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Uncanny!
A collection of nine quirky, bizarre, and very funny short stories.
185 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
27 people are currently reading
409 people want to read
About the author
Paul Jennings
280 books362 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Paul Jennings was born in Heston near London, and at the age of 6 emigrated to Melbourne, Australia on a boat. He was on the boat for 5 weeks with his family. He attended Bentleigh West Primary School and Caulfield Grammar School.
After graduating from school, he went to Frankston Teachers College (now part of Monash University) and became a teacher. He taught students at Frankston State School, Kangaroo Flat State School, the Turana Youth Training Centre, and the Royal Children's Hospital State School in Mount Eliza. He later went on to study at the Lincoln Institute of Health Science (now part of LaTrobe University) and became a speech pathologist, then worked as a Lecturer in Special Education at Burwood State College (now part of Deakin University). In 1979 he became Senior Lecturer in Language and Literature at Warrnambool Institute of Advanced Education (now part of Deakin University).
In 1985, Jennings' first book of short stories, Unreal! was published, during which he worked as a lecturer and wrote part-time; in 1989, he made the decision to devote his full time to writing. Many of his short stories, published between 1985 and 1991, were also adapted into the first and second series of the popular Australian television show Round the Twist.
Winner of the Dromkeen Medal (2000).
Paul Jennings was born in Heston near London, and at the age of 6 emigrated to Melbourne, Australia on a boat. He was on the boat for 5 weeks with his family. He attended Bentleigh West Primary School and Caulfield Grammar School.
After graduating from school, he went to Frankston Teachers College (now part of Monash University) and became a teacher. He taught students at Frankston State School, Kangaroo Flat State School, the Turana Youth Training Centre, and the Royal Children's Hospital State School in Mount Eliza. He later went on to study at the Lincoln Institute of Health Science (now part of LaTrobe University) and became a speech pathologist, then worked as a Lecturer in Special Education at Burwood State College (now part of Deakin University). In 1979 he became Senior Lecturer in Language and Literature at Warrnambool Institute of Advanced Education (now part of Deakin University).
In 1985, Jennings' first book of short stories, Unreal! was published, during which he worked as a lecturer and wrote part-time; in 1989, he made the decision to devote his full time to writing. Many of his short stories, published between 1985 and 1991, were also adapted into the first and second series of the popular Australian television show Round the Twist.
Winner of the Dromkeen Medal (2000).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
August 18, 2010
I remember reading this book when I was in 4th or 5th grade, and it totally stuck with me. However, I had the hardest time finding it again! You know how, as a kid, you have these sort of localized memories of places and things, and I could just never remember this title, and when I thought of it, it was NEVER the first book to pop up in any search (including this here lovely goodreads!). In any case, this is a strange, weird, at times creepy, and at times gross collection of short stories that you just won't want to put down. And lo and behold, this book is part of a short story weird-tales series, so there's more when you fly through this book. The last story in this book creeps me out even today!
September 19, 2021
ENGLISH: I have read eight of the nine stories in this collection, which are those included in my editions of the works of Paul Jennings. These stories are weird, tricky and spooky, but they don't have philosophical connotations, so I've liked Quirky Tails best.
The relationship between young boys and their fathers in these stories is sometimes bad, sometimes nonexistent. In the first story, "On the bottom," the father refuses to believe what his son is telling until he is forced by the situation; in "A good tip for ghosts" and "Know all" the fathers are scatter-brained men who delight in recovering junk from a junk-tip or from the beach; in "Mousechap" and "Cracking Up" the father is not even mentioned and seems to be missing; in "Frozen Stiff" the boy goes wherever he wants without being answerable to anybody; only in "Greensleeves" and "Spaghetti Pig-Out" the fathers are relatively normal people, with a good relation with their sons. Apparently Jennings had a bad relation with his own father, and it shows in his stories.
The stories I liked best were "A good tip for ghosts" (a curious original ghost story); "Greensleeves" (which is not spooky, just a little weird, and a lot tricky); and "Mousechap" (which deals with a strange switch of personalities between two living beings).
ESPAÑOL: He leído ocho de las nueve historias de esta colección, las que aparecen en mis ediciones de las obras de Paul Jennings. Estas historias son extrañas, retorcidas y espeluznantes, pero no tienen connotaciones filosóficas, así que me gustó más Quirky Tails.
La relación entre los chicos y sus padres en estos cuentos es a veces mala, a veces inexistente. En el primero, "On the bottom", el padre se niega a creer lo que le cuenta su hijo hasta que las circunstancias le obligan a ello; en "A good tip for ghosts" y "Know all" los padres son unos descerebrados que se deleitan en recobrar basura de un basurero o de la playa; en "Mousechap" y "Cracking Up" ni siquiera se menciona al padre, da la sensación de que no existe; en "Frozen Stiff" el chico va a donde quiere sin responder ante nadie; sólo en "Greensleeves" y "Spaghetti Pig-Out" los padres son personas relativamente normales, con una buena relación con sus hijos. Al parecer, Jennings tuvo una mala relación con su padre, y en sus cuentos se nota.
Los cuentos que más me gustaron fueron "A good tip for ghosts" (una curiosa y original historia de fantasmas); "Greensleeves" (que no es espeluznante, apenas algo extraña, pero sí bastante retorcida); y "Mousechap" (que trata sobre un raro intercambio de personalidad entre dos seres vivos).
The relationship between young boys and their fathers in these stories is sometimes bad, sometimes nonexistent. In the first story, "On the bottom," the father refuses to believe what his son is telling until he is forced by the situation; in "A good tip for ghosts" and "Know all" the fathers are scatter-brained men who delight in recovering junk from a junk-tip or from the beach; in "Mousechap" and "Cracking Up" the father is not even mentioned and seems to be missing; in "Frozen Stiff" the boy goes wherever he wants without being answerable to anybody; only in "Greensleeves" and "Spaghetti Pig-Out" the fathers are relatively normal people, with a good relation with their sons. Apparently Jennings had a bad relation with his own father, and it shows in his stories.
The stories I liked best were "A good tip for ghosts" (a curious original ghost story); "Greensleeves" (which is not spooky, just a little weird, and a lot tricky); and "Mousechap" (which deals with a strange switch of personalities between two living beings).
ESPAÑOL: He leído ocho de las nueve historias de esta colección, las que aparecen en mis ediciones de las obras de Paul Jennings. Estas historias son extrañas, retorcidas y espeluznantes, pero no tienen connotaciones filosóficas, así que me gustó más Quirky Tails.
La relación entre los chicos y sus padres en estos cuentos es a veces mala, a veces inexistente. En el primero, "On the bottom", el padre se niega a creer lo que le cuenta su hijo hasta que las circunstancias le obligan a ello; en "A good tip for ghosts" y "Know all" los padres son unos descerebrados que se deleitan en recobrar basura de un basurero o de la playa; en "Mousechap" y "Cracking Up" ni siquiera se menciona al padre, da la sensación de que no existe; en "Frozen Stiff" el chico va a donde quiere sin responder ante nadie; sólo en "Greensleeves" y "Spaghetti Pig-Out" los padres son personas relativamente normales, con una buena relación con sus hijos. Al parecer, Jennings tuvo una mala relación con su padre, y en sus cuentos se nota.
Los cuentos que más me gustaron fueron "A good tip for ghosts" (una curiosa y original historia de fantasmas); "Greensleeves" (que no es espeluznante, apenas algo extraña, pero sí bastante retorcida); y "Mousechap" (que trata sobre un raro intercambio de personalidad entre dos seres vivos).
June 23, 2020
Cute set of short stories told with Jennings' trademark humour and easy style.
This is a perfect book for that 8-12 year age group that want books which are fun and easy to read with a side of spooky or supernatural.
The audio narration is also very well done and at less than 4 hours would be great for a road trip with the kids.
This is a perfect book for that 8-12 year age group that want books which are fun and easy to read with a side of spooky or supernatural.
The audio narration is also very well done and at less than 4 hours would be great for a road trip with the kids.
July 27, 2020
Let's admit it, you are never too old for a good children's story. Some stories are better than the others, let's just say that I teared up a little when I read "Frozen Stiff".
January 3, 2010
I am so excited to find so many books written by Paul Jennings! I went looking for more because my son enjoyed that other book we happened to come across. I read in the book sleeve that Jennings had written other books and I expected to find novels, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that all his other books are collections of short stories just like the first. In the book sleeve, Jennings is quoted as saying, “I try to put at least three of the following things in every short story: a surprise ending (“Trashed”), something yucky (“Greensleeves), weird happenings (“Frozen Stiff”), a lot of laughs (“On the Bottom”), spooky events (“Cracking Up”). I want kids to finish the first page of one of my stories and not be able to stop reading.”
Here are the reviews by story:
On the Bottom: Excellent story!! It’s very weird and very good!
Trashed: A little spooky. My husband doesn’t want our son reading ghost stories of any kind, but my son read this before I had a chance to finally lay down that law, and he really enjoyed it. Whenever Jennings writes things that are a bit spooky, they are so laced with humor that it is hard to come away from the story scared.
Frozen Stiff: This is very weird, but what can I say? Boys love this kind of wacko stuff.
UFD: This story ended kind of abruptly for me. I guess it was pretty ironic the way it ended. It wasn’t scary and didn’t have any faults to speak of.
Cracking up: This starts out as a pretty spooky ghost story, but I was laughing by the end! Our son won’t be reading it since my husband put his foot down about no ghost stories. But if it were up to me I wouldn’t mind letting David read this one. He doesn’t seem to be frightened too easily from reading a bit about ghosts.
Greensleeves: This one was mentioned above as having something yucky, and it’s very true. It’s a very yucky story, but I know my son will love it.
Mousechap: This is a great story. I absolutely love the ending. . .poor Aunt Scrotch.
Spaghetti Pig-out: Ha ha!! How funny! I think I groaned a little as I was first reading this because it’s a familiar premise, but Jennings put a yucky twist on it that was perfect for his audience. The end was excellent!
Know All: I guess in Australia people are called Know Alls instead of know-it-all. The title is very appropriate. This is another ghost story, but this one was definitely more spooky than most of what I’ve seen from Jennings. I wouldn’t allow my son to read this one. He might be able to read it and be fine, but in my mind it was a little too much for that age. I still love Jennings’ creativity and I enjoyed the story anyway.
Here are the reviews by story:
On the Bottom: Excellent story!! It’s very weird and very good!
Trashed: A little spooky. My husband doesn’t want our son reading ghost stories of any kind, but my son read this before I had a chance to finally lay down that law, and he really enjoyed it. Whenever Jennings writes things that are a bit spooky, they are so laced with humor that it is hard to come away from the story scared.
Frozen Stiff: This is very weird, but what can I say? Boys love this kind of wacko stuff.
UFD: This story ended kind of abruptly for me. I guess it was pretty ironic the way it ended. It wasn’t scary and didn’t have any faults to speak of.
Cracking up: This starts out as a pretty spooky ghost story, but I was laughing by the end! Our son won’t be reading it since my husband put his foot down about no ghost stories. But if it were up to me I wouldn’t mind letting David read this one. He doesn’t seem to be frightened too easily from reading a bit about ghosts.
Greensleeves: This one was mentioned above as having something yucky, and it’s very true. It’s a very yucky story, but I know my son will love it.
Mousechap: This is a great story. I absolutely love the ending. . .poor Aunt Scrotch.
Spaghetti Pig-out: Ha ha!! How funny! I think I groaned a little as I was first reading this because it’s a familiar premise, but Jennings put a yucky twist on it that was perfect for his audience. The end was excellent!
Know All: I guess in Australia people are called Know Alls instead of know-it-all. The title is very appropriate. This is another ghost story, but this one was definitely more spooky than most of what I’ve seen from Jennings. I wouldn’t allow my son to read this one. He might be able to read it and be fine, but in my mind it was a little too much for that age. I still love Jennings’ creativity and I enjoyed the story anyway.
March 27, 2016
Paul Jennings is definitely one of the very few authors who really stuck with me since my reading years in primary school. I remember heading straight to the J section every time we had reading classes. His writing style is just captivating in each short story (and I don't know how he does it in those few pages but your eye balls are just glued until the story is over) and the quirky twists and ending that make you squirm in your seat or laugh are just the cherry on the top. Definitely one of the authors I will make my kids in future read, so they don't get robbed of some awesome childhood experience haha.
September 7, 2023
I used to read these short stories as a kid, and as an adult I still enjoy them. Magic, mystery and the underdog coming out on top, what a combination! Jennings's ideas are wonderfully creative and make for wonderful stories
July 25, 2011
One of my other favorites of the Paul Jennings "un-" books - this one containing the brilliant story of a funky remote control that controls *people*, among other delightful twisted tales...
April 13, 2019
Best/most memorable stories in the book: Greensleeves, Frozen stiff, and Know all.
June 8, 2025
Welp, the name spells it out. The stories were uncanny, all right. Not so funny, not so creative nor that entertaining in my opinion, but I finished it first before continuing with other books nonetheless.
I understand the stories are meant for someone at least ten years my youth, but to be fair, that may be where I am mentally.
I read it to completion, while pausing the other lengthier novels, because I enjoyed the bite-sized pieces of entertainment, a nice change of breath from the lengthy stories I've been consuming.
Any story that stands out? None, really. But it was a nice look into the format of stories I hope to write one day.
I understand the stories are meant for someone at least ten years my youth, but to be fair, that may be where I am mentally.
I read it to completion, while pausing the other lengthier novels, because I enjoyed the bite-sized pieces of entertainment, a nice change of breath from the lengthy stories I've been consuming.
Any story that stands out? None, really. But it was a nice look into the format of stories I hope to write one day.
November 14, 2019
This is a short story about a child who is fishing with his dad when suddenly he finds a disgusting tattoed finger in a sharks stomach. The tattoo comes alive and takes him on an adventure!
In my opinion this story was fairly entertaining and it kept me on my toes throughout the whole story. Although the ending was a bit predictable.
I would recommend this book for anyone who loves reading from ages 7-117.
In my opinion this story was fairly entertaining and it kept me on my toes throughout the whole story. Although the ending was a bit predictable.
I would recommend this book for anyone who loves reading from ages 7-117.
March 16, 2020
This book contains 9 different crazy unfortunate story’s in one book! I liked this book because it was very fun to read and made me smile a couple times. I definitely recommend this book for all ages and people who like to read funny comedy books and always like to let out a smile!
October 5, 2025
Know-All actually has moments in it where I can safely say it belongs in a full horror short story collection cause that scarecrow is TERRIFYING.
Spaghetti Pig Out and A Good Tip For A Ghost are other stand outs.
Spaghetti Pig Out and A Good Tip For A Ghost are other stand outs.
September 9, 2021
Not my favourite of these stories. Still really good though, very funny and silly like all Paul Jennings' books.
February 28, 2022
A childhood classic.
October 8, 2022
Uncanny
Such a good collection of his books
Highly recommend this book
Super Funny and entertaining
You never know what happens next!
Such a good collection of his books
Highly recommend this book
Super Funny and entertaining
You never know what happens next!
December 14, 2022
It's a good read although not sure if still appealing to readers of 2022 but the mystery of the short stories did hold my attention.
March 31, 2025
A nice collection of really short stories for younger readers. I actually remembered a few of the twists from when I read this as a child. (Back 15–20 years ago)
Still holds up today!
Still holds up today!
July 11, 2025
I grew up reading Paul Jennings' short stories. He was probably the author that gave me a love of reading. I've just finished reading Uncanny! again with my year 7 class. I really enjoyed rereading these silly, funny and spooky stories.
May 3, 2023
I didn’t like this book
July 23, 2016
This is a series of short stories all quirky in nature. Paul says about his work: I try to put at least three of the following things in every short story: a surprise ending, something yucky, weird happenings, a lot of laughs, spooky events. These are all stories that do one of these. From climbing inside a whale and blowing out its guts to Old Chompers (a ghost looking for false teeth), to sighing a UFD (Unidentified Flying….I let you read it to figure out the D). These stories are a lot of fun especially if you like magic and the supernatural. These are stories you’ll probably remember and repeat.
October 1, 2022
Hmmm, aside from the cover art (on my 1988 Penguin edition), this is not a very memorable collection. Literally, I couldn't remember any of the stories from the first time I read them (admittedly, 30 years ago) except for some vague recollections of 'On the Bottom', 'A Good Tip for Ghosts', 'Greensleeves' and 'Know All', some of which may be due to the TV adaptations. These stories seem a little wackier than the ones in previous collections, or maybe I'm just too old for crude food humour.
August 3, 2016
Quirky tales for Paul Jennings. These books got me through a few of my awkward years I tell you. Even kids in these stories is the underdog or the want you want to cheer for. There is often twists and turns in every story and he also has a way with coming up with a killer ending. For 7 to 13 year olds.
July 31, 2014
Great, great writer and his stories still work really well even after so many years. Jennings is also an active speaker at events and I was able to hear him last year talking about the importance of engaging boys in reading. These short stories are great for that and i remember them being great even when I was a kid. My husband loved them too which is saying something!
July 16, 2012
Good childhood memory. Couldn't remember any of the stories so read it again. Easy, light reading that, while predictable, is creative, charming and varied enough to keep it interesting. Worth reading once.
October 24, 2007
uncanny is probably the best of all of the UN series
November 21, 2007
This book used to freak me out as a child, but for some reason, I've read these stories many times over. My favorite was "Greensleeves," but I have now pretty much forgotten what it was about...
April 29, 2009
* On the Bottom
* A Good Tip for Ghosts
* Frozen Stiff
* UFD
* Cracking Up
* Greensleeves (the whale and the watch, oh yes!)
* Mousechap
* Spaghetti Pig-Out (fantastic)
* Know All
* A Good Tip for Ghosts
* Frozen Stiff
* UFD
* Cracking Up
* Greensleeves (the whale and the watch, oh yes!)
* Mousechap
* Spaghetti Pig-Out (fantastic)
* Know All
October 19, 2010
Ben really, really enjoyed this one. He read out several passages in the car. And wanted another Paul Jennings book to read immediately.
October 26, 2011
pretty out of it stories in here that kept me reading longer than i thought i would.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews