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What Do Fish Have to Do With Anything?
In this masterful collection, Newbery Award winner Avi charts the turning points in the lives of seven young protagonists.
In the overlapping years when childhood and adolescence blend and shift like waves and sand, nothing is certain and everything is changing. In this extraordinary collection of stories, Avi, one of the most innovative authors writing for young people today, charts the turning points in the lives of seven protagonists in their restless middle years. Here you will meet, among others, the subject of the title story, who wonders why he shouldn’t ask questions that have no answers — is it because he might discover the truth? You’ll also encounter a "bad" minister’s son who is dared to be good, and a chilling tale of a girl who is haunted by the ghosts of her cats. Always with a surprise built in, an angle unseen, these are stories that step just beyond the edge of the everyday.
In the overlapping years when childhood and adolescence blend and shift like waves and sand, nothing is certain and everything is changing. In this extraordinary collection of stories, Avi, one of the most innovative authors writing for young people today, charts the turning points in the lives of seven protagonists in their restless middle years. Here you will meet, among others, the subject of the title story, who wonders why he shouldn’t ask questions that have no answers — is it because he might discover the truth? You’ll also encounter a "bad" minister’s son who is dared to be good, and a chilling tale of a girl who is haunted by the ghosts of her cats. Always with a surprise built in, an angle unseen, these are stories that step just beyond the edge of the everyday.
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
33 people are currently reading
445 people want to read
About the author
Avi
345 books1,715 followersAvi is a pen name for Edward Irving Wortis, but he says, "The fact is, Avi is the only name I use." Born in 1937, Avi has created many fictional favorites such as
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle,
Nothing but the Truth,
and the Crispin series. His work is popular among readers young and old.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
December 28, 2016
I've only read two other books by Avi, and both were fantasy/historical fiction. This is a collection of seven stories about very modern children facing real problems. And, nope - it's not a downer. Far from it; I laughed aloud several times.
A few of my favorites were:
The Goodness of Matt Kaizer, a funny tale in which a boy who has built his reputation on being bad is mistaken for an angel by a dying man. Just try living that down!
Pets, a creepy story about an evil, selfish cat who continues her tyranny after death.
And Teacher Tamer, a touching story about a boy who sets out to play a prank on his teacher, but ends up learning a lot by being in the wrong place at thewrong right time.
I'm really impressed with the versatility of this writer, and I'll be reading more of his stuff in the future. Luckily, I have over 75 books to choose from.
A few of my favorites were:
The Goodness of Matt Kaizer, a funny tale in which a boy who has built his reputation on being bad is mistaken for an angel by a dying man. Just try living that down!
Pets, a creepy story about an evil, selfish cat who continues her tyranny after death.
And Teacher Tamer, a touching story about a boy who sets out to play a prank on his teacher, but ends up learning a lot by being in the wrong place at the
I'm really impressed with the versatility of this writer, and I'll be reading more of his stuff in the future. Luckily, I have over 75 books to choose from.
January 30, 2011
In the 7th grade we read the first story, What do fish have to do with anything, and even though i thought the ending was completely blunt the story always stuck to me because of its meaning. Then 3 years later I found a book with the same title as that story I read in 7th grade flipping through the first few pages i was delighted that it was the same book and bought it. I enjoyed reading the first story again and then i read the others and really felt their meanings strike at me. I loved them all (except maybe the one about Pets was a little wary) but the rest were so compelling. I loved that most of the stories had their own meanings and for some reason during some of them I even wanted to cry.
October 14, 2015
this book has a lot of good stories i havent finished but i recommend this book to a lot of people and i think my favorite story is talk to me where this girl keeps on getting calls at 4 oclock on friday but she doesnt know who it is and she thinks that it his her brother that ran away a year ago and she told him/her a lot of things so he/she can talk to her so like i said i recommend this book for a lot of people
August 20, 2024
Why was this book actually so cute and nostalgic!!
October 9, 2018
Kind of strange and odd. And not in the way I like strange and odd...
I can see why lots of people like this set of stories, and even why kids might like them. Just wasn't my thing.
I can see why lots of people like this set of stories, and even why kids might like them. Just wasn't my thing.
November 2, 2015
I really enjoyed all of the short stories in this book. They had an enormous amount of details and amazing plots. I really enjoyed the short story " The Goodness of Matt Kaizer." The reason why I love this short story the most is because of its stories meaning. I recommend this book to people who love short stories and anyone who likes books. This book is really one of my favorites and I will probably read it again and again.
October 10, 2018
Just like most short story collections, this was a mixed bag. There were a couple of interesting stories that made me think a bit, but then there were the others...Some I really disliked.
March 29, 2008
There are some wonderful short stories here and I am waffling over whether it deserves four or five stars.
The first story, WDFHTDWA?, is about a boy on a quest to find the key to happiness, and his emotional growth as he learns to accept people the way they are - a lesson his mother has yet to learn.
The Goodness of Matt Kaizer was a fantastic tale of a preacher's wayward young son and how he learns that he has goodness inside of him. Truly it is an inspirational story about the miracles we perform for each other daily by simply being respectful.
Talk to Me was one of two stories that I was not crazy about; the tale and the main character were great but the ending was too abrupt a change and seemed uncomfortably glossy to me. Essentially, a young girl learns to accept loss and move on. But does that mean you should forget? That is my concern in this story.
Teacher Tamer was perhaps my favorite story; it puts into perspective for children why some teachers might seem unfair or mean at times. A boy seeks revenge on a burned-out teacher who targets him for punishment, but in the process he learns her motivation. He begins to treat the teacher differently - not that he treated her particularly badly before, but now he has a sort of reverence for her - and his small action soothes the anger she sometimes takes out on her students.
Pets is another story that didn't really appeal to me; a young girl who has had lots of pets in her life learns to take care of and love two cats, who end up dying of distemper. This story is about letting them go; I found the means to get to this lesson to be too unpleasant for my tastes.
What's Inside deals with adolescent cruelty and suicide prevention; a wonderful and heartwrenching tale woven with a lot of symbolism and reality together. It comes together in a way that makes this difficult topic appropriate for younger sets of children.
Fortune Cookie, the final story, is the other competitor for my favortism. It's about a wisecracking kid who attempts to get his divorced parents to behave civilly towards one another and to the children. It doesn't end happily ever after, but it does have resolution, and the character is endearing in spite of or perhaps because of his anger.
The first story, WDFHTDWA?, is about a boy on a quest to find the key to happiness, and his emotional growth as he learns to accept people the way they are - a lesson his mother has yet to learn.
The Goodness of Matt Kaizer was a fantastic tale of a preacher's wayward young son and how he learns that he has goodness inside of him. Truly it is an inspirational story about the miracles we perform for each other daily by simply being respectful.
Talk to Me was one of two stories that I was not crazy about; the tale and the main character were great but the ending was too abrupt a change and seemed uncomfortably glossy to me. Essentially, a young girl learns to accept loss and move on. But does that mean you should forget? That is my concern in this story.
Teacher Tamer was perhaps my favorite story; it puts into perspective for children why some teachers might seem unfair or mean at times. A boy seeks revenge on a burned-out teacher who targets him for punishment, but in the process he learns her motivation. He begins to treat the teacher differently - not that he treated her particularly badly before, but now he has a sort of reverence for her - and his small action soothes the anger she sometimes takes out on her students.
Pets is another story that didn't really appeal to me; a young girl who has had lots of pets in her life learns to take care of and love two cats, who end up dying of distemper. This story is about letting them go; I found the means to get to this lesson to be too unpleasant for my tastes.
What's Inside deals with adolescent cruelty and suicide prevention; a wonderful and heartwrenching tale woven with a lot of symbolism and reality together. It comes together in a way that makes this difficult topic appropriate for younger sets of children.
Fortune Cookie, the final story, is the other competitor for my favortism. It's about a wisecracking kid who attempts to get his divorced parents to behave civilly towards one another and to the children. It doesn't end happily ever after, but it does have resolution, and the character is endearing in spite of or perhaps because of his anger.
October 26, 2014
This book is a collection of short stories, the short story I'm going to be reviewing about today is called, "Pets". Eve Hubbard, a-passionate-for-pets girl, wanted to get two cats, a black one and a white one. She's had a lot of experience with pets before this. She's had gerbils, rats, hamsters, dogs, cats, salamanders, and turtles. She wants to get cats because her old dog, Chase, died, and his remains were buried in the backyard, along with other pets, she got a female white cat named Angel, and a male black cat named Shadow. Shadow was always so polite to Angel, not eating until Angel takes a bite, always comforting her, licking her etc. But, after a few weeks, Angel grew sick and she started fighting with Eve, and not eating correctly too. After weeks of that, they took Angel to vet and the vet said she has a distemper disease and it's contagious too! And after putting Angel down in Eve's arms, Shadow became weak and weary too! He wouldn't eat his food, meow all the time for no reason... and Eve hadn't taken Shadow to the hospital because on one night, they say Angel's ghost sitting in a tree meowing at Shadow, as if waiting for him. So, Eve tried talking to the cat(s) and trying to make Angel stop haunting their family, and when Eve's parents had enough of that, they took Shadow to the hospital, tears were in Eve's eyes trickling down her cheeks. Three main ideas are kindness, reasoning, and being passionate.
January 14, 2015
I would give this book a 3 1/2 star rating. Personally this book was childish with a really big meaning to each story. I just felt the book was just written in a way for children at like the age of 10. Maybe the author wanted to do that or maybe he just wanted to write a book that is very simple with a broad meaning left behind of it.
This book contains short stories of fictional kids and some problems they face in their childhood. Something about this book just is very intriguing and makes you want to read more. It just keeps u entertained with these stories. Maybe it's how you can relate to having some problems like this when you were younger or how you've never experienced some of these problems. It just gives you a glimpse of many children's problems at the same age.
Though this book is probably ment for younger kids I really found interesting life lessons and I don't really learn lessons from books because most of the books are non-relatable. But this book contains lessons that maybe even adults don't think about. In each story there is a unique theme and life lesson.
In overall I think this is a great book for kids ages 8-11 because of the unique themes and lessons. I would recommend this to anybody that wants to read a easy simple but entertaining book.
This book contains short stories of fictional kids and some problems they face in their childhood. Something about this book just is very intriguing and makes you want to read more. It just keeps u entertained with these stories. Maybe it's how you can relate to having some problems like this when you were younger or how you've never experienced some of these problems. It just gives you a glimpse of many children's problems at the same age.
Though this book is probably ment for younger kids I really found interesting life lessons and I don't really learn lessons from books because most of the books are non-relatable. But this book contains lessons that maybe even adults don't think about. In each story there is a unique theme and life lesson.
In overall I think this is a great book for kids ages 8-11 because of the unique themes and lessons. I would recommend this to anybody that wants to read a easy simple but entertaining book.
July 6, 2020
When looking for short stories to use as supplemental texts for 6th graders, I often find myself frustrated that so much of the great work in that category just doesn't fit for my students. The stories are either too difficult to understand or they feature inappropriate content (I am waiting, desperately, for George Saunders to write a story without curse words. George!!! The students need you!).
Thank goodness, then, that I found What Do Fish Have To Do With Anything. Avi's short story collection is full of fresh, energetic, and modern literature that is, thankfully, accessible to young readers. My sixth graders studied the title story and it led to some of the most insightful and vulnerable text-to-self connections they have shared all year.
The stories cover topics like divorce, run-a-way siblings, and suicide. Avi's writing does not conform to some "high" standard of English and his narrative arcs do not have neat conclusions. But his craft is undeniable. This is a great collection for leading students to basic understandings of analysis as he packs so much into so little of space.
I recommend these stories for sixth graders and the rest of you too.
Thank goodness, then, that I found What Do Fish Have To Do With Anything. Avi's short story collection is full of fresh, energetic, and modern literature that is, thankfully, accessible to young readers. My sixth graders studied the title story and it led to some of the most insightful and vulnerable text-to-self connections they have shared all year.
The stories cover topics like divorce, run-a-way siblings, and suicide. Avi's writing does not conform to some "high" standard of English and his narrative arcs do not have neat conclusions. But his craft is undeniable. This is a great collection for leading students to basic understandings of analysis as he packs so much into so little of space.
I recommend these stories for sixth graders and the rest of you too.
October 14, 2015
The book what do fish have to do with anything was an amazing book. I loved this book so much I give a rate of five stars. This book has a bunch of fun and daring short stories such as Teacher Tamer. I recommend this book to anyone who likes to and enjoys to read short stories. I especially recommend this book to my friend Narreigh because he has read this book and rated it four stars. What I thought of this book was that IT...WAS...AMAZING! Anyone who reads this book, I hope they like it as much as I like it.
March 4, 2010
My class recently read a snippet of this book. It presents some really great questions, and forces people to really think about things in a different way. A great reminder that things (and people) are not always what or how they seem.
October 25, 2022
As an avid reader of Avi I enjoy so much of his content. I remember starting when I was little and reading his books into adulthood. I had no idea that so many of my favorites were all by him because of the child I would just get books and not think about the author.
This is comprised of several short stories. And as per usual Avi delivers. I will be reviewing them piece by piece.
What do Fish Have to do With Anything?
This is very much a story about people who are unhappy and how some people can tell other people are unhappy and some people are wrapped up in their own unhappiness. Which is far too deep for a child's book but also very beautiful. I enjoyed this one even if I didn't really care about the characters quite as much as I should. I felt like I was there for the ride and the characters were just taking the ride with me.
3.5 stars.
The goodness of Matt Kaizer
Matt is like every other child, except he's gross probably the grossest child but he's still a child. At one point he says he'll never refuse a dare and so later on he gets dared to visit a dying man and the dying man mistakes him for an angel. The twist is that the dying man tells him horrible horrid things things so horrid that even Matt's worst actions cannot compare to this. And through hearing all of these terrible terrifying things that we can only imagine he slowly realizes he can't be that bad. There's awful and then there's awful. And in a way this little short story was hilarious to me. I love the phrase sneak a toot.
I also really like the idea that kids think they can be tough and bad and then they can see what some people do and realize they don't want to go that far. I don't think Matt will fully straighten out and go good even though it implies he does I think it's just a small phase. But I think it's pretty funny to think of all the horror stories of dying man could tell a kid that would set him on the right path.
4.5 stars.
Talk to Me
"Can you wish, by a phony star?"
In a weird way this one was sad. It felt like accepting someone's death but not accepting someone's death at the same time. Obviously Maria is going through a lot of problems and her parents don't want to talk about her brother who left. So she starts getting mysterious phone call that never speaks on the other end and she starts using that to heal. And I think in a way that doesn't make sense.
Maybe everyone needs a person who calls but never talks that they can listen on end about these horrible things that people go through. Because it feels so therapeutic to talk without being interrupted or to just finally get it all off of your chest.
I didn't really care for the end because I felt like it was too much of a giving up and moving on but I enjoyed the story up until that point.
3.5 stars.
Teacher Tamer
This one is the weakest for me so far. It's wholesome I like it, but it's just not flowing with the other stories. I think it's a great story about a student and a teacher but I don't feel like it really makes sense for how he got into the house or how he doesn't get suspected. It's just a weird story and it's the weakest one.
2.5 stars.
Pets
Pets is quite the story by Avi, and one of the main hooks for me. It seems no matter what when I'll be writes about cats he writes something scary. Pets is probably the one that I would suggest you get this book just to read even if all of them are pretty solid. I think it is a masterful horror story and in ways you don't even know if it's real or if it's fiction it has a very Stephen King for kids vibe to it.
5 stars.
What's Inside
He was the type of who if you gave him a birthday present, would have apologized for being born.
Damn. That's a hell of a line.
So this story is about chance and also about the idea that maybe life is worth living but maybe it's not. I can't say I felt bad for Danny at first because I thought he was just doing what anybody told him but then I realized he's just messed up and he really needs somebody. And he won't talk to anybody because he believes everybody feels the same way he does. So eventually I just got moved by this whole thing and fell into it and I can't not love it. I want Danny to get better I hope they get him help I hope that he's okay.
To think this is a story about empty boxes though. Avi moved me with empty boxes.
4.5 stars.
Fortune Cookie
The fact this has the term "dog-support checks" in it got me laughing.
"I want an arm tattoo of a busty nude lady fighting a python caught between her legs."
I'm dying.
"I want to have my left nipple pierced with a gold chain that attaches to my right nostril."
Omg. This child!
This one is pretty brutal. This child is straight from hell and I absolutely love Parker. You can really tell that the divorce destroyed him in a lot of ways and he's just doing the things he does to cope. I feel like this got the most laughs out of me and this is such an Avi move that I cannot ignore it.
I find the child a little bit unrealistic but also I wouldn't put it past the 13 year old to say this.
3.5 stars.
This is comprised of several short stories. And as per usual Avi delivers. I will be reviewing them piece by piece.
What do Fish Have to do With Anything?
This is very much a story about people who are unhappy and how some people can tell other people are unhappy and some people are wrapped up in their own unhappiness. Which is far too deep for a child's book but also very beautiful. I enjoyed this one even if I didn't really care about the characters quite as much as I should. I felt like I was there for the ride and the characters were just taking the ride with me.
3.5 stars.
The goodness of Matt Kaizer
Matt is like every other child, except he's gross probably the grossest child but he's still a child. At one point he says he'll never refuse a dare and so later on he gets dared to visit a dying man and the dying man mistakes him for an angel. The twist is that the dying man tells him horrible horrid things things so horrid that even Matt's worst actions cannot compare to this. And through hearing all of these terrible terrifying things that we can only imagine he slowly realizes he can't be that bad. There's awful and then there's awful. And in a way this little short story was hilarious to me. I love the phrase sneak a toot.
I also really like the idea that kids think they can be tough and bad and then they can see what some people do and realize they don't want to go that far. I don't think Matt will fully straighten out and go good even though it implies he does I think it's just a small phase. But I think it's pretty funny to think of all the horror stories of dying man could tell a kid that would set him on the right path.
4.5 stars.
Talk to Me
"Can you wish, by a phony star?"
In a weird way this one was sad. It felt like accepting someone's death but not accepting someone's death at the same time. Obviously Maria is going through a lot of problems and her parents don't want to talk about her brother who left. So she starts getting mysterious phone call that never speaks on the other end and she starts using that to heal. And I think in a way that doesn't make sense.
Maybe everyone needs a person who calls but never talks that they can listen on end about these horrible things that people go through. Because it feels so therapeutic to talk without being interrupted or to just finally get it all off of your chest.
I didn't really care for the end because I felt like it was too much of a giving up and moving on but I enjoyed the story up until that point.
3.5 stars.
Teacher Tamer
This one is the weakest for me so far. It's wholesome I like it, but it's just not flowing with the other stories. I think it's a great story about a student and a teacher but I don't feel like it really makes sense for how he got into the house or how he doesn't get suspected. It's just a weird story and it's the weakest one.
2.5 stars.
Pets
Pets is quite the story by Avi, and one of the main hooks for me. It seems no matter what when I'll be writes about cats he writes something scary. Pets is probably the one that I would suggest you get this book just to read even if all of them are pretty solid. I think it is a masterful horror story and in ways you don't even know if it's real or if it's fiction it has a very Stephen King for kids vibe to it.
5 stars.
What's Inside
He was the type of who if you gave him a birthday present, would have apologized for being born.
Damn. That's a hell of a line.
So this story is about chance and also about the idea that maybe life is worth living but maybe it's not. I can't say I felt bad for Danny at first because I thought he was just doing what anybody told him but then I realized he's just messed up and he really needs somebody. And he won't talk to anybody because he believes everybody feels the same way he does. So eventually I just got moved by this whole thing and fell into it and I can't not love it. I want Danny to get better I hope they get him help I hope that he's okay.
To think this is a story about empty boxes though. Avi moved me with empty boxes.
4.5 stars.
Fortune Cookie
The fact this has the term "dog-support checks" in it got me laughing.
"I want an arm tattoo of a busty nude lady fighting a python caught between her legs."
I'm dying.
"I want to have my left nipple pierced with a gold chain that attaches to my right nostril."
Omg. This child!
This one is pretty brutal. This child is straight from hell and I absolutely love Parker. You can really tell that the divorce destroyed him in a lot of ways and he's just doing the things he does to cope. I feel like this got the most laughs out of me and this is such an Avi move that I cannot ignore it.
I find the child a little bit unrealistic but also I wouldn't put it past the 13 year old to say this.
3.5 stars.
March 1, 2020
“What Do Fish Have To Do With Anything (and other stories)” by Avi, whose real name is Edward Irving Wortis, is quite an adventurous book, with many surprises that keep the reader at the edge of their seat. In the book, Avi, currently 82 years old, uses his characters to display the life of various middle school students whose problems range from family issues that take a toll on daily life, to ghosts of former pets who seek revenge. Throughout the stories, Avi uses irony, tone, and symbolism to portray different themes, such as not judging a book by its cover, and that sometimes we hurt the people we love.
The first story, “What Fish Have To Do With Anything”, is about a curious pre-teen boy named William Markham, nicknamed Willie. Willie lived with his mother, Mrs. Markham, after they were abandoned by his father. In the story, Willie tries to find what he believes is the cure for unhappiness after having conversations with a homeless man who resides in front of his apartment building, for the sake of both his mother and the homeless man.
The second story, “The Goodness of Matt Kaizer”, talks about a teenage boy, Matt Kaizer, who has to learn that the character he portrays in front of his friends might not be who he truly is, which is revealed to him in an unexpected manor.
“Talk to Me”, the third story, is about a teenage girl, Maria O’ Sullivan who begins to answer mysterious calls to her house, and although the caller does not talk, she begins to believe that it is her sixteen year old brother Brian, who ran away from home a year earlier.
“Teacher Tamer is about Gregory Martinez, a fifth grader who seeks revenge on his teacher, Mrs. Wessex, for what he believed was her picking on him. However, he later finds out her intentions were not as malicious as they appeared.
“Pets” is about a girl named Eve Hubbard who thinks her two cats, Angel and Shadow, are haunting her after their death, and tries to find a way to ward them off.
“What’s Inside” is about a boy who must quickly figure out a plan to help save his cousin, Danny, from the mentality he has grown as a result of constant bullying, before it’s too late.
The last story, “Fortune Cookie” shows the consequences of divorce through twelve year old Parker, who uses sarcasm and manipulation tactics to try and find reason behind his parent’s decision. He does this by using his thirteenth birthday as a reason for his parents to meet together at least one last time.
The main characters in all stories were very believable. Seeing as they were all youth no older than thirteen, they are expected to do questionable and naive things, as it is part of youth’s nature. These are characteristics that can be seen in the main characters of each story. For example, how in “What Do Fish Have To Do With Anything”, Willie asks many questions that really do not have answers, but such actions can be expected from someone so young. My favorite character out of all would be the character from “What’s Inside”. While they are not given a name, this character's fast thinking is what can be said saved his cousin Danny’s life. If it wasn’t for him, the ending of this short story would have been extremely different, likely in a negative way.
Overall I do really like the book. Majority of the stories shine light on situations that are more common than one might believe, like divorce. I would say since the story is mostly written in the perspective of teens and pre-teens, the language used might not appeal to those who prefer use of higher vocabulary. I would, however, recommend this book to people who, not only can relate to the hardships of family issues and difficulties in school, but also to those who might want to learn about those perspectives. I would also recommend this to people who simply want to read a book that uses humor, irony, sarcasm, and plot twists to develop a very interesting plot.
The first story, “What Fish Have To Do With Anything”, is about a curious pre-teen boy named William Markham, nicknamed Willie. Willie lived with his mother, Mrs. Markham, after they were abandoned by his father. In the story, Willie tries to find what he believes is the cure for unhappiness after having conversations with a homeless man who resides in front of his apartment building, for the sake of both his mother and the homeless man.
The second story, “The Goodness of Matt Kaizer”, talks about a teenage boy, Matt Kaizer, who has to learn that the character he portrays in front of his friends might not be who he truly is, which is revealed to him in an unexpected manor.
“Talk to Me”, the third story, is about a teenage girl, Maria O’ Sullivan who begins to answer mysterious calls to her house, and although the caller does not talk, she begins to believe that it is her sixteen year old brother Brian, who ran away from home a year earlier.
“Teacher Tamer is about Gregory Martinez, a fifth grader who seeks revenge on his teacher, Mrs. Wessex, for what he believed was her picking on him. However, he later finds out her intentions were not as malicious as they appeared.
“Pets” is about a girl named Eve Hubbard who thinks her two cats, Angel and Shadow, are haunting her after their death, and tries to find a way to ward them off.
“What’s Inside” is about a boy who must quickly figure out a plan to help save his cousin, Danny, from the mentality he has grown as a result of constant bullying, before it’s too late.
The last story, “Fortune Cookie” shows the consequences of divorce through twelve year old Parker, who uses sarcasm and manipulation tactics to try and find reason behind his parent’s decision. He does this by using his thirteenth birthday as a reason for his parents to meet together at least one last time.
The main characters in all stories were very believable. Seeing as they were all youth no older than thirteen, they are expected to do questionable and naive things, as it is part of youth’s nature. These are characteristics that can be seen in the main characters of each story. For example, how in “What Do Fish Have To Do With Anything”, Willie asks many questions that really do not have answers, but such actions can be expected from someone so young. My favorite character out of all would be the character from “What’s Inside”. While they are not given a name, this character's fast thinking is what can be said saved his cousin Danny’s life. If it wasn’t for him, the ending of this short story would have been extremely different, likely in a negative way.
Overall I do really like the book. Majority of the stories shine light on situations that are more common than one might believe, like divorce. I would say since the story is mostly written in the perspective of teens and pre-teens, the language used might not appeal to those who prefer use of higher vocabulary. I would, however, recommend this book to people who, not only can relate to the hardships of family issues and difficulties in school, but also to those who might want to learn about those perspectives. I would also recommend this to people who simply want to read a book that uses humor, irony, sarcasm, and plot twists to develop a very interesting plot.
July 15, 2020
This book haunted me when I read it a few times as a tween. As an adult, I both did and did not want to read the book again because the stories were so weird and sad. Each story explores some kind of loss. None of the stories are necessarily meant to be sad or so unsettling that they're creepy. But I view them as such. "What Do Fish Have to Do with Anything?" touches on how a boy's relationship to his mother and society changes after his dad leaves. "The Goodness of Matt Kaizer" briefly examines a loss of identity due to shifting self-expression, both from a boy who is friends with a rebellious PK (preacher's kid) and the PK himself. The way this particular story was written made it seem like someone had died, not just stopped rebelling. "Talk to Me" just cracked my heart down the middle as a kid. It was the most memorable of the stories for a variety of reasons, when I was a kid. I wanted the caller to be Brian. As an adult, I knew what was coming. I felt so bad that the girl was ostracized for something that had nothing to do with her, and that she was desperately lonely. "Teacher Tamer" made me chuckle at the last line, originally. Now, all these years later: I really hope kids don't use Gregory as an example. Poor Mrs Wessex. "Pets" was the most heartwarming of these creepy, sad stories. I was glad to read it again. Also it's still creepy. "What's Inside" is still profound. "Fortune Cookie" was one I sort of understood when I first read it. As an adult, I cackled and guffawed and cackled some more as Parker cleverly called both his parents out on their shit. He was a wiseass and it was refreshing.
June 19, 2024
This anthology features children and tweens who often have contentious relations with their parents and other adults around them. They listen to what their parents say, question the rightness of them and poke at the tender spots on the psyches of the adults. Some try to help, others want to embarrass their paters and maters. Others simply don't understand why adults behave and talk the way they do.
There is a kind of wry humor in some parts but nothing amounting to laugh-inducing moments. What's Inside is particularly harrowing since you don't know which way it will go. It combines existential despair with a literal Schrodinger's cat conundrum. You don't know how it will end...but this uncertainty pervades many of the stories. The children and the adults are often at odds and this disconnect creates the strange situations they find themselves into and the equally strange outcomes.
Avi is not for those who prefer the conventional given-and-take between the generations. For those who are feeling adventurous, however, open the box.
There is a kind of wry humor in some parts but nothing amounting to laugh-inducing moments. What's Inside is particularly harrowing since you don't know which way it will go. It combines existential despair with a literal Schrodinger's cat conundrum. You don't know how it will end...but this uncertainty pervades many of the stories. The children and the adults are often at odds and this disconnect creates the strange situations they find themselves into and the equally strange outcomes.
Avi is not for those who prefer the conventional given-and-take between the generations. For those who are feeling adventurous, however, open the box.
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August 31, 2023A writer with just one name? Isn’t that a little pretentious? Who does he think he is – Cher?
(Oh yes, I am such a writer.)
Is Avi Israeli? Or from some other ethnic enclave? [I will look him up at the end of this review.] All the stories seem to take place in suburbs just outside of small cities – like maybe Milwaukee?
I didn’t know that “young adult short stories” even existed as a genre.
Avi writes so well, and can be absolutely funny. Is today’s greatest literature directed at 12 year olds?
Opening at random:
She contemplated the class like a surgeon deciding where to cut. “Gregory Martinez!” she called. “Come here this instant!”
A hush fell upon the class as Gregory reluctantly slid out of his chair, then slumped to the front of the class, hands deep in his baggy pockets.
[His real name is Edward Irving Wortis, born to a psychiatrist and a social worker in Brooklyn in 1937.]
(Oh yes, I am such a writer.)
Is Avi Israeli? Or from some other ethnic enclave? [I will look him up at the end of this review.] All the stories seem to take place in suburbs just outside of small cities – like maybe Milwaukee?
I didn’t know that “young adult short stories” even existed as a genre.
Avi writes so well, and can be absolutely funny. Is today’s greatest literature directed at 12 year olds?
Opening at random:
She contemplated the class like a surgeon deciding where to cut. “Gregory Martinez!” she called. “Come here this instant!”
A hush fell upon the class as Gregory reluctantly slid out of his chair, then slumped to the front of the class, hands deep in his baggy pockets.
[His real name is Edward Irving Wortis, born to a psychiatrist and a social worker in Brooklyn in 1937.]
October 14, 2018
The story 'What do fish have to do with anything' written by an American author, Edward Irving Wortis, better known by the pen name Avi, is dedicated to readers of a young age. The schools include this story in the study-books for the seventh grade.
The main character, the teenage-boy, tries to figure out how to cope with unhappiness. He sees his mother who is unhappy because his dad has left the family. Before the time of narration, he saw his father who lost his job. The boy found the cure to unhappiness in the phrase of a homeless man. This man said, “What a person needs is always more than they say".
The author gave readers this vague phrase to think about it along with a few messages related to moral choice for a young generation.
This is a link to the text of the story:
http://tiptoediscovery.com.br/wp-cont...
The main character, the teenage-boy, tries to figure out how to cope with unhappiness. He sees his mother who is unhappy because his dad has left the family. Before the time of narration, he saw his father who lost his job. The boy found the cure to unhappiness in the phrase of a homeless man. This man said, “What a person needs is always more than they say".
The author gave readers this vague phrase to think about it along with a few messages related to moral choice for a young generation.
This is a link to the text of the story:
http://tiptoediscovery.com.br/wp-cont...
August 16, 2023
I’ve never read Avi before. I don’t usually care for short story compilations. This book is both of those. Why on earth did I read it? I have an adult story time at the library for special needs adults. It lasts an hour and I needed a short story to read during that time period. These stories go through deep topics in a way that young teens and older kids can easily comprehend. I found myself tearing up while reading one of the stories to the group. Well… I’m sold. Time to read everything Avi has written.
October 24, 2024
This is a collection of short stories that have one thing in common....they all make you feel totally uncomfortable before providing a comfortable solution. Characters range from the very bad son of a minister to haunted cats. My favorite story is that of a 13 year old who makes both of his divorced parents sit down to dinner with him and he is able to say everything he is thinking about their lives while maintaining astonishing control of the situation. These tales are short, a little creepy and lots of fun.
June 17, 2017
I read this book a while back, maybe when I was around ten. The first time I read it, I didn't have a very good understanding. I liked it because it was realistic, raw, and had stories that I could relate to. I read it three more times after this. Each time I read it, I gained more wisdom about the meaning of the stories and bring them up in conversation constantly. Simple, but I have fallen in love.
October 18, 2019
If I am being totally honest I didn't really like the book that much. I didn't like the book because it talked about 7 diffrent stories but none of them were the same at all. In my opinon I feelt that it was fine to have 7 stories in a book but at least they should all be about the same topic because then your like what even is my book talking about. To me I just dont think that it was a great idea to do this.
September 9, 2020
If I am being totally honest I didn't really like the book that much. I didn't like the book because it talked about 7 diffrent stories but none of them were the same at all. In my opinon I feelt that it was fine to have 7 stories in a book but at least they should all be about the same topic because then your like what even is my book talking about. To me I just dont think that it was a great idea to do this.
January 14, 2022
Only disappointed some of the stories were left on such an open note. Either way, i liked all of them. My favorites were Teacher Tamer, the first story, and the one about Matthew Kaizer. These short stories resonate deeper with me than sometimes a whole trilogy of books. Perhaps it's because these books have small themes that relate to the human condition and how real everyday people think and act. Either way, really great series and one of my favorite Avi books!
September 30, 2023
The reason I picked up this book was that I read the first short story named the same as the book "WHAT DO FISH HAVE TO DO ABOUT ANYTHING" when I was in middle school or early high school. When looking for the story, I found that it was part of a collection of short stories, hence this book. I liked all of these short stories except one, which is " THE GOODNESS OF MATT KAIZER". Maybe it is my dislike for religion, but I found it uninteresting to me.
November 30, 2017
I grabbed this thinking it would be a series of humorous or obscure fact-filled anecdotes along the lines of those epic volumes such as, WHEN DO FISH SLEEP, or WACKY LAWS. What I got was a series of somewhat thought provoking short stories. It was a mistake I was glad I made. Helped make some of long car trip a bit easier.
April 4, 2021
I really wanted to read any books by Avi because I kept on hearing/reading about the name in many booklists for kids.
I love the illustrations in the book as well as the cute titles. Regardless of the scary parts with ghost cats and suicide attempts, all the endings are wholesome to me. (The last part is kinda uncomfortable, I have to admit.)
For a children's book, it has profound messages for kids who can relate to any of the main characters' story.
I love the illustrations in the book as well as the cute titles. Regardless of the scary parts with ghost cats and suicide attempts, all the endings are wholesome to me. (The last part is kinda uncomfortable, I have to admit.)
For a children's book, it has profound messages for kids who can relate to any of the main characters' story.
October 12, 2022
This book was really good and in every new chapter, there was a new kind of genre. I think the new genres make me want to read the book and it was just very creative overall. And with every new genre, it felt like a mystery when you are about to read a new genre so it makes you really want to read the whole book.
October 3, 2023
I read this book between around 4th and 5th grade. My teacher had gifted it to me because she thought I would enjoy it and I did. It was a very interesting read and I enjoyed how the different stories were connected. I'd have to reread it since it's been years since I've even seen the book but I'm sure if I were to pick it up it'd be a fun way to pass the time.
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