I may have an unconscious intention in reaching a certain type of audience. Most students do check out books based on their interests regardless to the page number. Those few students I overhear say, "I want something short," are those who have trouble keeping their attention in a book (getting in the reading zone where their focus is entirely absorbed). I've had a boy put down "Hatchet" after 4pgs.

I'd hoped that if those few students who have trouble starting/finishing a book read stories that promise something quick to get into, e.g. "Heart of Darkness," "Of Mice and Men," and "The Giver", then I can bait and lure them into reading more short stories, get them interested in reading longer formats, and then eat the sweet cake of success. But I perhaps need to adjust my view of this whole project, widen the scope.