Strange Happenings

Newbery Medalist Avi presents characters who experience startling transformations in this collection of thought-provoking short stories that is by turns chilling, ethereal, and surreal.

Bored TomAt the age of twelve, Thomas Osborn Pitzhughbetter known as Tomhad few interests, little desire, and almost no energy. This was so despite a familymother, father, older brother, and sisterthat loved him. As for school, his teachers treated him fairly; he did what he was supposed to do and received passable grades. But if you were to ask Tom what the future held for him, he would have replied that, other than getting older, and hopefully taller, he expected no change. In short, Thomas Osborn Pitzhughbetter known as Tomfound life boring. One day Tom was sitting on the front steps of his city house doing what he usually did: nothing. As he sat there a short-haired, black-and-gray cat with gray eyes approached and sat down in front of him. For a while the twoboy and catstared at each other. The cat spoke first. Whats happening? he asked. Not much, Tom replied. Doing anything? the cat asked. Nope. Just hanging out? I guess. That something you do often? Yeah. How come? the cat inquired. Im bored. The cat considered this remark and then said, You look like my kind of friend. How about adopting me? Why should I? Got anything better to do? I dont know. Well then?tyle="mso-tab-count: 1" Tom asked, Whats your name? Charley. Okay. It was not long before Charley the cat became part of Toms household. So familiar did he become that when Tom went to sleep, Charley slept next to his head on an extra pillow. For a brief time, Tomhaving a new friendwas almost not bored. After a while, however, his life settled back into its old, boring routine. Hey, man, Tom said to Charley one afternoon two months after the cat had moved in. Its not fair! You get to sleep all day, but I have to go to school. Disgusted, he flung his schoolbooks onto his bed. It was the statement more than the thump of books that awoke Charley from a sound nap. He studied Tom, and then stretched his back to curve like a McDonalds arch. I am a cat, he said. You are a boy. Some would say you had it better. Tom sighed. If you had to go to school every day like I do, you wouldnt say that. Dont you like school? Charley asked. Oh, I like it all right, Tom replied. The kids are okay. The teachers are all right. Once in a while it almost gets interesting. Mostly, though, its just boring. Id rather do nothing. Like you. What about after school? Boring, Tom insisted. Doesnt anything interest you? Tom considered the question. Television, he said at last. On TV theres something happening. Its my life thats dull. A cats life, said Charley, can be dull, too. Your life is supposed to be dull, Tom said. See, people are always telling me that I should get up and do something. Boy, wish I had permission to sleep all day the way you do. To which Charley said, How about you becoming me, a cat, while I become you, a boy? Tom sighed with regret. Not possible, he said. Dont be so sure, said Charley. Most people wouldnt believe that you and I could hold a conversation, but he

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Excerpted from Strange Happenings: Five Tales of Transformation by Avi
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