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Past Perfect, Present Tense
Compiled for the first time, here are all of Newbery Award– winning author Richard Peck’s previously published short stories and two brand-new ones. From comedy to tragedy to historical to contemporary; from "Priscilla and the Wimps," Peck’s first short story, to "Shotgun Cheatham’s Last Night Above Ground," which inspired both A Long Way from Chicago and A Year Down Yonder, to "The Electric Summer," Peck’s jumping-off point for Fair Weather, readers will thrill at Peck’s engaging short fiction. Complete with the author’s own notes on the stories as well as tips and hints for aspiring writers and two new stories, this vibrant and varied collection offers something for everyone.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
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301 people want to read
About the author
Richard Peck
112 books720 followersRichard Peck was an American novelist known for his prolific contributions to modern young adult literature. He was awarded the Newbery Medal in 2001 for his novel A Year Down Yonder. For his cumulative contribution to young-adult literature, he received the Margaret A. Edwards Award from the American Library Association in 1990.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
February 8, 2015
Never let it be said that Richard Peck is shy about expressing his opinion. From the introduction to this short story compilation:
Yeahhhhh. There's more good stuff:
And that's just the introduction.
This book really is a masterclass on short stories, from a great author's insights on them to his actual work. They're gems. It's interesting - Peck is fabulous at historical fiction, but he's also really, really good at contemporary. "Priscilla and the Wimps," which, like he says in his introduction, does end in a bang, is something that I can - so clearly! - see kids with a revenge/justice bent loving. Then there's "I Go Along," which is great, and made even more poignant by Peck's concluding note which says he met Gene when he was a teacher, only that Gene didn't get on the bus.
And then there are his ghost stories. Some of them are fabulous. And I love how open-ended he leaves them, how much thought they generate as a result.
And then - and then! - there's the conclusion. It's titled "How to Write a Short Story." It's funny how your brain plays tricks on you; I remember this being part of the introduction. It's not, but it is still here. It's why I reread this book. As much as I like the introduction, and the actual stories, it's this section that's stuck with me the longest. Specifically this part:
A short story, like fiction of any length, is about change. Even in a handful of pages, the characters can't be the same people in the last paragraph whom we meet in the first. If there's no change, there's no story, unless you write fiction for The New Yorker magazine.
Yeahhhhh. There's more good stuff:
In real life we have epiphanies all the time. But we wait for them to go away. Change is too hard, and too threatening. That's why we have fiction. Stories are better than real life, or we wouldn't have them...
All stories begin with those same two words: What if?
A story isn't what is. It's what if? Fiction isn't real life with the names changed. It's an alternate reality to reflect the reader's own world.
But what is a short story not? It's not a condensation of a novel, or an unfinished one. It's not Cliffs Notes to anything. It has its own shape and profile. It's not the New York skyline; it's a single church spire. Its end is much nearer its beginning, and so it can be overlooked.
"One tends to overpraise a long book because one has got through it," said E. M. Forster - a novelist. His tongue was in his cheek, but he makes a point...
The short story is much misunderstood. There are even aspiring writers who think they'll start out writing short stories and work their way up to the big time: novels. It doesn't work like that. A short story isn't easier than a novel. It has so little space to make its mark that it requires the kind of self-mutilating editing most new writers aren't capable of. It has less time to plead its case.
And that's just the introduction.
This book really is a masterclass on short stories, from a great author's insights on them to his actual work. They're gems. It's interesting - Peck is fabulous at historical fiction, but he's also really, really good at contemporary. "Priscilla and the Wimps," which, like he says in his introduction, does end in a bang, is something that I can - so clearly! - see kids with a revenge/justice bent loving. Then there's "I Go Along," which is great, and made even more poignant by Peck's concluding note which says he met Gene when he was a teacher, only that Gene didn't get on the bus.
And then there are his ghost stories. Some of them are fabulous. And I love how open-ended he leaves them, how much thought they generate as a result.
And then - and then! - there's the conclusion. It's titled "How to Write a Short Story." It's funny how your brain plays tricks on you; I remember this being part of the introduction. It's not, but it is still here. It's why I reread this book. As much as I like the introduction, and the actual stories, it's this section that's stuck with me the longest. Specifically this part:
April 29, 2019
I adore Richard Peck's writing. It's readable and perceptive and filled with quirky characters that constantly make me laugh. Or, at least, that's what I would have told you before I read this collection of short stories. So when I spotted his name on the spine of a book at my library's latest book sale, I snatched it up faster than you could say, "snaggletoothed tomcat."
As expected, there were many hilarious and heartwarming stories that made me so, so happy to have found this little book. For example, the whole storyline of I Go Along made me sort of sad and wistful for high school. Not in a "Oh I miss high school so much!" way (who does?), but in a "Oh goodness I wish I could go back and re-do it and be less wrapped up in myself this time" way. You never know when something you say could help someone see themselves differently. You never know who people can be, or as Gene says, "It's weird, like there could be poets around and you wouldn't realize they were there."
And- also as expected- there were many characters I fell in love with and wanted to read more of their stories: Priscilla in Priscilla and the Wimps and Blossom in The Special Powers of Blossom Culp. So if you see me reading the somewhat unappealing (to me) titles of Secrets of the Shopping Mall or The Ghost Belonged to Me anytime soon, now you know why. I'm already a fan of their protagonists. Or, to quote Miss Cartwright, "I have hopes for your future, Blossom. You will go far in your own peculiar way."
However, I was not so big on the spooky stories section of the collection. They lacked much of the humor, warmth, and thoughtfulness that I expect from Peck's writing- and that's really the reason I'm torn between three and four stars as far as how to rate this book. Obviously, I'm not the target audience. I don't read stories for the sole purpose of being scared out of my wits- never have. And if I suddenly decided that I wanted to read something scary for the sake of being scared, I wouldn't pick a ghost story. I would just like ONE PERSON to explain to my why ghosts are supposedly so scary. What are they going to do? Make weird noises? Move the curtains? Tell me to take revenge on the person that murdered them and stole their throne, which I can then debate during a dramatic monologue? I mean, idk... None of that sounds very scary to me. So, by far, my favorite story in this part of the collection was Shadows, which was less of a story meant to scare you out of your wits and more a story about life that happened to have ghosts in it.
So, all in all, this is a lovely collection of short stories. Excuse me, I need to add another two novels (AT LEAST) to my ever-growing list of books I'd like to read in the future.
As expected, there were many hilarious and heartwarming stories that made me so, so happy to have found this little book. For example, the whole storyline of I Go Along made me sort of sad and wistful for high school. Not in a "Oh I miss high school so much!" way (who does?), but in a "Oh goodness I wish I could go back and re-do it and be less wrapped up in myself this time" way. You never know when something you say could help someone see themselves differently. You never know who people can be, or as Gene says, "It's weird, like there could be poets around and you wouldn't realize they were there."
And- also as expected- there were many characters I fell in love with and wanted to read more of their stories: Priscilla in Priscilla and the Wimps and Blossom in The Special Powers of Blossom Culp. So if you see me reading the somewhat unappealing (to me) titles of Secrets of the Shopping Mall or The Ghost Belonged to Me anytime soon, now you know why. I'm already a fan of their protagonists. Or, to quote Miss Cartwright, "I have hopes for your future, Blossom. You will go far in your own peculiar way."
However, I was not so big on the spooky stories section of the collection. They lacked much of the humor, warmth, and thoughtfulness that I expect from Peck's writing- and that's really the reason I'm torn between three and four stars as far as how to rate this book. Obviously, I'm not the target audience. I don't read stories for the sole purpose of being scared out of my wits- never have. And if I suddenly decided that I wanted to read something scary for the sake of being scared, I wouldn't pick a ghost story. I would just like ONE PERSON to explain to my why ghosts are supposedly so scary. What are they going to do? Make weird noises? Move the curtains? Tell me to take revenge on the person that murdered them and stole their throne, which I can then debate during a dramatic monologue? I mean, idk... None of that sounds very scary to me. So, by far, my favorite story in this part of the collection was Shadows, which was less of a story meant to scare you out of your wits and more a story about life that happened to have ghosts in it.
So, all in all, this is a lovely collection of short stories. Excuse me, I need to add another two novels (AT LEAST) to my ever-growing list of books I'd like to read in the future.
May 25, 2017
I really enjoyed these short stories by Richard Peck. even The ghost stories. The last one- 3 centuries was a hoot because reading played a big part!
Plus the author gives lots of good advice on becoming a writer.
Plus the author gives lots of good advice on becoming a writer.
July 11, 2018
It's good. Priscilla and the Wimps is classic. All of the stories were enjoyable. But for me, it's like A Long Way from Chicago captures Richard Peck's wit and tone lightning in a perfect bottle, but the rest is just OK to me. It's worth reading and recommending even, but not what moves me.
I was very interested in the short commentaries before the sections about the observations and little sparks that inspired the stories. His comments on the basics of writing short stories--change in characters--with formal hints at the end and little tidbits scattered through his commentary, was interesting and good for kids I think. It also was a bit curmudgeonly at times. There's a certain yearning for the past and slightly forced self-discovery that runs through Peck's work. I think Grandma Dowdel has more of his actual voice than he'd like to admit.
I'm glad I read it.
I was very interested in the short commentaries before the sections about the observations and little sparks that inspired the stories. His comments on the basics of writing short stories--change in characters--with formal hints at the end and little tidbits scattered through his commentary, was interesting and good for kids I think. It also was a bit curmudgeonly at times. There's a certain yearning for the past and slightly forced self-discovery that runs through Peck's work. I think Grandma Dowdel has more of his actual voice than he'd like to admit.
I'm glad I read it.
February 29, 2008
There's a little gem of a short story in this book called By Far the Worst Pupil at Long Point School that is so funny and so shareable--I asked my dad to read it aloud at the end of our Thanksgiving dinner two years ago.
By Far the Worst Pupil, was based on one of Richard Peck's The Teacher's Funeral. The punchline is so clever, I had to read through the story a second time to make sure what I read had really happened. And then to read the Teacher's Funeral after this and compare the endings is great fun(especially as the ending in the Teacher's Funeral is based on his parents' courtship, and changed around a bit...).
Richard Peck is impeccable at historical fiction. Wink wink.
By Far the Worst Pupil, was based on one of Richard Peck's The Teacher's Funeral. The punchline is so clever, I had to read through the story a second time to make sure what I read had really happened. And then to read the Teacher's Funeral after this and compare the endings is great fun(especially as the ending in the Teacher's Funeral is based on his parents' courtship, and changed around a bit...).
Richard Peck is impeccable at historical fiction. Wink wink.
December 4, 2013
Richard Peck just astounds me. His works are prolific and he caries well a wide variety of genres. This is a compilation of his short stories. Each is just as powerful as his novels, yet speak well as short stories. Almost every one left me wanting more, yet satisfied with what he gave. Each is witty and left me thinking about all that was both said and unsaid in each. They offer a wonderful teaser to anyone who hasn't read Peck's work yet; and believe me, you'll get hooked.
Warnings: none
Warnings: none
December 29, 2016
No surprise, I LOVED the historical stories. The supernatural stories creeped me out. The present-time stories were okay, but felt lonely. Reading Richard Peck's own voice was interesting, though, and highly educational. In the end he's still a genius and he's still my favorite writer.
December 30, 2015
A collection of short stories with commentary about writing short stories by the author - very insightful and enjoyable.
June 7, 2020
The Three-Century Woman by Richard Peck -- Review
The narration in the short story "The Three-Century Woman" by Richard Peck is given by a teenage girl. Her Great-Grandmother is interviewed for TV because she has lived in three centuries. She was born in 1899, so in 2001 she can say that she has lived for three centuries.
The old lady invents some of her memories when she becomes annoyed at the reporter. The most distinctive part of the story is the description of the characters' traits and motivations. The reasons behind the behavior of the old lady are good subjects for discussion.
Here is the link to the text of the story:
https://cpb-us-e1.wpmucdn.com/cobblea...
The narration in the short story "The Three-Century Woman" by Richard Peck is given by a teenage girl. Her Great-Grandmother is interviewed for TV because she has lived in three centuries. She was born in 1899, so in 2001 she can say that she has lived for three centuries.
The old lady invents some of her memories when she becomes annoyed at the reporter. The most distinctive part of the story is the description of the characters' traits and motivations. The reasons behind the behavior of the old lady are good subjects for discussion.
Here is the link to the text of the story:
https://cpb-us-e1.wpmucdn.com/cobblea...
June 3, 2017
The cover doesn't do this book justice - I almost overlooked it on the shelf, because let's be honest, everyone judges a book by its cover.
I enjoyed most of the stories, and there is plenty of variety offered. The author also gives some tips for writing and a little background on the stories. Sometimes less is more, though: Peck revealed that he doesn't believe in ghosts, but he writes so convincingly about them that I found that a little disappointing.
In any case, this is a nice collection with a few gems of wisdom thrown in for good measure.
I enjoyed most of the stories, and there is plenty of variety offered. The author also gives some tips for writing and a little background on the stories. Sometimes less is more, though: Peck revealed that he doesn't believe in ghosts, but he writes so convincingly about them that I found that a little disappointing.
In any case, this is a nice collection with a few gems of wisdom thrown in for good measure.
December 20, 2018
I rated this book 3 stars because I’d rather read a story that continues the whole book instead of short small stories within the book. Besides that, It’s really interesting short stories. I also find that the first one is kind of funny because it explains how he didn’t like to write short stories at all, and that he would only type/write long descriptive essays/stories. I also found that him saying that when someone have him an assignment for a short story, it changed the way he wrote. So he put that into all these other small stories. Each story is consider the next chapter in this book.
November 24, 2019
This is a collection of short stories and explanations by Richard Peck. I really like the author, although there are a couple of his stories here I didn’t like. He includes a few tips on writing and some of the explanations aren’t super interesting, but it’s a fast read and he has a magical way of making some characters come alive. Makes me want to revisit writing creatively after a couple decades of doing very little of that. One interesting thing is that most stories take place in the distant past, or what was the present- but life has changed dramatically in the last twenty years.
February 12, 2020
4 and a 1/2 stars. I can count the number of short story collections I have read on one hand. I really enjoyed this . I enjoyed his different voices and his commentary and I found myself entranced several times by the different stories. Plus since most of my audio book listening is while driving kids around it was nice to be able to finish almost a whole story per drive. Would highly recommend especially to Writers.
January 2, 2021
These short stories were delightful. I only hope to be as spunky as the 102 year old woman - at any age! I will share these with my granddaughter who is at that strange of beginning to write her very first short stories in school. The spooky stories are the makings of campfire stories. Mr Peck will be on my reading radar from now on!
December 9, 2024
I enjoy Richard Peck. He is a masterful author. The short stories in this book are fun. They would be great examples for any English teacher to use as examples of good writing. The ghost stories are a little scary, but not too. They would be great to read aloud to a class before Halloween. I recommend this book as a good read for all.
July 15, 2017
Peck's young adult often resonate with me, so I wanted to check out this collection of short stories. The ghost stories are not my cup of tea. I guess I'm always looking for the lovely, nostalgic feeling and rollicking stories like those of Grandma Dowdel when I read Peck.
March 22, 2018
Quite a charming collection. A bit dated in some areas, but it’s hard to put together a “Present” section and expect it to hold up to everyone’s present. I’ll probably revisit a few of the stories every now and then.
January 8, 2019
Richard Peck has long impressed me with his pitch-perfect characters that make fantastic read-alouds to middle schoolers. Of added interest here are his notes about different types of stories and helpful hints to young writers. Language Arts teachers would be wise to nab a copy!
August 20, 2019
I smiled so often while reading these stories. He really is great at the twist at the end to make the story memorable. I also loved his notes on the circumstances leading to writing each one and his notes on the writing process in general. I will come back to this book again.
December 14, 2020
Richard Peck is always a joy to read. His collection of short stories didn’t disappoint. I enjoyed his explanations prior to each section. Not reading many short stories I felt more prepared about what to expect.
February 26, 2021
Fun collection of short stories by Richard Peck. Some of the stories I enjoyed more than the others. The supernatural section was eerie. And he offered several tips for aspiring writers who may wish to pursue the art of the short story.
September 4, 2018
Already a huge fan of Mr Peck's work, this book was icing on the cake. The background he gives for the stories is fun to read, but the stories themselves are as great!
January 8, 2020
This is a fun collection of stories and I now want to reread A Long Way From Chicago.
February 24, 2021
A really solid collection of middle grade stories that are entertaining and sharp. I love his elderly characters.
January 31, 2023
I love Richard Peck and was not disappointed.
Want to read
May 5, 2025Team digitally owns the story Girl at the Window by Richard Peck.
October 30, 2008
Past Perfect Present Tense is a collection of short stories by Richard Peck for tween readers. Some of the stories are reprints and some were newly written for this collection. The book ends with two how-to essays to encourage creative writing while giving practical advice.
Most of the stories have a supernatural or surreal twist to them. Sometimes the twist is only just a tiny hint at the end of an otherwise ordinary but well written story. For instance in "Priscilla and the Wimps" (1984) the male protagonist recounts how his school was run by Monk Clutter, the school bully. His career comes to an end with the help of an unlikely heroine, Priscilla.
At the other extreme, there are the ghost stories like "Girl at the Window" and "The Most Important Night of Melanie's Life." Both of these are in the vein of The Twilight Zone, with hints dropped throughout for observant readers. These two were my favorite of Past Perfect Present Tense.
Sometimes Peck plays with unexpected characters or unusual points of view. The best examples of this type of story are "Fluffy the Gangbuster" and "The Kiss in the Carry-on Bag." Of those two, I prefer "The Kiss" where the fish out of water is a prince playing hooky from his royal family. "Fluffy", a tale of a tough cat was too much like trying to read a plot into those dogs playing poker paintings.
Richard Peck includes short explanations to about half of his stories in Past Perfect Present Tense. Most of these introductions come with the reprinted stories. They help to give insight into his creative process and to the ways in which his style has evolved over time.
The stories in here are:
* Priscilla and the Wimps
* The Electric Summer
* The Special Powers of Blossom Gulp
* By Far the Worst Pupil at Long Point School
* Girl at the Window
* The Most Important Night of Melanie's Life
* Waiting for Sebastian
* Shadows
* Fluffy the Gangbuster
* I Go Along
* The Kiss in the Carry-on Bag
* The Three-Century Woman
The stories in here are:
* How to Write a Short Story
* Five Helpful Hints
Most of the stories have a supernatural or surreal twist to them. Sometimes the twist is only just a tiny hint at the end of an otherwise ordinary but well written story. For instance in "Priscilla and the Wimps" (1984) the male protagonist recounts how his school was run by Monk Clutter, the school bully. His career comes to an end with the help of an unlikely heroine, Priscilla.
At the other extreme, there are the ghost stories like "Girl at the Window" and "The Most Important Night of Melanie's Life." Both of these are in the vein of The Twilight Zone, with hints dropped throughout for observant readers. These two were my favorite of Past Perfect Present Tense.
Sometimes Peck plays with unexpected characters or unusual points of view. The best examples of this type of story are "Fluffy the Gangbuster" and "The Kiss in the Carry-on Bag." Of those two, I prefer "The Kiss" where the fish out of water is a prince playing hooky from his royal family. "Fluffy", a tale of a tough cat was too much like trying to read a plot into those dogs playing poker paintings.
Richard Peck includes short explanations to about half of his stories in Past Perfect Present Tense. Most of these introductions come with the reprinted stories. They help to give insight into his creative process and to the ways in which his style has evolved over time.
The stories in here are:
* Priscilla and the Wimps
* The Electric Summer
* The Special Powers of Blossom Gulp
* By Far the Worst Pupil at Long Point School
* Girl at the Window
* The Most Important Night of Melanie's Life
* Waiting for Sebastian
* Shadows
* Fluffy the Gangbuster
* I Go Along
* The Kiss in the Carry-on Bag
* The Three-Century Woman
The stories in here are:
* How to Write a Short Story
* Five Helpful Hints
February 17, 2017
This is a delightful collection of short stories by an award winning Young Adult author. The characterizations are well drawn and many of them have a playful twist at the end. A quick read as well, it kept me company while I was sick with the flu.
March 16, 2016
If you are a fan of Richard Peck ( I am!) and short stories, this is the book for you. Most of Peck's stories in the book have been featured elsewhere, and since I am a fan of his, I read many of these stories before or they were beginnings of what he later adapted into longer novels.
The short story "The Electric Summer" was retooled into "Fair Weather", "Shotgun Cheatham's Last Night Above Ground" became the first story in my favorite of Peck's novels "A Long Way From Chicago" and "By Far the Worst Pupil at Long Point School" was definitely the inspiration for "The Teacher's Funeral". The story "The Three-Century Woman" I had read earlier in the mediocre short story collection book "Second Sight". Peck's supernatural stories had good twists, and I was pleasantly surprised as most of the books I have read of his revolve around quirky country folk from the past. I enjoyed this book, and will now try to branch out into his mystery books.
The short story "The Electric Summer" was retooled into "Fair Weather", "Shotgun Cheatham's Last Night Above Ground" became the first story in my favorite of Peck's novels "A Long Way From Chicago" and "By Far the Worst Pupil at Long Point School" was definitely the inspiration for "The Teacher's Funeral". The story "The Three-Century Woman" I had read earlier in the mediocre short story collection book "Second Sight". Peck's supernatural stories had good twists, and I was pleasantly surprised as most of the books I have read of his revolve around quirky country folk from the past. I enjoyed this book, and will now try to branch out into his mystery books.
September 2, 2015
A great collection of short stories that give start to some of the characters in later books. I go to the library and head to the "P" shelf in the junior fiction section and look for any and all Richard Peck books to see if by chance I have missed one. He is the BEST story teller!
August 2015
I just re-read this and enjoyed it even more. Essentially this is a book about how the author came to write short stories when he did not consider himself a short story writer. The very first story is so funny that I laughed so hard, I cried. Then I read it to my hubby and could hardly get through it for laughing. I do enjoy Richard Peck's books! All of them!
August 2015
I just re-read this and enjoyed it even more. Essentially this is a book about how the author came to write short stories when he did not consider himself a short story writer. The very first story is so funny that I laughed so hard, I cried. Then I read it to my hubby and could hardly get through it for laughing. I do enjoy Richard Peck's books! All of them!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews