Martin, Ann. A Corner Of The Universe. New York: Scholastic, 2004. Print.
Twelve year old Hattie is growing up in the 1960's, a time where obscure family dynamics were often denied. Hattie leads a fairly average life with her parents who run a boarding house, until her Uncle Adam (twenty-one years old) moves in with her grandparents because the school for the mentally ill that he was sent to had shut down. Adam is schizophrenic and autism tendencies that test the family's limits, but Hattie takes to him almost immediately; she understands him when the rest of the adults in her life do not. A tragic ending to the story leaves Hattie speaking words beyond her years that urge the listeners to go out and live life with a passion.
Electronic Resources:
Discussion Questions
This a great link from Scholastic for educators, as it includes discussion questions to discuss with students concerning setting, characters, theme, etc.
Getting to Know Ann Martin
This page provides biographical information on Ann Martin, including frequently asked questions and video interviews. A fabulous opportunity to create connections between the author and her novel. Ann is noted for her Babsitter's Club Series that many students may have been exposed to.
Teaching Suggestions:
Key Vocabulary:
mental illness
autism
schizophrenia
denial
boarding
infatuation
deceive
Before Reading:
Encourage students to think about what it would mean for them if a family member they did not know existed showed up in their life. Would they be excited? Or would they be upset and shy? Why would a family choose to deny another member? Is this acceptable or unacceptable, and why?
Responding to the Text:
Ask students to reflect in their on what it was about Hattie that made it so she was able to relate to her Uncle Adam so well. What qualities did she exhibit? What is significant about these qualities? Ask students to think and reflect on what may have happened for Adam had Hattie not been a part of his life. Encourage students to think of someone who has a significant relationship with them. Perhaps it is a family member or a friend. How are their relationships similar or different from Hattie's relationship with Adam?
Amiem,
ReplyDeleteYou did a super job with your entries and your books are all strong but I do wonder if some of the titles may be too high in terms of their interest or target audience.
SRichards