Wipeout of the Wireless Weenies

WIPEOUT OF THE WIRELESS WEENIES by David Lubar. Tor, 2014.

This collection of short stories follows in the worthy footsteps of LAWN WEENIES, RED HOT PEEER WEENIES, and NINJA WEENIES among others. Teddy bears, cat literal and faxes might all seem innocuous. But hand them to David Lubar and the results are creepy and often hilarious stories of comeuppance, justice, and irony. Perfect for reading aloud to kids, teachers will also find them valuable for a discussion of author style and process.

Frighteningly Wonderful

SCOWLER by Daniel Kraus. Delacorte, 2013.

The author of ROTTERS returns with an intense psychological examination of the long term effect of abuse on kids. Now 19, Ry Burke endured years of abuse (and also witnessed the abuse of his mother) by his father who is now in prison. As a child, after his father nearly caused his death, Ry became attached to the three toys that he believes saved his life: a stuffed bear names Furrington, a rubber statues of Christ, and Scowler, a stitched and stuffed object. When a meteor crashes into the prison where his father is being held, the family prepares to flee. However, before they can reach safety, dear old Dad has returned seeking revenge. Kraus writes lyrically of even the most horrific scenes in Ry's young life. The story drives forward, relentless in its intensity, unremitting in the fear and horror created by the events and the characters who are struggling to survive.

Lubar Makes me Laugh

BEWARE THE NINJA WEENIES AND OTHER WARPED AND CREEPY TALES by David Lubar. Tor, 2012

David Lubar has a perfect touch when it comes to combining humor and horror and, well, grossouts, in his series of Weenie books. Here are short stories about intelligent vegetables (brain food?), cheese of questionable origin, bedbugs (shudder), and much more. Each story begs to be shared aloud. This collection (and the other 5 for that matter) would be an ideal way to begin the new school year. Select 5-10 stories; read a new one each day. At the end of the week (or two weeks), talk about the essential characteristics of the stories and of Lubar's style. Two appendices to note: a teacher's guide to using the book and notes about where the ideas behind each story originated. <384>