Using Chris VanAllsburg‘s amazing book The Mysteries of Harris Burdick as inspiration, you will select one of the images in the book to create an original story. There are three rules:
1. Your story must be complete, with a beginning, middle, and end. No “To be continued…” at the end of your page!
2. Your story may be handwritten (minimum of two pages) or typed (minimum of one full page, single-spaced). It may be longer, but it cannot be shorter.
3. You must use the title of your inspiration picture as your story’s title, and you must include the picture’s caption somewhere in your completed story.
Other than these three rules, you may be as creative as you like. You will choose the tone and style of your story. It may be funny, creepy, or downright scary, but remember that this is a school assignment! Keep the dismemberments and other R-rated elements offstage. You may refer to the Who Is Harris Burdick? website for inspiration and ideas, but do not replicate anything you find there.
Titles and Captions (titles are links to the pictures):
Another Place, Another Time – If there was an answer, he’d find it there.
Archie Smith, Boy Wonder – A tiny voice asked, “Is he the one?”
Captain Tory – He swung the lantern three times and slowly the schooner appeared.
The Harp – So it’s true he thought, it’s really true.
The House on Maple Street – It was a perfect lift-off.
Just Desert – She lowered the knife and it grew even brighter.
Missing in Venice (magician) – “This time she’d gone too far.”
Missing in Venice (ocean liner) – Even with her mighty engines in reverse, the ocean liner was pulled further and further into the canal.
Mr. Linden’s Library – He had warned her about the book. Now it was too late.
Oscar and Alphonse – She knew it was time to send them back. The caterpillars softly wiggled in her hand, spelling out “goodbye.”
The Seven Chairs – The fifth one ended up in France.
A Strange Day in July – He threw with all his might, but the third stone came skipping back.
The Third-Floor Bedroom – It all began when someone left the window open.
Under the Rug – Two weeks passed and it happened again.
Uninvited Guests – His heart was pounding. He was sure he had seen the doorknob turn.
Your completed story should be brought to class Friday, January 24.