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.

"We Can Get Them For You Wholesale" is the title, Dana; isn't there also a Philip K. Dick story with a very similar title? I really love "Murder Mysteries" as well.

isn't there also a Philip K. Dick story with a very similar title?

Yeah, must be. I knew the title was very close to something famous.

I remember the "Wholesale" story vaguely; I need to recheck the book out.

Oh, gee, what onerous homework for this weekend! What's the name of the collection -- is it "Smoke and Mirrors?"

I've glad you guys like the idea for the site, although I'm nervous: the only coding I've done is the tags on here! But I suppose I can do Dreamweaver or something; there are plenty of juicy Buffista brains to pick in August.

I have to take a Stats class this summer. I will not be thinking about fall classes until after I ride THAT dragon. Ugh.

Maybe the one...it's called something like "We Can Get It For You Wholesale", but I think I'm conflating it.

I love that one. It's in my copy of Neverwhere.

isn't there also a Philip K. Dick story with a very similar title

"We Can Remember It for You Wholesale," upon which Total Recall was based.

What's the name of the collection -- is it "Smoke and Mirrors?"

Yes.

There's a short story collection I have, with young adult short stories of the supernatural variety. It's called Short Circuits. "Ethan Unbound," by Gary L. Blackwood, might work. It takes place in a library.