While these are some of both the weakest and most creative stories Avi has written, they bear many flaws and often are more like fables than short stories, in that, I'd say the term 'tales' is a correct one because these are indeed tales, tales that are very nice, give or take the one about Old Scratch, that one's very lacking and reads like some tale told over a camp fire by teen and less a tale told to teens.

Avi never fails to write at least several very creative and intriguing lines. He's a master with writing here, even if it's in flickers and sparks and not so much a full on flaming story lighting imagination in all who read this book.

On the plus side, this is a quick read, an hour or two and you're done, if not less. Nothing is lost by reading this book. ( )

While these are some of both the weakest and most creative stories Avi has written, they bear many flaws and often are more like fables than short stories, in that, I'd say the term 'tales' is a correct one because these are indeed tales, tales that are very nice, give or take the one about Old Scratch, that one's very lacking and reads like some tale told over a camp fire by teen and less a tale told to teens.

Avi never fails to write at least several very creative and intriguing lines. He's a master with writing here, even if it's in flickers and sparks and not so much a full on flaming story lighting imagination in all who read this book.

On the plus side, this is a quick read, an hour or two and you're done, if not less. Nothing is lost by reading this book. ( )

Five different stories that are thought provoking. Eerie stories of kid life.

In "Bored Tom" a boy is bored with his life. He is bored with school, bored with his friends, bored with his family. To him watching TV and sleeping is all that interests him. When he is approached by a cat, he is given a choice to have the life he thinks would be great. But is it?

"Babette the Beauty" brings up the idea of "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" and what it can bring. When Queen Isabelle of Solandia decides she wants to have a daughter to follow in her footsteps, she visits an old crone deep in the north to have her wish granted. She desires a flawless child that is perfect in every way. When the child is born she is named Babette, and any one who sees her sees only beauty. The thing is, to allow no comparison to anyone else, the Queen bans mirrors from the kingdom, and instead has only paintings of the Princess around to show her beauty.

"Simon" is spoiled by his parents all his life. When he finally grows up and finds that his parents can no longer indulge him in his wants and wishes, he strikes off on his own. He becomes extremely successful and is able to buy whatever he wants. When he hears of a special and magical bird he determines he will have it. What he discovers when he does get it shows that greed is not a good thing.

Though written for children and an adult can read these short stories in one sitting, I found that I enjoyed taking a couple of days to read and think over the stories, the characters and the lessons that can be taken away.

Avi is a writer whose books I enjoy and find that there can be not only a good story but a little bit of stuff to think about. ( )

Pretty spooky - for ages 8 to 108 in my opinion... I bet these fables be a good inter-generational read-aloud, and would provoke discussions. ( )

I started reading this book because I wanted something light and easy until the library book I placed on hold became ready. So I turned to the Juvenile Fiction section, as juvenile fantasy can make for a nice easy read for any fan of the fantasy genre. This book was just "too" juvenile, so-much-so that after about ten pages I put it down. I think it's because it's a collection of short stories, and juvenile short stories seem to be soley plot driven, unlike literary short stories which have more depth and layers. Maybe I will try the author again at a later date, only this time one of his novels. ( )