Newbery Medal-winning author Avi has selected short stories from the past and present in this entertaining collection for young readers. And whether you begin by reading alone or reading aloud, these stories are some of the very best to share. Featuring loyal pets, rogue waves, ghosts who use cell phones, and young people caught up in events beyond their control, these stories are written by some of the most entertaining and esteemed authors of childrens literature. They will have you savoring a quiet moment by yourself, talking during dinnertime with your family, and laughing in class with your friends.Though it may take only a few minutes to read, a terrific short story can take you on a long journey. Are you ready for the trip? Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Gr 5 Up-Unlike most collections, there is no integrating theme in the 24 short stories included here-just fine writing, cultural diversity, and timeless creativity. With such strong writers as Richard Peck, Natalie Babbitt, Lloyd Alexander, and Rafe Martin, one would expect nothing less. Strategic placement of genres sustains reader interest. Animals as heroes, time machines as homework helpers, along with Washington Irving's timeless classic "Rip Van Winkle" and Frank Stockton's highly provocative "The Lady or the Tiger?" offer many powerful, instantly engaging choices, especially appealing to reluctant readers. Scatterings of the supernatural appear throughout, such as in Patricia McKissack's "The Woman in White," in which a desperate ghost propels readers into the injustices of the pre-Civil Rights era. Others are sure to elicit a shiver, like Robert San Souci's "The Caller." Brief biographical sketches of the contributors are included. Katherine Paterson offers a persuasive afterword in favor of sharing, discussing, and reading these selections aloud as well as exhorting the dire need for more quality writing in short fiction.-D. Maria LaRocco, Cuyahoga Public Library, Strongsville, OH Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information