Ooh, those are great. Sounds like a class I'd take in a heartbeat.

I'm also thinking I need a YA novel or short story in there

I recommend Christopher Pike's The Last Vampire. It's a whole series, but the first book stands alone, for the most part. Except for the whole cliffhanger ending deal. But it's incredibly interesting, and the only place I've seen vampire mythology explained via Hindu mythology.

Isn't Wuthering Heights supposed to have ghosts or something?

I love supernatural stuff, yet I'm drawing a blank on good books for a class. I don't know that E.W. Hildick's Ghost Squad books are what you're looking for.

Deb, I wanted to do WHALATC, cause I love it! And I prolly will in a class, for all the reasons you mention.

Oooh, Carmilla! That's a great thought. I can get away with it in this assignment, that's for sure. Not sure about high school -- depends on where I end up, I guess.

KristenT, I haven't read any of the those: I'll see if the local lib has 'em and order 'em up for this weekend.

(This summer I want to pick your brain, as I have a independent study this fall in which I am going to develop a website for kick-ass English HS teachers -- kind of a resource pages for those who want to push the envelope, be creative, and also something along the lines of the Sexy Librarians websites out there. Even though I've never created a website before. I figure I have lots of recourse to people who know what they hell they're doing. But....that's summer!)

I love supernatural stuff, yet I'm drawing a blank on good books for a class

(psssst - I write ghost stories.....)

This summer I want to pick your brain, as I have a independent study this fall in which I am going to develop a website for kick-ass English HS teachers -- kind of a resource pages for those who want to push the envelope, be creative, and also something along the lines of the Sexy Librarians websites out there. Even though I've never created a website before. I figure I have lots of recourse to people who know what they hell they're doing. But....that's summer!

I'd be happy to have my brain picked! You should ask Kat, too. Are there other Buffista English teachers around?

Also - I hear there are some fantastic ghost stories by this Grabien woman out West somewhere.

I am going to develop a website for kick-ass English HS teachers

Erin, that sounds like a blast. I've taught English (although not high school) and I maintain a web site. So if there's anything I can do to help, profile addy's good.

Dana, Gaiman was one of the ones I forgot to list! Yes, I had him. I was wondering if I could justify using Sandman #1 as an example of alternate literary forms, but I don't know how I could pull it off. Just no way to have that many copies.

But his short stories are great. And particular favorites? I do like the one about the black cat.

KristenT, that's a great suggestion. I'll look for it. (I'll need it.)

I read "Blood and Chocolate" for a Ado Lit class last fall; that might work, although it's a novel. I'm thinking that providing a bibliography for the unit would be a good ideal; even if I can't use a book or short story as an assignment, I can still offer students a list of suggestions if they like the genre.

I do like the one about the black cat.

Yeah, I was definitely thinking about the short stories. Maybe the one...it's called something like "We Can Get It For You Wholesale", but I think I'm conflating it. But you know, the one with the guy who tries to hire a contract killer, and they keep offering him a better and better deal if he adds more people to the list.

Or "Chivalry", which is the one about the Holy Grail, and is so charming.

I am going to develop a website for kick-ass English HS teachers

Seconding-thirding-fourthing the applause for this idea. I bet it kicks serious ass, too.

(psssst - I write ghost stories.....)

Le duh. This is so in the future, since, hey, not teaching yet, but it would be so cool to have my students reading a book, and possibly be able to talk with the author of the book about process and ideas...It's the kind of thing that really gets them involved -- "I talk to a REAL LIVE AUTHOR!"

Kristen, I tagged you and Kat when I was thinking about this, and laster this summer, I'm going to put in a blurb in Announcements. I'm also going to troll the web for sites, and see what I can find from various message boards, like NCTE.

actually have a side reading list is a great idea -- if even for future papers down the road that the kids need to do.