Acorns and Other Stories

About the Book

About the Book: The short works of literature in Acorns and Other Stories will inspire readers with timeless themes while attending to the common sensibilities of everyday life. Yes, these are fun stories, yet within each there permeates a core conflict not easily resolved. "The Bully," for example, examines bullying in and out of the school environment. "Eight Ball" explores the relationship of a father and his adolescent son. “Jazzy" asks all of us to regard poverty, and "The Incident at Cupsogue" and "The Snow Book" consider autism in our communities. “The Bedroom Window" brings the reader close to one teenager’s tragedy. Dr. Kennedy has included his modern interpretation of Chaucer's "The Pardoner's Tale," and he has portrayed a delightful retrospective of the Beatles' impact upon a generation. Further, Dr. Kennedy’s stories "With Extraordinary Dexterity" and "The Girl with the Scars" are sobering accounts of individuals in pursuit of a vocation (physician and teacher respectively) that undermine superficial stereotypes. He includes an engaging true-account of the trials facing child-actors who gained celebrity in the movie Baby Boom. In short, all of his work ignites interest quickly and his originality surprises and rewards his reader at every turn.

About the Author

DR. JAMES KENNEDY has written for educators and for students for many years. His fiction has entertained readers of all ages and his easy voice and clever narratives ignite interest quickly. His superb short stories are set on his beloved Long Island where he has resided for a lifetime. Dr. Kennedy has expressed regret that the island’s cultural sensibilities and solid family values have not found expression in literature anthologies. The short stories in Acorns and Other Stories will fill that void. Enjoy. ...another great story...fun to read...and very clever!  I adore the child’s innocence...the voice...and the ending...perfect! ...I so enjoyed the story...you write beautifully...it touched all of my emotions...I must read it again...once was not enough! ...I lived the Beatles story! ...cool to write stories people can relate to...top to bottom...I am a true compatriot reading and enjoying. …Acorns and Other Stories are engaging, often character-driven narratives that I was unable to put down once I read the first paragraph. While the subjects vary, Dr. Kennedy’s voice makes this collection coherent. I appreciated his unique writing style and was captivated by his deft use of language: rich, descriptive vocabulary, yet highly readable. I recommend this collection to anyone looking for enjoyable, expertly written gems.    ...a great bit of writing... I found the story and the writing in this one very enjoyable...is it based on a true story? ...I just finished “The Dog Without a Leash.”  It was so beautifully written...I enjoyed it very much...it reminded me of a similar experience with a kitten I found in the park...thank you for sending it to me...it was heartwarming.