Mischief

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT. Eliciting chuckles galore, the short stories in "Mischief: A Collection of Juvenile High-Jinx" will renew your appreciation for the impulsive creativity of yesterday's youth. Based on author Stephen W. Wasz's childhood escapades, these tales of adolescent tomfoolery in sophisticated and unsuspecting suburban Piedmont California and then suburban Chicago may stir up similar memories from your own past. After all, what inquisitive little boy could resist the temptation to lob mud balls down his backyard and watch them explode on the neighbor's enticingly pristine beige patio, then trickle into the clear blue pool water? This type of bumbling mischief that resulted in a visit from the local police evolved into military-type synchronized attacks on townsfolk, complete with a diversionary misdemeanor act intended to draw law-enforcement attention away from the target. For teenage boys, making bad decisions that escalate into delinquent behavior isn't anything new, but Wasz and company's methodology and execution are certainly unique. Adults' lives are full of enough serious business already, so if you want a break from the boring, sugar-sweet stories of yesteryear, check out "Mischief." Even those who don't normally read for enjoyment will get a laugh out of Wasz's juvenile antics.