The Secret Life of Walter Mitty by James Thurber

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, originally published in The New Yorker, was one of his most popular works. With 2,000 words, the story takes you on the adventures of a man who constantly gets lost in his daydreams as a way to escape his boring real life.

Summary

Walter Mitty is a man with a very average life. While he's accompanying his wife on some errands, he imagines himself in fantastical, almost impossible situations. Whether he's an ace fighter pilot or performing miraculous surgery, each scenario is inspired by some part of his surroundings.

Why Students Should Read It

Teens will be encouraged to look at what success and failure mean to them and how to create the life they want. The story itself is an easy read and offers teens a glimpse into adulthood as they plan for their years ahead. This story can also be tied into pop culture using the movie of the same name released in 2013.