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Bruce Coville's Short Stories #2
Odder Than Ever
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 three never-before-published stories.
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
August 30, 2015
So, today I'm finishing up this book. And, I was finding the stories pretty interesting after a shaky start with the first story (e.g. the initial story took its time getting started and was a bit underwhelming in its ending). It wasn't until I come across the story "Am I Blue?" (about a kid being harassed for possibly being gay) that I decide I'm going to donate the book or recycle it.
Coville lays on the stereotypes while trying to make the point that being part of the LGBT community is okay. He has Melvin, the fairy godfather act in the stereotypical flamboyant manner, and he has Melvin refer to himself and other gay individuals as 'queer' and 'faggot'....THEN has Melvin liken the usage of those words to the way 'so many black folks call each other 'ni--er'- to take the words away from the people that want to use them to hurt us.'
I call bull.
BULLSH--!
As a black man, there are 'many' of us who detest that word - the n-word - because that word is being used as a mainstream term, thanks to a few stereotypical rappers. It is a so-called 'term of endearment' used by non-blacks and NOTHING is being taken back, only a standard that that particular word is okay to use while other racial epithets are not.
That ugly word - the n-word - was never owned by black people so we have no reason to 'take it back.' And, not too mention, saying that 'so many black people' use it is like every single black person wakes up each day and inherently greets another black individual by calling him or her 'ni--er.'
As a bisexual black man who is part of the LGBT community, I felt this story should have been a little more researched before being published. It's evident that Mr. Coville gets his information on black people from gangsta rap and his information on gay individuals from general stereotypes. And, not too mention he broadly generalizes both groups as if everyone is of one hive mind as if no one has any individuality of their own (e.g. 'because they are black they MUST act like this or think this,' or 'because they are gay, they MUST act like this or think this').
It's upsetting since I actually enjoyed the book up until then. Still, I'm going to read the final story "The Metamorphosis of Justin Jones" before I put the book aside.
Coville lays on the stereotypes while trying to make the point that being part of the LGBT community is okay. He has Melvin, the fairy godfather act in the stereotypical flamboyant manner, and he has Melvin refer to himself and other gay individuals as 'queer' and 'faggot'....THEN has Melvin liken the usage of those words to the way 'so many black folks call each other 'ni--er'- to take the words away from the people that want to use them to hurt us.'
I call bull.
BULLSH--!
As a black man, there are 'many' of us who detest that word - the n-word - because that word is being used as a mainstream term, thanks to a few stereotypical rappers. It is a so-called 'term of endearment' used by non-blacks and NOTHING is being taken back, only a standard that that particular word is okay to use while other racial epithets are not.
That ugly word - the n-word - was never owned by black people so we have no reason to 'take it back.' And, not too mention, saying that 'so many black people' use it is like every single black person wakes up each day and inherently greets another black individual by calling him or her 'ni--er.'
As a bisexual black man who is part of the LGBT community, I felt this story should have been a little more researched before being published. It's evident that Mr. Coville gets his information on black people from gangsta rap and his information on gay individuals from general stereotypes. And, not too mention he broadly generalizes both groups as if everyone is of one hive mind as if no one has any individuality of their own (e.g. 'because they are black they MUST act like this or think this,' or 'because they are gay, they MUST act like this or think this').
It's upsetting since I actually enjoyed the book up until then. Still, I'm going to read the final story "The Metamorphosis of Justin Jones" before I put the book aside.
abandoned
August 14, 2021I listened to the first 2.5 stories in this book. I love Coville’s narration and that of the full cast. His fantasy stories are usually fun. Of course, The Unicorn Chronicles is what pulled me into his works years ago. The stories here didn’t have me enthused to listen, though, and I feel these may be better fit for solely the younger audience in which they are written for. That is fine. I have it a fair shot an a collection of stories.
March 10, 2009
The Golden Sail--good point about forgiveness.
Biscuits of Glory--very lighthearted.
I, Earthling--my favorite in this book.
The Giant's Tooth--unexpected ending.
There's Nothing Under the Bed--this volume's story that I told my children not to read.
The Stinky Princess--fun, if a bit predictable.
The Japanese Mirror--shades of Dorian Gray.
Am I Blue?--strange, but interesting, in a way.
The Metamorphosis of Justin Jones--reminds me of learning about transitional characters.
Biscuits of Glory--very lighthearted.
I, Earthling--my favorite in this book.
The Giant's Tooth--unexpected ending.
There's Nothing Under the Bed--this volume's story that I told my children not to read.
The Stinky Princess--fun, if a bit predictable.
The Japanese Mirror--shades of Dorian Gray.
Am I Blue?--strange, but interesting, in a way.
The Metamorphosis of Justin Jones--reminds me of learning about transitional characters.
July 2, 2009
If I remember correctly, this book captivated me to no end when I was younger. It was during me Wow-I-Can-Read! stage in middle school, when I inhaled books from my local library and discovered some of my roots from when I was a littln' (horray for Lord of the Flies references!). In here is a collection of stories that were...well, odd, as the title suggests, but were told with in such brillant and unique ways. I remember a story was included in which a boy met a genie who turned everyone who was gay in the world blue just to prove a point. In the back there also includes a few pages on where the ideas came from and a background on each. Definitely worth a read and for me, a re-read!
March 21, 2021
This is a really enjoyable collection of short stories, some fantasy, some science fiction, some riffing on fairy tale themes and settings.
There's a boy whose father is a diplomat--and Earth's first ambassador to another planet. It's challenging being the only alien in his school, but that's not the big challenge he faces. At a critical diplomatic dinner, his presence required by the customs of the planet they're on, but including the ambassador from another planet, where someone as near physical size and development as Jacob is not considered a child. Jacob makes a mistake, and doing the adult thing may cost him something he truly loves.
"The Stinky Princess" doesn't like the boring, sweet scents she's expected to wear, and things the goblin ambassador to her father's court smells much more interesting. This ultimately leads to her hiding in his saddlebag when he's returning to that kingdom--where, it turns out, he's the king's son. But while the princess now smells to gobliny to be acceptable at her father's court now, neither she nor the goblin prince smell gobliny enough to be fully acceptable in the goblin court--though the goblins are much more gracious and tolerant about it than the humans are. The prince and princess need to find a solution that will let them be comfortable and happy.
"The Giant's Tooth" features Edgar getting seized and thrust into a giant's mouth, and saved from going down his gullet by Meghan, who has been living there for years, in a home chiseled out of one of the giant's teeth. Edgar chisels his own home out of a nearby tooth. It turns out two people can make more improvements than just one--including rescuing more people, and finding ways to "rescue" more acceptable food and drink, and ultimately, build a community.
That's just a small sampling. There's much more, including a true horror story.
This is funny, thoughtful, kind, humane collection, and very rewarding to listen to.
Recommended.
I bought this audiobook.
There's a boy whose father is a diplomat--and Earth's first ambassador to another planet. It's challenging being the only alien in his school, but that's not the big challenge he faces. At a critical diplomatic dinner, his presence required by the customs of the planet they're on, but including the ambassador from another planet, where someone as near physical size and development as Jacob is not considered a child. Jacob makes a mistake, and doing the adult thing may cost him something he truly loves.
"The Stinky Princess" doesn't like the boring, sweet scents she's expected to wear, and things the goblin ambassador to her father's court smells much more interesting. This ultimately leads to her hiding in his saddlebag when he's returning to that kingdom--where, it turns out, he's the king's son. But while the princess now smells to gobliny to be acceptable at her father's court now, neither she nor the goblin prince smell gobliny enough to be fully acceptable in the goblin court--though the goblins are much more gracious and tolerant about it than the humans are. The prince and princess need to find a solution that will let them be comfortable and happy.
"The Giant's Tooth" features Edgar getting seized and thrust into a giant's mouth, and saved from going down his gullet by Meghan, who has been living there for years, in a home chiseled out of one of the giant's teeth. Edgar chisels his own home out of a nearby tooth. It turns out two people can make more improvements than just one--including rescuing more people, and finding ways to "rescue" more acceptable food and drink, and ultimately, build a community.
That's just a small sampling. There's much more, including a true horror story.
This is funny, thoughtful, kind, humane collection, and very rewarding to listen to.
Recommended.
I bought this audiobook.
December 23, 2018
Bruce Coville was my favorite author as a child and completely shaped me as a writer today. I love his ideas on what kids need to know, and how to wrap those ideas in stories that will touch them and stay with them. I've read almost all the short stories in this anthology before, so returning to them now as an older (maybe more wiser?) person was interesting.
I have to say there's a particular scary story in here about nightmares that made me a little upset by the time I got to the end, thinking maybe it was inappropriate for children, and then I remembered reading it myself as a kid and being delightfully disturbed by it. The realization made me laugh. How quick we are, as adults, to be judgmental while a kid--or even ourselves as children--will find the same thing entertaining!
I have to say there's a particular scary story in here about nightmares that made me a little upset by the time I got to the end, thinking maybe it was inappropriate for children, and then I remembered reading it myself as a kid and being delightfully disturbed by it. The realization made me laugh. How quick we are, as adults, to be judgmental while a kid--or even ourselves as children--will find the same thing entertaining!
August 15, 2019
I didn't love many of these stories... My favorite was Am I Blue? which sadly is just as poignant today as it was ten years ago when it comes to the acceptance and prejudice of gay people. The Japanese Mirror was very scary and I, Earthling had a good message. But The Golden Sail was weird and too long, Biscuits of Glory just so so, I didn't like The Giant's Tooth ending and the others I will most likely forget in a few hours after reading them.
November 14, 2017
I loved Bruce Coville as a kid, so I was thrilled to find this book in the piles at The Strand. Some of the stories reminded me of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, which is high praise. Some of them seem to also have a life lesson not-so-hidden in the stories. Overall, a quick read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
July 8, 2021
some good stories but I dont think this is very "kid" friendly. much more serious than some of his other books from this series but it was a fun quick rad and I got all my house work done while being entertain.
August 11, 2017
Ghost biscuits.
Want to read
June 5, 2025Cutting is for The Stinky Princess
By Bruce Coville
Another cutting is for Biscuits of Glory
By Bruce Coville
Still another cutting is for The Metamorphosis of Justin
Jones
By Bruce Coville
By Bruce Coville
Another cutting is for Biscuits of Glory
By Bruce Coville
Still another cutting is for The Metamorphosis of Justin
Jones
By Bruce Coville
June 12, 2009
This book of short stories has six older and three new stories by Bruce Coville. From light fantasy to more thought-provoking themes, this has something for everyone. Most are fun to read and there are a few surprises. The short stories range from shivery horror (Theres Nothing under the Bed) to “tongue-in-cheek”humor (The Giants Tooth) to a fractured fairy tale (The Stinky Princess). “Am I Blue?” creates a funny solution to homophobia, a boy meets his inner demon in “The Japanese Mirror”, and interplanetary relations are explored from a kids-eye view in “I, Earthling”. Although, one of my favorites is “Biscuits of Glory”. Just the name is so, so, light and fluffy.
I think that this book has so many different kinds of stories so it can really connect with the reader. I, personally really liked “Biscuits of Glory” and I could connect with it because the ghost had my luck and acted like I would when she was alive. I also, sort of, reverse connected with “Theres Nothing under the Bed” because my parents would always say that (connection) and because my bed spits things up, not sucks them in (reverse connection). Therefore I think Bruce Coville was trying to, and succeeded at, making text-to-self connections.
I gave this book four stars. I chose this rating because it was an interesting read, even the stories I didn't like very much had good points in them. The messages the stories had in them were interesting and original. I would recommend this book to almost any good reader.
I think that this book has so many different kinds of stories so it can really connect with the reader. I, personally really liked “Biscuits of Glory” and I could connect with it because the ghost had my luck and acted like I would when she was alive. I also, sort of, reverse connected with “Theres Nothing under the Bed” because my parents would always say that (connection) and because my bed spits things up, not sucks them in (reverse connection). Therefore I think Bruce Coville was trying to, and succeeded at, making text-to-self connections.
I gave this book four stars. I chose this rating because it was an interesting read, even the stories I didn't like very much had good points in them. The messages the stories had in them were interesting and original. I would recommend this book to almost any good reader.
September 13, 2008
What wonderful short stories. This collection starts off with its best material, I think, and then kind of tapers off. I can tell because I stayed awake better for the stories in the beginning--Biscuits of Glory; I, Earthling; There's Nothing Under the Bed--than I did for the ones at the end: Am I Blue? and The Japanese Mirror. But, all in all, these are some pretty f-ed up fantasy stories for kids, and thus awesome for adults. I would highly recommend it.
September 12, 2008
The first story was not the best of the lot, but each one seemed to build upon the momentum and creativity of the previous. I wasn't sure if this was going to be the best book to read aloud, since it is slightly more literary than some of the other books we've read at night, but it charmed me. I'd totally read other books by Coville.
April 15, 2012
this book is just... i dont even have the word for it. when i was reading this book, i feel glances of my self when i was a kid because the book tells a bunch of REALLY good story and i felt like a kid with a wild imagination. this book is just beyond my word to describe ti.
August 23, 2016
A collection of bizarre short stories featuring a ghost, a goblin and a giant with a little bit of horror thrown in as well as three never before published stories.
Favorite: Am I Blue?
Least: The Golden Sail
Favorite: Am I Blue?
Least: The Golden Sail
May 15, 2007
Don't be fooled by the Young Adult Label these stories are entertaining and inspiring. Bruce Coville has reamined a favorite author of mine through childhood into adulthood.
July 1, 2007
Bruce Coville is a great young adult author! This was a very good book, if I remember correctly, but I did like Oddly Enough better.
August 16, 2007
I was telling a friend about one of the stories from this book and felt the urge to reread it. I like all the stories in this book, every one is imaginative.
December 5, 2008
Bruce Coville is just an awesome storyteller. I think most, if not all, of these stories would be accessible to anyone.
May 13, 2010
loved this book it is nine short stories. And they are all really good. Bruce Coville is one of my new favorite authors.
April 24, 2011
Some really neat stories and some really weird ones. A nice collection of odd.
May 26, 2011
Some of the stories are good, some are so-so. Ironically, the more critically aclaimed ones really weren't my favorite. A couple of them I want to read to my kids.
July 1, 2011
I don't usually read short stories, but I like Bruce Coville and I enjoyed these one, especially the story about the giant's teeth.
November 23, 2011
I did not finish this book, which is totally odd for me! It was on my list of "humor" books, but the first three stories were not funny at all... So I returned it.
June 11, 2015
All these years later and the The Giant's Tooth has stayed with me. I was totally hypnotized by this book the first time I read it. It greatly contributed to my love of reading.
August 4, 2012
Brilliant young adult fantasy, with genuine moral questions guiding all the stories, which means that as an adult I still love these stories. Not quite didactic, just enough to make you think.
April 5, 2017
The overall book, Odder Than Ever, was interesting. It consisted of 10 short stories that were all odd and strange. The book made me feel good because I love to read books that have action in them. They all consisted of childhood stories but written in a more creative manner. I rated the book 5 stars because I was always involved in each short story. The book was humorous horror. All the stories were kid stories but they drew me in and that made them more interesting. My favorite short story was “Biscuits of Glory”. The short story was interesting and the plot of the story was amazing in the old house. I did not like how short the stories were, because they would get straight to the main part right away. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys short stories and loves mystery.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews