcome! I’m glad I could help.

I am trying to recall a short story which I read in high school (early 70s). At the end of the story some boys are climbing through a window with hunting rifles.

Do you recall this story?

I’m afraid I don’t recall that story, as I was only in kindergarten in the late 70s. (Thank you for making me feel young!) That said, you might be able to use one or more of these book finder resources to find the short story you remember. Good luck!

Is it “The Most Dangerous Game”?

yes it is the most dangerous game

What should I do, because this story do not read in my computer and I desperately need her

Which story are you referring to?

This cool!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Mrs. Waters,

It’s been so difficult to find a good list of short stories. I am working with two black students from a lower socioeconomic neighborhood on their literacy. I’m finding one of the students has anger issues that are often directed towards authority and the system, in addition to racial issues. I would like to share with him some texts (particularly short stories) that involve social justice and diversity. Hopefully this will be relatable and will be an outlet for him. I pulled “Thank You Ma’am” for this goal Would you recommend anything else?

A great list but you have to include Three Skeleton Key! A favorite of my 7th graders for over a decade!

hi, I wanted to read the Third Wish, it seems very cool but it says that the “subscription has expired” why is that?

Me to but it comes up with 404 error

I have updated the link to one a PDF file that still exists. You should be able to download the story now.

Hi i was wondering if u did any short short stories because i need to do a review for one for school however i don’t want to use a longish one, Thank you.

Hi Tilly! I’m not currently writing any short stories, but there are some shorter ones on my list, or in the comments. Thank you!

Thank you so much for “Rule of the game.”

These stories are amazing!!!

The Sniper is great

The Black Cat and The Sniper are the best. In the feline-related one, I don’t really care that the wife died, but the KITTY! 🙁 It just ruined my soul.

These are very great books I have ever had. Thank you Mrs. Waters

Very nice stories. Especially for doing hw and projects. I want to say thanks to whoever has made this site.Very helping………..

Thank you for the wonderful collection of short stories. It has truly been helpful in persuading my students to read

Fall of the House of Usher? For middle schoolers? I can see most of these being used at that level, but my AP Lit kids have had a hard time with Usher – it’s definitely too advanced for 7th graders.

I agree that “Fall of the House of Usher” is for older students.

I have no favorite book yet

Keep looking! Think about the books you liked the most, and see if you can find others similar in genre, or written by the same author. If that doesn’t work, start sampling other books. Check with your friends and see what books they are reading, and what they recommend to you. Also, think about what movies you like and find books in the same genre. For example, if you like action movies, you might like books in the same genre.

I had a student this year who thought he’d like sports books because he loves playing sports. But he doesn’t like them. Instead, he prefers science fiction books. So, just keep looking!

wow these stories are really great, i do remember reading a few of them. Do you know any of the stories that have some sort of mythical/magical battle, by any chance?

Fantastic list. But man, stories really take a dark turn at this age, eh?

Your list is amazing! I’ve had my students read some of the ones you reccommend here, and they’re as excited as I am when finishing them. Would you have any short story suggestions for High Schoolers? I have such a hard time since I go through a lot of authors with eighth graders!

Is there a specific story that shows growth or change within a character from beginning to end?? Thanks.

I like the story The black Cat.

You have done a wonderful job with this post!! Are any of these stories based on historical events? I am on the search for short stories that are based on topics such as the Renaissance, Reformation, Silk Road – anything between the time periods of 7th century to 1750. Any help would be awesome!! Thank you!

I loved a short story I read back in the mid 70’s. I believe the title was “Nancy” about a little girl who sneaks out of the house when her family is napping and runs into a family from the wrong side of the tracks. She spends the afternoon with them having all kinds of adventures until her aunt or mother finds her, scolds her, and brings her home. I have had no luck finding this story anywhere!

A brilliant resource. Thank you for assembling a great list of short stories AND giving access to them. A great time-saver.

All the stories are great, and they help me a lot to improve my language.

I am in middle school in Iowa and my AM told me about this and now everyday in AM I read at least a story and my reading comp. has improved so much!!!

I like just have to say this… thank you! Your stories are great! I improved so much in reading! I’m in 5th grade and my friends are too. We had to pick a story to read and picked one of your stories. This is how much I love your stories! Thank you again! Have a great day!

Love, Admirer

i am a student and i really find these short stories very intesting and confurting i love them

I am a student in year 6 and with these stories,…………… I am lost for words Incredibly incredible Awesomely awesome Greatly great Fantastically fantastic

Hi there, Thank you so much for helping me pick out a short story for my class. They loved the short story Amigo Brothers so much. Just wanted to say thank you. I am hoping that after this story we can read another one. My class is very skilled and talented, they are almost done with the book, and it has only been a week. they are the smartest kids in the world. thank you again.

English teacher from across the globe, here. Just wanted to say thanks for putting together this awesome resource! It’s been a real boon, and I wanted to let you know that after all these years, it’s still appreciated!

I’m a substitute teacher and lists like this are pure gold for me. Thank you for putting an engaging resource at my fingertips!

Well Mrs waters all I have been doing is rummaging through the prompts and stories since I opened up this site actually my teacher told me that she wanted us to write some short stories but she doesn’t want them to be narrative and this what I figured out from her expressions ? This site is fabulous but I’m now a bit confused so could you please suggest me some good prompts to begin my story with because I have to submit these stories to her by tomorrow Thanks

Hi, I am a mom trying to help my children better their reading comprehension. I came upon your site and love the 40 selections you have here. My question is , do you happen to have any guided questions that I can follow to ask my children to make sure they are understanding what they are reading? Any help would be greatly appreciated and welcomed. I am feeling desperate trying to help them. Thank you.

Beautiful stories. Thanks a lot!

I need help.I have to do a short story 300-500 using figurative language and the 5 senses.It has to have a clear message and im really stuck.Help?

Hi Anna! Do you know what message you’d like to convey to your audience and who your audience is? Once you know that, you can start creating characters who your audience will identify with and most likely ones that you will identify with as well. You can also decide what will happen to your characters and how they will respond to those events in a way that will craft the message you’re wanting your audience to get.

“A Christmas Memory” BY Truman Capote. PERFECT for figurative language! Debbie Hutchinson Colleton County Middle School Walterboro, SC

Not all the links work

Hi Celeste!

Which links are not working for you? I have a system setup so that I can tell which links are broken. However, all the links on this page appear to be working.

I can check the specific ones that you’re having trouble with though. Just let me know which ones here.

Comments are closed.

The Power of Education: 5 Inspiring Stories That Prove It

Justin Matthews Mountain Island

Education is often called the key to unlocking one’s full potential. It can remarkably transform lives, break down barriers, and open up new opportunities. Throughout history, countless individuals have demonstrated the incredible power of education in shaping their destinies and positively impacting the world. In this article, we will delve into five inspiring stories that vividly illustrate the transformative power of education .

Malala Yousafzai: The Courageous Advocate for Girls’ Education

Malala Yousafzai’s story has captured the hearts of people worldwide. Born in Pakistan’s Swat Valley, Malala faced the oppressive rule of the Taliban, who banned girls from attending school. Undeterred by the threat to her life, Malala continued to speak out for girls’ education and attended school in secret. Her advocacy drew international attention and admiration.

In 2012, Malala was tragically shot by a Taliban gunman while on a school bus. She miraculously survived and became an even more prominent advocate for girls’ education. Malala’s determination and courage eventually led to her becoming the youngest-ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014.

Malala’s story is a testament to the transformative power of education. Despite facing grave danger, she continued her pursuit of knowledge, and her unwavering commitment to education has inspired countless others to do the same.

Dr. Ben Carson: From Poverty to Renowned Neurosurgeon

Dr. Ben Carson’s journey from poverty to becoming a world-renowned neurosurgeon is a remarkable tale of the transformative impact of education. Growing up in a disadvantaged neighborhood in Detroit, Carson faced numerous challenges. However, with the support of his mother and a strong commitment to education, he excelled in school and went on to attend Yale University.

Carson’s education continued at the University of Michigan Medical School, where he honed his surgical skills. He later made history by successfully separating conjoined twins in a groundbreaking surgery. Dr. Carson’s story is a shining example of how education can lift individuals from poverty and help them achieve greatness.

Nelson Mandela: The Power of Learning Behind Bars

Nelson Mandela’s journey from prisoner to president is a testament to the transformative power of education, even in the harshest circumstances. During his 27 years of imprisonment on Robben Island, Mandela and his fellow inmates were denied many fundamental rights, including access to education.

However, Mandela and his fellow inmates were determined to continue their learning. They established a secret classroom and shared books, knowledge, and ideas. Mandela, who had only completed his primary education before imprisonment, used this time to educate himself further. He learned about politics, economics, and international affairs, which ultimately prepared him for his role in leading South Africa out of apartheid.

When he was released in 1990, Mandela’s education and resilience played a crucial role in his ability to lead his nation towards reconciliation and democracy. His story demonstrates that physical barriers do not limit education and can be a powerful tool for change, even in the most challenging circumstances.

Oprah Winfrey: A Journey from Poverty to Media Mogul

Oprah Winfrey’s story is a shining example of how education can empower individuals to overcome adversity and achieve their dreams. Born into poverty in rural Mississippi, Oprah faced numerous hardships early on. However, she recognized the importance of education to break the cycle of poverty.

Oprah’s determination led her to excel academically, and she won a scholarship to Tennessee State University, where she studied communications. Her education paved the way for her to enter the media world, starting as a radio host and eventually becoming the iconic television personality we know today.

Through her struggles and triumphs, Oprah has used her platform to advocate for education and philanthropy. She founded the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa, providing quality education to underprivileged girls and emphasizing the transformative power of education that she experienced.

Elon Musk: The Innovator Who Never Stopped Learning

Elon Musk, the visionary entrepreneur behind companies like Tesla and SpaceX, is a prime example of how a thirst for knowledge and continuous education can lead to groundbreaking achievements. Musk was born in South Africa and moved to the United States to study physics and economics at the University of Pennsylvania.

While his formal education provided a strong foundation, Musk’s insatiable curiosity and self-education played a pivotal role in his success. He taught himself computer programming and learned the intricacies of rocket science to pursue his ambitious goals in space exploration.

Musk’s relentless pursuit of knowledge and innovation has led to numerous technological advancements and has inspired a new generation of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs. His story underscores the idea that education is not limited to the classroom and that a passion for learning can drive individuals to change the world.

These five inspiring stories highlight the transformative power of education. Whether it’s overcoming adversity, challenging societal norms, or driving innovation , education has the potential to change lives and shape the future. These individuals serve as living proof that pursuing knowledge is a powerful force that can lead to remarkable achievements and a positive impact on the world. Their stories are an enduring reminder of education’s incredible potential for us all.

Written by Justin Matthews Mountain Island

Justin Matthews Mountain Island was born in Columbus, Ohio, but now lives in Palm Harbor, Florida. Originally from Ohio, he moved south.

Text to speech

The Best Short Stories about School and Schooldays

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

What are the best short stories which are set in school, or which focus on school and one’s schooldays? There are plenty of stories which are ‘set in schools’ in the sense of being set reading for schoolchildren, but it’s harder to find some canonical and classic short stories which are about schooldays.

The following stories are all about school in one way or another. In one story, a couple of schoolboys play truant and bunk off school; in another, two schoolchildren of the future learn about old-fashioned schooling; and in yet another, we find ourselves observing schoolchildren on another planet, Venus.

What unites all of these short fictions is a focus on the experience of schooldays and how those formative years affect us; they are also about how schoolchildren tend to behave with one another.

James Joyce, ‘An Encounter’.

This rebuke during the sober hours of school paled much of the glory of the Wild West for me and the confused puffy face of Leo Dillon awakened one of my consciences. But when the restraining influence of the school was at a distance I began to hunger again for wild sensations, for the escape which those chronicles of disorder alone seemed to offer me …

This story, from Joyce’s 1914 collection Dubliners , is narrated by a man who is recalling an episode from his childhood, and specifically his schooldays in Dublin. The boy recounts how one of his schoolfriends, Leo Dillon, introduced him and a number of other boys to the adventure and excitement of the Wild West, before the two of them played truant from school one day.

They encounter a strange old man who seems to take an unusual interest in the boys’ love lives. This is a story best aimed at slightly older readers, given the unsavoury aspect of the strange old man …

Isaac Asimov, ‘The Fun They Had’.

This is a short story by the Russian-born American writer Isaac Asimov (1920-92). Like Asimov’s novel The Naked Sun , this story is one that has taken on new significance in the wake of 2020 and the shift to remote learning and working, and the themes of this 1951 story are as relevant to our own time as they were over seventy years ago when Asimov wrote it.

In the story, which is set in the year 2157, two children find an old paper book and reflect on how quaint it is, when compared with television screens on which they read in their own time. Stories about school, especially very short stories that are just a few pages long, lend themselves to study at school, and Asimov’s tale is light enough and brief enough to fit the bill, while also carrying some intriguing commentary on education and technology, among other things.

Ray Bradbury, ‘All Summer in a Day’.

This is a 1954 short story by the American science-fiction author Ray Bradbury (1920-2012). The story is set on Venus, where the sun only comes out once every seven years for a couple of hours; the rest of the time, the sun is hidden behind clouds and rains fall constantly.

‘All Summer in a Day’ is about a group of schoolchildren who have grown up on Venus, the sons and daughters of ‘rocket men and women’ who came to the planet from Earth, as the children prepare to experience the first ‘summer’ on Venus that they can remember. But one of the children, a young girl, remembers experiencing rain when she lived back on Earth. The other children grow jealous of her experience, and decide to act – with devastating results.

Donald Barthelme, ‘The School’.

‘The School’ is probably the best-known short story by the American writer Donald Barthelme (1931-89), whose work is sometimes labelled as ‘postmodernist’ (a label he was not entirely comfortable with, but which he accepted) and, occasionally, ‘metafiction’ (a label he was less happy with).

Published in the New Yorker in 1974, ‘The School’ is a short story about death, in which a series of animals and, eventually, children die at a school. One of the teachers at the school narrates these events, and the story ends with a discussion between the teacher and his pupils about the meaning of life when all life is filled with, and must end in, death.

Sandra Cisneros, ‘Eleven’.

Let’s conclude this pick of the best school-set stories with a very short piece of contemporary fiction. ‘Eleven’ is a short story by the American writer Sandra Cisneros (born 1954), who is known for her novel The House on Mango Street among other works.

In this story, a girl’s eleventh birthday is ruined when her teacher forces her to take responsibility for somebody else’s sweater. The narrator bursts into tears in front of her classmates and laments the fact that she isn’t older. Of all the stories included on this list, ‘Eleven’ is the one which delves most deeply into the psyche of a young schoolchild and her experience in school.

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Teaching ELA with Joy

Middle School ELA Resources

10 Favorite Short Stories Found Online – Middle School

By Joy Sexton

Teachers love using short stories for so many reasons, and short stories found online offer added convenience and motivation!  A great short story can get our students thinking and making connections. Short stories are perfect for teaching literary terms and vocabulary.  Plus, students enjoy discussion around the conflicts and themes in short stories. And because these gems can be taught in a few class periods, students gain some solid literary momentum when we add several to a unit.

I like starting the year with short stories to build my students’ appreciation for brief, attention-grabbing fiction. Students can toss around their ideas on characters’ decisions and infer and predict as the action rises. At the same time, I can acquaint them with pertinent literary terms. In fact, I find that I can really dig into many of the standards for literature, including new words, figurative language, development of theme, and more.

Short stories online – What are the benefits? 

Many teachers have lots of short stories to choose from, but there are also many who don’t! If your school is low on resources, your students can enjoy 10 amazing short stories for middle school by using the links below. Here are some other benefits of finding great short stories online:

• Students can read the stories from their laptops or other devices. Whether you have a 1:1 classroom or you’re able to use (or borrow) a cart of devices, students do enjoy reading from their screens.
• Reading is easy to assign for homework. Instead of having to take home a textbook, or you having to make copies, you can have students read at home on their devices. This arrangement also works well for students who have missed class.
• You can plan lessons in advance without an anthology. Teachers who are starting at a new school or grade level can access the stories and start planning lessons without wondering if the stories will be available in print for students.
• The stories are always at your fingertips. The stories are wherever you are, so you can refer to them whenever you need to.

Here are 10 best short stories found online – perfect for middle school:

1.  the scholarship jacket.

Nearing graduation, an eighth-grade Hispanic student in a small Texas school is denied the scholarship jacket she has earned with top grades. This story addresses the topics of prejudice and unfairness in a school setting, integrity, and grandparenting. Read the story here:   The Scholarship Jacket

2.  The Medicine Bag

Martin feels embarrassed when his aging Sioux grandfather shows up at his family’s home unannounced. Exhausted and sickly, Grandpa has come to pass a Sioux tradition on to Martin, causing Martin fear. Instead, Martin learns startling things about his grandfather he never knew, causing him to change his outlook profoundly. Read the story here:   The Medicine Bag

3.  Thank You M’am

Langston Hughes’ classic story begins with Roger trying to snatch a purse from Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones. After shaking him up quite a bit, she takes Roger to her home, shares a meal with him, and talks about wanting things she couldn’t have when she was young. She gives him money to buy the shoes he wanted, and Roger leaves having learned a lesson about right and wrong. Read the story here:   Thank You Ma’am

Here’s a story brochure you might like for this one:  Thank You M’am Story Brochure

4.  The Treasure of Lemon Brown

When he leaves his house upset with his father, fourteen-year-old Greg finds a homeless man in an old tenement. Greg and the man, Lemon Brown, scare away some menacing thugs, and when Lemon Brown reveals a “treasure” he claims to have, Greg learns something about parents that causes him to have a change of heart towards his father. Read the story here:   The Treasure of Lemon Brown

5.  Stop the Sun

This story centers around thirteen-year-old Terry and his father, who is suffering with post-traumatic stress syndrome from the Vietnam War. His father has become totally withdrawn, and very often his “eyes go away.” After he has a breakdown in public, Terry attempts to talk to him, and is surprised when his dad suddenly opens up about the killings he witnessed and the guilt that haunts him. Read the story here:   Stop the Sun

6.  Born Worker

Jose comes from a poor family and has been a hard worker all his life. His cousin, Arnie, is just the opposite: wealthy, lazy, and deceptive. When Arnie proposes that he find jobs for them with Arnie taking a 50/50 cut, Jose knows he must keep his head and his values as he deals with Arnie’s dishonest nature.  Jose gains the understanding that there will always be people in the world like Arnie, but he will be like his father, a born worker. Read the story here:   Born Worker

7.   The Ransom of Red Chief

In this humorous O. Henry story, two drifters, Sam and Bill, plan to kidnap a boy in a small town and hold him for ransom money. Their plan backfires when the boy, Johnny Dorset, becomes a total behavior problem that both men can’t handle. The men try to just return him without being caught, but run into more problems when they implement their plan.  Find it here:    The Ransom of Red Chief 

Here’s a flip book you might like using with this story:    The Ransom of Red Chief FLIP BOOK – Standards-aligned

8.  All Summer in a Day

Margot is different because she is from Earth, unlike her schoolmates on Venus. They are jealous of her past experiences, especially her memories of the sun. After seven years of solid rain, when the sun is about to make a rare appearance on Venus, the students punish Margot with a cruel act of bullying.  Read the story here:  All Summer in a Day

Take a look at this fun story brochure: All Summer in a Day Foldable Story Brochure

9.  The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street

This one is a teleplay—an episode of Rod Serling’s Twilight Zone. Neighbors fear that aliens have landed when a bright flash appears in the sky and strange things begin to happen. Incited by a young boy’s stories, people accuse each other of being an alien sent in advance. Panic and a mob scene leave readers questioning who the real monsters are. Great for engaging students in a dramatic read-aloud! Find it here: The Monsters are Due on Maple Street

Here’s a resource you might like for this one: Monsters Are Due on Maple Street Literature Response Packet

10.  Seventh Grade

Victor begins his first day in seventh grade hoping to make Teresa his girlfriend. After a series of awkward run-ins with her, he attends his French class, where she is also enrolled. To impress Teresa, Victor pretends to know French but has to use gibberish when responding to his teacher’s questions. Mr. Bueller does not embarrass Victor, but instead his empathy leads to new understandings and confidence for Victor.  Read this short story online here:  Seventh Grade

Just looking over this list gets me excited about teaching short stories! And these are some of the very best middle school short stories found online. All are classroom-tested, written by acclaimed authors, and at your fingertips with a click.

Thanks for reading!  Click on the images to see my story resources.

Click to read about 40 Book Recommendations for Middle School Readers

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Reader Interactions

December 26, 2019 at 1:31 pm

Hi! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely glad I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!

January 9, 2020 at 2:22 am

So I’m a teacher and I find this web site amazing

February 17, 2020 at 7:31 pm

I realize today students are being brainwashed by phones (literally) and need literacy to save them. Thanks for this great resource for sub teachers.

March 25, 2020 at 4:17 pm

Can any of these stories be printed for those students that do not have devices? If so, what citations/credits need to be given?

March 25, 2020 at 4:50 pm

To my knowledge, though I am not a copyright expert, teachers are allowed to copy one class set to be used for educational purposes.

April 11, 2020 at 8:14 pm

Every single one of these stories are about boys.

April 15, 2020 at 7:11 pm

You may want to look at The Scholarship Jacket and All Summer in a Day.

April 13, 2020 at 8:09 pm

Can one listen to the stories audibly via iPads? Seems to work with laptops BUT not iPad. Help!

April 15, 2020 at 7:03 pm

I’m no technology expert, but I would sure think so. You might want to check with your district’s tech person. Sorry I can’t be of more help.

April 15, 2020 at 4:10 am

I must say how much I appreciate this list being so diverse! It speaks volumes about your valuing good writing for the sake of what good writing offers! 20 years in education, and I have never felt so compelled to share my gratitude. Hmp, that’s both saddening and wonderful simultaneously!

May 31, 2020 at 7:22 am

Hello, All Summer in a Day – one of my favorite short stories . I enjoyed this story so much when I was a kid that I study it nearly every year with my French High School pupils. Thanks for the list . I will read the stories and pick up ideas for my students.

June 30, 2020 at 10:27 am

I am a teacher of English language for 10-15 year-olds in Nepal. I find TEACHING ELA a real help. Thought provoking, At least, the articles assure you what you are doing in classroom is correct.

July 30, 2020 at 8:39 pm

Thank you so much! I have been teaching lower grades for over 20 years and just this year I decided to teach middle school ELA. I am so happy to have this wonderful site as a resource.

Reluctant Reader Books

63 Short Stories for Middle School: Free PDF Downloads

Below you’ll find the best short stories for middle school: our 16 favorites, One Page Stories, Funny Stories, Mysteries, Horror, Science Fiction, Literary, Classics, and Adventure.

Want stories for high school ? Go here .

• Want Access to Great Resources & No Hassles?

Lamb to the Slaughter

The landlady, the most dangerous game, the pedestrian.

• The Monkey’s Paw

The Hitchhiker

Sorry, wrong number, third from the sun, time enough at last, the black cat, the cask of amontillado, the lottery, the 9 billion names of god, harrison bergeron, the disciple, the scholarship jacket, hearts & hands, story of an hour, the dinner party, a tent in agony, one of these days, names/nombres, the story of the bad little boy, seventh grade, affair at 7 rue de m, ransom of red chief, adventure of the speckled band, three tools of death, night drive, on the sidewalk bleeding, click clack the rattlebag, the elevator.

• Dracula’s Guest
• The Wife’s Story

The Terrible Old Man

The necklace, the lady or the tiger, after 20 years, the rocking horse winner, an occurrence at owl creek bridge, the gift of the magi, the boar hunt, the treasure in the forest, three skeleton key, a sound of thunder, hey you down there, the eyes have it, mars is heaven, there will come soft rains, the friday that changed everything, a christmas memory, the circuit, treasure of lemon brown, everyday use, one friday morning, rules of the game, 41 short stories for high school: free pdf, the funniest book ever set in a cadaver lab, best short stories for middle school: free pdf.

Below we’ve selected our favorite 16 short stories for middle school. These 16 stories can be found in our free PDF download (click thumbnail to preview). Accompanying lesson plans can also be found at TpT with over 182 pages of thought-provoking and engaging material.

What’s in our lesson plans? See here .

By Roald Dahl In a fit of rage, a wife murders her husband. Now what is she to do? How will she get rid of the evidence?

By Roald Dahl A young man in search of lodging for the night finds more than he bargained for at a mysterious bed & breakfast run by a strange old woman.

By Richard Connell A madman hunts human beings for sport on his private island. But with his latest “guest” he may have finally met his match.

By Ray Bradbury A man goes out for a walk in a dark, lonely city of the future only to discover that sometimes even walking is an act of rebellion.

By Ray Bradbury The classic tale of the dangers of technology replacing reality and a critique of lackadaisical parenting.

The Monkey’s Paw

By WW Jacobs The greatest tale ever told about being careful what you wish for, with one of the finest endings ever penned.

By Lucille Fletcher A radio play written by a master of the form about a man driving the lonely American highways, and the hitchhiker who appears time & again.

By Lucille Fletcher A woman asks an operator to connect her call but ends up dialed into a party line where two men are discussing a murder.

By Richard Matheson A family looks to escape their home planet to avoid impending nuclear war. Can they make it out without getting caught?

By Lynn Venable All he wanted was a little time to read. Then the bombs fell, and he finally had all the time he could ever want.

By Edgar Allan Poe A man descends slowly into alcoholism, madness and murder in Poe’s twisted tale of a man haunted by the ghost of the cat he has killed.

By Edgar Allan Poe The all-time classic tale of the perfect revenge. Fortunato thinks he’s getting a rare taste of wine, but Montresor has other plans.

By Shirley Jackson Perhaps the greatest twist ending in 20th Century fiction. A wicked tale of a small town lottery and the danger of tradition.

By Arthur C Clarke A group of monks atop a mountain need a computer to help them write down all nine billion names of God.

By Kurt Vonnegut In the future, excellence in any way. is forbidden and strictly controlled. Until one young man decides to rebel.

One Page Short Stories for Middle School

Some days all you have time for is a one page short story. Or maybe a two pager. The stories below are some of the shortest tales you can find for free online, written by a variety of masters: O. Henry, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Martha Salinas, Philip K. Dick and more.

By Anton Chekhov “Who is the more humane executioner, one who kills you in a few seconds or one who draws the life out of you incessantly, for years?”

By Oscar Wilde Everyone knows the story of Narcissus who wasted away staring at his reflection. But what about the pool’s point of view?

By Marth Salinas Martha spent years earning that jacket. But some teachers want to give it to a school board member’s daughter.

By O Henry “Among the newcomers were two young men, one of handsome presence…the other a ruffled, glum-faced person…The two were handcuffed together.”

By Kate Chopin “Knowing that Mrs. Mallard was afflicted with a heart trouble, great care was taken to break to her as gently as possible the news of her husband’s death.”

By Mona Gardner A lovely and lively dinner party. A daring wager put to all in attendance. A cunning guest who knows more than she’s letting on.

By Stephen Crane An encounter with the local wildlife goes horribly wrong when an old black bear walks into a tent looking for some food.

By Gabriel Garcia Marquez A dentist must remove the tooth of the local Mayor, who happens to be a sworn enemy. He takes the job.

By Julia Alvarez “At the hotel my mother was Missus Alburest, and I was little girl, as in, ‘Hey, little girl, stop riding the elevator up and down. It’s not a toy.’”

Funny Short Stories For Middle School

Few writers have the knack for crafting funny short stories for middle school. Laughter on the page is a tough trick, but some authors pull it off time and again.

By Mark Twain Once there was a bad little boy named Jim — though, if you notice, you’ll find that bad little boys are nearly always called James…

By Gary Soto A seventh grade boy finds himself trying to impress his crush and relying on the suspect advice of his friends.

By John Steinbeck A young boy who loves to chew gum discovers one day that his wad of bubble gum enjoys chewing him! An amusing tale of the supernatural.

By O Henry “We chose for our victim the only child of an influential citizen named Ebenezer Dorset. He was a boy of ten, with red hair.”

Mystery Short Stories for Middle School

Who doesn’t love a good mystery short story for middle school? Whether a story of classic detection like Sherlock Holmes or a wonderful twist on murder most foul, mystery stories are a delight.

By Arthur Conan Doyle A classic mystery of a locked room murder, Doyle considered this to be the finest short story he ever wrote.

By GK Chesterton A troubled girl’s father is found dead, and Father Brown must unravel his mysterious murder by one of three deadly weapons.

By Will F Jenkins Madge just wanted to pick up her husband, but an unexpected passenger leads to dark and terrible truth about the human soul.

By Shirley Jackson Why did Charles hit the teacher? Was it just because the teacher made him write with red crayons?

By Evan Hunter “He lay on the sidewalk, bleeding, and he thought only:  That was a fierce rumble. They got me good that time , but he did not know he was dying.”

Scary Short Stories For Middle School

We love scary short stories for middle school. Better yet though: middle school kids love scary stories themselves. Of all the tales we’ve used in the classroom, few have as much impact as the dark and spooky journeys found here.

By Neil Gaiman “We walked along the upper corridor in the shadows, walking from patch of moonlight to patch of moonlight. It really was a big house.”

By Ray Bradbury A young man returns to his hometown after getting married only to discover the ghost of a girl he once loved as a boy.

By William Sleator Twelve year old Martin is afraid of the elevator in his new apartment building. He tries to avoid it. He should have tried harder.

Dracula’s Guest

By Bram Stoker Removed by Stoker from the novel, this tale serves as an excellent introduction to the greatest of all vampires: Count Dracula.

The Wife’s Story

By Ursula K LeGuin “He was a good husband, a good father. I don’t understand it. I don’t believe in it. I don’t believe that it happened. I saw it happen but it isn’t true.”

By HP Lovecraft Not all old men are as weak and helpless as they seem. This is a truth three misguided thieves discover all too late.

Classic Short Stories For Middle School

Classic short stories for middle school stand the test of time. They continue to resonate with readers of every new generation. The classic short stories here are among some of the best ever written.

By Guy de Maupassant One of the finest short stories by one of the great practitioners of the form, with a gut kick of a twist ending.

By Frank Stockton Behind one door a beautiful lady. Behind the other a voracious and hungry tiger. Make your choice very carefully.

By O. Henry Two men agreed to meet again in one spot 20 years later. But when two strangers collide in that spot in the night, they discover the irony of fate.

By DH Lawrence A little boy believes that he can correctly guess the derby winners each time by riding his rocking horse.

By Ambrose Bierce A man is to be hung at Owl Creek Bridge. But the rope snaps and he escapes. Or does he? One of the great twist endings of all time.

By O. Henry The classic tale of a man and wife who sacrifice their greatest treasures for each other on Christmas Eve.

Adventure Short Stories for Middle School

Adventure short stories for middle school take readers far and away. Deep into the jungle. Onto deserted (or not so deserted) islands. Into lonely lighthouses. All these adventure stories are exciting, engaging and full of surprises.

By Jose Vasconcelos A hunting party deep in the jungle believes they’ve come across the ultimate score. But the tables quickly turn.

By HG Wells Two ruthless treasure hunters have murdered a man for his treasure map. But what they find in the forest i smore than they imagined.

By George Toudouze My most terrifying experience? Well, one does have a few in thirty-five years of service in the Lights, although it’s mostly monotonous…

By Liam O’Flaherty “On a rooftop near O’Connell Bridge, a Republican sniper lay watching. Beside him lay his rifle and…a pair of field glasses.”

By Ray Bradbury In the future, hunters use time travel to venture back into the past to hunt the most dangerous game of all time.

Science Fiction Short Stories for Middle School

Science fiction short stories for middle school push the boundaries of the imagination. They ask what if in ways that few other types of stories can. These science fiction short stories stand out as some of the most powerful of the form.

By Harold Rolseth A wickedly humorous story about a couple digging a well who discover an unknown race deep underground.

By Philip K Dick It was quite by accident I discovered this incredible invasion of Earth by lifeforms from another planet…

By Ray Bradbury They land on Mars only to discover themselves in a town that looks exactly like one they left on Earth, and it’s filled with people they know.

By Ray Bradbury What happens in the future when nuclear war has wiped out all of humanity and all that’s left is our technology winding down?

Literary Short Stories for Middle School

Literary short stories for middle school explore life and all of its mysteries. The stories below capture life at a variety of extremes and reveal powerful insights into life, death, greed, fear and more.

By Anne Hart A school teacher considers changing the rules, pitting the boys against the girls in a tale of power and jealousy.

By McKnight Malmar A woman arrives home alone on the eve of a great storm. Waiting for her husband, she believes she’s found a body in the cellar.

By Truman Capote The classic short story recounting Capote’s childhood memories of him and his best friend as they try to gather money to purchase what they need to bake fruitcakes for Christmas.

By Francisco Jimenez The peak of the strawberry season was over and the last few days the workers, most of them braceros, were not picking as many boxes.

By Walter Dean Myers “There weren’t any more scraping noises, but he was sure he had heard something in the darkness—something breathing!”

By Alice Walker “In real life I am a large, big-boned woman with rough, man-working hands…I can kill and clean a hog as mercilessly as a man.”

By Langston Hughes “Casually, one day, Miss Dietrich asked Nancy Lee what color frame she thought would be best on her picture. That had been the first inkling.”

By Amy Tan “I was six when my mother taught me the art of invisible strength. It was a strategy for winning arguments, respect from others…”

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13 short stories for engaging secondary students & teaching literary elements.

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These are great selections. I don't, however, think Big is similar to Sound of Thunder or Groundhog Day.

I'm not a teacher but your list prompted me to sigh up for your blog. thought provoking and well written

I would love a list of engaging short stories for my 10th grade English class that include African American characters

Sharon, That would be a great list to have. "Thank You Ma'm," which is one the above list, would work. I've also taught "Marigolds" and used excerpts from larger works like Black Boy and Invisible Man.

"A Worn Path" is a great option.

Great list! I've used many of them in my high school English classes over the years. The Scarlet Ibis is one of my personal favorites, too.

What short stories by a Mexican-background or Central American-background writer might you suggest? I saw the Cisneros' recommendation. Thank you.

Hi Christine, "American History" by Judith Ortiz Cofer or any of her other short stories would be good. I've used excerpts from Jimmy Santiago Baca's autobiography, A Place to Stand, excerpts from Luis Rodriguez's autobiography, Always Running, and short stories from Drown by Junot Diaz with high school students. Hope those help! Thanks, Brynn Allison

I purchased the lesson 4. The Lady, or The Tiger? by Frank Stockton, however I am not able to open it. It keeps giving me an error message.

Hi Stacy, Thanks for reaching out to me. It sounds like a tech issue with the download so it might be best to contact TPT Help directly about your purchase or send me an email at [email protected] and I can put in a help ticket for you. Thanks, Brynn Allison

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20 Super-Short Stories Your Students Will Love

As teachers struggle to make the most of every minute in the classroom and appeal to students’ diminishing attention spans, sometimes size does matter when it comes to reading selections. Even short stories can be daunting for reluctant high school readers. “It’s so long!” students may moan when presented with traditional anthology classics like “ The Most Dangerous Game ,” at 8,013 words or “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” at 3,768 words.

Shorter works of fiction are no less rigorous than their longer counterparts. Flash fiction is a genre of literature that demonstrates craft elements and packs thematic punches with a tight word count. While the definition varies, flash fiction most often refers to pieces under 1,000 words but possibly up to 2,000. Average readers can complete 1,000 words in approximately 3.3 minutes if they’re reading at a speed of 300 words per minute, making flash especially appealing.

Students are often more likely to completely read pieces that take under five minutes to finish. It’s also much easier to encourage and facilitate the multiple readings that are often necessary for students to fully understand and explicate a complex text.

Flash fiction selections are great as bell-ringer readings while still being rich enough to settle in for long discussions of craft and theme. You can also frontload longer works of fiction with these little pieces. Since they’re all delightfully short, they’re easy to slide into an existing lesson play, or you can build a day’s lesson around one. Finally, the brevity of these pieces will allow you to make copies on only one or two sheets of paper and work on annotating in class. Here are twenty that students will love.

20 Super-Short Stories Your High School Students Will Love

• “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin This story is popular with teachers not only because it weighs in at just over 1,000 words, but also because it’s replete with literary elements to demonstrate craft. In the story, a young wife, Louise Mallard, is informed that her husband is dead. Rather than mourning, she retreats to her room alone to quietly and joyfully contemplate a life of freedom without a man to dictate her life. The story takes a twist, however, when her husband returns home, oblivious to the news of his death. The shock brings on a heart attack and instant death, and everyone assumes the wife’s heart gave out from the happiness of seeing her husband alive and well. The readers will know better, however, what the source of the “joy that kills” actually is.

Chopin’s trim little story is a masterclass in pacing, dramatic irony, and characterization. Students from middle school up to AP English Literature can find richness and meaning in the text, even after multiple readings.

• “The Flowers” by Alice Walker The plot is simple and horrifying: Myop, the child of Black sharecroppers, goes for a walk in the forest, gathers flowers, accidentally steps on an old skull, and finds the remains of a lynched man. At under 600 words, this compact piece is perfect for repeated readings for analysis of Walker’s syntax along with other elements such as plot structure, characterization, and symbolism and themes of racism and loss of innocence.

This piece pairs beautifully with works by such authors as Toni Morrison, Zora Neale Hurston, and Alice Walker herself. Students will enjoy discussing the symbolic significance of the shift from the farm to the woods, the juxtaposition of light and dark, the flowers, and, of course, the skeleton. They can also explore how Walker creates an entire archetypal hero’s journey in less than one page.

• “Birthday Party” by Katharine Brush At a lean 312 words, “Birthday Party” is rich with elements of characterization and detail. It centers on a scene in a restaurant with a wife having a special dinner for her husband’s birthday that doesn’t go the way she expected or wanted.

There are shifting points of view within the piece that are rich for classroom discussion about perspective. It can also be used for a creative writing model in rounding out a scene and using specific details to illustrate character. This story was the 2005 AP English Literature Free Response Question 2.

• “Currents” by Hannah Bottomy Voskuil This story is just under 300 words and is told backward. It’s the story of a drowning incident at a beach, but the inverted plot makes it interesting for students to discuss narrative arcs, syntax, detail, and characterization.

Students can also try their hand at writing their own backward story, using “Currents” as a model.

• “Being the Murdered Homecoming Queen” by Cathy Ulrich “The thing about being the murdered homecoming queen is you set the plot in motion.” With that first line, Ulrich moves readers forward in a wild ride of ghosts, grief, and girls. Told in second person from the point of view of a dead homecoming queen, this story is a 428-word murder mystery. Ulrich’s use of repetition and powerful imagery make this story incredibly readable and perfect for group discussion.

Students will enjoy drilling into themes of gender roles, performative grief, teenage relationships, and the transience of memory.

• “Entropy” by Andrea Rinard At just under 500 words, “Entropy” depicts an unnamed teenager in her room, struggling with her own mental illness. The story depicts not only the girl’s waxing and waning despair and hope but also her complex feelings of love, guilt, and resentment toward her caretaking mother.

The use of symbolism and repetition will give students lots to discuss. They will also connect with the speaker’s various attempts to find ways to both ground herself and escape.

• “And No More Shall We Part” by Sutton Strother This piece is just under 1,000 words and juxtaposes an incredibly creepy situation with a tender love story. A couple, Joe and Katherine, check into a hotel and slowly experience the complete deterioration of their bodies. Is it a romance? Is it a horror story? Is it speculative fiction? At first students will wonder what the “it” is that’s coming for Joe and Katherine, but in the end it won’t matter as they focus on the relationship that endures even as the flesh dissolves.

Your students will enjoy using what they know about genre and discussing how to characterize this story. They can also talk about the incredible details of the piece and the rising tension.

• “Popular Mechanics” by Raymond Carver Carver is well-known as one of the greatest short story writers. In this story of just 495 words, Carver depicts a marriage at the moment of destruction and an ending that will have students’ jaws dropping as they discuss what might be one of the most horrifying and stunning last lines in all of literature.

Students love discussing the ambiguity of the story and trying to get closure, asking, “Did that really happen?” “Was that what I thought it was?” They can also discuss dialogue, syntax, detail, and understatement.

• “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid Kincaid’s breathless 685-word story is told in the voice of a daughter, reflecting on the perceptions and directions of her domineering mother. Told almost entirely in imperative commands, the story explores the relationship between mother and daughter and the expectations that can be too heavy a weight to bear.

This piece is a great work in which to explore how character and setting are inextricably linked. Students can consider how the spaces and places we occupy create our identity. Students will also enjoy analyzing elements of syntax, voice, and tone. If you’re looking for a creative writing activity, it’s a really fun piece for students to model in their own writing.

• “The Cranes” by Peter Meinke* Students will enjoy the beautiful language and leisurely pacing of this 903-word piece featuring a sweet elderly couple sitting and watching birds and reflecting on their marriage.

After hitting the shocking twist at the end, students can go back and trace the breadcrumbs that were there all along. Meinke’s use of dialogue is masterful, and students always enjoy reading this piece aloud.

*Content Warning—deals with suicide

• “Eleven” by Sandra Cisneros This piece is a little longer at almost 1,200 words, but it’s beloved and widely read because it’s accessible and relatable for younger and less confident readers. It’s Rachel’s birthday, and she reflects on what it feels like to turn eleven while facing an embarrassing conflict in school.

Students will enjoy reminiscing about their own dramas and traumas at the hands of teachers and classmates while also analyzing Cisneros’s craft, especially the lyrical language and effective syntax. This story is also a great jumping-off point for creating a believable young protagonist or embarking on a memoir writing activity.

• “No One’s a Mystery” by Elizabeth Tallent Tallent’s depiction of a sordid love affair between a young girl and an older married man is told in the alternating dialogue of its two main characters. In just 927 words, Tallent explores the time before a coming of age moment when a teenager still lacks the wisdom of knowing at least a little bit about how the world works.

The intersection of idealism and realism will give students a lot to talk about along with Tallent’s use of detail and narrative pacing.

• “Powder” by Tobias Wolff This is a longer piece at 1,544 words, but one that students always enjoy. It centers on a father and son trying to get home for Christmas after a day of skiing. After being deterred by a state trooper, a closed road, and heavy snow, the father decides to sneak through and drive home in dangerous conditions, telling his son on their way, “Don’t ever try this yourself.” As the journey continues, details emerge that reveal conflicts under the surface of the family.

Students will enjoy this small moment that reveals a much larger landscape in the life of the characters. The symbolism of the setting, especially the snow, is rich for discussion, and students will connect with their own relationships with parents and other adult figures.

• “My First Goose” by Isaac Babel This story comes in at just under 1,500 words and is a wonderful study in cause and effect as well as character. Set in post WWI Europe, the narrator, Kiril Lyutove is a Russian Jewish intellectual who is struggling to balance his own philosophical beliefs with the brutality of war. He doesn’t feel like he fits in with the huge but violent Cossacks he’s alongside, so he earns their respect with a fake act of barbarism.

There is a lot of ambiguity that allows students to discuss different interpretations of the events. They can also discuss the paradox of war as heroic and inhumanly brutal. The themes of sacrificing one’s values and sense of self in order to fit in will resonate with students. It’s a great pairing with The Things They Carried.

• “The Pie” by Gary Soto At 872 words, Soto’s story of a boy stealing and then facing the guilt for stealing a pie provide students an opportunity to tune their ears to tone. The pacing of this piece is masterful as the protagonist struggles with the tension between his desire to eat the pie and his feelings of shame and guilt for stealing it.

This story always inspires fun discussions of situational ethics and how easy it is to rationalize things that should be objectively wrong. There are also surprising Biblical allusions that students can unpack.

• “Wake Up” by Kathy Fish What would you do if your elderly neighbor showed up naked on your front porch in the middle of the night? The speaker of Fish’s “Wake Up” deals with this situation with details that build and build to create a rich story that will leave readers wondering how all that managed to be communicated in under 500 words.

Themes of community and connection are woven through the story. Put on Stevie Wonder’s “My Cherie Amour” while the kids read and enjoy hearing them do the “la la la la la la” under their breaths.

• “Sticks” by George Saunders Every family has its own weird traditions. In this 392-word flash by master storyteller Saunders, the narrator’s father keeps a metal pole in the yard which he decorates for different holidays and events.

The ending is poignant and powerful, and it will spark a discussion of characterization and detail. The main character’s bitterness and subsequent transformation will resonate with students.

• “Where Are You?” by Joyce Carol Oates Oates is a prolific novelist, and students may have read her longer short stories such as the widely-anthologized and creeptastic, “Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been?” In this 523-word flash with another question as its title, the elderly couple suffers from an inability to communicate. The husband won’t wear his hearing aids, and the wife is exhausted by his habit of wandering the house, calling out to her.

Students should enjoy considering this depiction of a relationship in all its complexity. The twist at the end is shocking and apt for lots of discussion.

• “The School” by Donald Barthelme At slightly over 1,200 words, Barthelme focuses on the lives and deaths that take place in a school classroom and its community. It starts in a normal day at school with the narrator-teacher talking about how the students are planting orange trees But trees die, just like snakes die. Mice, salamanders, gerbils, dogs, students, their parents… everything and everyone dies. The students start asking questions, and a theme emerges about the meaning of life. The casual, matter-of-fact tone of this piece makes it even more funny than the events being chronicled.

If your class is tackling surrealism or magical realism, this story can be a gateway or a backloading opportunity. Students will also enjoy talking about the big issues in life that are as ineffable as they are incomprehensible.

• “As the North Wind Howled” by Yu Hua It’s a longer story at 1,371 words, but after the slow, contemplative pace of the first couple of paragraphs in which the main character wakes up and spends time observing items in his room, things pick up with a knock at the door. “So that was how, on this lousy morning, a muscleman kicked down my door and lumbered me with a friend I had no interest in having—a friend who was about to die, no less. What’s more, the north wind was howling like a banshee outside. I had no overcoat or scarf, no gloves or hat—all I was wearing was a thin jacket as I went off to visit this friend I knew absolutely nothing about.”

It’s a strange little story that’s great for discussing plot structure, conflict, and themes of community, connection, and grief.

Some Final Thoughts About Using Flash Fiction in the Classroom

The above list includes titles that have been tried and tested by experienced English teachers, but it’s absolutely not an exhaustive list. Online literary magazines that feature flash fiction such as Flash Fiction Online, Word Riot, Everyday Fiction, and Smokelong Quarterly, just to name a few, are treasure troves for teachers to access high quality work for students to enjoy. For many students, flash fiction is a gateway to literature that they can not only enjoy in the classroom but also find on their own. As you try titles from this list in your classroom, explore others by the authors you learn to love and the online magazines that feature many other fantastic flashes.

1 thought on “20 Super-Short Stories Your Students Will Love”

I really appreciated this list. it included stories I was unaware of. I look for literature that my students may not have been exposed to before so that they don’t feel like they are reading the same texts over and over again.

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25 Best Short Stories for Middle School

By  MARISSA DESPINS  Updated Feb 29, 2024

short stories for middle school learners

When teaching grades 7-9 English, our short story unit is the one I look forward to most. Short stories definitely have their place in the middle school English classroom, as they are great for teaching literary elements and key reading strategies . In this post I list my 25 favorite short stories for middle school, with brief descriptions and suggested resources.

Looking for a list of public domain short stories that you can access online for free? Click on the image or button below to download our free list! It contains 25 of our favorites public domain short stories for middle school, with links to online versions of the stories!

25 Favorite Short Stories for Middle School

I have included 25 of my very favorite short stories for middle school below.  These are stories that I have used with my middle schoolers for many years. All of these stories are guaranteed to be highly engaging. They promise to raise questions and instigate great discussions in your classroom.  Included are links to online versions of the stories. This way, you can check them out yourself.  I have only included a quick blurb about each. I don’t want to spoil the stories for those of you who are yet to discover them.  

Short Stories for Middle School: 25 Top Picks

1- The Necklace – Guy De Maupassant

In “The Necklace” , a woman borrows an expensive piece of jewelry from a wealthy friend, only to lose it.  She then spends the rest of the story trying to repay her debt. With a surprising twist ending, this short work of classic literature is sure to engage your students.  The characters in this story are very well developed. Because of this, they make for great lessons on characterization .  Also, the main character comes off quite spoiled and unlikable. It makes for an excellent class debate or writing assignment on whether or not she deserved her fate.  

2- Lamb to the Slaughter – Roald Dahl

 “ Lamb to the Slaughter ” focuses on a scorn woman, who has murdered her husband with a frozen leg of lamb.  The rest of the story revolves around her trying to hide her guilt and conceal the evidence.  This is certainly a creepy story. However, I think that is exactly what makes it one of the best short stories for middle school.  I often use the story to teach persuasive essay writing, while having the kids debate about whether or not they think the main character should get away with the crimes.  

3- To Build a Fire – Jack London

“ To Build a Fire ” by Jack London is a gripping tale of a man’s struggle for survival in the harsh and unforgiving Yukon wilderness. The story centers around a solitary traveler who, despite warnings about the extreme cold, ventures out into the wilderness to meet his friends at a remote camp. As he confronts the brutal temperatures, his journey becomes a battle against nature’s indifference to man’s struggles. London’s narrative is a powerful exploration of the human spirit’s resilience and the consequences of underestimating the natural world’s power.

For additional survival stories to add to your teaching repertoire, be sure to check out our post on favorite survival novels for teens!

4- The Tell Tale Heart – Edgar Allan Poe

“ The Tell-Tale Heart ” by Edgar Allan Poe is a classic tale of suspense and psychological horror. The story unfolds through the eyes of an unnamed narrator, who insists on his sanity while describing the meticulous planning and execution of the murder of an old man. Poe’s masterful use of first-person narrative immerses readers in the disturbed mind of the protagonist, exploring themes of guilt, paranoia, and the fine line between sanity and madness.

For additional tips on teaching this creepy store, check out our post teaching The Tell Tale Heart!

5- The Sniper – Liam O’Flaherty

If you are looking for short stories for middle school to help draw in your reluctant male readers, this short story is it.  With guns, war, and a little bit of violence, I found that it really appeals to a lot of the adolescent boys in my classes.   “The Sniper” revolves around a young man sitting on a rooftop during the Irish Revolution. He gives away his place while lighting a cigarette, and knows he has to escape.  It has a twist ending will leave your students open-mouthed.

6- The Fall of the House of Usher – Edgar Allan Poe

“ The Fall of the House of Usher ” by Edgar Allan Poe is a chilling narrative centered around themes of fear, madness, and the supernatural. The story begins with the narrator arriving at the gloomy Usher estate, invited by his childhood friend Roderick Usher, who is suffering from a mysterious illness. The mansion itself mirrors the deteriorating state of the Usher family line. As the narrative unfolds, the narrator observes the eerie atmosphere and the peculiar connection between the Ushers and their ancestral home. In this story, Poe masterfully weaves a tale that explores the power of fear and the fragility of the human mind.

7- The Interlopers – Saki

“The Interlopers” begins with the heads of two feuding families, hunting each other through the forest at night.  Just as they are about to shoot each other, a large tree falls in the snowy forest. This traps both of them beneath it.  The story has a great twist at the end that will leave your students gasping. Because of this, it makes it a great story for teaching about irony and for reviewing plot.  

8- After Twenty Years – O. Henry

“ After 20 Years ” by O. Henry is a short story that delves into themes of friendship, change, and the passage of time. The narrative revolves around a meeting between two friends, Jimmy and Bob, who had parted ways twenty years earlier with a promise to meet again at the same spot. When “Jimmy” finally appears, the encounter takes an unexpected turn, leading to a twist that is characteristic of O. Henry’s storytelling. Through this brief encounter, O. Henry masterfully captures the complexities of human relationships and the bittersweet nature of reunions.

9- The Monkey’s Paw – W.W. Jacobs

“ The Monkey’s Paw ” by W.W. Jacobs is a classic tale of how a seemingly benign object can bring about unforeseen consequences. The story centers on the White family, who come into possession of a mysterious mummified monkey’s paw, said to grant three wishes to its holder. The story culminates in a climactic decision to use the final wish, showcasing the themes of greed, the folly of tempting fate, and the devastating consequences of trying to alter one’s destiny.

10- The Chaser – John Collier

In “ The Chaser ” a young man purchases a love potion. He is pleased to discover that it only costs a very small amount.  However, the merchant has something more costly to offer him, should he need it in the future.  This is one of my favorite stories to teach in February. This is because the whole love potion idea pairs well with Valentine’s Day festivities.  The story itself is only a page or two long. Because of this, it is highly accessible to even your most struggling middle school readers.  After reading the story, students soon discover that the title is a great play on words. This makes for engaging class discussion.

11- The Story of an Hour – Kate Chopin

“ The Story of an Hour ” begins when a woman is given news that her husband has died in a railroad accident.  In the hour that follows, she contemplates her life while experiencing a wide range of emotions.  Another story with a twist (can you tell I love twist endings?), students are always caught off guard by the ending. Because of this, it leads to great class discussions.  The story easily lends itself to activities relating to symbolism, irony, and plot structure.

12- The Outsider – H.P. Lovecraft

“ The Outsider ” by H.P. Lovecraft tells the story of someone who has lived alone in a dark place for a long time. Deciding to leave, the person finds a way out and tries to meet others, only to be met with fear and rejection. This leads to a discovery about his own true nature. Lovecraft’s story is a haunting exploration of what it means to be an outsider, both literally and metaphorically, and the profound loneliness of being fundamentally different from those around you.

13- The Lottery – Shirley Jackson

“ The Lottery ” by Shirley Jackson is a story set in a small town that observes an annual tradition known as “the lottery.” The event is deeply rooted in the town’s history, with every family participating. As the story unfolds, Jackson masterfully builds tension and anticipation, leading readers to wonder about the true nature and outcome of the lottery. The narrative invites readers to reflect on the practices and beliefs that bind communities together, often leaving them to ponder the underlying implications of following tradition without question.

For more great Dystopian short stories, be sure to check out our guide to Dystopian short stories!

14- On the Sidewalk bleeding – Evan Hunter

“ On the Sidewalk Bleeding ” by Evan Hunter tells the story of Andy, a teenager who is part of a gang called the Royals. After being stabbed by a member of a rival gang, Andy lies alone in an alley, realizing that being identified only as a gang member might lead to his death without anyone recognizing who he truly is. The story highlights the consequences of gang violence and the importance of individual identity over belonging to a group. It’s a straightforward look at how labels can overshadow a person’s true self, especially in critical moments.

15- The Gift of the Magi – O. Henry

In “ The Gift of the Magi “, a young couple low on funds try to find a way to get each other a special Christmas gift.  This is one of my favorite stories to read around the holidays. It has a beautiful message about giving, and the things we should value most.  Because of this, it is a great story to pair with a reading of A Christmas Carol . Also, it is great for reviewing plot, character motivation, and irony.

16- A Sound of Thunder – Ray Bradbury

Set in the future, time travelers on a hunting expedition visit prehistoric times to shoot and kill a Tyrannosaurus Rex.  “ A Sound of Thunder ” explores the concept of the Butterfly Effect, where one small action in the past can have massive consequences in the future.  Students who have seen the movie Groundhog Day will be familiar with the concept, but I find this story to be much darker.  

17- The Yellow Wallpaper – Charlotte Perkins Gilman

“ The Yellow Wallpaper ” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is a short story that delves into the themes of mental health, the repression of women, and the impact of isolation. It follows the story of a woman who is confined to a room with yellow wallpaper by her husband as a form of “treatment” for her supposed nervous condition. The narrative is a powerful critique of the medical treatment and societal expectations of women during the time it was written, highlighting the need for understanding and change in the treatment of mental health.

18- Rain, Rain, Go Away – Isaac Asimov

When it comes to creepy and strange, “ Rain, Rain, Go Away ” does not disappoint. In the story, the main characters are curious about their new neighbors, who seem to be acting strangely.  In an effort to get to know them better, they invite them on an outing to a local fair. Later, after consuming massive amounts of cotton candy, panic ensues when an unforeseen rain storm catches the new neighbors off guard.  

This is an excellent story for teaching cause and effect and c haracter changes over time.  The story is also great for visualization , as the final scene really paints a picture in the minds of young students.  Because of this, I often have my students illustrate before and after pictures of the neighbors.

19- The Most Dangerous Game – Richard Connell

“ The Most Dangerous Game ” is one of my favorite short stories for middle school to teach about mood and suspense.  In this engaging and tense story, a well known hunter crashes his boat into an almost deserted island. Later, he discovers that the inhabitant likes to hunt humans.  The beginning of the story is a great opportunity to teach students about how setting can help to create mood.  The descriptions in the story are very visual. Because of this, I have my students draw maps of the island, and show where key plot events in the story take place.  This story is a definite favorite among middle school students.

20- The Veldt – Ray Bradbury

“ The Veldt ” by Ray Bradbury is a story set in a futuristic home equipped with high-tech nursery virtual reality rooms. The story centers on a family dealing with the consequences of their children becoming emotionally attached to a virtual African veldt, where lions roam freely. As the parents try to shut down the nursery due to its disturbingly realistic simulations, tensions rise. Bradbury’s tale serves as a cautionary message about the potential pitfalls of advanced technology and the importance of family dynamics.

For more great science fiction short stories, check out our five favorite science fiction short stories!

21- The Bet – Anton Chekhov

“ The Bet ” by Anton Chekhov is a story about a wager between two men on the topic of solitary confinement versus the death penalty. One argues that life in any form is better than death, while the other disagrees, leading to a bet that involves one of them voluntarily undergoing fifteen years of isolation. Chekhov’s narrative is a profound exploration of solitude, knowledge, and the essence of human existence.

22- Harrison Bergeron – Kurt Vonnegut

In “ Harrison Bergeron “, the people of the future have been given “handicaps” to make sure that everyone is equal.  The story picks up when young Harrison Bergeron takes over a television program, revolting against the handicaps he has been given.  This story lends itself to a great discussion about political propaganda. Because of this, I usually end the unit by having the kids create their own propaganda posters for the main character in the story.

23- All Summer in a Day – Ray Bradbury

When Margot moves from Earth to the rainy planet of Venus, she is bullied by the other children who are jealous of her for seeing the sun.  As the first sunny day the planet has seen in many years approaches, the bullying intensifies, leading up to a heartbreaking finale.  “ All Summer in a Day ” is a great story to use when discussing bullying, as students tend to feel quite strongly for Margot, and can often make connections to their own lives.  Also, as it is set on a distant planet, it is a great story to use when discussing setting .  

24- The Birds – Daphne Du Maurier

As this is the classic short story that Alfred Hitchcock’s famous movie was based on, it makes for a great spooky story to use around Halloween.  

In The Birds , the main character notices that the town’s birds have been acting strangely.  Soon, he is forced to barricade himself inside his house, and fight to protect his family from the swarming birds.  

The spooky nature of this story makes it a great one to teach mood and suspense. After, when the unit is complete, it is fun to show the students the classic Hitchcock movie, and compare and contrast the similarities and differences between the movie and story.  While it was considered to be quite a scary movie when it was first released, it is quite tame by today’s standards.  My students are so accustomed to the special effects of today’s movies that they usually find this movie quite hilarious to watch.

25- The Elevator – William Sleator

The Elevator revolves a young boy named Martin, and his overwhelming fear of an overweight lady who climbs into his apartment elevator every time Martin boards.  This is a great story to review plot, as the climax happens at the very end.  I have found that my students often struggle to locate the climax of the story when it happens so late in the text, and this is a great way to help them practice with this.  This story is definitely creepy, making it a hit with this age group.

Interested in using some of these short stories for middle school in your classroom?

Check out this short stories for middle school package , available in my Teachers Pay Teachers store – it contains over 400 pages of resources, including full text stories and activities to use with 10 classic short stories!

Interested in trying out one of my short story resources for free?

Click  here  or on the image below to download a COMPLETE short story unit. It contains a full text version of the story, comprehension questions, close reading activities, graphic organizers, answer keys, and more!

Looking for some FREE resources to use in your Short Story Interactive Notebooks?

Click on the image below to take you to a FREE download featuring a variety of different resources you can use in your own Short Story Interactive Notebooks! This includes some of my best selling resources – graphic organizers, foldables, and other fun resources you can use in your classroom today!

For more information on Interactive Notebooks, and ways you can use them in your classroom, check out our post about tips for Interactive Notebook success!

Interested in signing up for my email list?

If you are interested in signing up for my email list, you can do so by clicking on the link below. I periodically send out emails with free resources, teaching tips, and exclusive deals. Signing up will also give you immediate access to some of my best selling Interactive Notebook resources – foldable activities, graphic organizers, and other fun activities.

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There was once a boy who hardly had any toys or money. Nevertheless, he was a very happy little boy. He said that what made him happy was doing things for others , and that doing so gave him a nice feeling inside. However, no one really believed him; they thought he was loopy.

He spent all day helping others , dispensing charity to the poorest, and looking after abandoned animals. Very seldom did he ever do anything for himself. One day, he met a famous doctor who thought the boy's case was so peculiar that he decided to investigate him . So, with a complex system of cameras and tubes, the doctor managed to record what was happening inside the boy. What he discovered was surprising .

Each time the boy did something good, a thousand tiny angels gathered around the boy's heart and started tickling it. That explained the boy's happiness, but the doctor continued studying until he discovered that we all have our own thousand angels inside us . Unfortunately, he found that, as we do so few good things, the angels spend most of their time wandering about , bored.

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51 Irresistible Short Stories for Kids (Free Printables)

Quick reads with lasting impact.

Looking for some free tales to use for close reading or classroom read-alouds? This roundup of short stories for kids has plenty of options. From quick fables with morals to old-fashioned fairy tales and folktales from around the world, this diverse collection offers something for any child. We’ve also included ways to use these short stories with kids, in the classroom or at home. You can get free printable copies of the short stories by simply filling out the form on this page.

Note: Always be sure to read a selection through before sharing it with children. Some of these short stories for kids, especially ones written a long time ago, may not be appropriate for every audience.

Classic Fairy Tale Short Stories for Kids

“cinderella” by charles perrault.

“‘Do not cry, Cinderella,’ she said; ‘you also shall go to the ball, because you are a kind, good girl.’”

Why we love it: This is one of those short stories for kids that everyone probably already knows. This older version is a little different than the Disney movie, so ask kids if they can identify the changes. They can also have fun imagining what other items could be transformed to help Cinderella get to the ball!

“Thumbelina” by Hans Christian Andersen

“there once was a woman who wanted so very much to have a tiny little child, but she did not know where to find one. so she went to an old witch, and she said: ‘i have set my heart upon having a tiny little child. please could you tell me where i can find one’”.

Why we love it: If there’s one thing this world can use more of, it is definitely kindness. We love that the story of Thumbelina spreads the message that kindness pays off in big ways. Thumbelina helps the swallow and in turn finds her true love.

“The Emperor’s New Clothes” by Hans Christian Andersen

“‘but the emperor has nothing at all on’ said a little child.”.

Why we love it: This is a wonderful story for talking about peer pressure and being brave enough to stand up for what you believe in. Kids will also enjoy drawing the imaginary suit of clothes that the king thought he saw.

“The Little Mermaid” by Hans Christian Andersen

“‘it was you,’ said the prince, ‘who saved my life when i lay dead on the beach,’ and he folded his blushing bride in his arms. ‘oh, i am too happy,’ said he to the little mermaid; ‘my fondest hopes are all fulfilled. you will rejoice at my happiness; for your devotion to me is great and sincere.’”.

Why we love it: The story of the Little Mermaid focuses on sacrificial love. In it, the Sea King puts the needs of his daughter over his own. Open a dialogue with kids about a time when they put someone else’s needs over their own.

“Rapunzel” by The Brothers Grimm

“there once lived a man and his wife, who had long wished for a child, but in vain. now there was at the back of their house a little window which overlooked a beautiful garden full of the finest vegetables and flowers; but there was a high wall all round it, and no one ventured into it, for it belonged to a witch of great might, and of whom all the world was afraid.”.

Why we love it: This story explores themes of autonomy, love, jealousy, and freedom. Children need to be set free to explore their own lives.

“The Frog Prince” by The Brothers Grimm

“and the princess, though very unwilling, took him up in her hand, and put him upon the pillow of her own bed, where he slept all night long. as soon as it was light, he jumped up, hopped downstairs, and went out of the house. ‘now, then,’ thought the princess, ‘at last he is gone, and i shall be troubled with him no more.’”.

Why we love it: Kids love this familiar story about a prince in disguise and a young girl who keeps her word even though she doesn’t want to. In this version, the girl doesn’t need to kiss the frog, but she’s rewarded anyway.

“The Gingerbread Man” by Anonymous

“‘Run, run as fast as you can! You can’t catch me, I’m the Gingerbread Man!’”

Why we love it: In the original tale, the Gingerbread Man is eventually caught and eaten. This retelling gives him a happy ending instead. For a fun activity, let kids decorate and eat their own gingerbread people.

“The Velveteen Rabbit” by Margery Williams

“‘real isn’t how you are made,’ said the skin horse. ‘it’s a thing that happens to you. when a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but really loves you, then you become real.’”.

Why we love it: This is one of the most classic short stories for kids of all time! Let kids bring their own favorite toys to share with the class, and have them write or tell stories about what would happen if they became “real.” ADVERTISEMENT

“The Elves and the Shoemaker” by The Brothers Grimm

“a shoemaker, by no fault of his own, had become so poor that at last he had nothing left but leather for one pair of shoes. so in the evening, he cut out the shoes which he wished to begin to make the next morning, and as he had a good conscience, he lay down quietly in his bed, commended himself to god, and fell asleep.”.

Why we love it: Short stories for kids that are packed with life lessons are tops in our book. Among the lessons found in this tale are to work hard and to be grateful for the help you receive. It was through his hard work that the shoemaker achieved riches and success.

“The Wolf and the Seven Young Goats” by The Brothers Grimm

“there was once an old goat who had seven little ones, and was as fond of them as ever a mother was of her children.”.

Why we love it: Some of the best short stories for kids serve as cautionary tales. In this story, the young goats fail to heed their mother’s warning and succumb to the wolf’s attempts at deceit.

“The Snow Queen” by Hans Christian Andersen

“now then, let us begin. when we are at the end of the story, we shall know more than we know now: but to begin.”.

Why we love it: This story is the classic struggle between good and evil. It also focuses on the values of friendship and perseverance.

“Jack and the Beanstalk” by Anonymous

“why, the beans his mother had thrown out of the window into the garden had sprung up into a giant beanstalk which went up and up and up until it reached the sky. so the man spoke truth after all”.

Why we love it: This story is a fun read, but use it to get your students thinking critically. Was it really OK for Jack to steal from the giant? Ask them to write an essay sharing their thoughts on the subject, or use it for a fun classroom debate.

“Little Red Riding Hood” by The Brothers Grimm

“‘But Grandmother! What big eyes you have,’ said Little Red Riding Hood. ‘The better to see you with, my dear,’ replied the wolf.”

Why we love it: This retelling of the well-known tale is a little less gruesome, since the hunter merely frightens the wolf into spitting out poor granny (instead of slicing open his belly). Talk with kids about ways they can keep themselves safe when they’re out in the world.

“The Pied Piper of Hamelin” by The Brothers Grimm

“he sounded his fife in the streets, but this time it wasn’t rats and mice that came to him, but rather children: a great number of boys and girls from their fourth year on. among them was the mayor’s grown daughter. the swarm followed him, and he led them into a mountain, where he disappeared with them.”.

Why we love it: Some say this is a true story, and whether or not it’s true, it definitely has a moral—when people make a bargain, they should stick to their agreement. Ask kids to think about what kind of music the Pied Piper might have played, and why both children and rats couldn’t resist it.

“The Princess and the Pea” by Hans Christian Andersen

“i cannot think what could have been in the bed. i lay upon something so hard that i am quite black and blue all over.”.

Why we love it: This has long been one of the most beloved short stories for kids, and it’s ideal when you need a quick read. Then, grab some dried peas and see how thick a covering needs to be before students can no longer feel them.

“Puss in Boots” by Charles Perrault

“puss became a great lord, and never ran after mice anymore, except for pleasure.”.

Why we love it: All cat lovers know these animals can be pretty smart when they want to be. This one helps his poor master become a prince in a castle, all through his own clever tricks. Encourage students to come up with more creative ways Puss in Boots could help his master.

“Rumpelstiltskin” by The Brothers Grimm

“‘i will give you three days,’ said he, ‘if by that time you find out my name, then shall you keep your child.’”.

Why we love it: Pretty much everyone in this story behaves badly in one way or another. Use it to learn more about characters and their motivation.

“Sleeping Beauty” by The Brothers Grimm

“a great many changes take place in a hundred years.”.

Why we love it: After students read this well-known story, ask them to think about what it would be like to go to sleep today and wake up in a hundred years. What might the world be like? Or what would it be like for someone who fell asleep a hundred years ago to wake up today? How many things have changed since then?

“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” by The Brothers Grimm

“‘mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all’”.

Why we love it: This fairy tale has all the classic elements—beautiful heroine, wicked stepmother, handsome prince—plus a handful of helpful dwarfs. It’s the perfect way to start a conversation about the dangers of envy and jealousy.

“The Three Little Pigs” by Anonymous

“‘not by the hairs on our chinny chin chin’”.

Why we love it: Fairy tales don’t get much more classic than this. Follow it up with a reading of The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka to hear the story from the wolf’s perspective, and have a conversation about point of view.

“The Ugly Duckling” by Hans Christian Andersen

“but what did he see there, mirrored in the clear stream he beheld his own image, and it was no longer the reflection of a clumsy, dirty, gray bird, ugly and offensive. he himself was a swan being born in a duck yard does not matter, if only you are hatched from a swan’s egg.”.

Why we love it: Whether you read the original text or a shorter adaptation, this story is one every kid should know. It will teach them that everyone should be proud of who they are, even if they don’t look or feel like everyone else.

Aesop’s Fables as Short Stories for Kids

“the ants and the grasshopper” by aesop, “one bright day in late autumn a family of ants were bustling about in the warm sunshine, drying out the grain they had stored up during the summer, when a starving grasshopper, his fiddle under his arm, came up and humbly begged for a bite to eat.”.

Why we love it: It can be hard to teach kids that there are things in life they need to do regardless of whether they are fun or not. This fable will help little ones understand the value of putting in hard work to set ourselves up for future successes.

“The Boy Who Cried Wolf” by Aesop

“so now, though he had not seen anything that even looked like a wolf, he ran toward the village shouting at the top of his voice, ‘wolf wolf’”.

Why we love it: This might be the most famous short story we use to teach kids about how important it is to tell the truth. Ask students if they’ve ever pulled a prank that went wrong and what they learned from it.

“The Crow and the Pitcher” by Aesop

“but the pitcher was high and had a narrow neck, and no matter how he tried, the crow could not reach the water.”.

Why we love it: Aesop’s fable reads more like a STEM challenge—how can you reach the water at the bottom of the pitcher when your neck isn’t long enough? Try the same experiment with your students, using a narrow-necked bottle. Can they come up with any other solutions?

“The Fox and the Grapes” by Aesop

“the grapes seemed ready to burst with juice, and the fox’s mouth watered as he gazed longingly at them.”.

Why we love it: If kids have ever wondered where the phrase “sour grapes” comes from, this tale will answer that question. Talk about other idiomatic phrases, and do some research to find their origins.

“The Lion and the Mouse” by Aesop

“‘you laughed when i said i would repay you,’ said the mouse. ‘now you see that even a mouse can help a lion.’”.

Why we love it: This fable reminds kids that they’re never too small to make a difference in someone’s life. Ask kids to share their own stories of times they helped someone.

“The Tortoise and the Hare” by Aesop

“The Hare was soon far out of sight, and to make the Tortoise feel very deeply how ridiculous it was for him to try a race with a Hare, he lay down beside the course to take a nap until the Tortoise should catch up.”

Why we love it: When kids need a reminder that they should always keep trying, turn to this famous story. Use it to teach growth mindset too.

“Two Travelers and a Bear” by Aesop

“two men were traveling in company through a forest, when, all at once, a huge bear crashed out of the brush near them.”.

Why we love it: When danger strikes, do you worry about yourself first or try to help everyone to safety? There are arguments to be made on both sides, so this one makes for an interesting debate or persuasive essay.

More Short Stories for Kids

“anansi and the pot of wisdom” by anonymous, “every time anansi looked in the clay pot, he learned something new.”.

Why we love it: Kids may know about Anansi from the popular book Anansi the Spider , but there are lots of tales about him in West African folklore. In this one, Anansi thinks he knows everything, but a child has something new to teach him. Explore more Anansi tales here.

“The Apple Dumpling” by Anonymous

“a bag of feathers for a basket of plums. a bunch of flowers for a bag of feathers. a golden chain for a bunch of flowers. and a dog for a golden chain. all the world is give and take, and who knows if i may have my apple dumpling yet.”.

Why we love it: When an old woman sets out to trade her basket of plums for some apples, her quest takes a few twists and turns along the way. In the end, though, she manages to make many people happy, not just herself. Practice sequencing by having kids try to remember all the trades the woman makes and the order she makes them in.

“The Blind Men and the Elephant” retold by James Baldwin

“this elephant is not like a wall, or a spear, or a snake, or a tree; neither is he like a fan. but any man with a par-ti-cle of sense can see that he is exactly like a rope.”.

Why we love it: Six blind men each feel a different part of an elephant, and each comes to his own very different conclusions. Written as a very short play, this classic tale opens up all sorts of discussion opportunities about seeing the bigger picture.

“Bruce and the Spider” by James Baldwin

“but the spider did not lose hope with the sixth failure. with still more care, she made ready to try for the seventh time. bruce almost forgot his own troubles as he watched her swing herself out upon the slender line. would she fail again no the thread was carried safely to the beam, and fastened there.”.

Why we love it: This famous little tale is almost certainly a myth, but it’s one of the most well-known stories about King Robert the Bruce. The lesson about not giving up fits perfectly when you’re talking about growth mindset.

“The Elephant’s Child” by Rudyard Kipling

“but there was one elephant—a new elephant—an elephant’s child—who was full of ‘satiable curtiosity,’ and that means he asked ever so many questions.”.

Why we love it: Many kids will recognize themselves in the Elephant’s Child and his (in)satiable curiosity. After you read this one, have students come up with stories for the way other animals got their unique features. How did the giraffe get its long neck? How did the turtle get its shell? So many possibilities!

“Paul Bunyan” by William B. Laughead

“When Paul was a boy, he was fast as lightning. He could blow out a candle at night and hop into bed before it was dark.”

Why we love it: Paul Bunyan is an American folk hero, larger than life (literally!). This roundup of the legends surrounding him has many of the most famous tales. Encourage kids to think about what they’d do if they were as big, strong, and fast as Paul.

“The Little Engine That Could” retold by Watty Piper

“i think i can. i think i can.”.

Why we love it: When little ones learn early on to believe in themselves, they’ll be willing to try their best at anything. Have kids tell their own stories of times they did something that seemed impossible at first when they kept on trying.

“The Four Dragons” by Anonymous

“the four dragons flew back and forth, making the sky dark all around. before long the sea water became rain pouring down from the sky.”.

Why we love it: The four dragons in this Chinese tale want to help save the people from drought. When the Jade Emperor won’t help, they take matters into their own hands. Ultimately, they become the four major rivers of China. This is a great opportunity to get out the globe or pull up Google Earth and learn more about China’s geography.

“Henny Penny” by Anonymous

“so henny-penny, cocky-locky, ducky-daddles, goosey-poosey and turkey-lurkey all went to tell the king the sky was a-falling.”.

Why we love it: In an age when people are quick to spread rumors as fact, this old European folktale is more meaningful than ever. See if kids can think of times when they heard a crazy rumor that they believed at first, even though it turned out to be completely false.

“How Gimme the Ax Found Out About the Zigzag Railroad” by Carl Sandburg

“then the zizzies came. the zizzy is a bug. he runs zigzag on zigzag legs, eats zigzag with zigzag teeth, and spits zigzag with a zigzag tongue.”.

Why we love it: Kids will get a kick out of all the Z sounds in this silly little story about why some local railroad tracks run in zigzags. Use it to teach about alliteration and consonance, and ask kids to draw their own pictures of the zizzies.

“King Midas and the Golden Touch” by Anonymous

“suddenly, he started to sense fear. tears filled his eyes and that moment, his beloved daughter entered the room. when midas hugged her, she turned into a golden statue”.

Why we love it: Teach kids to be careful what they wish for. Ask them to make a list of wishes, then talk about ways each of them could ultimately go wrong. Have them write their own version of this short story.

“The Kite That Went to the Moon” by Evelyn Sharp

“‘i have everything in the world in my bag,’ replied the little old man, ‘for everything is there that everybody wants. i have laughter and tears and happiness and sadness; i can give you riches or poverty, sense or nonsense; here is a way to discover the things that you don’t know, and a way to forget the things that you do know.’”.

Why we love this: This whimsical tale takes two small children on a voyage to the moon and back, as they follow an enchanted kite. Pair it with a crafting session where kids make their own kites to fly.

“The Monkey and the Turtle” by José Rizal

“a monkey and a turtle found a banana tree on a river. they fished it out and because each wanted the tree for himself, they cut it in half.”.

Why we love it: A monkey and a turtle each plant half a banana tree, but only the turtle’s grows. The monkey offers to harvest the fruit but keeps it all for himself. But the turtle has plans of his own! This folktale from the Philippines is actually an allegory about the Spanish colonizers’ treatment of the Filipino people.

“The Tale of Peter Rabbit” by Beatrix Potter

“‘NOW, my dears,’ said old Mrs. Rabbit one morning, ‘you may go into the fields or down the lane, but don’t go into Mr. McGregor’s garden: your Father had an accident there; he was put in a pie by Mrs. McGregor.’”

Why we love it: Beatrix Potter’s sweet tales are beloved, but this is the one that has really endured. Pair it with one of these terrific Peter Rabbit activities.

“Rikki-Tikki-Tavi” by Rudyard Kipling

“rikki-tikki did not care to follow them, for he did not feel sure that he could manage two snakes at once. so he trotted off to the gravel path near the house, and sat down to think. it was a serious matter for him.”.

Why we love it: Reading this story is like watching a nature documentary unfold on the page. Have kids do some research on the mongoose and its relationship with cobras in real life.

“The Story of the Chinese Zodiac” by Anonymous

“he reached out his paws and pushed his friend the cat into the river. the cat was swept away by the whirling waters. that is why there is no cat in the chinese calendar.”.

Why we love it: This short little tale manages to answer two questions: why there’s no Year of the Cat and why cats and rats can’t be friends. After reading it, try to imagine how the other animals in the calendar managed to win their spots.

“Weighing the Elephant” by Anonymous

“‘very well,’ said the emperor, humoring the boy. ‘tell us all how to weigh the elephant.’”.

Why we love it: Read this traditional Chinese tale right up to the point where the young boy reveals his idea for weighing an elephant without a giant scale. Ask kids if they can come up with the solution before continuing to the end of the story. You can even try out the correct method as a STEM challenge.

“Winnie-the-Pooh Goes Visiting” by A.A. Milne

“pooh always liked a little something at eleven o’clock in the morning, and he was very glad to see rabbit getting out the plates and mugs; and when rabbit said, ‘honey or condensed milk with your bread’ he was so excited that he said, ‘both,’ and then, so as not to seem greedy, he added, ‘but don’t bother about the bread, please.’”.

Why we love it: This silly old bear has been delighting children for decades, and there are dozens of short stories for kids about him and his friends. This one has a little built-in moral about greed. You can also ask kids to brainstorm their own ways to get Pooh free from Rabbit’s front door.

“Town Musicians of Bremen” by The Brothers Grimm

“a certain man had a donkey, which had carried the corn-sacks to the mill indefatigably for many a long year; but his strength was going, and he was growing more and more unfit for work.”.

Why we love it: This relatively unknown work by Jacob Grimm teaches kids the value of resilience and getting up when knocked down.

“The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” by Mark Twain

“in compliance with the request of a friend of mine, who wrote me from the east, i called on good-natured, garrulous old simon wheeler, and inquired after my friend’s friend, leonidas w. smiley, as requested to do, and i hereunto append the result.”.

Why we love it: Twain uses an allegory of two frogs to highlight the struggle between the elite and the common. We love short stories for kids that encourage them to be true to oneself, and this one does just that!

“The Reluctant Dragon” by Kenneth Grahame

“LONG ago—might have been hundreds of years ago—in a cottage half-way between this village and yonder shoulder of the Downs up there, a shepherd lived with his wife and their little son.”

Why we love it: This story is a good way to introduce young kids to the concepts of bullying and prejudice. Through the story, kids will learn that they shouldn’t judge things by appearances as the dragon in the story is not what he seems.

“The Fisherman and His Wife” by The Brothers Grimm

“once upon a time there were a fisherman and his wife who lived together in a filthy shack near the sea. every day the fisherman went out fishing, and he fished, and he fished. once he was sitting there fishing and looking into the clear water, and he sat, and he sat. then his hook went to the bottom, deep down, and when he pulled it out, he had caught a large flounder.”.

Why we love it: Teaching young people the value of appreciating what you have and not always seeking out more is of the utmost importance. This short story encapsulates that and warns about the pitfalls of greed.

“The Great Stone Face” by Nathaniel Hawthorne

“one afternoon, when the sun was going down, a mother and her little boy sat at the door of their cottage, talking about the great stone face. they had but to lift their eyes, and there it was plainly to be seen, though miles away, with the sunshine brightening all its features.”.

Why we love it: This story weaves nature and divinity in a story that centers around a great stone face that encapsulates qualities like wisdom and nobility.

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Tiny Teaching Stories: The Powerful Moments of Your Lives, Distilled

Your lives as teachers are packed with powerful moments: moments of triumph, frustration, absurdity, joy, revelation, and hilarity. We want to hear about those moments. We’re asking teachers to distill an experience that was powerful for them into no more than 100 words. Below are some of the stories they’ve shared.

This project was inspired by, but is not affiliated with, The New York Times’ Tiny Love Stories .

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21 Best Short Stories for High School Students: A Literary Journey of Inspiration and Insight

What makes a short story ideal for high school students? It’s a blend of storytelling craftsmanship, the ability to provoke thought and discussion, and a relevance that transcends generations. These are the qualities we seek in the best short stories for high school, narratives that bridge the gap between the past and the present, encouraging students to explore the depths of literature and discover the world within and around them. In the pages to follow, we will embark on a literary journey, exploring a collection of short stories that are sure to leave a lasting impression on high school students, enriching their understanding of the human experience and the power of storytelling.

The idea of using literature (either novels or short stories) is great for high school students. When they see fictional characters going through the same challenges they are, students can do deeper analysis on the story and on themselves. — Matt Woodworth, Ph.D. (@WoodworthPrep) October 2, 2023

The Significance of Short Stories in High School

Developing critical thinking and empathy, cultivating a love for literature, enhancing language skills and vocabulary, promoting diversity and cultural awareness, 21 best short stories for high school.

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The power of education: Inspiring stories from four continents

A girl and a woman in Burkina Faso . An Afghan refugee family in Greece . A teacher in India . An entrepreneur in Guatemala .

These are the stories on the power of education currently featured in an immersive exhibition entitled “Education transforms lives” that UNESCO has set up at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on the sidelines of the High-level Political Forum .

Each inspiring story vividly brings to life the aspirations of Sustainable Development Goal 4 on education . The experiences portrayed in these powerful personal testimonies capture how small individual steps across the globe are helping to advance and ensure the right to education for every woman, man and child.    

“I don't know what the future has in store for me but this is my second chance and I don't want to waste it.”  

Photo credit : Sophie Garcia

Awa Traore, 21, is working from morning to night to catch up. She grew up in the tiny village of Banzon in Burkina Faso where she completely missed out on schooling. When the chance came up, she moved 30 km away to the city of Bobo-Dioulasso where she lodges with her uncle and aunt and in return shops, cooks and cleans for them. Her days are long. After dropping her nephew at school, she sets off to the market. Only when her daily chores are done can she turn to her books and prepare for her literacy class at 6.30pm. Awa knows she has a lot of ground to make up for and that other women with more education than her are having difficulty finding work. Despite the odds, she is determined to use this second chance at literacy as a stepping stone to a profession in the health field.  

“I feel very lucky to go to school every day. My mother did not get that chance.”

Head down, serious, 11-year-old Rachidatou Sana concentrates on getting her answer exactly right. Already an outstanding pupil at Kua C school in Bobo-Dioulasso, she loves mathematical problem-solving but will have to find her own solution in the fight to keep on with her studies. Like many girls her age in Burkina Faso, Rachidatou was born to poor parents (her mother is illiterate) and is daily torn between home chores, earning a living and studying to better her situation. All she wants is an equal chance, the same as everyone else. She plans to go to college to train as a nurse 'so I can help others and my family.'  

“If Matin couldn't study here he would be very behind compared to other children.”

Photo credit : Olivier Jobard

Shahnaz Karimi, 24, her husband Nasir Rasouli, 34, and their eight-year-old livewire son Matin arrived in Lesbos in August 2018. Originally from Herat in Afghanistan, the Rasouli family travelled from their first adopted home in Iran seeking a better life. Now they live alongside 1,300 other residents at the Kara Tepe village. Both came with professions: Shahnaz was a beautician and Nasir a painter and decorator. In Lesbos, Matin goes to primary school while his parents attend English classes and art classes. Matin is already better than his parents in English. For the Rasouli family, education fills their long days, gives them a much-needed sense of normality and offers hope of work and a better future.  

“The biggest change education has made in my life is that I can work and add my money to the expenses for the house, to buy food and help with my children's schooling.”

Photo credit : James Rodríguez

As a little girl, Margarita Pelico lived next door to her local school and wanted to follow the children she saw on their way to class. Her parents, less convinced that a girl needed education, had to be persuaded. Margarita comes from a family of nine in the village of Los Cipreses, a rural area of Totonicapán, Guatemala where most men are farmers while the women weave. They are members of the Mayan-K'iche ethnicity whose mother tongue is K'iche. Margarita's school closed down and, by the time it reopened, she was way behind. Aged 13 she discovered a free flexible adult correspondence education programme designed for older girls who missed out. She learned to add and subtract going to the market with her teacher, and to calculate while they were sewing. Determined to pursue her studies, she was able to go on to secondary school and college. Now a social worker and running her own weaving company, she is dedicated to helping other girls follow the same path to education – and sends her own five-year-old to the same school that she once attended.  

“I thought that teaching people would be giving them the gift of a lifetime”

Photo credit : Jyothy Karat

Teacher Prathibha Balakrishnan, 38, came to the village of Kadichanokolli deep in the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve in southern India in 2008 with a mission to teach the Betta Karumba mountain people. There was no electricity, no school and no healthcare. She joined hands with another extraordinary woman, namely Badichi, 44. Badichi, a tribal matriarch with seven children, has very little schooling but an innate understanding of the power of education. She worked hard as a housemaid to pay the tuition fees for all of her children and her grand-child Anitha who was abandoned by her parents. The Betta Kurumba, a secluded people who mostly work on tea and coffee plantations, have high levels of illiteracy. When Prathibha needed an ally to persuade them, Badichi went into action. Both women gained in confidence, gathering support to successfully petition the local government to install a primary school, roads and electricity. Along the way, Badichi's daughters Seetha, 17, and Vasanthi, 19, who are pupils of Prathibha, returned the favour by teaching her the local language. Some villagers speak Prathibha’s native Tamil but are now taught in their own language. Seetha is now in 11th grade, Vasanthi has enrolled to become a nurse in a hospital nearby and both speak three languages, a leap forward for a village where most adults are illiterate.

The exhibition is organized in partnership with Education Above All , the Qatar Foundation , the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations as well as the co-chairs of the Group of Friends and Lifelong Learning (Argentina, Czech Republic, Japan, Kenya and Norway).

It will be on display throughout July and August 2019 at the UN Headquarters. A selection of photos is available online

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5 Amazing Short Stories for Kids That Teach Moral Values

1. the boy who cried wolf, 2. the milkmaid and her pail, 3. the snowy day by ezra jack keats, 4. black beauty by anna sewell, 5. blueberries for sal by robert mccloskey.

It is critical for a child’s growth to instill a love of reading at a young age, not to mention how enjoyable it is! Stories for kids can teach them a lot about life, the world, and themselves.

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Stories for kids with morals and exciting characters have numerous advantages and provide bonding opportunities.

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4 Benefits of Short Stories for Kids 

1. Cultural Understanding

Children can learn about the world, other countries, and traditions through listening to stories. It can help in the development and understanding of different cultures and countries. A good story for kids urges them to put themselves in the shoes of the story’s protagonist and evaluate their actions and emotions and why they made them.

2. Communication

Reading to a youngster can help them become more open to expressing themselves and communicating their feelings and views.

Ask them questions about the storyline and characters in the story, how each character might advance the plot, and why they believe the character has acted in a certain way. 

When reciting a story to kids, they should be encouraged to ask questions and express their feelings. Reading is an excellent approach to expanding your child’s vocabulary because kids learn new words with reading. If they don’t understand something, they will almost certainly ask for an explanation, so encourage them to do so.

3. Curiosity & Imagination

An intriguing story for kids also encourages them to be imaginative by seeing the environment, characters, and plot as the narrative unfolds.

4. Social Skills

Children are encouraged to listen to others through storytelling. They learn to be more patient and allow others to speak for themselves as they begin to realize that others may not see things the same way they do. 

Story for kids opens doors to new worlds for children. It allows children to discover new concepts and knowledge; they unknowingly learn essential life lessons by listening to an interesting, fascinating story.

5 Best Stories For Kids With a Moral

This classic tale is about a boy who grew bored while watching the community sheep grazing on the hillside. To entertain himself, he yells, “W” lf! Wolf!” and the villagers would come running to the top, thinking of a wolf prowling for the sheep.

The boy was amused when the villagers dashed up the hill only to find out there was no wolf. “D” Don’thout wolf, boy, when there isn’t wolf!” “

The boy did this again until a genuine wolf started stalking his sheep. The boy started yelling as loudly as he could, “W” lf! Wolf!.” The villagers thought he was playing them again this time and did not rush to his aid.

Moral: Lying destroys trust because no one trusts a liar, even when telling the truth.

Age: 4-7 years

You can read it here .

Molly, the milkmaid, had filled her pails with milk. Her job was to milk the cows and transport the milk to the market to be sold. Molly was often debating what she should buy with her money. She was thinking about everything she wanted to buy as she filled the pails with milk and went to the market. 

She considered buying a cake and a basket full of fresh strawberries as she strolled down the street. She came across a chicken down the road and said, “I am going to buy my own chicken with the money I earn today. I can sell milk and eggs for a profit when that chicken lays eggs!”

Molly planned what else she’d buy and began skipping out of excitement. She completely forgot about the milk in her pails and was soon covered in milk as it spilled over the edges. Molly exclaimed, drenched, “I’ll never be able to afford a chicken again.”

With her empty pails, she returned home. “O,” my goodness!” exclaimed her mother when Molly explained what happened. “O,” Molly, my dear,” “aid her mother. Don’t count your chickens till they hatch; how many times do I have to say?”

Moral: If you plan for future achievements, your present tasks will suffer. Focus on completing your tasks successfully, and no harm shall befall you. 

Age: 3-12 years.

You can buy it here .

If you want to introduce your teenager to the journey of an African-American protagonist, the book “Snowy Day” is perfect. It illustrates the journey of Peter through a snowbound New York City.

If you want your kids to appreciate diversity, make sure they read this masterpiece by Jack Keats. 

Moral: Diversity should consistently be recognized & valued. People of all backgrounds and walks of life should be treated equally.

Age: 3-10 years

A classic tale, Black Beauty is timeless and full of life lessons. Children will learn many critical lessons while walking down the path of a black horse, such as that of hard work, the value of friendship, and confidence. 

This is an excellent book for kids who can learn about life through the eyes of a carefree horse and an elderly mare.

Moral: Growing up is challenging and sometimes lonely, so one should always strive to be gentle and good.

Age: 10-16 years

You can read it here

This story demonstrates to children how, despite their differences, all families are alike. It’s the story of a young boy named Sal and a baby bear named Maine, who are both on a blueberry search with their mothers. 

This is an excellent read for kids who feel like rebels or parents who have ever felt like raising a rebel.

Moral: Regardless of our color, race, ethnicity, or location, we’re all the same.

Age: 3-12 years

You can get the audiobook here or read it here .

Why Stories for Kids Are Helpful

• Sharing stories daily, talking, and being creative with your child greatly benefit their development.
• Help your children in learning to recognize sounds, words, and language.
• Develop strong reading abilities.
• Learn to appreciate the significance of books, literature, and storytelling.
• Encourage your child’s curiosity and imagination.
• Help the development of your child’s brain, concentration, social skills, and communication abilities. 
• Assist your child with comprehending new & terrifying experiences and the intense emotions accompanying them.
• It enables children to distinguish between real and make-believe situations.
• Helps kids in learning about the world, as well as their own and other cultures.

How Parents Can Make Their Own Stories

Kids of all ages like hearing about you and your family. When did you first lose a tooth? Which of your teachers was your favorite? Thinking about Mothers or Fathers as a child may pique kids’ interest. Perhaps you like to tell the story about the ghost who resided in your great-grandmother’s attic that was passed down to you.

Nothing is more entertaining to children than a story about a time when a parent or elder did something stupid. Children like learning about a past that has a personal connection to them. Preschoolers and toddlers like hearing stories about their favorite book characters. 

Storytelling for Parents

Extend the scope of your storyline. Make your own story with your youngster. Find photos of people or places or pets from your family or magazines that could be relevant to the story. Retell the narrative in your own words. 

If no pictures are available, make your own. Act out the popular narrative using puppets or costumes involving the entire family. The options are limitless!

Encourage your children to tell a story of their own! Encourage your youngsters to create their narratives after exposing them to several types of storytelling. Children must have the opportunity to explore ideas and tell stories using their imaginations. This improves communication, organization, and efficiency.

Reasons to Read Stories for Kids

It should come as no surprise that reading to children has a significantly positive impact on their development.

• It benefits their language development in a variety of ways.
• It broadens their horizons and increases their enjoyment of storytelling.
• It allows them to express emotions like empathy.
• It expands their vocabulary, allowing them to communicate effectively.
• It invites participation and discussion.
• It allows you to have some fun with your child.

Importance of Stories for Kids

Stories for kids greatly aid growth and development. They can make friends with the books they read and the characters they meet. It’slso crucial for kids to understand that books are a valuable source of information and that solid reading abilities are essential for future success. Short stories also aid kids’ self-esteem, emotional regulation, language acquisition, and learning.

Confidence Levels

Children who can read fluently are more likely to be self-assured. This helps kids at school when they can fully participate in activities. Knowing your place in the world is another aspect of developing confidence and self-esteem. Short stories for kids can aid this process by demonstrating to youngsters what people’s lives are like in their communities and different regions of the world.

Language & Learning

Short stories for kids are a great way to introduce new words and ideas into vocabulary – starting with picture books for the very young working up to more complex novels for teenagers. Stories help children learn about concepts such as shape, size, space, color, up and down, inside and outside, numbers, and the names of objects. They can also teach children about everyday tasks, such as brushing their teeth, taking care of animals, cleaning and sorting, and preparing food.

Short stories for kids are helpful to teach more complex ideas, such as the importance of sharing, the passage of time, and compassion for others. They can be beneficial when explaining traumatic events, such as family break-ups and bereavement. Fiction based on real-life can also help children with their own life experience – it shows them how diverse the world is and that some people’s lives are vastly different from theirs.

Short stories for kids before bedtime can help children relax. They allow children to forget about the stresses of the day and engage themselves in fantasy for a while. The soothing familiarity of a well-loved story, rhyming, and repetition, along with the sense of security that comes with the time spent reading together, all contribute to the child’s relaxation.

Coping with Feelings

Kids’ short stories encourage a child’s imagination by introducing new concepts such as imaginative worlds, other planets, various points in time, and fictional characters into their environment. It will instill in the kids that they can and should imagine whatever they desire. 

The beauty of storytelling is that it can be immensely realistic and otherworldly. They can be reading about youngsters growing up in similar circumstances one minute and reading about alien species, such as Martians vacationing on Jupiter, the next.

Reading stories to children is always beneficial to their development, as mentioned, personally and socially. However, read these short moral stories to your children, and we are confident that they will love them and spark an interest!

Furthermore, these morally uplifting short stories will teach your children valuable lessons that they will remember for the rest of their lives.

Let’s find more online educational resources and printable worksheets your for kids that will help with their learning experience and make them smarter.

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10 Excellent Short Stories for High School Students

Finding new and diverse short stories for high school students is daunting. Use this list to get started for your own lesson plans.

Nikki DeMarco

The inimitable Nikki DeMarco is as well-traveled as she is well-read. Being an enneagram 3, Aries, high school librarian, makes her love for efficiency is unmatched. She lives in Richmond, Virginia, and is passionate about helping teens connect to books. Nikki has an MFA in creative writing, is a TBR bibliologist, and writes for Harlequin, Audible, Kobo, and MacMillan. Since that leaves her so much time, she’s currently working on writing a romance novel, too. Find her on all socials @iamnikkidemarco ( Instagram , Twitter , Threads )

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As a high school English teacher, the quest to keep my curriculum relevant to my students is ongoing. I’m always on the lookout for new stories or authors that I can bring in the classroom to ensure that it’s something my students haven’t read or seen before. Of course, I’m constantly trying to change the activities to make them develop critical thinking skills. But if those activities are based around the same old tired (read: white) short stories for high school students, it often doesn’t matter how fun or innovative the activity is, the students are not interested because they can’t relate.

Why are new short stories for high school students important?

In education, we are constantly selling the idea of acquiring knowledge. Teens’ attention is being fought over by exponentially more distractions than they were even as recently as ten years ago. Instead of complaining about “kids these days” and taking the “when I was your age” stance, educators need to learn to adapt and offer students high interest stories that they can use to develop their own ideas.

I can already hear the arguments coming against this. Classics are classic for a reason. Students should be held to a high standard. I already have a year’s worth of lesson plans around The Great Gatsby and To Kill a Mockingbird and am over-worked, and now you want me to change?

I get it. I’m also fighting fatigue and burnout. So keep teaching some classics if you think they are excellent works of literature that you’d hate to have students miss out on, but trying pair each in a text set with a contemporary short story with similar themes. I’m not saying that adapting means less rigor or holding students to lower standards. Kids are smart and capable. Adding in texts from diverse perspectives will only enhance the breadth of work students are exposed to, making them draw connections from their own lives and perspectives outside their own, increasing critical thinking skills. Students today also have their finger on the pulse of the world in a way most educators can’t relate to from when they were the same age. We are doing them a disservice by not acknowledging that in how we teach. We also are being willfully ignorant if we only assign “the classics” and believe the students are reading them in their entirety. Come on, y’all. We were students once, too, and know a lot of these kids aren’t starting, much less finishing, the stories we assign.

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One thing I’m doing to help my students buy into reading the whole story is to make sure I have stories with people who look like them. Also, I’m making sure they have stories full of people who don’t look like them. Teenagers don’t have much life experience yet, and that makes their world views narrow because the world they live in is small, many never having left the state where they were born. Exposing them to stories from different authors of different races, religions, and cultures helps them see beyond their school district. Yes, yes, they have the internet at their fingertips and could search for these things, but the algorithm learns them quickly and continues to feed them more of the like to keep views up and keep them engaged. As teachers, we need to learn to keep them engaged by doing just the opposite. 

Finding diverse short stories for high school is daunting. Just typing “contemporary short stories for high school” into Google brings back 143,000,000 results. Most of us are already working long beyond our contracted hours, and now I’m asking you to spend even more time reading stories that might not even be good or usable in class?

Don’t worry. I have some lists of short stories for high school students to get you started. The titles below are a jumping off point, not a comprehensive list. Note: Some of these stories have strong language.

Relationships

• Weight by Dhonielle Clayton
• Show Me Yours by Richard Van Camp
• Goat Mouth by Pamela Mordecai
• After ‘While by Cherie Dimaline
• Bliss by Sofia Mostaghimi
• Pact by Mark Oshiro

Coming-of-Age

• Origin of the Lullaby by Canisia Lubrin
• Tequila by Laura Gonzalez
• One True Love by Melinda Lo
• Valedictorian by N.K. Jemisin

Another tip I wanted to mention, but doesn’t fit neatly in the above themes, is that you can find collections of short stories online by different racial or cultural groups by switching up your default search terms. For example, Viewfinders: 10 Y.A. Novelist Spin Fiction from Vintage Photos from The New York Times came up when I searched “short stories for asian teens” but it took a little digging and clicking through to find. This collection features authors such as Malinda Lo, Soman Chainani, Marie Lu, Sabaa Tahir, and David Yoon.

Please, go back to your lesson plans and ask yourself these questions: Who’s missing? Who’s not represented? Do I have a student in my class who can’t see themselves in anything I’m teaching all year? Then find the story for that kid. That’s how we reach them, by showing them that we see them.

Here are some other resources from Book Riot that can help you on your resource search as well:

• YA Short Stories
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65 Short Quotes for Students That Will Propel Their Success

In my years of teaching Montessori at the elementary level, incorporating short quotes for students into both my in-person and online classrooms was a regular and impactful practice.

The way I see it is education is a journey marked by moments of seeking motivation, inspiration, and guidance, especially for students in the second plane of development . Short quotes can offer powerful wisdom and encouragement in just a few words.

In this article, inspired by my experiences as a Montessori teacher, I’ve put together a list of short quotes specifically tailored for students, from influential people including invaluable quotes from Maria Montessori herself.

65 Short Quotes for Students

Here you’ll find the best short quotes to motivate and inspire students to reach for success. Save this list now to give the kids in your life timeless wisdom whenever they need it.

The quotes below are grouped to cover different parts of student life and learning. They are meant to inspire, motivate, and empower young learners on their educational journey.

Short Maria Montessori Quotes

“ What the hand does the mind remembers. ” Maria Montessori

“Growth is not merely a harmonious increase in size, but a transformation.” Maria Montessori

“ Of all things, love is the most potent. ” Maria Montessori

“Within the child lies the fate of the future.” Maria Montessori

“ Education is the best weapon for peace. ” Maria Montessori

Short Quotes for Student Success

“You are capable of more than you know.” Glinda, The Wizard of Oz

“Think and wonder. Wonder and think.” Dr. Seuss

“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.” Louisa May Alcott

“Don’t wait for the opportunity. Create it.” George Bernard Shaw

“There is no substitute for hard work.” Thomas Edison

Quotes About Being Yourself

“Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken.” Oscar Wilde

“The things that make me different are the things that make me.” Winnie The Pooh

“Insist on yourself; never imitate.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

“When you are content to be simply yourself and don’t compare or compete, everyone will respect you.” Lao Tzu

“Those who have a strong sense of love and belonging have the courage to be imperfect.” Brené Brown

Short Quotes for Students to Overcome Failure

“We are all failures – at least the best of us are.” J.M. Barrie

“Failure isn’t fatal, but failure to change might be” John Wooden

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Thomas Edison

“Failure is the opportunity to begin again, more intelligently.” Henry Ford

“The expert in anything was once a beginner.” Helen Hayes

Quotes About Working Hard to Achieve Goals

“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” Tim Notke

“Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration.” Thomas Edison

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” Steve Jobs

“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” Zig Ziglar

“If you get tired, learn to rest, not to quit.” Banksy

Short Quotes for Students About Motivation

“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” Theodore Roosevelt

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” C.S. Lewis

“The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be ignited.” Plutarch

“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” Norman Vincent Peale

“The best way to predict your future is to create it.” Abraham Lincoln

Quotes About Teamwork and Collaboration

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” Helen Keller

“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” Aristotle

“It is literally true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed.” Napoleon Hill

“Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.” Ryunosuke Satoro

“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” Harry Truman

Short Quotes for Students About Gratitude and Positivity

“Learn to be thankful for what you already have, while you pursue all that you want.” Jim Rohn

“There are always flowers for those who want to see them.” Henri Matisse

“Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.” Eckhart Tolle

“No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks.” James Allen

“Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.” Dalai Lama

Short Quotes for Curiosity and Learning

“Intelligence follows curiosity.” James Clear

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” William Butler Yeats

“The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.” B.B. King

“Learning never exhausts the mind.” Leonardo da Vinci

“Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.” Golda Meir

Short Quotes About Persistence and Determination

“Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did.” Newt Gingrich

“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” Albert Einstein

“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” Confucius

“Persistence can change failure into extraordinary achievement.” Matt Biondi

“Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” Winston Churchill

Short Quotes for Students About Creativity

“Creativity is intelligence having fun.” Albert Einstein

“The world of reality has its limits; the world of imagination is boundless.” Jean-Jacques Rousseau

“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” Maya Angelou

“Creativity is contagious. Pass it on.” Albert Einstein

“You’re mad, bonkers, completely off your head. But I’ll tell you a secret. All the best people are.” Lewis Carroll

Short Quotes About Kindness

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” Aesop

“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” Dalai Lama

“Kindness is a language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” Mark Twain

“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” Lao Tzu

“Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and most underrated agent of human change.” Bob Kerrey

Quotes for Students About Leadership

“Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.” Simon Sinek

“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” John C. Maxwell

“The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.” Ralph Nader

“Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.” Warren Bennis

“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” John F. Kennedy

These quotes, tailored for elementary students in the second plane of development , aim to inspire, motivate, and instil valuable lessons that contribute to their growth and development. Whether facing challenges or celebrating achievements, I’m confident that these words will serve as guiding lights on your students’ educational journey.

💡 Looking for more quotes to share with your elementary students? Read these blogs: 37 Amazing Elementary Graduation Quotes to Inspire and Empower 77 Montessori Quotes to Fuel Your Child’s Success Story Now 35 Montessori Quotes for Inspiring Peace

Benefits of Short Quotes for Students

Short quotes pack a punch when it comes to helping students stay motivated and focused. They’re like little nuggets of wisdom that can lift spirits and keep students going, even when things get tough.

Whether it’s a quick pick-me-up during a busy day or a gentle reminder of what matters most, these quotes are easy to remember and can make a big difference in how students approach their studies.

But these quotes aren’t just about feeling good – they’re also about getting students to think. By simplifying big ideas into short phrases, they encourage students to pause and reflect.

From staying strong during tough times to being kind to others, these quotes prompt students to consider their own values and how they want to live.

So, while they may be short, the quotes offered above are like little keys that unlock big thoughts and help students grow into the best versions of themselves.

Tips for Displaying Short Quotes for Students

Transforming blank walls into vibrant sources of inspiration and creating a quote wall offers an opportunity to infuse classrooms or homes with motivation and wisdom. Keep these points in mind when you go to decorate your walls with empowering words.

Create a Quote Wall

Designate a specific classroom or home area where short quotes can be prominently displayed. This could be a bulletin board, a whiteboard section, or even a dedicated wall space.

Use Eye-Catching Displays

Use bright posters, fun fonts, or creative designs to make the quotes visually appealing. This will draw students’ attention and make the quotes more memorable.

Rotate Quotes Regularly

Keep the display fresh and engaging by rotating the quotes regularly. This could be done weekly, monthly, or whenever you feel it’s time for a change. Encourage students to suggest new quotes to keep the display dynamic.

Align Quotes with Themes

Coordinate the quotes with current classroom or home themes, such as kindness, perseverance, or growth mindset. This helps reinforce important lessons and concepts in a visual way.

Incorporate Student Input

Encourage student involvement by allowing them to contribute their favorite quotes or suggest quotes that resonate with them. This promotes ownership and engagement with the display.

Provide Context

Pair each quote with a brief explanation or discussion prompt to help students understand its relevance and significance. This encourages deeper reflection and connection to their own experiences.

Make it Interactive

Add interactive elements to the display, such as a space for students to write or draw their reactions to the quotes, share how they relate to them, or suggest additional quotes for future inclusion.

Elevate your walls with our stunning quote posters!

Designed to inspire and motivate teachers and students, our posters are perfect for any learning environment. Whether you want to create a positive atmosphere or spark thoughtful discussions, our quote posters will make a lasting impact.

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The Wrap-Up: 65 Short Quotes for Students

Incorporating short quotes for students into the classroom is a powerful way to foster motivation, inspiration, and a love of learning. These quotes help students navigate challenges, build resilience, and stay focused on their educational journey.

The right words at the right time can inspire greatness. Use these short quotes to uplift and motivate your students, propelling them toward a bright and successful future.

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Donna Paul, with over 15 years as a certified Montessori teacher, is praised for her engaging teaching style. Beyond the classroom, she's a children's book author and spearheads two impactful blogs with her partner, Karen: thatssomontessori.com for Montessori insights at the elementary level and thenomadicstrays.com for simple road life living. Based in British Columbia, Canada, Donna's nomadic life allows her to share ideas and develop educational products with Karen as they travel. Donna can be found spreading smiles and knowledge wherever she roams.