Mystery Stories

Harris Burdick Mystery Stories ~ Creative Writing
Miss Berndl's Fabulous Fours

The Mysteries of Harris Burdick
written & illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg

This book has 14 interesting pictures in it. Each picture can be used as a story starter. The title of the story is given and so is the first line. Students need to complete the story suggested by the picture & what has already been written in the book.

Creative Writing Assignment Criteria

Style – the story has to have the same title and first line(s) as the original in the book

Quantity – the length should be as long as it takes to tell the story

- about 1 to 2 pages, 200 to 400 words

Number of Stories -every student needs to write up at least 1 story

not all stories need to be written up in good copy

Publishing

	stories to be published need to be typed up on computer
	every story needs to have a sketch based on the original sketch to go with the story - slight changes to reflect your personal story can be made
	if only 1 story published - to be included in personal section of yearbook
	if multiple stories published, a Mystery Story Book to be created

The Mysteries of Harris Burdick are:

Archie Smith, Boy Wonder
Under The Rug
A Strange Day in July
Missing in Venice
Another Place, Another Time
Uninvited Guests
The Harp
Mr. Linden's Library
The Seven Chairs
The Third-Floor Bedroom
Just Desert
Captain Tory
Oscar and Alphonse
The House on Maple Street


Archie Smith, Boy Wonder A tiny voice asked, "Is he the one?"	Under the Rug Two weeks passed and it happened again	A Strange Day in July He threw with all his might, but the third stone came skipping back.	Missing in Venice Even with her mighty engines in reverse, the ocean liner was pulled further and further into the canal.	Another Place, Another Time If there was an answer, he'd find it there.

Uninvited Guests His heart was pounding. He was sure he had seen the doorknob turn.	The Harp So it's true he thought, it's really true.	Mr. Linden's Library He had warned her about the book. Now it was too late.	The Seven Chairs The fifth one ended up in France.	The Third-Floor Bedroom It all began when someone left the window open.

Just Desert She lowered the knife and it grew even brighter.	Captain Tory He swung his lantern three times and slowly the schooner appeared.	Oscar and Alphonse She knew it was time to send them back. The caterpillars softly wiggled in her hand, spelling out "goodbye."	The House on Maple Street It was a perfect lift-off.	The Mysteries of Harris Burdick written & illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg ISBN: 0-395-35393-9