Stories for Kids?

[jjcooperman]

I'm an elementary teacher and I like to do a writing exercise using the book, The Mysteries of Harris Burdick. In this picture book, there are amazing pictures and one line of a story that goes with each. One of these illustrations is called "The House on Maple Street" and the accompanying line is, "It was the perfect lift-off." Sound familiar? After my students wrote their own stories, I shared with them the Stephen King version (with all curse words edited out by yours truly). They loved it! I thought I was brilliant for sharing it with them, until I realized that I had created a monster with 20+ heads. I have an entire classroom clamoring for more Stephen King. Having seen the sheer size of Nightmares and Dreamscapes, they do not believe my claim that there are no more stories that I can read to them. So, I turn to this message board. Are there any other Stephen King short stories that are appropriate for children? It doesn't matter if there is cursing because I can edit that out when I read. (I realize for some of you editing SK's words in any ways is sacrilege, but I have a rated G class). If any one can think of any short stories that would appeal to kids without terrifying them, please let me know. I'll tell you one thing. If Stephen King ever wants to write for the upper elementary grades, there is a whole world of children out there who would love his work.

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

Welcome to the MB, and keep posting!

Well, they're not short stories but perhaps you could read them as a serial? The Eyes of the Dragon and The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon?

Long days and pleasant nights

[sandler77]

The Eyes of the Dragon would probably be perfect for your classroom. The novel has wonderful illustrations as well that could also be shared with your students...

[Carb-Orator]

Make sure you edit Eyes of the Dragon. My daughter started reading it at 13 years old, and there were a few bad parts. She read The Girls Who Loved Tom Gordon and absolutely loved it. There are a few swear words, but nothing inappropriate. Pretty much every other novel, I told her, she would have to wait until she was an adult to read! I homeschool her and we used to walk in the park when she was little and I would tell her SK stories, since I had read all his books. She fell in love with the stories and reading in general. Luckily, she loves the classics and a variety of books, so she has plenty to keep herself going until she's an adult! She is also writing her own horror novel.

[Carb-Orator]

Oh, and I also have the pop-up book to The Girls Who Loved Tom Gordon, and I started my daughter out on that one when she was about 9. It's pretty cool!

[Bryan James]

"Here There Be Tygers" from Skeleton Crew seems exceedingly appropriate in a classroom setting. It's a very short Short.

Your kids have either had or will have a Miss Bird. Mine was in 2nd Grade. Mrs. Hope (funny name, she'll be in a story someday)...my arch-nemesis when I was six.

I guess that story just resonates with me on some unresolved level of angst.

God bless you for teaching.

~BJS

[no bounce no play]

The kids might like Trucks (short story in Night Shift). I taped the movie and all the neighborhood kids watched it many times. Trucks that come to life might give some kids nightmares though.

[GNTLGNT]

I don't think that "Mrs. Todd's Shortcut" from Skeleton Crew would be out of line-kids today are a whole more savvy than I was when I was out back pounding erasers and eating paste. (Yeah, for those who know me-that explains a LOT!) I also dearly love "The Body" from Different Seasons-but it might be a tad grim-let them be kids before reality completely smacks em in the face...