Unbelievable

Unbelievable is a collection of short stories from Australian author Paul Jennings, published in 1987. Each tale features young protagonists facing unusual situations and supernatural events. The stories range from encounters with magical machines and mysterious creatures to adventures in haunted houses and sewers. Common elements include school life, family relationships, and encounters between children and eccentric adults. The collection blends humor with elements of mystery, mild horror, and fantasy. Several stories from the book were later adapted for television, including episodes of Round the Twist and Driven Crazy. The book explores themes of friendship, acceptance, and the challenges of growing up, all filtered through Jennings' signature mix of the everyday and the impossible.

Readers describe this collection of short stories as bizarre, imaginative tales that appeal to reluctant young readers. Many mention that the stories stick with them years after reading them as children. Positives from reviews: - Hooks kids who don't normally enjoy reading - Quick, digestible story lengths - Unpredictable plots with surprising endings - Dark humor that appeals to both children and adults Common criticisms: - Some stories feel rushed or unfinished - A few tales are too dark/disturbing for younger readers - Uneven quality across the collection Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (50+ ratings) Several reviewers note it works well for classroom reading. One teacher writes: "These stories get my students begging to read more." Multiple parents mention their children went on to read Jennings' other books after finishing this one. The most frequent complaint relates to the abrupt endings of certain stories.

Tales from Outer Suburbia by Shaun Tan A collection of surreal short stories merges ordinary suburban life with peculiar creatures and impossible events.

Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar The tales of students at Wayside School present absurd situations and unexpected twists in interconnected stories.

The Twits by Roald Dahl Two mean-spirited characters engage in escalating pranks and schemes that lead to outlandish consequences.

Encyclopedia Brown by Donald J. Sobol Each chapter presents a puzzle-like mystery that challenges readers to spot clues and solve cases alongside the young detective.

The Watertower by Gary Crew Two boys discover strange occurrences around their town's watertower that blur the line between reality and imagination.

🌟 Paul Jennings has sold over 10 million books worldwide, making him one of Australia's most successful children's authors. 📚 The stories in "Unbelievable" were originally featured on the popular Australian children's TV show "Round the Twist," which ran from 1989 to 2001. ✍️ Before becoming a full-time writer, Jennings worked as a special education teacher, which helped him understand how to write stories that would engage reluctant readers. 🎭 Many of Jennings' short stories, including those in "Unbelievable," are known for their twist endings - a signature style that has influenced many modern children's authors. 🏆 The book and its companion collections have won multiple awards, including the Kids Own Australian Literature Award (KOALA), voted for by children themselves.