Reading Activities compiled by Whitney Adams "1960." 2000-2006. Pearson Education. 25 Sept. 2006 <http://www.infoplease.com/year/1960.html>. A Corner of the Universe is set in the 1960s. This website provides a list of world events during the year of 1960. "Abstract Art." 2006. Google Images. 28 September 2006 <http://images.google.com/images?q=abstract+art&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images>. Hattie (the main character) likes to watch her father create abstract art. Google has many examples of abstract art. "Ann M. Martin Bio." 1998-2006. Kidsreads. 25 Sept. 2006 <http://www./kidsreads.com>. This website contains a brief biography of Ann M. Martin. She is the author of A Corner of the Universe. "Ann M. Martin's Biography." 1996-2005. Scholastic. 25 Sept. 2006 <http://www.scholastic.com>. This website contains a brief biography of Ann M. Martin. She is the author of A Corner of the Universe. "Biography for Lucille Ball." 1990-2006. IMDB. 28 September 2006 <http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000840/bio>. Adam (one of the story’s main characters) is constantly quoting the TV show "I Love Lucy." This website contains facts about the show's star, Lucille Ball. "Boarding Houses." 2006. Google Images. 25 Sept. 2006 <http://images.google.com/images?q=boarding+houses&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images>. Hattie and her family own a boarding house. Pictures of different boarding houses can be found on this website. "Boarding Houses." 11 Sept. 2006. Wikipedia. 25 Sept. 2006 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boarding_house>. This website explains what boarding houses are. "Carnivals." 2006. Google Images. 28 September 2006 <http://images.google.com/images?q=carnivals&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images>. Fred Carmel’s Fun Time Carnival plays a huge role in this book. Google has several pictures of carnivals from all over the world. "Carnival." 27 September 2006. Wikipedia. 28 September 2006 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnival>. Wikipedia gives a sound definition for “carnival” and also discusses carnival season. "Clock." 27 September 2006. Wikipedia. 28 September 2006 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/clock>. One of the tenants at the boarding house, Mr. Penny, has an unusually large collection of clocks in his room. Wikipedia explains what exactly a clock is, names different types of clocks, and includes some illustrations. "CNN." 2006. Cable News Network. 8 October 2006 <http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/>. On page 163, Hattie says, "Catherine and I have both found out how quickly our world can swing between what is comfortable and familiar and what is unexpected and horrifying." What events would cause one's life to be "horrifying?" This site has current events that may have such an effect on people. "Cotillion." 27 September 2006. Wikipedia. 28 September 2006 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotillion>. Hattie constantly dreads the cotillion Nana wants her to attend. Wikipedia gives a definition of cotillion. Culbertson, Fredd. "Phobia List" 17 July 1995. The Phobia List. 8 October 2006 <http://phobialist.com/#A->. When Adam, Hattie, and Leila are on the ferris wheel, it gets stuck and Adam panics. He had a phobia of being stuck at that height. This website gives information about different fears and phobias. "Gallery of Celebrities." 1998-2004. Gallery of Celebrities. 8 October 2006 <http://www.galleryofcelebrities.com/>. One activity that is suggested is to have the students pretend they are directing the movie version of A Corner of the Universe. This website has a list of famous actors and actresses to help them cast their movie. "Ferris Wheel." 24 Sept. 2006. Wikipedia. 25 Sept. 2006 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferris_wheel>. The cover of the book has a ferris wheel on it. The ferris wheel eventually plays a significant role in the plot as well. Wikipedia contains a history of the ferris wheel. Formaro, Amanda. "Fall Treasure Box" 2006. Kaboose Inc. 8 October 2006 <http://www.kidsdomain.com/craft/treasure_box.html>. Nana shows Hattie the treasure box that belonged to Adam. This website gives easy instructions on how to make a treasure box. "Historical Birthdays." 2001-2003. World Almanac Education Group, Inc. 28 September 2006 <http://www.worldalmanacforkids.com/explore/birthdays.html>. Adam insists on throwing a birthday celebration for Hattie. This website tells you what famous people share your birthday. "How Pendulum Clocks Work." 1998-2006. Howstuffworks. 28 September 2006 <http://home.howstuffworks.com/clock.htm>. This website pertains to Mr. Penny’s clocks. It shows exactly how a pendulum clock functions. "KidsHealth, Suicide." 1995-2006. Nemours Foundation. 8 October 2006 <http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/mental_health/suicide.html>. Towards the end of the novel, Adam commits suicide. The kidshealth website talks about suicide in context of teenagers, gives warning signs, etc. "Letter Generator." 2003. ReadWriteThink. 8 October 2006 <http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/letter_generator/>. In the book, Hattie writes a letter to her friend Leila. The Letter Generator shows students the different parts of a letter and guides them through writing one. "Memorable Quotes from 'I Love Lucy'." 1990-2006. IMDB. 28 September 2006 <http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043208/quotes>. As previously mentioned, Adam constantly quotes “I Love Lucy.” This website contains memorable quotes from the T.V. show. "Mental Health: Types of Mental Disorders." 2005-2006. WebMD. 28 September 2006 <www.webmd.com/content/article/60/67134.htm>. In the novel, Adam has a mental health condition. WebMD lists several different types of conditions. "Mental Retardation." 28 September 2006. Wikipedia. 28 September 2006 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mental_retardation>. Wikipedia provides a definition for and information about mental retardation. "Millerton, NY." 2006. ePodunk Inc. 25 Sept. 2006 <http://www.epodunk.com/cgi- bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=1168>. The novel is set in a small town called Millerton. This website contains fun facts about Millerton and other small towns in the United States. Muhl, Professor Heinz. "Mental Handicap." 28 September 2006 <http://www.aaonline.dkf.de/rehabuch/englisch/p182.htm>. This website is also relevant to Adam’s condition. It gives information about mental retardation, schooling for mentally handicapped individuals, and employment opportunities for them as well. "Newbery Medal Winners and Honor Books." 26 April 2005. University of Washington Libraries. 25 Sept. 2006 <http://www.lib.washington.edu/subject/childrens/pubs/newbery.html>. This book received the 2003 Newbery Medal. This website provides a list of past Newbery Medal winners. "Patriotic Songs." 2002-2006. ScoutSongs. 28 September 2006 <http://www.scoutsongs.com/categories/patriotic.html>. There is an entire chapter about Hattie's Fourth of July. The website contains a list of patriotic songs. Post, Emily. "Etiquette; Balls and Dances." 2005. Bartleby. 28 September 2006 <http://www.bartleby.com/95/17.html>. The Bartleby site has to do with Nana’s cotillion. It describes etiquette and activities at a ball/cotillion. "Public Speaking Resources." 2001-2006. Kids' Turn Central. 8 October 2006 <http://www.kidsturncentral.com/links/speakinglinks.htm>. At Adam’s funeral, Hattie gives a speech. This website gives tips for public speaking. Ritchie, Bronwyn. "Five Tips for Overcoming Public Speaking Nerves." 2006. Ezine Articles. 8 October 2006 <http://ezinearticles.com/?Five-Tips-for-Overcoming-Public-Speaking-Nerves&id=46424>. Hattie talks about being nervous right before speaking. She mentions her wobbly knees and shallow breathing. This website provides suggestions for calming nerves before public speaking. "Suicide." 7 October 2006. Wikipedia. 8 October 2006 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide>. This website is relevant to Adam’s suicide. Wikipedia gives a definition and basic information about the topic of suicide. "TIME." 2006. Time Inc. 8 October 2006 <http://www.time.com/time/>. This site has more current events to relate to the previously mentioned quote. "Transcript of Live Chat with Ann M. Martin, July 6 2004." 6 July 2004. New York Public Library. 25 Sept. 2006 <http://nypl.org/chat/AnnMMartin.html>. In this online interview, the author (Ann M. Martin) discusses how the characters/events in the book are based on her own life. "Treasure Box." 2006. FamilyFun. 8 October 2006 <http://familyfun.go.com/arts-and- crafts/season/feature/famf117gift/famf117gift8.html>. This provides a set of instructions for making another type of treasure box.