Take 3
Kahani Magazine
Bobby's worst nightmare was about to come true — his parents were actually going to speak at Carver Elementary school...
The Sound of Music
Guide Magazine
I've always wanted to act out that first scene in The Sound of Music, but singing out loud is embarrassing, right? That's what I used to think, anyway...
New Rules
Homesteader Magazine
Squashed into a grandmother sandwich, Sara wonders where in the world she belongs. Is she African-American, like Grandma Rose? Or is she Indian-American, like Nani? A story of a girl coming to terms with her bi-cultural identity.
The Bamboo People
Clubhouse Magazine
The Karenni village elders call a river race. They must choose one boy to join a team of men heading into the jungle to help refugees in hiding. Will Tooreh win the race?
Send an e-mail to info@mitaliperkins.com for information about first rights for the following stories:
The Golden Necklace
(780 words, RL 5-8)
Tara's dowry is missing and the village is in an uproar. Twelve-year-old Sonali decides to take on the mystery and find the missing gold.
A Friend in America
(780 words, RL 5-8)
Eight-year-old Rupa wonders if she'll ever find a friend in this new country. When she's left alone on a bus in New York City, she makes a surprising discovery ...
The Battle for Little Bird
(800 words, RL 5-8)
Sarah and Amanda love their Somalian friend Jenna ("Little Bird"). But will they stand with her on the front lines of battle at Carver Elementary School?
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Fiction About Balancing Cultures
Take Three
Kahani Magazine
Bollywood Babe
Warner Brothers Short Story Contest Semifinalist
Off the Deep End
Khabar Magazine
Race at the British Club
Flashquake
No Translation
Flashquake Honorable Mention
Oxymoron
Cold Glass Magazine Short Story Contest Winner
Fire Escape
Katha Fiction Contest Honorable Mention
Full Circle
Katha Fiction Contest Winner
Included in Looking Back: Stories of our Mothers and Fathers in Retrospect
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Other Stories For Teens
The Porsche Factor
Included in Chicken Soup for the Bride's Soul
"PRE-MED or PRE-WED?" asked a caption in the yearbook. The photo was a cameo of Linda and Martin sharing a microscope in Biology class. They were teased endlessly about it. "Two doctors in the family. You guys are going to be rich."
The other kids were certain that Martin and Linda were going to live happily ever after. After all, they'd been dating steadily for two years.
Linda always changed the subject when someone brought up the future. She loved Martin Larsen, but she had a secret, nagging worry that didn't seem to go away. It might seem silly to some of the other kids, but to Linda, it was serious...
Justin's Wonderful Life
With Magazine
Justin slammed on the brakes. Somebody was standing right in the middle of the road. The car pulled to a stop with a screech, and Justin's head banged against the steering wheel. Hard.
“OW!” he yelled, rubbing his forehead and peering through the windshield. “Who IS that out there? I hope I didn't hit him.”
He heard a tapping on the window beside him. Before Justin could react, the door flew open. A round little man reached in and grabbed Justin's hand.
"Let's go, Justin Bradley,” the man said. “We don't have much time.”
“Who – who are you?” Justin managed to ask.
“A messenger,” the man replied. “Now come on.”
Mary's Customer
With Magazine
Wrap the black leather jacket tightly around me. Tuck my hands under my arms to keep them warm. Lean back against smooth marble, staying out of the way of people walking to bus stops and carpool lines. It's getting dark and the city lights are shining on the rain-wet sidewalk.
Count shoes that match briefcases, waiting for a pair to walk past, slow down, and turn back to stop in front of me. They don't stop as often as they used to. He says I'm not eating enough to keep the curves they like. Bought a black leather mini to show off my legs. High-heeled pumps that pinch my feet. Dark glasses to hide the bruise on my cheek.
A car door slams, and I look up, surprised. A customer in a car never gets out -- just rolls down the window and leans out to make his offer. Carefully, I push the muscles on my face around the bruise, trying to smile as he walks towards me.