Thunder on the Left

Thunder on the Left is a story about—but not for—children. It's a public domain mystery by one of the foremost mystery writers of the early twentieth century, Christopher Morley. The title also has nothing to do with politics. It's a story about children who make some declarations at a birthday party about growing old, only to find themselves whisked into the future for all but the last chapter of the book. Here they live the lives of adults, wanting more out of life, struggling with issues unimagined in their childhood. All this while only one of their group actually keeps the pact to not grow old, and so presents an increasing tension for the others. Think TV show "The Twilight Zone," if it had been written in 1925.

Public Domain (P)2023 Jack de Golia