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Unpredictable!
This collection of short stories by Paul Jennings are all entirely different, but all are wacky and extraordinary. Subjects range from the longest kiss ever, to a boy who becomes transparent, and all the stories are unpredictable!
264 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
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91 people want to read
About the author
Paul Jennings
276 books361 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Paul Jennings was born in Heston near London, and at the age of 6 emigrated to Melbourne, Australia on a boat. He was on the boat for 5 weeks with his family. He attended Bentleigh West Primary School and Caulfield Grammar School.
After graduating from school, he went to Frankston Teachers College (now part of Monash University) and became a teacher. He taught students at Frankston State School, Kangaroo Flat State School, the Turana Youth Training Centre, and the Royal Children's Hospital State School in Mount Eliza. He later went on to study at the Lincoln Institute of Health Science (now part of LaTrobe University) and became a speech pathologist, then worked as a Lecturer in Special Education at Burwood State College (now part of Deakin University). In 1979 he became Senior Lecturer in Language and Literature at Warrnambool Institute of Advanced Education (now part of Deakin University).
In 1985, Jennings' first book of short stories, Unreal! was published, during which he worked as a lecturer and wrote part-time; in 1989, he made the decision to devote his full time to writing. Many of his short stories, published between 1985 and 1991, were also adapted into the first and second series of the popular Australian television show Round the Twist.
Winner of the Dromkeen Medal (2000).
Paul Jennings was born in Heston near London, and at the age of 6 emigrated to Melbourne, Australia on a boat. He was on the boat for 5 weeks with his family. He attended Bentleigh West Primary School and Caulfield Grammar School.
After graduating from school, he went to Frankston Teachers College (now part of Monash University) and became a teacher. He taught students at Frankston State School, Kangaroo Flat State School, the Turana Youth Training Centre, and the Royal Children's Hospital State School in Mount Eliza. He later went on to study at the Lincoln Institute of Health Science (now part of LaTrobe University) and became a speech pathologist, then worked as a Lecturer in Special Education at Burwood State College (now part of Deakin University). In 1979 he became Senior Lecturer in Language and Literature at Warrnambool Institute of Advanced Education (now part of Deakin University).
In 1985, Jennings' first book of short stories, Unreal! was published, during which he worked as a lecturer and wrote part-time; in 1989, he made the decision to devote his full time to writing. Many of his short stories, published between 1985 and 1991, were also adapted into the first and second series of the popular Australian television show Round the Twist.
Winner of the Dromkeen Medal (2000).
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 26, 2024
This is a compilation of some of the more notable short stories from Paul Jennings' earlier short stories collections. Most of these were also adapted into an episode of Round the Twist, this is an added bonus if you’re a fan of the show like me. But if you’re interested in reading all his short stories, you’re better off buying the individual original short stories collections.
Ex Poser - 4/5
A kid thinks two rich kids in his class are posers, and he hooks them up to a lie detector to expose them.
That twist is so good. Very short but great story.
Spaghetti Pig-out – 4/5
A boy who is always lonely because his bully doesn’t let anyone talk to him receives a strange video player. And it seems the remote control also works on people.
The strong theme of bullying combined with a creative twist make this a very easy and satisfying read.
Nails – 4,5/5
A boy gets stranded on an island with his father. His father’s clearly looking for something, but keeps it a secret from his son. Meanwhile, nails start growing all over the boy’s body.
A rather intense mystery story with the nails. Though it focuses more on the character of the boy, and the father keeping him in the dark about the secret of the island. The twist is just the icing on the cake.
Pink Bow Tie - 4/5
A boy is sent to the principal’s office for dyeing his hair. The principal tells the boy it is forbidden for students to dye their hair. But the boy has a very good explanation.
Even though you can see the twist coming, it’s still quite a creative and fun read.
Ice Maiden - 4/5
There’s a different ice sculpture at the front of the local fish shop every month. A young boy really enjoys those sculptures, and thinks it’s a waste that the owner of the shop always destroys them to make room for a new one. Then the owner of the shop puts on display a new ice sculpture that the boy immediately falls in love with.
I like how the story makes you think it’s going one way and then tries to take you by surprise. The story gives you a hint about the theme from the start, though it’s only at the end where you realize what it was all about.
There’s No Such Thing - 4/5
A young boy’s grandfather is forced to go to a nursing home. But when the grandfather speaks about dragons as if they are real, the boy doesn’t say: “there’s no such thing” as he was supposed to.
Solid little story about a boy trying to help out his grandfather.
Only Gilt – 3,5/5
A boy goes to school with a bird cage over his head, and he explains to a teacher why he’s wearing it.
It’s a story about feeling guilty, though with a strong little twist. I’m not that big a fan of what it’s actually about, though my mom experienced something similar so it’s definitely something that can happen.
Clear as Mud - 5/5
A bully steals something very special from the new kid in school and wants to destroy it. But it comes flying right back and smashes him in the face like a boomerang.
A bully getting his comeuppance is a good theme to build a story around. What a story though.
The Strap Box Flyer - 4,5/5
Giffen sells a glue that he calls the greatest glue in the world. It will stick to anything. A lot of people buy it when they see the strength of the glue in action. But Giffen is always quick to leave after selling his glue because, unbeknownst to his customers, the glue only works for four hours.
What goes around, comes around. Strong but simple premise with a nice creative touch.
The Copy - 4/5
A boy who’s bullied is friends with an inventor. When the inventor asks the boy to destroy his latest invention, the boy decides to use it for something else.
A bit predictable, yet quite creative. And just very entertaining from start to finish.
Thought Full - 4/5
Your father wants to get rid of a calf you’re very fond of.
This is a story told from a second-person point of view. Must admit, this did distract me a little bit. Though this is done with a purpose. And there’s a very cool and creative twist.
No is Yes - 5/5
A doctor has been conducting a strange experiment on his daughter, manipulating her and locking her up in their house her entire life.
While I did kind of see the twist coming, I must admit that it’s a very strong story. It’s hard not to care about the daughter.
Wunderpants - 3,5/5
A mischievous boy has to wear pink underwear with fairies on them. But even though he feels like his bullies will make fun of them, he puts them on because they’re all he’s got. And when he does, he realizes they give him superhuman strength.
Good way to make the best out of a bad situation. A solid story about accepting yourself for who you are and standing up to your bullies.
Ex Poser - 4/5
A kid thinks two rich kids in his class are posers, and he hooks them up to a lie detector to expose them.
That twist is so good. Very short but great story.
Spaghetti Pig-out – 4/5
A boy who is always lonely because his bully doesn’t let anyone talk to him receives a strange video player. And it seems the remote control also works on people.
The strong theme of bullying combined with a creative twist make this a very easy and satisfying read.
Nails – 4,5/5
A boy gets stranded on an island with his father. His father’s clearly looking for something, but keeps it a secret from his son. Meanwhile, nails start growing all over the boy’s body.
A rather intense mystery story with the nails. Though it focuses more on the character of the boy, and the father keeping him in the dark about the secret of the island. The twist is just the icing on the cake.
Pink Bow Tie - 4/5
A boy is sent to the principal’s office for dyeing his hair. The principal tells the boy it is forbidden for students to dye their hair. But the boy has a very good explanation.
Even though you can see the twist coming, it’s still quite a creative and fun read.
Ice Maiden - 4/5
There’s a different ice sculpture at the front of the local fish shop every month. A young boy really enjoys those sculptures, and thinks it’s a waste that the owner of the shop always destroys them to make room for a new one. Then the owner of the shop puts on display a new ice sculpture that the boy immediately falls in love with.
I like how the story makes you think it’s going one way and then tries to take you by surprise. The story gives you a hint about the theme from the start, though it’s only at the end where you realize what it was all about.
There’s No Such Thing - 4/5
A young boy’s grandfather is forced to go to a nursing home. But when the grandfather speaks about dragons as if they are real, the boy doesn’t say: “there’s no such thing” as he was supposed to.
Solid little story about a boy trying to help out his grandfather.
Only Gilt – 3,5/5
A boy goes to school with a bird cage over his head, and he explains to a teacher why he’s wearing it.
It’s a story about feeling guilty, though with a strong little twist. I’m not that big a fan of what it’s actually about, though my mom experienced something similar so it’s definitely something that can happen.
Clear as Mud - 5/5
A bully steals something very special from the new kid in school and wants to destroy it. But it comes flying right back and smashes him in the face like a boomerang.
A bully getting his comeuppance is a good theme to build a story around. What a story though.
The Strap Box Flyer - 4,5/5
Giffen sells a glue that he calls the greatest glue in the world. It will stick to anything. A lot of people buy it when they see the strength of the glue in action. But Giffen is always quick to leave after selling his glue because, unbeknownst to his customers, the glue only works for four hours.
What goes around, comes around. Strong but simple premise with a nice creative touch.
The Copy - 4/5
A boy who’s bullied is friends with an inventor. When the inventor asks the boy to destroy his latest invention, the boy decides to use it for something else.
A bit predictable, yet quite creative. And just very entertaining from start to finish.
Thought Full - 4/5
Your father wants to get rid of a calf you’re very fond of.
This is a story told from a second-person point of view. Must admit, this did distract me a little bit. Though this is done with a purpose. And there’s a very cool and creative twist.
No is Yes - 5/5
A doctor has been conducting a strange experiment on his daughter, manipulating her and locking her up in their house her entire life.
While I did kind of see the twist coming, I must admit that it’s a very strong story. It’s hard not to care about the daughter.
Wunderpants - 3,5/5
A mischievous boy has to wear pink underwear with fairies on them. But even though he feels like his bullies will make fun of them, he puts them on because they’re all he’s got. And when he does, he realizes they give him superhuman strength.
Good way to make the best out of a bad situation. A solid story about accepting yourself for who you are and standing up to your bullies.
February 10, 2023
Paul Jennings was one of my favourite authors when I was 10, and I think unjustly neglected outside Australia, though Brits my age sometimes remember the short lived TV adaptation "Round the Twist". So I was delighted to find this in a local book sharing library and try reading it to my own son.
I remembered "Wunderpants" from 35 years back and it's still a great story (though my son was unconvinced). 5*. His trademark twist in the last sentence is as good as it gets and he really knows how to work the short story format. The rest of this collection was a bit of a disappointment. To be fair, they've chosen tales with a spooky aspect and that's not my thing. I'd forgotten how gross some of it was, which is a positive feature when you're ten...
I'd also forgotten how pervasive the school bullying was and how much of Jennings relies on a kind of wish fulfillment fantasy of the bully getting a (possibly violent) comeuppance from whatever supernatural element has entered the story. We found this to be a bit much sometimes.
I remembered "Wunderpants" from 35 years back and it's still a great story (though my son was unconvinced). 5*. His trademark twist in the last sentence is as good as it gets and he really knows how to work the short story format. The rest of this collection was a bit of a disappointment. To be fair, they've chosen tales with a spooky aspect and that's not my thing. I'd forgotten how gross some of it was, which is a positive feature when you're ten...
I'd also forgotten how pervasive the school bullying was and how much of Jennings relies on a kind of wish fulfillment fantasy of the bully getting a (possibly violent) comeuppance from whatever supernatural element has entered the story. We found this to be a bit much sometimes.
March 6, 2014
Yes is No A father brings up a child in isolation and he has taught her the opposite meanings for everything as an experiment. But Ralph, the plumber's apprentice, is set to rescue Linda from this hell...
I wouldn't recommend this to a child; it was as clever and dark as, say, one of Dahl's Tales if the Unexpected, indeed I think this was rather the effect Jennings was trying to achieve here.
~~~~~~~~
Wunderpants Parents always tell you they won't do anything it you are honest....
This one made me laugh out~loud - great fun!
~~~~~~~~
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2020
The stories were unpredictable with strange twists. Some were more ‘magical’ than others. A few of them talked about boyfriends & girlfriends so would probably appeal to younger teens. My favourites story was ‘Yes is no’.
Want to read
July 11, 2019j
May 7, 2022
A pretty good and spooky book.
March 10, 2025
Easily one of my favorite books and I will forever cherish.
May 19, 2016
Okay, I'm getting a bit of a man-crush on this children's author. I REALLY enjoyed this book.
The book lives up to its title - the short stories really ARE unpredictable, the twists were just great.
Some of them were very funny, some scary, some genuinely emotional. A lot of the time they're brilliantly surreal and cartoonish. There's Wallace and Gromit-esque inventions, body-horror, a Pygmalion story and then there's a funny story about a pet that seemed like something on Confessions with Simon Mayo.
The variety makes it really enjoyable and the casual way it's written and believable characters give it a great nostalgia factor. It makes you feel twelve again and that's not something all children's books do.
If I had to find fault in it, some of the names weren't very good. There were some really weird nicknames and some that were just maths question names, a little odd but unmemorable. One of the stories I was able to predict - it just had all the tropes of a story where a character clones themselves.
The worst thing about this book is definitely the cover. It's tacky, it's dated, it's one of the most hideous I've ever seen and does not do the book justice.
But never judge a book by its cover. Give it a read.
The book lives up to its title - the short stories really ARE unpredictable, the twists were just great.
Some of them were very funny, some scary, some genuinely emotional. A lot of the time they're brilliantly surreal and cartoonish. There's Wallace and Gromit-esque inventions, body-horror, a Pygmalion story and then there's a funny story about a pet that seemed like something on Confessions with Simon Mayo.
The variety makes it really enjoyable and the casual way it's written and believable characters give it a great nostalgia factor. It makes you feel twelve again and that's not something all children's books do.
If I had to find fault in it, some of the names weren't very good. There were some really weird nicknames and some that were just maths question names, a little odd but unmemorable. One of the stories I was able to predict - it just had all the tropes of a story where a character clones themselves.
The worst thing about this book is definitely the cover. It's tacky, it's dated, it's one of the most hideous I've ever seen and does not do the book justice.
But never judge a book by its cover. Give it a read.
January 28, 2014
Maybe it's just adult short stories I don't really like because I loved this! I didn't even like Paul Jennings when I was younger, I remember getting a couple of his book out of the libary and not being very impressed. I really liked all these stories. I don't think I can pick a favorite. 'No is Yes' sounds very much like a Roald Dahl story I read once but I can't find anything online about it....now I need to know! Maybe I'm wrong but I'm sure the book came free with PG tips....?
April 29, 2009
Most (if not all?) of these were originally published in other collections.
* Ex Poser
* Spaghetti Pig-Out (so gross, I love it)
* Nails
* Pink Bow Tie
* Ice Maiden
* There's No Such Thing
* Only Gilt
* Clear as Mud
* The Strap Box Flyer (epic all-time favourite)
* Ex Poser
* Spaghetti Pig-Out (so gross, I love it)
* Nails
* Pink Bow Tie
* Ice Maiden
* There's No Such Thing
* Only Gilt
* Clear as Mud
* The Strap Box Flyer (epic all-time favourite)
August 31, 2014
Shocking, entertaining, and hilarious, Jennings offers us a truly great mix of short stories here. Undoubtedly one of the best books I read in the Noughties, and to be honest, I could easily re-read it and purchase Jenning's other collections.
May 3, 2012
I've read this book when I was in 4th grade! Haha. I liked it. :) My imagination has gone wild because of this.
September 21, 2013
It is very interesting although the cover looks like it's a horror book.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews