Noisy Outlaws, Unfriendly Blobs, and Some Other Things That Aren't as Scary, Maybe, Depending on How You Feel About Lost Lands, Stray Cellphones, Creatures From the Sky, Parents Who Disappear in Peru, a Man Named Lars Farf, and One Other Story We [...]

by Ted Thompson

First published 2005

This anthology brings together celebrated authors who craft imaginative stories that speak to readers across generations. A young protagonist encounters an extraterrestrial blob and forms an unlikely friendship. Meanwhile, another character becomes consumed by the mystery of a missing sock, turning a mundane loss into an all-consuming quest. The collection balances clever humor with striking visual elements, as vibrant illustrations complement each tale. These writers transform ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures, revealing magic in the everyday world. The stories celebrate creative thinking and wonder, inviting readers to rediscover their sense of playfulness. Each contribution demonstrates how imagination can reshape our understanding of common experiences, whether through alien encounters or domestic mysteries.

Genres: fiction, short-stories, anthologies, fantasy, young-adult, 21st-century

Vibes: emotional, imaginative, thought-provoking, whimsical

Tropes: found-family, unlikely-friendship

Period: 21st Century

208 pages · Hardcover · McSweeney's Publishing

More by Ted Thompson

• Teaching the Pig to Dance

Readers who liked Noisy Outlaws, Unfriendly Blobs, and Some Other Things That Aren't as Scary, Maybe, Depending on How You Feel About Lost Lands, Stray Cellphones, Creatures From the Sky, Parents Who Disappear in Peru, a Man Named Lars Farf, and One Other Story We [...] also liked

• The Best Short Stories 2024
• The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2016
• The Book of Other People
• Stories
• Rags & Bones
• McSweeney's Enchanted Chamber of Astonishing Stories