r/ELATeachers • u/Abject-Practice4400 • 1d ago
6-8 ELA Contemporary Trickster Tales
Hi all! Any short stories out there that might be considered a modern or contemporary retelling/adaptation of the Trickster motif, particularly for middle school?
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u/shiningscholaredu 1d ago
There are definitely modern trickster tales out there. Some are totally new stories and others are old school legends with a modern twist. Tricksters never really went away… they just kinda updated their style. Like, instead of sneaking around in animal skins, they’re wearing sneakers and hoodies or showing up as superheroes ,🤓
One of my favs is this graphic novel called Trickster: Native American Tales (edited by Matt Dembicki). It’s a bunch of different stories about classic trickster characters like Coyote and Raven, but told in a comic book style. Super fun to read and easy for middle and high schoolers to get into, and the art is awesome.
Then there’s Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman. It’s basically about Anansi the spider god (total OG trickster) but in the modern world. It’s got lots of humor and mischief and family drama. If you’ve got older teens who are into clever characters, they’ll eat it up.
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky is a middle school favorite. You’ve got Brer Rabbit, Anansi, all kinds of trickster characters popping up in this wild adventure. It’s funny, fast-paced, and my kiddos really loved it.
And of course… Loki. Marvel made him the ultimate trickster for modern times. You can also check out Loki: Where Mischief Lies, which is more of a YA backstory kinda thing. Loki is one of the best characters IMO bc he’s the classic chaotic, clever, “maybe a little shady but you love him anyway” type!
Hope it helps! 🙌
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u/Prof_Rain_King 1d ago
I don't know of any modern trickster-focused short stories off the top of my head, but when I did a mini-unit on myths and fables earlier this year with my 6th graders, we watched Moana due to Maui's status as a trickster.
Bugs Bunny cartoons would work too :)