Odder Than Ever - Softcover

Coville, Bruce

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0152024654 ISBN 13: 9780152024659

Publisher: Harcourt Brace International, 2000

Synopsis

Beloved for his hilarious and unexpectedly moving novels, Bruce Coville is also a master of the short story. In this follow-up to Oddly Enough, he again presents a collection of unusual breadth and emotional depth. A ghost who died under uproarious circumstances haunts a kitchen baking "Biscuits of Glory," while in the grand tale "The Golden Sail," there are unexpected consequences when a young teen goes in search of his seafaring father. The collection includes a heartbreaking new story from Mr. Elives' Magic Shop, "The Metamorphosis of Justin Jones," and the bittersweet title story from the critically acclaimed anthology Am I Blue? A perfect introduction to Bruce Coville's magic for the uninitiated, Odder Than Ever also has a treat for his die-hard fans: three never-before-published stories.

About this title

From the Author:

Strange stories for weird readers . . .
Hey, gang -- thought you might like to know a little about this new book. Like its predecessor, ODDLY ENOUGH, this is a collection of nine short stories, six reprinted from other places, three brand new. I'm feeling very jazzed about the collection because it just got a starred review in School Library Journal, which called it "an immensely enjoyable and thought-provoking collection."

I should warn you that the book is aimed at a slightly older audience than most of my books.

The stories are as follows:

THE GOLDEN SAIL -- This is one of the new pieces, and I actually wrote it to perform with the Syracuse Symphony. It came from a story fragment I've had in my head for over twenty years. (And let me tell you, it was a relief to finally find an ending for it!) It is a lyrical, wistful adventure story about a boy sailing in search of his lost father. First time in print.

BISCUITS OF GLORY -- a "fluffy" story, the lightest and silliest in the book.

I, EARTHLING -- The first Earth kid to be taken to another planet (his father is a diplomat) struggles to adust to being the only kid in his class without six arms and an extra eye in the middle of his forehead.

THE GIANT'S TOOTH -- This is one of the new stories, and one of my wackiest ideas ever. It's about a guy who almost gets swallowed by a giant, but manages to hang on and make a home in one of the giant's teeth.

THERE'S NOTHING UNDER THE BED -- My personal vote for scariest story in the collection. Most parents tell you "There's nothing under the bed" but for David this is terrifyingly true--there's a void under his bed that swallows things.

THE STINKY PRINCESS -- the third new story, a very funny (in my opinion) yarn about a princess, a goblin, a rather large frog, and a trip to Nilbog.

THE JAPANESE MIRROR -- a scary story about a boy haunted by his own evil image.

AM I BLUE? -- The School Library Journal says this story "envisions a hilarious solution to homophobia." I originally wrote this for an anthology Marion Dane Bauer was assembling, and was especially proud when she made it not only the lead story, but decided to use the title for the whole collection.

THE METAMORPHOSIS OF JUSTIN JONES -- A Magic Shop story! This is another tale I wrote to perform with the Syracuse Symphony. The premiere was one of the highpoints of my life. A story about wings and hard choices.

Well, that's it. Hope you enjoy the book!

All best, Bruce

About the Author:

BRUCE COVILLE is the author of over 100 books for children and young adults, including the international bestseller My Teacher is an Alien, the Unicorn Chronicles series, and the much-beloved Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher. His work has appeared in a dozen languages and won children's choice awards in a dozen states. Before becoming a full time writer Bruce was a teacher, a toymaker, a magazine editor, a gravedigger, and a cookware salesman. He is also the creator of Full Cast Audio, an audiobook company devoted to producing full cast, unabridged recordings of material for family listening and has produced over a hundred audiobooks, directing and/or acting in most of them. Bruce lives in Syracuse, New York, with his wife, illustrator and author Katherine Coville. Visit his website at www.brucecoville.com.

About this edition

• Publisher: Harcourt Brace International
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0152024654
• ISBN 13: 9780152024659
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 176