Im have just reached the middle of "The Difference Engine" by Gibson - perhaps one of the most foundational and classic pieces of Steampunk literature (it help define the genre in the 80'S).
The students prompted such a great discussion Thursday and Friday, and brought such great connections to the table it was pretty exciting.
The interesting thing to me as an educator is that most of their connections were contemporary (to be expected I guess) and only a few had a grasp of the "classics".
My emphasis was on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and of course the work of Well's and Verne, that I had discounted some other sources - one of my colleagues piloting the program in another district used Huxley's "A Brave New World" - a brilliant leap (especially considering its look at a dystopian future where Ford is idolized and the assembly line a staple of life).
I'd love to add a literature component - but sadly don't have time for a novel.
Maybe one of Well's or Verne's short stories?
Perhaps Bernie Wrightson's illustrated Frankenstein?
At the very least I'll need to compile a reading list to go along with the lesson as a supplement.
The Difference Engine (on wikipedia)
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