Four of Don Gallo's short story collections feature a work of either sciencefiction or fantasy or both. Here the main character, Gary,begins to suspect that his new English teacher is an alien out to collect someinteresting specimens from the student body of the local high school. The only odor on this planetis an exotic fragrance released as one approaches death. Students may wish to explore this interesting connection toa longer work. One of the most recent Gallo collections, Within Reach , is no exception.
Theironic ending is sure to please readers.
Any or all of these storiescould serve as an introduction to a new genre in literature, as a prelude to astudy of L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time , Well's The Invisible Man ,Huxley's Brave New World , or Lowry's The Giver . Use short stories to develop critical and evaluative responses toliterature. He asked for studentevaluation of the stories, and he used these evaluations in selecting thosestories that he ultimately included in the collection. Students can and shouldbe encouraged to evaluate this and other collections as well. Later, students cancompare their lists with others in the class.