'When Mystical Creatures Attack!' invites readers into the eccentric world of Ms. Freedman's high school English class, where essays tackling grand sociopolitical issues are mediated by the whims of mythical beings. Swept away by a nervous breakdown, Ms. Freedman finds solace in the peculiar corridors of a capitalist-run insane asylum, corresponding with her students through various unconventional mediums. From laugh-out-loud classroom assignments to desperate journal entries, the collection traverses the South Texas setting to reveal the comedic and somber facets of the human experience, matched by the equally diverse voices of the protagonists. Woven within are insightful, satirical glimpses into life's dark complexities, each narrative strand an ode to the resilience of the spirit.