One common theme is innocence. Middle school students are just starting to explore their feelings, so the love is very pure. For example, just liking someone because they are kind or good at a certain subject. Another theme is secrecy. Since middle school love is often not encouraged by parents and teachers, the characters usually keep their feelings hidden. Also, the theme of growth is there. Through these relationships, they often learn about responsibility and the importance of focusing on their future, like studies.
They can be. Middle school is a time when kids start to become more aware of the opposite sex or same - sex in some cases. The feelings they have are genuine, like the butterflies in the stomach when they see their crush. But the idea of a fully - fledged 'love' like adults might experience is not really there. It's more about the excitement of a new feeling and the new social dynamics that come with having a special someone at that age.
There was a girl who liked to read books in the school library. A boy noticed her and started to sit near her every time she was there. One day, he finally got the courage to borrow a book from her. They started talking about books they liked, and soon a connection grew. However, they knew their parents and teachers wouldn't approve, so they just shared their love for books and had a very innocent friendship.
Mostly, yes. Middle school students are at a young and naive age. Their love is often just about simple attractions like liking someone's smile or being impressed by their talent. It's not usually complicated by adult - like desires.
The characters in these stories are often relatable. In 'The Lottery', the townspeople seem like ordinary people at first, which makes the shocking ending more impactful. And the settings are diverse. Some are set in small towns like in 'A Sound of Thunder', while others can be in a more fantastical place like Venus in 'All Summer in a Day'.
One interesting middle school short story could be about a shy student who overcomes his fear of public speaking during a school debate. He practices hard in secret and finally surprises everyone with his confident performance.
Good middle school short stories often have relatable characters. For example, characters who are going through typical middle - school experiences like making friends or dealing with schoolwork. This makes it easy for middle school students to connect with the story.
Another good one is 'Thank You, Ma'am' by Langston Hughes. This story is about a boy who tries to steal a woman's purse but instead she shows him kindness and understanding. It's a simple yet powerful story that teaches about empathy and second chances. It's short enough for middle school students to understand easily and the characters are vividly drawn.
They often have a sense of mystery. For example, the settings are usually in some isolated or old - fashioned places like an abandoned house or a spooky forest. This creates an immediate atmosphere of unease. Also, they might involve some sort of supernatural element, such as ghosts or strange curses.
Most of them have a clear moral or lesson. Like in 'The Tortoise and the Hare', it teaches about the value of perseverance. Also, they usually have a relatively straightforward plot to keep the young readers engaged without getting them too confused.