A lovely collection of short stories from an author that most elementary school students will recognize. I love that readers can grow with Jane Yolen from pre-school through high school. These stories are engaging, spooky, with unexpected twists and turns! Great for the upper grades when looking at literary devices and making connections to schema. ( )

This had such promise, but just didn't deliver. I was pretty let down, even though the first story was pretty good... ( )

Though not a newer book, it works in the same genre as Tales From Outer Suburbia, though the stories are longer, there are no pictures, and some of the stories are scary. It would be a great follow up for a reluctant reader who liked Tales from Outer Suburbia and wants more of a challenge. However, the stories are still short, so easily digested (and well written). ( )

This collection of twelve short stories is an engaging mix of fairy tale and fantasy. My favorites were "Tough Alice" and "Mama Gone."
"Tough Alice" is kind of a what-happens-next extension of Alice in Wonderland where Alice needs to find her own strength instead of waiting for someone else to save her.

"Mama Gone" is a vampire story that is part creepy and part heart-warming. Give it a look and you'll see what I mean. ( )

autographed copy