A rationale and suggestions for teaching 12th grade sociology using Ray Bradbury's novel "The Martian Chronicles" are presented. The conceptual material found in a high school sociology textbook is not always exciting and stimulating to read, but with a science fiction work that supplements this conceptual material, the motivation for learning can increase. The story "Ylla" can be used as a motivational technique as part of a unit on race-ethnic relations. The story contains the three dominant race-ethnic themes: alien, inferior race, and minority figure. "Ylla" makes a poignant commentary on the question of race-ethnic relations from the perspective of what they may be on another world. Students will be attracted to this story because of their interest in outer space and because the story allows them to become involved in reaching solutions to the problems faced by these space-age characters. Possible discussion and testing questions that a teacher could use to motivate students are suggested. (RM)