Little Worlds : A Collection of Short Stories for the Middle School [Paperback]

Peter Guthrie (Author, Editor), Mary Page (Author, Editor), Peter Guthrie (Author), Mary Page (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1985

The purpose of this text was to make available a large collection of stories that are high in literary quality yet accessible to middle-school students. Its widespread acceptance in schools throughout the country attests that this anthology has indeed achieved its goal. It presents students with a variety of issues, styles, conflicts, and points of view through the stories of Maupassant, Lessing, Hemingway, Welty, Hawthorne, Porter, as well as many others.

Product Details

• Paperback: 274 pages
• Publisher: Wayside Publishing (January 1, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1877653527
• ISBN-13: 978-1877653520
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #83,216 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Now a psychotherapist, Peter Guthrie has an extensive background in literature, including an MA in American Studies. While teaching English at a private school in Boston, he co-edited a short story anthology (LITTLE WORLDS) and co-wrote a three-volume grammar series (RULES OF THE GAME). He has also worked as an editor in educational publishing and published freelance articles in a variety of local newspapers. An avid reader of murder mysteries and crime fiction, Guthrie's knowledge of both literature and psychology makes him uniquely qualified to write a psychological thriller.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good Middle School anthology of short fiction, May 9, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Little Worlds : A Collection of Short Stories for the Middle School (Paperback)

This is a very useful resource for Middle School teachers and librarians. The first half of the anthology contains stories which are grouped according to specific literary terms (character, theme, etc.). Each cluster of stories is introduced by a one to two page description of the literary term the stories illlustrate. The second half of the anthology contains short stories that are slightly more complex and illustrate multiple literary terms. This setup makes it a very useful teaching tool. I have used this book with eighth graders and have found it hugely successful.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very important short stories, December 18, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Little Worlds : A Collection of Short Stories for the Middle School (Paperback)

I am a seventh grader, and this book is part of our course reading. There are some wonderful short stories in it, ranging in difficulty in both the fluency with which the story was written, as well as in the vocabulary used, for example, the difficult vocabulary in "The Masque of Red Death" by Edgar Allen Poe. There are quite a few important, famous, and memorable short stories in Little Worlds, including the infamous story, "The Gift of the Magi," as well as, "The Necklace" and "The Monkey's Paw." But, I do warn you, the book includes some very controversial, yet famous stories like, "The Lottery." Overall, I must say that Little Worlds is a truly wonderful book with exceptional story selections. Some I did not enjoy, but all of them taught an important life lesson to me. Just get a good teacher to tell you about them as well!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Class Set!, June 20, 2001

By 

Rebekah (Indiana-- United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Little Worlds : A Collection of Short Stories for the Middle School (Paperback)

I purchased these books as a class set for my advanced eighth grade Language Arts students. The stories are fantastic. The stories will cause students to discuss and challenge the themes presented. Students must understand the short story before comprehending every story presented--today's students expect to be entertained, and, quite frankly, that is not the purpose for all short stories. As a teacher, I found this classroom resource invaluable. This is a wonderful book with memorable stories: "The Monkey's Paw," "The Necklace," "An Occurance at Owlcreek Bridge," "The Gift of the Magi," etc. It's a must have for the accelerated middle school student!