Unseen!

Uncollected

by Paul Jennings

This title presents another collection of wacky and varied short stories, stories to be read and enjoyed at a sitting. They're about a boy who is able to grow new fingers, but not always in the right places; the dead dog that isn't quite what it seems; the last request of a grandfather; a man-eating ghost; a parrot that teaches unpleasant lessons and much more.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Short Stories, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Australia, Humor

Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Librarian 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).

Reviews

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wanted an easy read and I found it with this charming book of short stories! I had a go at a chunkier book recently, but (for now), did not persevere...So enter Paul Jennings!

Paul Jennings writes some wacky and charming short stories, perfect for children and adults alike! The experience of reading these felt like my childhood. They are of the era and that makes them so nostalgic- even if you’ve not read these particular books before!

The characters are interesting and the twists / punchlines at the end - funny and heartwarming.

Give this book a go! It won’t disappoint...

4 stars!

[Umi Dowell · Rating 4 out of 5]

We downloaded the audiobook, from our library’s BorrowBox app, to listen to in the car for a 2 plus hour road trip with my 9 and 11 year old boys. We all absolutely loved each story! Quirky humor, mystery and suspense in each one… kind of like the stuff of weird dreams that kids might have but always with a good ending.

[James Beamond]

It was pretty good

[Avery · Rating 5 out of 5]

A childhood classic.

[Aadya Sethi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book...especially the stories "Round the bend" and "One finger salute"

[Cleve Devine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much better than the one had read earlier in the year, some Round The Twist worthy tales in this. Closer to my memories of Jenno as a boy

3.5/5

[duck · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

[Emkoshka · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been working my way slowly through a reread of Paul Jennings's UN collection the past two years, after these books and their crazy stories made an indelible impression on my teenage mind back in the 1990s. I think this may be my favourite collection; every story is excellent, and they all have wry and witty twists. With heavy doses of body horror and all-round weirdness, these stories were grossing kids and teens out long before it was de rigeur to do so. I also love the references to Melbourne suburban hotspots like Knox City shopping centre! Each story creates such an evocative and enchanting world that I'm hard-pressed to pick a favourite of the bunch. Perhaps 'Round the Bend' and 'Shadows'?

[Poonguzhali · Rating 5 out of 5]

As there are many stories in the book,i would like to make a review on a story called,one finger salute.it is a great story as it talks about a boy who had no middle fingers.there was a boy who always showed him his middle fingers.he was sad and he ate a lizard's tail and had new fingers.after sometimes the fingers grew in his nose and butt.

[Small Creek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, books from my childhood. There was something obscenely enjoyable about Jennings' grotesque short stories. Certainly something you wouldn't read for the high-quality literature, though, haha.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

* Batty
* One-Finger Salute
* Round the Bend
* Seeshell
* Piddler on the Roof
* Ticker
* Guts
* Shadows
* Squawk Talk

[Kay Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

It had a good premise in each story, but the endings were just let downs.

I didn't laugh.
At all.

I was so disappointed.

[Jadey.Dave.Squishy.Fizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

i had me on the edge of my seat with every word i read

[Hilary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fans of the Twilight Zone will enjoy this series.