Top 5 Short Stories Sophomores Will Actually Read

Let's face it, not all short stories are created equal. Especially when discussing short stories worthy of teaching to a bunch of semi-uninterested teenagers. So what are my top 5 go-to short stories to teach? Don't worry, I won't keep you waiting.

1. "The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant" by W.D. Wetherell

2. "A Sound of Thunder" by Ray Bradbury

3. "The Interlopers" by Saki

4. "To Build a Fire" by Jack London

5. "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut

I'll get into my reasoning for these stories in a bit, but I want to address my why when selecting these specific short stories. As a sophomore English teacher in Missouri, we are the only grade level in high school that is tested for End of Course Exams by the state. I almost feel like the person who decided this has never taught sophomores before. They are definitely a unique grade level. They are past the freshman stage where they need to prove them self in high school, but most are too far away from graduation to care about their future after high school, so they just seem to be floating through the motions: sitting in a chair, responding to questions but only when called upon . . . forgetting to put on deodorant for PE, but spraying waaayyy to much AXE (if you've never had sophomore boys after PE, count yourself as lucky).

But in all seriousness, this is a group I love to teach. They are at the point where they are starting to make their own observations and formulate their own ideas about the world around them. Yes, their peers and parents are still a huge influence, but there is that look in their eyes that says they are in the process of figuring out their own mindset.

The biggest challenge that is faced with this group though is getting them to actually read in order to teach. Yes, it is totally possible to throw definitions at them all day, but just because they can define allegory and theme doesn't mean they can actually identify them. So I decided long ago that I would only give them what I thought they'd enjoy reading--which meant some classic short stories were out (sorry, "Chee's Daughter") and some would become yearly staples in my classroom

1. "The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant"

The theme of this short story is really the reason I throw it in. In fact, this is the short story I normally start the year with because it helps me get to know my students. If you've never read this short story by Wetherell, it is about a young man who lets what could have been the catch of the year--a bass--go in order to gain favor with a young lady by the name of Sheila Mant. Nothing comes of the relationship, and he regrets letting that bass go for the rest of his life. The discussions that come with short story are amazing. I love asking students if they have ever pretended to be something they're not in order to impress someone. Of course none of them admit to it, but the looks they give each other are priceless.

2. "A Sound of Thunder"

This short story is awesome for opening up conversations about cause and effect and consequences of actions. Students love going down the rabbit hole of the butterfly effect. This is also a great story to throw in those literary elements like simile and metaphors when Bradbury is describing the dinosaur. Oh, and it has a dinosaur. They won't admit it, but their middle school dream of being a paleontologist still exists in the recesses of their minds.

3. "The Interlopers"

Students will generally love or hate (but in a "I hate it so much, I actually love it") the ending of this short story. I'll be honest too, this is the one short story that I don't allow students to read on their own. I play an audio version in class while they follow along. I also leave the ending out of their copy for those who like to skim ahead. This gives me the chance to see their reactions at what I would call a twist ending. It also allows for some amazing conversations and there are always a couple outburst in the end of "I knew what was going to happen!" And what teenage can't relate to feuding with another over something and then allowing it to escalate to something beyond their control.

4. "To Build a Fire"

Oh, to be a teenager and think you know everything already . . . or to be the main character of this story. This is definitely a short story students can relate to even if they refuse to admit it. Again, it's another story with a great ending dealing with consequences of our actions. I love it in particular because the narrator refuses to take the advice of the "Old Time," and we all know students view teachers as old.

5. "Harrison Bergeron"

Last but certainly not least is this gem from Kurt Vonnegut. This is another one that just seems to resonate with students on paper, but when it comes to applying to to their own life, they have trouble admitting fault in their own logic. Students love to tell me "it's not fair." Whether it be in regard to a question on the test, the homework, how I dealt with someone's behavior, it doesn't matter, students will always see something as unfair if they think they are getting the short stick. This story puts the idea of fair and equal into a beautiful dystopian light that leads to some pretty deep conversations with students.

Regardless of what stories you are using in your class to teach the standards, if students aren't actually reading, there will be no teaching. So please, make sure you are choosing stories that will resonate with your students. Pick the stories they'll enjoy reading and then every once in a while, you can throw in the slightly less entertaining, but completely relevant story, and they'll complain about it, but at least they will have read it.

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