Past Perfect, Present Tense

A grandmother plays a practical joke while sitting with the dead. A farm girl tastes her future at the 1904 World's Fair. A "purr-fect" mastermind bests bullies. Ghosts tell us their secrets. People are frequently (and shockingly) not who you believe them to be. Richard Peck is well known for his novels, including "A Long Way from Chicago" and "A Year Down Yonder" (which won the 1999 Newbery Honor and 2001 Newbery Medal, respectively). Now he treats us to a collection of all of his short stories, divided into categories: The First: the first short story Peck wrote The Past: historical fiction The Supernatural: spirits among us The Present: stories about today Some of Peck's tales are gut-bustingly funny; others are poignant or dark. The characters ring true while the plots twist startlingly. Please don't ask me to pick a favorite from these thirteen engrossing, varied gems! No, really. Oh, OKAY. "The Kiss in the Carry-on Bag" is the standout piece for me because of the truly delightful startle it gave me. But truly, I loved all the stories --- there's not one dud in the bunch. The tales are linked with fascinating notes of how they came to be written: Peck wrote his first short story because a magazine editor bribed him with three hundred dollars! He had thirty-six hours to write a thousand-word piece with a shocking ending. That story, "Priscilla and the Wimps," has been published in many places and opened the door for his further short fiction (speaking personally, I'd like to send that editor a thank-you note). Within the introduction and two pieces at the end of the book, the author gives his readers a unique gift. He invites us to write a story of our own --- and gives us the information to do so. I, for one, find that challenge irresistible! While writing these "how-to" pieces, Peck is true to form. Not only are they enjoyable and inspiring to read, but he actually jolted me into tears not far into his "How to Write a Short Story." As a book reviewer with finite bookshelves, I strive to pass on most of the books I review, no matter how enjoyable. I've already found room, though, for the wonderful PAST PERFECT, PRESENT TENSE, which I plan to reread frequently. --- Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon ([email protected])

I am pretty much at the place where I just do not think this man is capable of writing a dud for young adults. This one is fascinating, not only because each story stands on its own as a small gem, but because of the invaluable insights he gives to the young person who wants to write. His accounts of how his stories and novels came to be, of how hard work and persistence paid off, just ring so true, and he has a voice that somehow makes a young adult want to listen--as attested by my own three children. He just keeps getting better all the time.