Chopin, Kate. “Desiree’s Baby”. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc., 1970. This is a story about a young man who falls in love and marries the beautiful Desiree. They have a son but as the child grows, it is evident that he has black blood. Since Desiree was an orphan, her husband believed that she was part black and no longer wanted her or her baby. Only after Desiree leaves does he discover that he is the child of a slave.
Cormier, Robert,
Eight Plus One
. New York: Bantam Books, 1970. A collection of stories written for and about adolescents. Easy reading but do not offer much in the way of literary quality. Good for leisure reading.
Day, A. Grove, editor.
The Greatest American Short Stories
. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1953.. A collection of some very popular stories which students will enjoy reading.
Gold, Robert S., Editor,
Point of Departure
. New York: Dell Publishers, 1979. Surprisingly good stories by contemporary writers that deal with the pain, confusion and excitement of growing up.
Keyes, Daniel. “Flowers For Algernon”. New York: Bantam, 1970. This is a story of a mentally retarded man who becomes brilliant through experimental surgery. He finds love and self respect but loses all as he regresses to his former state. Very touching story that students will enjoy.
King,
Woodie, editor. Black Short Story Anthology
. New York: Columbia University Press, 1972. A collection of short stories about various aspects of the Black culture and being Black in the sixties . Some stories may not be suitable for classroom use.
Lawrence, D. H.
The Complete Short Stories
, Vol. 1 . New York: Penguin Books, 1981. A collection of short stories on a wide range of subjects. Some stories seem to drag and may not hold the interest of all students; however, some are very delightful reading that the students will enjoy.
Mansfield, Katherine. “Mary”. New York: Vintage Press, 1956. A story about a sisters feeling of love, hate, and jealousy for her sister. Although her feelings are very strong, she manages to conceal them from her family. A good story on sibling rivalry.
Olsen, Tillie. “I Stand Here Ironing”. New York: Delta Book, 1960. A mother’s recollection of the struggles she had in bringing up her oldest daughter. An excellent story to show how early homelife can affect later behavior.
Schneiderman, Beth Kline.
By and About Women: An Anthology of Short Fiction
. New York: Harcourt, Brace Jovanovich, Inc., 1973. A collection of stories written by women and about women. Many stories are written about growing up and are easily related to present day situations.
Sohn, David A., editor
Ten Top Stories
. New York: Bantam, 1979. A collection of excellent stories written for young people. Stories are easy to read and for the most part are well written. Stories deal with a wide spectrum of themes that students will be able to relate to.
Steinbeck, John. “The Red Pony”. New York: Viking Press, 1959. Story of a boy who encounters birth, death, love, and hate in the process of becoming a man.
Wright, Richard. “The Man Who Was Almost a Man”. New York: World Publishing Company, 1961. Good story about a young boy trying to become a man in a world of racial prejudice.