short story 7 grade

Reluctant Reader Books

63 Short Stories for Middle School: Free PDF Downloads

Below you’ll find the best short stories for middle school: our 16 favorites, One Page Stories, Funny Stories, Mysteries, Horror, Science Fiction, Literary, Classics, and Adventure.

Want stories for high school ? Go here .

Lamb to the Slaughter

The landlady, the most dangerous game, the pedestrian.

• The Monkey’s Paw

The Hitchhiker

Sorry, wrong number, third from the sun, time enough at last, the black cat, the cask of amontillado, the lottery, the 9 billion names of god, harrison bergeron, the disciple, the scholarship jacket, hearts & hands, story of an hour, the dinner party, a tent in agony, one of these days, names/nombres, the story of the bad little boy, seventh grade, affair at 7 rue de m, ransom of red chief, adventure of the speckled band, three tools of death, night drive, on the sidewalk bleeding, click clack the rattlebag, the elevator.

• Dracula’s Guest
• The Wife’s Story

The Terrible Old Man

The necklace, the lady or the tiger, after 20 years, the rocking horse winner, an occurrence at owl creek bridge, the gift of the magi, the boar hunt, the treasure in the forest, three skeleton key, a sound of thunder, hey you down there, the eyes have it, mars is heaven, there will come soft rains, the friday that changed everything, a christmas memory, the circuit, treasure of lemon brown, everyday use, one friday morning, rules of the game, 41 short stories for high school: free pdf, the funniest book ever set in a cadaver lab, best short stories for middle school: free pdf.

Below we’ve selected our favorite 16 short stories for middle school. These 16 stories can be found in our free PDF download (click thumbnail to preview). Accompanying lesson plans can also be found at TpT with over 182 pages of thought-provoking and engaging material.

What’s in our lesson plans? See here .

By Roald Dahl In a fit of rage, a wife murders her husband. Now what is she to do? How will she get rid of the evidence?

By Roald Dahl A young man in search of lodging for the night finds more than he bargained for at a mysterious bed & breakfast run by a strange old woman.

By Richard Connell A madman hunts human beings for sport on his private island. But with his latest “guest” he may have finally met his match.

By Ray Bradbury A man goes out for a walk in a dark, lonely city of the future only to discover that sometimes even walking is an act of rebellion.

By Ray Bradbury The classic tale of the dangers of technology replacing reality and a critique of lackadaisical parenting.

The Monkey’s Paw

By WW Jacobs The greatest tale ever told about being careful what you wish for, with one of the finest endings ever penned.

By Lucille Fletcher A radio play written by a master of the form about a man driving the lonely American highways, and the hitchhiker who appears time & again.

By Lucille Fletcher A woman asks an operator to connect her call but ends up dialed into a party line where two men are discussing a murder.

By Richard Matheson A family looks to escape their home planet to avoid impending nuclear war. Can they make it out without getting caught?

By Lynn Venable All he wanted was a little time to read. Then the bombs fell, and he finally had all the time he could ever want.

By Edgar Allan Poe A man descends slowly into alcoholism, madness and murder in Poe’s twisted tale of a man haunted by the ghost of the cat he has killed.

By Edgar Allan Poe The all-time classic tale of the perfect revenge. Fortunato thinks he’s getting a rare taste of wine, but Montresor has other plans.

By Shirley Jackson Perhaps the greatest twist ending in 20th Century fiction. A wicked tale of a small town lottery and the danger of tradition.

By Arthur C Clarke A group of monks atop a mountain need a computer to help them write down all nine billion names of God.

By Kurt Vonnegut In the future, excellence in any way. is forbidden and strictly controlled. Until one young man decides to rebel.

One Page Short Stories for Middle School

Some days all you have time for is a one page short story. Or maybe a two pager. The stories below are some of the shortest tales you can find for free online, written by a variety of masters: O. Henry, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Martha Salinas, Philip K. Dick and more.

By Anton Chekhov “Who is the more humane executioner, one who kills you in a few seconds or one who draws the life out of you incessantly, for years?”

By Oscar Wilde Everyone knows the story of Narcissus who wasted away staring at his reflection. But what about the pool’s point of view?

By Marth Salinas Martha spent years earning that jacket. But some teachers want to give it to a school board member’s daughter.

By O Henry “Among the newcomers were two young men, one of handsome presence…the other a ruffled, glum-faced person…The two were handcuffed together.”

By Kate Chopin “Knowing that Mrs. Mallard was afflicted with a heart trouble, great care was taken to break to her as gently as possible the news of her husband’s death.”

By Mona Gardner A lovely and lively dinner party. A daring wager put to all in attendance. A cunning guest who knows more than she’s letting on.

By Stephen Crane An encounter with the local wildlife goes horribly wrong when an old black bear walks into a tent looking for some food.

By Gabriel Garcia Marquez A dentist must remove the tooth of the local Mayor, who happens to be a sworn enemy. He takes the job.

By Julia Alvarez “At the hotel my mother was Missus Alburest, and I was little girl, as in, ‘Hey, little girl, stop riding the elevator up and down. It’s not a toy.’”

Funny Short Stories For Middle School

Few writers have the knack for crafting funny short stories for middle school. Laughter on the page is a tough trick, but some authors pull it off time and again.

By Mark Twain Once there was a bad little boy named Jim — though, if you notice, you’ll find that bad little boys are nearly always called James…

By Gary Soto A seventh grade boy finds himself trying to impress his crush and relying on the suspect advice of his friends.

By John Steinbeck A young boy who loves to chew gum discovers one day that his wad of bubble gum enjoys chewing him! An amusing tale of the supernatural.

By O Henry “We chose for our victim the only child of an influential citizen named Ebenezer Dorset. He was a boy of ten, with red hair.”

Mystery Short Stories for Middle School

Who doesn’t love a good mystery short story for middle school? Whether a story of classic detection like Sherlock Holmes or a wonderful twist on murder most foul, mystery stories are a delight.

By Arthur Conan Doyle A classic mystery of a locked room murder, Doyle considered this to be the finest short story he ever wrote.

By GK Chesterton A troubled girl’s father is found dead, and Father Brown must unravel his mysterious murder by one of three deadly weapons.

By Will F Jenkins Madge just wanted to pick up her husband, but an unexpected passenger leads to dark and terrible truth about the human soul.

By Shirley Jackson Why did Charles hit the teacher? Was it just because the teacher made him write with red crayons?

By Evan Hunter “He lay on the sidewalk, bleeding, and he thought only:  That was a fierce rumble. They got me good that time , but he did not know he was dying.”

Scary Short Stories For Middle School

We love scary short stories for middle school. Better yet though: middle school kids love scary stories themselves. Of all the tales we’ve used in the classroom, few have as much impact as the dark and spooky journeys found here.

By Neil Gaiman “We walked along the upper corridor in the shadows, walking from patch of moonlight to patch of moonlight. It really was a big house.”

By Ray Bradbury A young man returns to his hometown after getting married only to discover the ghost of a girl he once loved as a boy.

By William Sleator Twelve year old Martin is afraid of the elevator in his new apartment building. He tries to avoid it. He should have tried harder.

Dracula’s Guest

By Bram Stoker Removed by Stoker from the novel, this tale serves as an excellent introduction to the greatest of all vampires: Count Dracula.

The Wife’s Story

By Ursula K LeGuin “He was a good husband, a good father. I don’t understand it. I don’t believe in it. I don’t believe that it happened. I saw it happen but it isn’t true.”

By HP Lovecraft Not all old men are as weak and helpless as they seem. This is a truth three misguided thieves discover all too late.

Classic Short Stories For Middle School

Classic short stories for middle school stand the test of time. They continue to resonate with readers of every new generation. The classic short stories here are among some of the best ever written.

By Guy de Maupassant One of the finest short stories by one of the great practitioners of the form, with a gut kick of a twist ending.

By Frank Stockton Behind one door a beautiful lady. Behind the other a voracious and hungry tiger. Make your choice very carefully.

By O. Henry Two men agreed to meet again in one spot 20 years later. But when two strangers collide in that spot in the night, they discover the irony of fate.

By DH Lawrence A little boy believes that he can correctly guess the derby winners each time by riding his rocking horse.

By Ambrose Bierce A man is to be hung at Owl Creek Bridge. But the rope snaps and he escapes. Or does he? One of the great twist endings of all time.

By O. Henry The classic tale of a man and wife who sacrifice their greatest treasures for each other on Christmas Eve.

Adventure Short Stories for Middle School

Adventure short stories for middle school take readers far and away. Deep into the jungle. Onto deserted (or not so deserted) islands. Into lonely lighthouses. All these adventure stories are exciting, engaging and full of surprises.

By Jose Vasconcelos A hunting party deep in the jungle believes they’ve come across the ultimate score. But the tables quickly turn.

By HG Wells Two ruthless treasure hunters have murdered a man for his treasure map. But what they find in the forest i smore than they imagined.

By George Toudouze My most terrifying experience? Well, one does have a few in thirty-five years of service in the Lights, although it’s mostly monotonous…

By Liam O’Flaherty “On a rooftop near O’Connell Bridge, a Republican sniper lay watching. Beside him lay his rifle and…a pair of field glasses.”

By Ray Bradbury In the future, hunters use time travel to venture back into the past to hunt the most dangerous game of all time.

Science Fiction Short Stories for Middle School

Science fiction short stories for middle school push the boundaries of the imagination. They ask what if in ways that few other types of stories can. These science fiction short stories stand out as some of the most powerful of the form.

By Harold Rolseth A wickedly humorous story about a couple digging a well who discover an unknown race deep underground.

By Philip K Dick It was quite by accident I discovered this incredible invasion of Earth by lifeforms from another planet…

By Ray Bradbury They land on Mars only to discover themselves in a town that looks exactly like one they left on Earth, and it’s filled with people they know.

By Ray Bradbury What happens in the future when nuclear war has wiped out all of humanity and all that’s left is our technology winding down?

Literary Short Stories for Middle School

Literary short stories for middle school explore life and all of its mysteries. The stories below capture life at a variety of extremes and reveal powerful insights into life, death, greed, fear and more.

By Anne Hart A school teacher considers changing the rules, pitting the boys against the girls in a tale of power and jealousy.

By McKnight Malmar A woman arrives home alone on the eve of a great storm. Waiting for her husband, she believes she’s found a body in the cellar.

By Truman Capote The classic short story recounting Capote’s childhood memories of him and his best friend as they try to gather money to purchase what they need to bake fruitcakes for Christmas.

By Francisco Jimenez The peak of the strawberry season was over and the last few days the workers, most of them braceros, were not picking as many boxes.

By Walter Dean Myers “There weren’t any more scraping noises, but he was sure he had heard something in the darkness—something breathing!”

By Alice Walker “In real life I am a large, big-boned woman with rough, man-working hands…I can kill and clean a hog as mercilessly as a man.”

By Langston Hughes “Casually, one day, Miss Dietrich asked Nancy Lee what color frame she thought would be best on her picture. That had been the first inkling.”

By Amy Tan “I was six when my mother taught me the art of invisible strength. It was a strategy for winning arguments, respect from others…”

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Teaching ELA with Joy

Middle School ELA Resources

10 Favorite Short Stories Found Online – Middle School

By Joy Sexton

Teachers love using short stories for so many reasons, and short stories found online offer added convenience and motivation!  A great short story can get our students thinking and making connections. Short stories are perfect for teaching literary terms and vocabulary.  Plus, students enjoy discussion around the conflicts and themes in short stories. And because these gems can be taught in a few class periods, students gain some solid literary momentum when we add several to a unit.

I like starting the year with short stories to build my students’ appreciation for brief, attention-grabbing fiction. Students can toss around their ideas on characters’ decisions and infer and predict as the action rises. At the same time, I can acquaint them with pertinent literary terms. In fact, I find that I can really dig into many of the standards for literature, including new words, figurative language, development of theme, and more.

Short stories online – What are the benefits? 

Many teachers have lots of short stories to choose from, but there are also many who don’t! If your school is low on resources, your students can enjoy 10 amazing short stories for middle school by using the links below. Here are some other benefits of finding great short stories online:

• Students can read the stories from their laptops or other devices. Whether you have a 1:1 classroom or you’re able to use (or borrow) a cart of devices, students do enjoy reading from their screens.
• Reading is easy to assign for homework. Instead of having to take home a textbook, or you having to make copies, you can have students read at home on their devices. This arrangement also works well for students who have missed class.
• You can plan lessons in advance without an anthology. Teachers who are starting at a new school or grade level can access the stories and start planning lessons without wondering if the stories will be available in print for students.
• The stories are always at your fingertips. The stories are wherever you are, so you can refer to them whenever you need to.

Here are 10 best short stories found online – perfect for middle school:

1.  the scholarship jacket.

Nearing graduation, an eighth-grade Hispanic student in a small Texas school is denied the scholarship jacket she has earned with top grades. This story addresses the topics of prejudice and unfairness in a school setting, integrity, and grandparenting. Read the story here:   The Scholarship Jacket

2.  The Medicine Bag

Martin feels embarrassed when his aging Sioux grandfather shows up at his family’s home unannounced. Exhausted and sickly, Grandpa has come to pass a Sioux tradition on to Martin, causing Martin fear. Instead, Martin learns startling things about his grandfather he never knew, causing him to change his outlook profoundly. Read the story here:   The Medicine Bag

3.  Thank You M’am

Langston Hughes’ classic story begins with Roger trying to snatch a purse from Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones. After shaking him up quite a bit, she takes Roger to her home, shares a meal with him, and talks about wanting things she couldn’t have when she was young. She gives him money to buy the shoes he wanted, and Roger leaves having learned a lesson about right and wrong. Read the story here:   Thank You Ma’am

Here’s a story brochure you might like for this one:  Thank You M’am Story Brochure

4.  The Treasure of Lemon Brown

When he leaves his house upset with his father, fourteen-year-old Greg finds a homeless man in an old tenement. Greg and the man, Lemon Brown, scare away some menacing thugs, and when Lemon Brown reveals a “treasure” he claims to have, Greg learns something about parents that causes him to have a change of heart towards his father. Read the story here:   The Treasure of Lemon Brown

5.  Stop the Sun

This story centers around thirteen-year-old Terry and his father, who is suffering with post-traumatic stress syndrome from the Vietnam War. His father has become totally withdrawn, and very often his “eyes go away.” After he has a breakdown in public, Terry attempts to talk to him, and is surprised when his dad suddenly opens up about the killings he witnessed and the guilt that haunts him. Read the story here:   Stop the Sun

6.  Born Worker

Jose comes from a poor family and has been a hard worker all his life. His cousin, Arnie, is just the opposite: wealthy, lazy, and deceptive. When Arnie proposes that he find jobs for them with Arnie taking a 50/50 cut, Jose knows he must keep his head and his values as he deals with Arnie’s dishonest nature.  Jose gains the understanding that there will always be people in the world like Arnie, but he will be like his father, a born worker. Read the story here:   Born Worker

7.   The Ransom of Red Chief

In this humorous O. Henry story, two drifters, Sam and Bill, plan to kidnap a boy in a small town and hold him for ransom money. Their plan backfires when the boy, Johnny Dorset, becomes a total behavior problem that both men can’t handle. The men try to just return him without being caught, but run into more problems when they implement their plan.  Find it here:    The Ransom of Red Chief 

Here’s a flip book you might like using with this story:    The Ransom of Red Chief FLIP BOOK – Standards-aligned

8.  All Summer in a Day

Margot is different because she is from Earth, unlike her schoolmates on Venus. They are jealous of her past experiences, especially her memories of the sun. After seven years of solid rain, when the sun is about to make a rare appearance on Venus, the students punish Margot with a cruel act of bullying.  Read the story here:  All Summer in a Day

Take a look at this fun story brochure: All Summer in a Day Foldable Story Brochure

9.  The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street

This one is a teleplay—an episode of Rod Serling’s Twilight Zone. Neighbors fear that aliens have landed when a bright flash appears in the sky and strange things begin to happen. Incited by a young boy’s stories, people accuse each other of being an alien sent in advance. Panic and a mob scene leave readers questioning who the real monsters are. Great for engaging students in a dramatic read-aloud! Find it here: The Monsters are Due on Maple Street

Here’s a resource you might like for this one: Monsters Are Due on Maple Street Literature Response Packet

10.  Seventh Grade

Victor begins his first day in seventh grade hoping to make Teresa his girlfriend. After a series of awkward run-ins with her, he attends his French class, where she is also enrolled. To impress Teresa, Victor pretends to know French but has to use gibberish when responding to his teacher’s questions. Mr. Bueller does not embarrass Victor, but instead his empathy leads to new understandings and confidence for Victor.  Read this short story online here:  Seventh Grade

Just looking over this list gets me excited about teaching short stories! And these are some of the very best middle school short stories found online. All are classroom-tested, written by acclaimed authors, and at your fingertips with a click.

Thanks for reading!  Click on the images to see my story resources.

Click to read about 40 Book Recommendations for Middle School Readers

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Reader Interactions

December 26, 2019 at 1:31 pm

Hi! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely glad I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!

January 9, 2020 at 2:22 am

So I’m a teacher and I find this web site amazing

February 17, 2020 at 7:31 pm

I realize today students are being brainwashed by phones (literally) and need literacy to save them. Thanks for this great resource for sub teachers.

March 25, 2020 at 4:17 pm

Can any of these stories be printed for those students that do not have devices? If so, what citations/credits need to be given?

March 25, 2020 at 4:50 pm

To my knowledge, though I am not a copyright expert, teachers are allowed to copy one class set to be used for educational purposes.

April 11, 2020 at 8:14 pm

Every single one of these stories are about boys.

April 15, 2020 at 7:11 pm

You may want to look at The Scholarship Jacket and All Summer in a Day.

April 13, 2020 at 8:09 pm

Can one listen to the stories audibly via iPads? Seems to work with laptops BUT not iPad. Help!

April 15, 2020 at 7:03 pm

I’m no technology expert, but I would sure think so. You might want to check with your district’s tech person. Sorry I can’t be of more help.

April 15, 2020 at 4:10 am

I must say how much I appreciate this list being so diverse! It speaks volumes about your valuing good writing for the sake of what good writing offers! 20 years in education, and I have never felt so compelled to share my gratitude. Hmp, that’s both saddening and wonderful simultaneously!

May 31, 2020 at 7:22 am

Hello, All Summer in a Day – one of my favorite short stories . I enjoyed this story so much when I was a kid that I study it nearly every year with my French High School pupils. Thanks for the list . I will read the stories and pick up ideas for my students.

June 30, 2020 at 10:27 am

I am a teacher of English language for 10-15 year-olds in Nepal. I find TEACHING ELA a real help. Thought provoking, At least, the articles assure you what you are doing in classroom is correct.

July 30, 2020 at 8:39 pm

Thank you so much! I have been teaching lower grades for over 20 years and just this year I decided to teach middle school ELA. I am so happy to have this wonderful site as a resource.

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by Michelle Boyd Waters, M.Ed.  

40 Excellent Short Stories For Middle School

May 13, 2014 in  Pedagogy

Middle school is a funny place. Students can be mature and insightful one minute, obtuse and petulant the next. Yet even the most resistant scholar will enjoy a good story. The 40 stories below are sometimes surprising, other times hair-raising. They are all guaranteed to raise questions and instigate discussions in your classroom that can lead to meaningful dialogues about what really matters in the lives of your students.

Note: Would you like access to ALL of our curated short story resources -- PLUS a free lesson plan template you can use for ANY short story without having to enter your email address more than a dozen times?

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Curated Short Stories Library Members: Click here to access your downloads!

All Summer in a Day

" All Summer in a Day " by Ray Bradbury is a science fiction short story that transports us to Venus, where the sun only shines for two hours every seven years - quite the weather shock, huh? The plot revolves around Margot, a young girl from Earth, and her classmates who've never seen sunlight. Margot, who remembers Earth's sunlight, is eagerly awaiting the brief summer. However, her classmates, jealous and unable to comprehend her experiences, lock her in a closet, causing her to miss the rare sunshine. Bradbury's vivid description of the yearning for sunlight and the emotional cruelty of children leaves a haunting impression. This story will make you feel the sun on your face a little differently, trust me!

Short Story Unit  |  Short Story Unit on TpT

Amigo Brothers

" Amigo Brothers " is a heartwarming tale by Piri Thomas , revolving around two best friends, Antonio and Felix, both superb boxers from New York City. Here's the twist - they have to fight each other in the division boxing finals! Even though they're both fiercely competitive and want to win, their friendship is always front and center. The real punchline comes at the end when, after giving it their all in the ring, they leave without knowing who won, because their friendship outshines any championship. This engaging story is a fantastic knockout that explores friendship, sportsmanship, and loyalty like no other. Be ready to be floored!

The Scholarship Jacket

" The Scholarship Jacket " by Marta Salinas is an inspiring tale that tackles themes of perseverance, integrity, and the true meaning of success. The story follows Martha, a hardworking Mexican-American student who has always looked forward to earning the coveted scholarship jacket, awarded annually to the school's top eighth-grade student. However, when the school decides to charge for the jacket, effectively meaning it would go to the student whose parents can afford it, Martha finds herself in a moral quandary. Faced with the reality of her financial limitations, she must stand up for what she believes is right. Salinas' narrative powerfully explores the intersection of education, social inequities, and personal courage. This is an encouraging read that reminds us that true merit cannot be measured in monetary terms. Get ready to cheer for Martha as she fights for her rightful recognition!

Icarus and Daedalus

" Icarus and Daedalus " is a captivating Greek myth that paints a vivid picture of inventiveness, daring, and the perils of overconfidence. Daedalus, renowned as a brilliant craftsman, and his young son Icarus are stranded on the island of Crete. To find a way off the island, Daedalus hatches an ingenious plan: he crafts wings out of feathers and wax for both of them. Despite Daedalus' words of caution about the wings' limitations, Icarus is exhilarated by the prospect of flight. As they take off on their daring escape, you'll be left on the edge of your seat, witnessing the suspenseful consequences of Icarus' boldness. Buckle up for a riveting journey into Greek mythology!

Flowers for Algernon

" Flowers for Algernon " by Daniel Keyes is a profound science fiction story that explores the human condition, intellect, and emotions through a unique lens. The narrative unfolds through the diary entries of Charlie Gordon, a man with intellectual disabilities, who undergoes an experimental procedure to increase his intelligence. As Charlie's intellect begins to surpass that of the doctors who created the experiment, he experiences the world in ways he never could before. However, alongside these exhilarating discoveries comes the understanding of his past treatment and a newfound loneliness. This story takes you on an emotional rollercoaster, probing deep questions about intellect, happiness, and the essence of human experience. It's a powerful read that is sure to leave a lasting impression!

Harrison Bergeron

" Harrison Bergeron " by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. is a provocative dystopian short story by Kurt Vonnegut Jr., set in a future where the government enforces 'equality' by handicapping the gifted and talented. This compelling narrative introduces us to Harrison Bergeron, a teenager who, being exceptionally intelligent and athletic, is burdened with severe handicaps. When Harrison rebels against this oppressive system live on national television, things take a dramatic turn. Vonnegut's tale masterfully highlights the danger of enforced uniformity, posing potent questions about individuality, equality, and freedom. It's a thought-provoking read that'll challenge your perspective on societal norms. Get ready for a rollercoaster of ideas!

Raymond's Run

" Raymond's Run " by Toni Cade Bambara is an uplifting short story that explores themes of self-discovery, personal growth, and the power of love. Our protagonist is Squeaky, a fast and fiercely competitive runner with the responsibility of caring for her mentally disabled brother, Raymond. Squeaky's world revolves around winning races and protecting Raymond, but when a rival runner challenges her, she experiences a transformation in her understanding of what truly matters. Bambara's narrative beautifully captures the journey from personal ambition to a broader sense of community and love. It's a heartwarming read that showcases the strength of sibling bonds and the victories that matter most in life. Get ready to cheer for Squeaky as she races not just for victory, but for love and acceptance!

Rules of the Game

" Rules of the Game " by Amy Tan is a captivating story that explores themes of cultural identity, family dynamics, and personal growth through the lens of chess. The story is a part of Tan's novel "The Joy Luck Club," and focuses on Waverly Jong, a Chinese-American girl living in San Francisco. When she receives a chess set as a Christmas gift, Waverly quickly becomes a child prodigy under her mother's intense encouragement. However, this success strains their relationship as Waverly struggles with her mother's high expectations and the complexities of navigating two distinct cultures. Tan's narrative is a powerful exploration of the delicate balance between respect for tradition and the pursuit of individuality. It's a fascinating read that serves as a metaphor for the intricate game of life. Prepare for a compelling journey into the mind of a chess prodigy and the intricate dynamics of a mother-daughter relationship.

The Monkey's Paw

" The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs is a gripping tale of fate, magic, and unintended consequences. The story begins when Sergeant-Major Morris, a friend of the White family, brings an unusual memento from his travels—a monkey's paw that allegedly grants three wishes to its holder. Despite Morris's warnings about the paw's curse, Mr. White, spurred by curiosity and the prospect of altering their humble lives, makes a wish. What follows is a chilling series of events that powerfully highlight the perilous side of having one's desires fulfilled. Jacobs' narrative is masterfully crafted, intertwining suspense and the supernatural to create a cautionary tale about tampering with fate. Brace yourself for a hauntingly memorable journey into the world of the uncanny!

The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant

" The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant " by W.D. Wetherell is a poignant coming-of-age tale about the agonizing choices of adolescence. Our protagonist is a 14-year-old boy, torn between his passion for bass fishing and his crush on the sophisticated, indifferent Sheila Mant. The climax hits when he's forced to choose between reeling in a record-breaking bass and potentially embarrassing himself in front of Sheila. It's a striking story that explores the bittersweet nature of growing up and the painful lessons of prioritizing the superficial over true passion. It's sure to tug at your heartstrings!

To Build a Fire

" To Build a Fire " by Jack London is a gripping tale of survival set in the harsh, unforgiving wilderness of the Yukon. The story follows an unnamed protagonist as he embarks on a treacherous journey through the freezing cold temperatures of the Klondike in order to reach a mining camp. With only a dog as his companion, the man faces numerous challenges and setbacks along the way, including his underestimation of the extreme weather conditions and his inability to build a fire to keep himself warm. As his situation becomes increasingly dire, the story unfolds with a sense of impending doom, highlighting the power of nature and the frailty of human existence in the face of its merciless forces. With its vivid descriptions and suspenseful narrative, "To Build a Fire" serves as a cautionary tale, reminding readers of the inherent vulnerability of mankind when confronted with the raw power of the natural world.

The Ransom of Red Chief

" The Ransom of Red Chief " by O. Henry is a hilarious and unexpected tale that turns the concept of kidnapping on its head. The story revolves around two hapless criminals, Sam and Bill, who kidnap a boy named Johnny, hoping for a hefty ransom. However, they quickly find that Johnny, who insists on being called "Red Chief," is more than they bargained for, with his wild imagination and boisterous antics. As the kidnappers struggle to handle their energetic and uncontrollable captive, they find themselves in a host of comical situations. O. Henry's narrative is a delightful reversal of roles, filled with wit and humor. It's an entertaining read that playfully reminds us that things aren't always as they seem, and sometimes the best-laid plans can go hilariously awry. Prepare for laughter and surprise as you follow the misadventures of Sam, Bill, and the irrepressible "Red Chief."

Seventh Grade

" Seventh Grade " by Gary Soto is a charming tale that captures the ups and downs of adolescence, as well as the complexities of young crushes. The story follows Victor, a seventh grader who's excited and nervous about his first day of middle school. On this day, Victor decides he will impress his crush, Teresa, with his 'maturity.' He signs up for French, a subject Teresa is also studying, and even tries to fake fluency in French. However, his plans go comically awry, leading to a series of amusing and relatable situations. Soto's narrative is a delightful exploration of young love, friendship, and the trials of growing up. This light-hearted read will surely take you back to your own school days and the simplicity of first crushes. So, buckle up and get ready for a nostalgic ride back to the adventures of seventh grade!

A Sound of Thunder

" A Sound of Thunder " by Ray Bradbury is a captivating science fiction short story that takes readers on a thrilling journey through time. Set in the future, the story follows a group of adventurous hunters who travel back in time to hunt dinosaurs. However, they are strictly instructed to avoid altering the past in any way, as even the slightest change can have unforeseen and catastrophic consequences on the present. Amidst the danger and excitement of the hunt, one hunter inadvertently steps off the designated path, crushing a seemingly insignificant butterfly. Little does he know that this small act sets off a chain of events that alters the course of history, leading to a chilling and thought-provoking twist. Bradbury's skillful storytelling and vivid imagery leave readers questioning the fragile nature of time and the potential consequences of our actions, emphasizing the importance of our choices in shaping the world around us.

The Tell-Tale Heart

" The Tell-Tale Heart " by Edgar Allan Poe dives deep into the human mind's dark abyss. Here's the deal: the story features an unnamed narrator, haunted not by ghosts, but by the "vulture eye" of an elderly man he cares for. It drives him so mad, he actually decides to... well, let's just say things get quite intense. After the 'incident,' our narrator stashes something under the floorboards, pretty confident he's managed a perfect cover-up. But then he starts hearing a sound – a heartbeat, louder and more persistent, echoing from beneath the boards. Is it real or is it all in his head? Driven to the brink, the narrator... But hey, no spoilers here! You've gotta dive into Poe's world to find out. Now that's a story you don't want to miss!

The Lady or the Tiger?

" The Lady or the Tiger? " by Frank R. Stockton is an intriguing short story that dabbles in love, jealousy, and suspense, all while keeping readers on their toes. Set in an ancient kingdom, the narrative spins around a semi-barbaric king's unique method of justice: a public arena with two doors, one hiding a fierce tiger and the other a beautiful lady. When the princess's secret lover, a lowly courtier, is accused of a crime, he's thrown into the arena to choose his fate. Now, here's where things heat up: the princess knows what's behind each door and signals her lover towards one. But, does she lead him to a gruesome death or a life married to another woman? Stockton leaves us guessing, turning this tale into a riveting debate about human nature, passion, and choice. This is one story that'll get your mind racing!

There will Come Soft Rains

" There Will Come Soft Rains " by Ray Bradbury is a captivating short story set in a post-apocalyptic world. In this haunting tale, an automated house, devoid of human inhabitants, continues its daily routines, dutifully preparing meals and cleaning, unaware that humanity has been wiped out by a devastating event. As nature slowly reclaims the surrounding landscape, the house persists in its futile efforts to serve its nonexistent occupants, creating a poignant juxtaposition between the persistence of technology and the transience of human existence. Bradbury's masterful storytelling and evocative descriptions compel readers to contemplate the fragility of civilization and the enduring power of nature.

The Lottery

" The Lottery " by Shirley Jackson is a riveting short story that takes a seemingly idyllic small town and turns it into a setting for a chilling tradition. The narrative centers around an annual event known as "the lottery," where the townsfolk gather, led by Mr. Summers, to draw slips of paper from a black box. The seemingly innocuous event builds an air of suspense and mystery as Jackson masterfully drops hints about the lottery's true purpose. As the tradition unfolds, we're confronted with a shocking revelation about the town's disturbing practice. "The Lottery" is a haunting exploration of conformity, tradition, and the dark side of human nature. Get ready for a story that will leave you stunned and make you question the power of societal norms!

Hearts and Hands

" Hearts and Hands " by O. Henry is a short story that masterfully spins a tale of identity, deceit, and the surprising complexities of the human heart. The narrative unfolds on a train journey where Miss Fairchild, a young and sophisticated woman, unexpectedly encounters Mr. Easton, an old acquaintance. Easton, handcuffed to another man, tries to maintain his dignity by introducing the man as an annoying Marshal who's escorting him to a meeting in the West. But as the story evolves, we realize that appearances can be misleading, and the truth is often far more surprising. O. Henry's narrative is renowned for its unexpected twists and touching exploration of human character. It's an intriguing read that serves as a reminder that true gentleness and nobility of spirit can exist in the most unlikely places. Prepare for an exciting journey filled with unexpected revelations!

Mother and Daughter

" Mother and Daughter " by Gary Soto is a heartfelt short story that explores the complex dynamics of the mother-daughter relationship. Yollie, an intelligent and spirited teen, and her mother, Mrs. Moreno, a hardworking and devoted single parent, face life's challenges with resilience and humor. However, their relationship gets strained as Yollie grapples with typical teenage struggles and the hardships of poverty, particularly when a stained dress ruins her chance to shine at a school dance. Through the ups and downs, Soto paints a tender portrait of love, sacrifice, and understanding, highlighting the unbreakable bond between a mother and her daughter. It's a touching narrative that's sure to stir your emotions and make you appreciate the strength of family ties!

" Miss Awful " by Arthur Cavanaugh is a delightful tale that invites readers to question their perceptions of people and life. The story unfolds in a third-grade classroom where the students are initially overjoyed when their beloved teacher, Miss Branding, takes a week off. Her replacement, Miss Orville, dubbed "Miss Awful" by the kids, seems to be their worst nightmare: she's strict, assigns lots of homework, and believes in learning by doing rather than just fun and games. However, as the week progresses, the students start to see Miss Orville in a new light. Cavanaugh's narrative cleverly explores the balance between discipline and creativity in learning, making us reevaluate our quick judgments and appreciate the value of differing teaching styles. It's a charming read that's both entertaining and thought-provoking!

" Charles " is a whimsical short story by Shirley Jackson , revolving around Laurie, a kindergartner with a flair for tall tales. Laurie regales his parents daily with stories of a classmate named Charles, who seems to be a magnet for trouble. As the tales of Charles's misbehavior escalate, Laurie's parents grow increasingly concerned and curious about this notorious boy. Jackson expertly weaves humor and suspense into the narrative, keeping readers on their toes about the true identity of Charles. So buckle up, this rollercoaster ride of childhood imagination and parental bemusement is sure to leave you entertained and guessing till the end!

The Moustache

" The Moustache " by Robert Cormier is a touching short story that explores themes of memory, aging, and familial bonds. The narrative follows seventeen-year-old Mike, who decides to grow a moustache, making him look older than he actually is. One day, he visits his grandmother at a nursing home, and due to his moustache, she mistakes him for her deceased husband. In their conversation, Mike learns more about his grandmother's past, her regrets, and the toll that time can take on memories and relationships. Cormier's story offers a poignant reflection on the cycle of life, the bonds that connect generations, and the surprising ways we learn about ourselves and our loved ones. It's a sweet, thought-provoking read that'll warm your heart and make you ponder the passage of time.

Young Goodman Brown

" Young Goodman Brown " is a gripping short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne , and it's all about the struggle between good and evil inside us. Goodman Brown takes off one night into the sinister woods of Salem, leaving behind his wife, Faith. In the forest, he runs into all sorts of crazy stuff like witches, demons, and even his seemingly upright neighbors and mentors practicing devilish rituals! This wild and eerie journey shakes Goodman Brown to his core, making him question everything he knows and trusts. By the time he gets back home, he's so disillusioned that he can't even look at his wife and townsfolk the same way again. It's a haunting, suspenseful story that really gets you thinking about faith, trust, and the darkness hidden in all of us.

The Metamorphosis

" The Metamorphosis " by Franz Kafka is a profound and surreal narrative that explores themes of alienation, guilt, and identity. The story centers around Gregor Samsa, a traveling salesman, who wakes up one morning to find himself transformed into a gigantic insect-like creature. This inexplicable metamorphosis drastically alters Gregor's life, confining him to his room and straining his relationship with his family, who are both repulsed and dependent on him. Kafka's narrative brilliantly explores the depths of human isolation and the societal pressures that can shape our existence. With its symbolic imagery and thought-provoking themes, "The Metamorphosis" is a fascinating read that will leave you pondering the essence of human nature and the meaning of life. Trust me, it's an experience like no other!

The Most Dangerous Game

" The Most Dangerous Game " by Richard Connell is a pulse-pounding short story that brilliantly explores themes of civilization, savagery, and the human will to survive. Our protagonist, the accomplished hunter Sanger Rainsford, finds himself marooned on an isolated island, the guest of the mysterious General Zaroff. But there's a twist: Zaroff, a hunting aficionado, has grown bored of hunting animals and has turned to a new game, the most dangerous game, humans. Rainsford becomes the unwilling participant in Zaroff's twisted hunt, turning from hunter to hunted in this deadly game of survival. Connell's tale is a thrilling exploration of the thin line between hunter and hunted, civilization and savagery. Buckle up for a heart-racing adventure that'll keep you on the edge of your seat!

The Two Brothers

" The Two Brothers " by Leo Tolstoy is a thought-provoking fable that examines the dichotomy between materialistic and spiritual pursuits. The narrative centers on two brothers who embark on contrasting paths in life after their father's death. The elder brother chooses a path of wealth and worldly success, while the younger one opts for a life of simplicity and peace in the countryside. Over time, their choices lead to vastly different outcomes and experiences. Through these brothers, Tolstoy paints a vivid picture of human values and the true meaning of success. This poignant story is a meditation on the essence of happiness and the inherent worth of a simple, honest life. Prepare for a contemplative journey that invites us to reflect on our choices and what truly matters in life.

The Black Cat

" The Black Cat " is an unnerving tale by Edgar Allan Poe , master of the macabre. This chilling story plunges us into the dark descent of an initially loving narrator who, under the influence of alcohol, grows increasingly violent towards his pets, especially a black cat named Pluto. After a gruesome act, a series of strange, horrifying events unfold - including the appearance of a second black cat, chillingly similar to Pluto. The narrator's spiralling madness and guilt culminate in a twist ending that's classic Poe. This gripping story will make your spine tingle - it's a compelling exploration of guilt, madness, and the supernatural. Brace yourself for a thrilling, hair-raising read!

" The Veldt " by Ray Bradbury is a riveting short story that takes readers on a chilling journey into a future where technology dominates every aspect of life. Set in a high-tech automated house, the story follows the Hadley family, who are captivated by their advanced virtual reality nursery, which can create any environment the children desire. However, the parents grow concerned when they notice their children's obsession with the African veldt, a hyper-realistic savannah filled with lions. As the tale unfolds, Bradbury masterfully builds suspense, delving into the sinister consequences of unchecked technology and the perils of an overly immersive virtual world. With its thought-provoking exploration of human dependency on technology and the erosion of family bonds, "The Veldt" serves as a haunting cautionary tale that reminds us to preserve our humanity amidst the ever-advancing digital age.

Rip Van Winkle

" Rip Van Winkle " by Washington Irving is a tale that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy. The story revolves around Rip, a lovable but lazy villager in pre-Revolutionary War New York, who's well-liked but often escapes from his nagging wife into the tranquil landscapes of the Catskill Mountains. On one such outing, Rip encounters strange men playing nine-pins, drinks their mysterious liquor, and subsequently falls into a deep sleep. When he awakens, he finds that his world has drastically changed: his beard has grown long, his dog is gone, and he discovers that he has slept through the entire American Revolution. Irving's whimsical narrative takes us on a journey of time, change, and the enduring charm of the past. Get ready for a heartwarming read that'll transport you to a world where reality intertwines with fantasy!

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

" The Legend of Sleepy Hollow " by Washington Irving is a classic that melds together folklore, humor, and the supernatural. The story is set in the tranquil town of Sleepy Hollow, known for its ghostly tales, the most famous being the terrifying Headless Horseman. Enter our protagonist, Ichabod Crane, the town's new, superstitious schoolmaster who's smitten with the beautiful Katrina Van Tassel. However, he faces a rival in the boisterous Brom Bones. One night, after a failed proposal to Katrina, Ichabod encounters the dreaded Headless Horseman, culminating in a chase that leaves his fate a mystery. Irving's tale weaves suspense, romance, and the uncanny into a timeless tale that will give you just the right amount of chills. Get ready for a fantastic journey into American folklore!

The Third Wish

" The Third Wish " by Joan Aiken is a captivating short story that follows the life of Mr. Peters, a mild-mannered, solitary man who discovers a magical fish while out fishing one day. With each wish he makes, Mr. Peters unintentionally faces unexpected consequences that lead to an amusing and thought-provoking tale. Aiken weaves together themes of fate, the power of wishes, and the importance of selflessness, leaving readers pondering the complexities of human desires and the potential price one may have to pay for their fulfillment. With its delightful blend of fantasy and moral lessons, "The Third Wish" is a must-read that will leave you enchanted and contemplating the intricacies of life's choices.

The Landlady

" The Landlady " is a spine-chilling short story by Roald Dahl that brilliantly dips into suspense and the macabre. The plot follows a young man named Billy Weaver who, while on a business trip, is drawn to a seemingly charming bed and breakfast. The quirky landlady who runs the B&B seems harmless, if a bit odd, and mentions only two other guests ever stayed there. But as the evening unfolds, Dahl sprinkles in eerie details that make Billy and the readers question the true nature of the landlady and the fate of her previous guests. Dahl's masterful storytelling creates an atmosphere of creeping dread that hooks you from start to finish. Get ready for an unnerving read that'll leave you questioning every turn!

Rikki Tikki Tavi

" Rikki Tikki Tavi " by Rudyard Kipling is a thrilling tale that celebrates the spirit of bravery and loyalty. The story centers around Rikki Tikki Tavi, a courageous mongoose who becomes the unlikely hero of a human family living in India. After being washed away by a flood, he's adopted by the family and soon takes it upon himself to protect them from dangerous creatures - particularly the menacing cobras Nag and Nagaina. Through a series of exciting battles and clever strategies, Rikki illustrates the power of courage and cunning against formidable odds. Kipling's narrative brings the animal world to life with vivid descriptions and fast-paced action, making this a truly unforgettable read. Buckle up for a wild ride with Rikki Tikki Tavi, as he takes on the venomous threats to safeguard his adopted family!

The Fall of the House of Usher

" The Fall of the House of Usher " is an iconic gothic tale by Edgar Allan Poe that draws you into a world of decay, madness, and eerie supernatural elements. The story circles around the final days of the Usher family, as narrated by a friend who visits the dilapidated mansion. He arrives to find the siblings, Roderick and Madeline Usher, in a state of despair and illness. The house itself, mirroring its inhabitants, seems to be decaying and imbued with an air of uncanny dread. As the chilling narrative unfolds, Poe masterfully weaves a tapestry of terror and suspense, culminating in a horrifying climax. Prepare yourself for an intense, spine-tingling experience with this classic piece of horror literature!

Thank you, Ma'am

" Thank You, Ma'am " by Langston Hughes is a heartwarming and thought-provoking short story that revolves around an unexpected encounter between a young boy named Roger and a kind-hearted but tough woman named Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones. After Roger attempts to steal her purse, he is caught by Mrs. Jones. Instead of handing him over to the police, she takes him to her home, cleans him up, feeds him a delicious meal, and listens to his story. Through this encounter, Hughes explores themes of compassion, forgiveness, and the transformative power of empathy, leaving readers with a profound sense of hope and the belief that a single act of kindness can change a person's life.

Names/Nombres

" Names/Nombres " by Julia Alvarez is a delightful autobiographical story that explores the struggles of cultural identity and assimilation. The story recounts the Alvarez family's move from the Dominican Republic to the United States, focusing particularly on Julia's personal experiences with the transition. One of the main challenges she encounters is the frequent mispronunciation and misspelling of her name by her American peers, symbolizing her struggle to maintain her cultural identity while integrating into a new environment. Through her heartwarming narrative, Alvarez skillfully captures the immigrant experience and the complexities of finding one's place between two cultures. It's an insightful and relatable read that will resonate with anyone who's ever felt caught between different worlds.

• The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry |  Assessment Activity & Creative Writing Project | Assessment Activity & Creative Writing Project on TpT
• The Possibility of Evil by Shirley Jackson |  Assessment Activity & Writing Project |  Assessment Activity & Writing Project on TpT
• The Masque of the Red by Death by Edgar Allan Poe* |  Assessment Activity | Assessment Activity on TpT
• The Stone by Lloyd Alexander (Available in our Curated Short Stories Library)
• 2 B R 0 2 B by Kurt Vonnegut (Available in our Curated Short Stories Library)
• The Pedestrian by Ray Bradbury
• The Adventures of the Blue Carbuncle by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Note:  An RTE subscriber emailed me to ask if there was a simple way to subscribe to all the curated resources in one place, without having to enter an email address for every short story. At the time, there wasn’t, but we have worked out a way to make it easy for you to access all the resources in one place — right here on this page! For just $10 per month, you can have ongoing access to current and future curated resources! Let us do the late-night searching for you! Learn more here .

Copyright notice:  These stories are published on sites other than reThinkELA.com and NO copyrighted stories are excerpted or quoted in RTE-created materials. Some stories are in the public domain (not copyrighted), or are excerpts of larger works, while others are not. In some cases, teachers may print a class set for their own classroom usage, but there are exceptions. Please check with your district regarding its policies and licenses for reproducing printed copies. Generally speaking, you may ask students to download their own copies (outside of the one you download for your own use) to their devices for their own educational studies.

Related topics: Short Story Lesson Plans

About the author 

Michelle Boyd Waters, M.Ed.

I am a secondary English Language Arts teacher, a University of Oklahoma student working on my doctorate in Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum with an concentration in English Education and co-Editor of the Oklahoma English Journal. I am constantly seeking ways to amplify students' voices and choices.

Man, oh, man…I don’t usually use capitals in the comments section, but I’m going to mind my p’s and q’s in the presence of an English teacher with a short story list this awesome. Much obliged.

Thank you very much, Ann. I’m glad to be of help.

Hey, I have a book report that I have to do. i have to pick a short story and fill out a sheet. It asks for, setting, pov, characters, conflict, climax, resolution, theme. Which story from the list would be the easiest and most fun?

I liked the stories because they are just cool! 🙂 My classmates are choosing stories from here to read in our book club! 😀

Wow that’s great

The sniper was really good Thank you Mrs. Waters

I am a fellow English teacher and I greatly appreciate this litany of excellent short stories. Cheers!

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Can you suggest any short stories that have characters clearly acting on their beliefs or values?

Hi Jennifer! I think “Raymond’s Run” and “Thank you, Ma’am” will both fit the bill. Have you considered those stories before?

Where are all the fairy tales?

I am working on an article with a list of fairy tales and resources. If you’re following this blog , then you’ll receive an update whenever I publish new content.

All Summer In A Day, is an amazing book! I suggest it to everyone!

Thank you, Brandon!

it’s amazing!

I know this might be off topic, but I need help coming up with ideas for a writing piece I have to do for my English class. My teacher isn’t being very clear on what we need to do, as “there are no expectations or boundaries”.

-Your grade will be determined by your display of “growth mindset” characteristics throughout the process and by the timeliness of your submission. -All genres of writing will be accepted; however, only narrative, informational, and argumentative pieces can be considered for the district writing contest. -You are allowed to submit up to three (3) original works; however, only one will be expected.

This is all she told us. Maybe if you have any writing topic ideas for a argumentative, informal piece? I’m not a fan of narrative, it make me feel self centered.

Thank you so much.

Scroll through this list of writing prompts , particularly the persuasive ones. Perhaps something here will inspire you. If that doesn’t work, go to Debate.org and look for topics that are of interest to you.

I would like to read a great book have any suggestions?

Oh wow! There are so many great books to read, it’s hard to suggest just one. What genre of books do you like? Perhaps then I can recommend one that my students enjoy.

Thanks so much for this wonderful collection !! What a time saver 🙂

Thank you so much for the links! This is an excellent compilation.

Have you ever read “Priscilla and the Wimps” by Richard Peck? It’s a great story and would make a great addition to your (already amazing) list!

No, I have not read that story yet, but I’ll have to check it out. Thank you!

Hi Mrs. Walters, I’m currently student teaching and I was wondering if you could help me. I love your list that you have provided. I have used some of these short stories with my students. I’m reviewing Lit Analysis with students again before the PAARC exams in a few weeks. I feel that my students are strong with Lit Anal but I want to give them a practice test that is authentic and not from the PAARC study materials. What two texts would you recommend for students to use to address, theme, tone, POV, or characterization? I need some inspiration. This will be part of a Thinking Skill Drill unit, which asks students to think critically about how they will answer the prompt, create thesis statements, find evidence, etc, they will not be assessed on actually writing the paper itself. HELP! I was thinking of “Raymund’s Run” for one text, since I have not used that in this class yet.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

I think “Raymond’s Run” is an excellent choice! Also, I’ve added another story, which I found on an ACT sample question site: 2 B R 0 2 B by Kurt Vonnegut, which I recommend as well. You can view the ACT sample questions that go along with the story on the this practice site or peruse the speaking and writing prompts in this file .

Ms. Waters I want to say thank you so much for putting so much hard work and effort into making this page so useful for everybody. I have used many of these stories in the past and, without your page here, had to search high and low for just the story while here it is just waiting for us! It makes putting together my lesson plans so much easier as I work with special needs students and I do not always have good materials for them so your materials here are a huge help! I do appreciate your hard work here as I know that you are probably already taxed with too much work.

Thank you so much for your kind words, Elizabeth! I’m glad to have been able to help you.

I agree with Elizabeth 1000%!!!!! Thank you Mrs. Waters for taking the time to put this list together, saving so many of us across the interwebs both time and stress. I am a freelance tutor in New York City who teaches several subjects, and I recently began working with a literature/writing student. She loves to read but has not been exposed to many classic works of literature. She also particularly loves to write short stories. Tracking down a variety of tried and true short stories seemed like a no brainer for our first few sessions, but I had no idea where to find them quickly. Lo and behold I stumbled upon your site and this fantastic list. It has been invaluable in terms of my lesson planning, and frankly, these stories are always worth re-reading for students of any age. I might just stay up for the next few hours reading all of them!! So very glad I’ve found your page, and I know my students will be too. Your passion for teaching and your empathy for and understanding of human nature are all extremely evident. THANK YOU!

Thank you, Sarah! I really needed to hear these words this week.

Yes Ama, What a wonderful world we live in 😉 ( ﾉ ﾟｰﾟ)ﾉ

I have to write a character analysis on “The Sniper,” and with there being two different snipers in the story, and the title being “The Sniper” I would like to know if I should address the main sniper the story is about by anything other than just the main sniper. Thanks, Adam Swaggington

If your teacher didn’t tell you which sniper to analyze, then I’d just pick the character that you prefer to write about. The Republican sniper is the protagonist while the other sniper is the antagonist, so that might make a difference to you.

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Thank you very much! This helped a lot!!!!

Glad to hear it, Ama!

I been meaning to ask you a question if you don’t mind?

If you have a question unrelated to this topic, you’re welcome to ask via my Contact Page .

This is an amazing resource! Thank you truly from the bottom of my heart for all the hard work you have put into collecting these stories.

You’re welcome! I’m glad this resource helped you!

this website is really cool and it helps a lot 🙂

Thanks a lot.

Thanks a lot for these. I am looking forward to reading them myself! I’m hoping they’ll be useful for my students.

Thanks so much for this fantastic list. Several of these I have taught in Grade 8 and 9; they are spectacular! Do you recommend any stories specifically for grade 7 (based on reading level, etc.)

Many thanks!!

What non-fiction short stories would you recommend for middle school children?

I like to either find articles at NewsELA.com, or let the kinds find articles on their own that they like on the site. Other sources of non-fiction include The Learning Network at The New York Times.

Does anyone know a short story about a granddaughter going through the woods on a full moon night to get a doctor/medicine for her ailing grandmother… and she turns into a hart deer?

I’m sorry. I have not heard of this short story. Do you know any more details that you can share? If not, try posting the description on this Goodreads forum or follow this advice .

I am looking for a short historical fiction selection to read to my middle school students who are completing a Historical Fiction Unit. Are any of your selections here in that genre?

Generally speaking, historical fiction is written by contemporary authors who craft a story set in the past. While the majority of these stories are set in our past, the authors created settings that were contemporary to them at that time. If you’re wanting a story by a current author who is intentionally creating a historical setting, check out this Pinterest board . Most of the listings are of books, but some of them may be relatively short.

Can you tell me about a story which I can act — a story of around 3 minutes?

I recommend you choose one of the short stories above, and then choose your favorite scene, or a very dramatic scene to act out. You might write a one-minute part for a narrator to fill in some background to setup the scene, then write the dialogue and stage directions for two or three actors who will convey the action of the scene. The narrator can then fill in the rest of the story in a minute or less.

I absolutely love “All Summer In a Day” and “Rules of the Game”! I definitely recommend both. 🙂

I was wondering if any of these shot stories included challenging vocab for ninth graders.

The Fall of the House of Usher, The Landlady, and The Most Dangerous Game all have vocabulary that would be challenging to 9th graders, as well.

Thank you so much! 🙂

You’re welcome! I’m glad I could help.

I am trying to recall a short story which I read in high school (early 70s). At the end of the story some boys are climbing through a window with hunting rifles.

Do you recall this story?

I’m afraid I don’t recall that story, as I was only in kindergarten in the late 70s. (Thank you for making me feel young!) That said, you might be able to use one or more of these book finder resources to find the short story you remember. Good luck!

Is it “The Most Dangerous Game”?

yes it is the most dangerous game

What should I do, because this story do not read in my computer and I desperately need her

Which story are you referring to?

This cool!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Mrs. Waters,

It’s been so difficult to find a good list of short stories. I am working with two black students from a lower socioeconomic neighborhood on their literacy. I’m finding one of the students has anger issues that are often directed towards authority and the system, in addition to racial issues. I would like to share with him some texts (particularly short stories) that involve social justice and diversity. Hopefully this will be relatable and will be an outlet for him. I pulled “Thank You Ma’am” for this goal Would you recommend anything else?

A great list but you have to include Three Skeleton Key! A favorite of my 7th graders for over a decade!

hi, I wanted to read the Third Wish, it seems very cool but it says that the “subscription has expired” why is that?

Me to but it comes up with 404 error

I have updated the link to one a PDF file that still exists. You should be able to download the story now.

Hi i was wondering if u did any short short stories because i need to do a review for one for school however i don’t want to use a longish one, Thank you.

Hi Tilly! I’m not currently writing any short stories, but there are some shorter ones on my list, or in the comments. Thank you!

Thank you so much for “Rule of the game.”

These stories are amazing!!!

The Sniper is great

The Black Cat and The Sniper are the best. In the feline-related one, I don’t really care that the wife died, but the KITTY! 🙁 It just ruined my soul.

These are very great books I have ever had. Thank you Mrs. Waters

Very nice stories. Especially for doing hw and projects. I want to say thanks to whoever has made this site.Very helping………..

Thank you for the wonderful collection of short stories. It has truly been helpful in persuading my students to read

Fall of the House of Usher? For middle schoolers? I can see most of these being used at that level, but my AP Lit kids have had a hard time with Usher – it’s definitely too advanced for 7th graders.

I agree that “Fall of the House of Usher” is for older students.

I have no favorite book yet

Keep looking! Think about the books you liked the most, and see if you can find others similar in genre, or written by the same author. If that doesn’t work, start sampling other books. Check with your friends and see what books they are reading, and what they recommend to you. Also, think about what movies you like and find books in the same genre. For example, if you like action movies, you might like books in the same genre.

I had a student this year who thought he’d like sports books because he loves playing sports. But he doesn’t like them. Instead, he prefers science fiction books. So, just keep looking!

wow these stories are really great, i do remember reading a few of them. Do you know any of the stories that have some sort of mythical/magical battle, by any chance?

Fantastic list. But man, stories really take a dark turn at this age, eh?

Your list is amazing! I’ve had my students read some of the ones you reccommend here, and they’re as excited as I am when finishing them. Would you have any short story suggestions for High Schoolers? I have such a hard time since I go through a lot of authors with eighth graders!

Is there a specific story that shows growth or change within a character from beginning to end?? Thanks.

I like the story The black Cat.

You have done a wonderful job with this post!! Are any of these stories based on historical events? I am on the search for short stories that are based on topics such as the Renaissance, Reformation, Silk Road – anything between the time periods of 7th century to 1750. Any help would be awesome!! Thank you!

I loved a short story I read back in the mid 70’s. I believe the title was “Nancy” about a little girl who sneaks out of the house when her family is napping and runs into a family from the wrong side of the tracks. She spends the afternoon with them having all kinds of adventures until her aunt or mother finds her, scolds her, and brings her home. I have had no luck finding this story anywhere!

A brilliant resource. Thank you for assembling a great list of short stories AND giving access to them. A great time-saver.

All the stories are great, and they help me a lot to improve my language.

I am in middle school in Iowa and my AM told me about this and now everyday in AM I read at least a story and my reading comp. has improved so much!!!

I like just have to say this… thank you! Your stories are great! I improved so much in reading! I’m in 5th grade and my friends are too. We had to pick a story to read and picked one of your stories. This is how much I love your stories! Thank you again! Have a great day!

Love, Admirer

i am a student and i really find these short stories very intesting and confurting i love them

I am a student in year 6 and with these stories,…………… I am lost for words Incredibly incredible Awesomely awesome Greatly great Fantastically fantastic

Hi there, Thank you so much for helping me pick out a short story for my class. They loved the short story Amigo Brothers so much. Just wanted to say thank you. I am hoping that after this story we can read another one. My class is very skilled and talented, they are almost done with the book, and it has only been a week. they are the smartest kids in the world. thank you again.

English teacher from across the globe, here. Just wanted to say thanks for putting together this awesome resource! It’s been a real boon, and I wanted to let you know that after all these years, it’s still appreciated!

I’m a substitute teacher and lists like this are pure gold for me. Thank you for putting an engaging resource at my fingertips!

Well Mrs waters all I have been doing is rummaging through the prompts and stories since I opened up this site actually my teacher told me that she wanted us to write some short stories but she doesn’t want them to be narrative and this what I figured out from her expressions ? This site is fabulous but I’m now a bit confused so could you please suggest me some good prompts to begin my story with because I have to submit these stories to her by tomorrow Thanks

Hi, I am a mom trying to help my children better their reading comprehension. I came upon your site and love the 40 selections you have here. My question is , do you happen to have any guided questions that I can follow to ask my children to make sure they are understanding what they are reading? Any help would be greatly appreciated and welcomed. I am feeling desperate trying to help them. Thank you.

Beautiful stories. Thanks a lot!

I need help.I have to do a short story 300-500 using figurative language and the 5 senses.It has to have a clear message and im really stuck.Help?

Hi Anna! Do you know what message you’d like to convey to your audience and who your audience is? Once you know that, you can start creating characters who your audience will identify with and most likely ones that you will identify with as well. You can also decide what will happen to your characters and how they will respond to those events in a way that will craft the message you’re wanting your audience to get.

“A Christmas Memory” BY Truman Capote. PERFECT for figurative language! Debbie Hutchinson Colleton County Middle School Walterboro, SC

Not all the links work

Hi Celeste!

Which links are not working for you? I have a system setup so that I can tell which links are broken. However, all the links on this page appear to be working.

I can check the specific ones that you’re having trouble with though. Just let me know which ones here.

Comments are closed.

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Our collection of informational stories and other non-fiction texts combine high-interest reading passages with questions designed to build reading comprehension skills. Passage topics cover a range of subjects including animals, how-to, occupations, science, and sports. Questions cover a range of skills, including identifying main idea, determining the author's purpose, summarizing, making inferences, identifying cause/effect, analyzing text features, using context clues, and finding support in a passage. The high-interest passages will help get kids excited about reading, while the questions accompanying each passage will help kids improve their reading comprehension skills.

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7th grade short stories printable.

Table of Contents

Grade 7 Reading Lesson 1 Short Stories The Open Window Reading

7th Grade Short Stories Printable – If you intend to make your kid become a better visitor, use complimentary printable reading comprehension worksheets to help them. These worksheets are appropriate for upper primary with intermediate school trainees. A lot of are one-of-a-kind as well as can be published by educators or moms and dads. Bear in mind to get the approval from the writer prior to you use the product.

What is the Meaning of Reading Comprehension?

Reading comprehension is an ability that helps visitors to recognize the info they are reading. This skill is important for reading with function and also pleasure. The United States Common Core Standards have several purposes associated with reading comprehension. These objectives start in preschool and also rise in complexity with each grade degree. These goals include asking inquiries concerning crucial details in a message and retelling familiar stories. They likewise include recognizing the personalities, establishing, and also significant occasions in a message.

Trainees can exercise their reading comprehension skills by completing worksheets. Some worksheets may additionally have photos that will certainly assist them in understanding what words mean. Oftentimes, these worksheets are made use of to assist educators evaluate trainee actions and strategy lessons. Some of these worksheets can even aid instructors see how their students have actually improved in time.

What is the Importance of Reading Comprehension?

As a result, the emphasis of reading direction is changing from the act of reading to reading comprehension. Efficient comprehension strategies enable pupils to continue to be involved as well as establish a much deeper understanding of the message they are reading.

Reading comprehension is a diverse ability that can be developed over a duration of years. This involves conversation with parents and pupils, doubting the definition of words, as well as providing possibilities for them to review what they have actually reviewed.

Grade 7 Reading Lesson 3 Short Stories Vanka 1 Reading Lessons Short

Pin On Comprehension Passages Set1

Grade 7 Reading Lesson 1 Short Stories The Open Window Open Window

7th Grade Short Stories Printable are an outstanding method to enhance reading skills in children. These worksheets include 100 free youngsters’s stories and also comprehension exercises. These worksheets can be made use of in the house or at college. They can be used at any type of age and also are an excellent means to construct a foundation for reading comprehension.

A lot of the 7th Grade Short Stories Printable include comprehension concerns and a solution secret. They are appropriate for pupils in the top primary as well as middle school qualities. Although the worksheets are free to download, they must not be reused or replicated without composed authorization from the designer. Teachers and parents can print the worksheets to make use of with their students, however they need to request created approval to republish them at all.

When preparing reading comprehension worksheets for hyperlexic children, it is essential to make them as appealing as possible. As an example, if your child likes outer space, use worksheets with that said theme. This can be a terrific start for hyperlexic children. Additionally, these worksheets can be utilized to improve distance learning and also home educating.

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Seventh Grade by Gary Soto Short Story Analysis

Description.

This resource for   “Seventh Grade” by Gary Soto includes before reading, during reading, and after reading activities! Add it to the collection of stories to read during  Hispanic Heritage Month!  Your students will be highly engaged in this lesson about seventh grade and the desire to impress others!

Included in this purchase:

• Suggested Lesson Procedure for teachers
• Before Reading Activating Activity
• Vocabulary Terms and Graphic Organizer
• Background Information on the author Gary Soto
• Reading Comprehension and Discussion Questions
• After Reading Summarizing Strategy
• Answer Keys

File Types Included:

Teacher Guide and Answer Keys (PDF)

Student Copy of Activities (Word document—editable for teachers)

Student Copy of Activities (PDF—ready to print)

Vocabulary and Author’s background (Powerpoint Presentation)

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What the Data Says About Pandemic School Closures, Four Years Later

The more time students spent in remote instruction, the further they fell behind. And, experts say, extended closures did little to stop the spread of Covid.

By Sarah Mervosh ,  Claire Cain Miller and Francesca Paris

Four years ago this month, schools nationwide began to shut down, igniting one of the most polarizing and partisan debates of the pandemic.

Some schools, often in Republican-led states and rural areas, reopened by fall 2020. Others, typically in large cities and states led by Democrats, would not fully reopen for another year.

A variety of data — about children’s academic outcomes and about the spread of Covid-19 — has accumulated in the time since. Today, there is broad acknowledgment among many public health and education experts that extended school closures did not significantly stop the spread of Covid, while the academic harms for children have been large and long-lasting.

While poverty and other factors also played a role, remote learning was a key driver of academic declines during the pandemic, research shows — a finding that held true across income levels.

Source: Fahle, Kane, Patterson, Reardon, Staiger and Stuart, “ School District and Community Factors Associated With Learning Loss During the COVID-19 Pandemic .” Score changes are measured from 2019 to 2022. In-person means a district offered traditional in-person learning, even if not all students were in-person.

“There’s fairly good consensus that, in general, as a society, we probably kept kids out of school longer than we should have,” said Dr. Sean O’Leary, a pediatric infectious disease specialist who helped write guidance for the American Academy of Pediatrics, which recommended in June 2020 that schools reopen with safety measures in place.

There were no easy decisions at the time. Officials had to weigh the risks of an emerging virus against the academic and mental health consequences of closing schools. And even schools that reopened quickly, by the fall of 2020, have seen lasting effects.

But as experts plan for the next public health emergency, whatever it may be, a growing body of research shows that pandemic school closures came at a steep cost to students.

The longer schools were closed, the more students fell behind.

At the state level, more time spent in remote or hybrid instruction in the 2020-21 school year was associated with larger drops in test scores, according to a New York Times analysis of school closure data and results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress , an authoritative exam administered to a national sample of fourth- and eighth-grade students.

At the school district level, that finding also holds, according to an analysis of test scores from third through eighth grade in thousands of U.S. districts, led by researchers at Stanford and Harvard. In districts where students spent most of the 2020-21 school year learning remotely, they fell more than half a grade behind in math on average, while in districts that spent most of the year in person they lost just over a third of a grade.

( A separate study of nearly 10,000 schools found similar results.)

Such losses can be hard to overcome, without significant interventions. The most recent test scores, from spring 2023, show that students, overall, are not caught up from their pandemic losses , with larger gaps remaining among students that lost the most ground to begin with. Students in districts that were remote or hybrid the longest — at least 90 percent of the 2020-21 school year — still had almost double the ground to make up compared with students in districts that allowed students back for most of the year.

Some time in person was better than no time.

As districts shifted toward in-person learning as the year went on, students that were offered a hybrid schedule (a few hours or days a week in person, with the rest online) did better, on average, than those in places where school was fully remote, but worse than those in places that had school fully in person.

Students in hybrid or remote learning, 2020-21

80% of students

Some schools return online, as Covid-19 cases surge. Vaccinations start for high-priority groups.

Teachers are eligible for the Covid vaccine in more than half of states.

Most districts end the year in-person or hybrid.

Source: Burbio audit of more than 1,200 school districts representing 47 percent of U.S. K-12 enrollment. Note: Learning mode was defined based on the most in-person option available to students.

Income and family background also made a big difference.

A second factor associated with academic declines during the pandemic was a community’s poverty level. Comparing districts with similar remote learning policies, poorer districts had steeper losses.

But in-person learning still mattered: Looking at districts with similar poverty levels, remote learning was associated with greater declines.

A community’s poverty rate and the length of school closures had a “roughly equal” effect on student outcomes, said Sean F. Reardon, a professor of poverty and inequality in education at Stanford, who led a district-level analysis with Thomas J. Kane, an economist at Harvard.

Score changes are measured from 2019 to 2022. Poorest and richest are the top and bottom 20% of districts by percent of students on free/reduced lunch. Mostly in-person and mostly remote are districts that offered traditional in-person learning for more than 90 percent or less than 10 percent of the 2020-21 year.

But the combination — poverty and remote learning — was particularly harmful. For each week spent remote, students in poor districts experienced steeper losses in math than peers in richer districts.

That is notable, because poor districts were also more likely to stay remote for longer .

Some of the country’s largest poor districts are in Democratic-leaning cities that took a more cautious approach to the virus. Poor areas, and Black and Hispanic communities , also suffered higher Covid death rates, making many families and teachers in those districts hesitant to return.

“We wanted to survive,” said Sarah Carpenter, the executive director of Memphis Lift, a parent advocacy group in Memphis, where schools were closed until spring 2021 .

“But I also think, man, looking back, I wish our kids could have gone back to school much quicker,” she added, citing the academic effects.

Other things were also associated with worse student outcomes, including increased anxiety and depression among adults in children’s lives, and the overall restriction of social activity in a community, according to the Stanford and Harvard research .

Even short closures had long-term consequences for children.

While being in school was on average better for academic outcomes, it wasn’t a guarantee. Some districts that opened early, like those in Cherokee County, Ga., a suburb of Atlanta, and Hanover County, Va., lost significant learning and remain behind.

At the same time, many schools are seeing more anxiety and behavioral outbursts among students. And chronic absenteeism from school has surged across demographic groups .

These are signs, experts say, that even short-term closures, and the pandemic more broadly, had lasting effects on the culture of education.

“There was almost, in the Covid era, a sense of, ‘We give up, we’re just trying to keep body and soul together,’ and I think that was corrosive to the higher expectations of schools,” said Margaret Spellings, an education secretary under President George W. Bush who is now chief executive of the Bipartisan Policy Center.

Closing schools did not appear to significantly slow Covid’s spread.

Perhaps the biggest question that hung over school reopenings: Was it safe?

That was largely unknown in the spring of 2020, when schools first shut down. But several experts said that had changed by the fall of 2020, when there were initial signs that children were less likely to become seriously ill, and growing evidence from Europe and parts of the United States that opening schools, with safety measures, did not lead to significantly more transmission.

“Infectious disease leaders have generally agreed that school closures were not an important strategy in stemming the spread of Covid,” said Dr. Jeanne Noble, who directed the Covid response at the U.C.S.F. Parnassus emergency department.

Politically, though, there remains some disagreement about when, exactly, it was safe to reopen school.

Republican governors who pushed to open schools sooner have claimed credit for their approach, while Democrats and teachers’ unions have emphasized their commitment to safety and their investment in helping students recover.

“I do believe it was the right decision,” said Jerry T. Jordan, president of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, which resisted returning to school in person over concerns about the availability of vaccines and poor ventilation in school buildings. Philadelphia schools waited to partially reopen until the spring of 2021 , a decision Mr. Jordan believes saved lives.

“It doesn’t matter what is going on in the building and how much people are learning if people are getting the virus and running the potential of dying,” he said.

Pandemic school closures offer lessons for the future.

Though the next health crisis may have different particulars, with different risk calculations, the consequences of closing schools are now well established, experts say.

In the future, infectious disease experts said, they hoped decisions would be guided more by epidemiological data as it emerged, taking into account the trade-offs.

“Could we have used data to better guide our decision making? Yes,” said Dr. Uzma N. Hasan, division chief of pediatric infectious diseases at RWJBarnabas Health in Livingston, N.J. “Fear should not guide our decision making.”

Source: Fahle, Kane, Patterson, Reardon, Staiger and Stuart, “ School District and Community Factors Associated With Learning Loss During the Covid-19 Pandemic. ”

The study used estimates of learning loss from the Stanford Education Data Archive . For closure lengths, the study averaged district-level estimates of time spent in remote and hybrid learning compiled by the Covid-19 School Data Hub (C.S.D.H.) and American Enterprise Institute (A.E.I.) . The A.E.I. data defines remote status by whether there was an in-person or hybrid option, even if some students chose to remain virtual. In the C.S.D.H. data set, districts are defined as remote if “all or most” students were virtual.

An earlier version of this article misstated a job description of Dr. Jeanne Noble. She directed the Covid response at the U.C.S.F. Parnassus emergency department. She did not direct the Covid response for the University of California, San Francisco health system.

How we handle corrections

Sarah Mervosh covers education for The Times, focusing on K-12 schools. More about Sarah Mervosh

Claire Cain Miller writes about gender, families and the future of work for The Upshot. She joined The Times in 2008 and was part of a team that won a Pulitzer Prize in 2018 for public service for reporting on workplace sexual harassment issues. More about Claire Cain Miller

Francesca Paris is a Times reporter working with data and graphics for The Upshot. More about Francesca Paris

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Braves' Sean Murphy: Has Grade 1 oblique strain

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Murphy has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 left oblique strain, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Murphy landed on the 10-day injured list prior to Saturday's game with an injury suffered in Friday's opener, but an MRI has revealed a best-case scenario. He will be eligible for activation April 9, and while Murphy might not be ready at that time, it shouldn't be a lengthy absence. Travis d'Arnaud will be Atlanta's regular catcher while Murphy is out.

Braves' Sean Murphy: Placed on injured list

Braves' sean murphy: headed to il, braves' sean murphy: battling oblique tightness, braves' sean murphy: exits with apparent oblique injury, braves' sean murphy: finally goes yard wednesday, braves' sean murphy: searching for power this spring, our latest fantasy baseball stories.

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Watch CBS News

5 bodies found piled in bulletproof SUV in Mexico, 7 others discovered near U.S. border

Updated on: March 21, 2024 / 8:27 AM EDT / CBS/AP

Prosecutors in the violent western Mexican state of Jalisco said Wednesday they found five dead bodies piled in a bulletproof SUV, while near the Arizona border authorities found seven more bodies.

The state prosecutors' office said someone called an emergency number to report the vehicle Tuesday. Inside, police found the bodies of five men "with visible signs of violence." The office did not specify how the men were killed.

The SUV was found on a road in Villa de Corona, which is south of Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco state.

The state is home to the drug cartel  of the same name. The Department of Justice considers the Jalisco cartel to be "one of the five most dangerous transnational criminal organizations in the world." The cartel's leader, Nemesio Oseguera, " El Mencho, " is among the most sought by Mexican and U.S. authorities.

Mexican drug cartels frequently use either homemade or professionally made bulletproof vehicles, as well as military-grade weapons.

Also Wednesday, prosecutors in the northern border state of Sonora said seven bodies were found just off a road near the town of Puerto Peñasco, on the Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez.

Prosecutors said that the victims were all men wearing military-style gear, and had all been shot to death. Their bodies were found near the Gulf of Santa Clara, just west of Puerto Peñasco.

They identified one of the dead men as a local leader of one faction of the Sinaloa drug cartel who had operated largely in the border city of Mexicali. In keeping with Mexican regulations, they identified the man only by his alias, "El Pía." His identity was confirmed by fingerprint records, officials said.

Different factions of the Sinaloa cartel have been fighting for trafficking routes in the area.

The head of the DEA  told CBS News  that the Jalisco and Sinaloa cartels are the two Mexican cartels behind the influx of fentanyl into the U.S. that's killing tens of thousands of Americans.

The  sons of drug lord  Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman were  among 28 Sinaloa cartel members charged  in a massive fentanyl-trafficking investigation announced last year.

More from CBS News

California man convicted of killing his mother is captured in Mexico

Families of victims in Baltimore bridge collapse speak out: "Tremendous agony"

Woman accused of killing girl beaten to death by mob in Mexico

Well-known politician shot dead while fleeing gunmen in Bahamas

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Poll: grade this cardinals 7-round mock draft, share this article.

The Arizona Cardinals are in the middle of trader rumors and speculation with the fourth pick in the draft. In this week’s seven-round mock draft simulation for the Cardinals, they are active with trades but still get the most coveted for them.

They trade back with the Minnesota Vikings, picking up the 11th and 23rd picks of this draft and a first next year, then deal the 11th pick and the 27th pick to the Chargers to move back up to No. 5.

These are the results of the mock draft

PFF gives the mock draft an A-minus.

What grade do you give it? Vote in the poll .

You can see the results of the poll here with this link .

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Sub scribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify .

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