Websites

Websites **
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[|www.theluxebooks.com]
 * The Luxe: The Official Book Site **

Explore behind the scenes details about The Luxe novels. Fans will find special features and information on each of the characters. Read a handful of chapters from each of the books. Catch up with author Anna Godberson on her new blog and read letters from Anna!

[] HarperCollins Publishers A variation on the Official Luxe Web site, the Harper Teen version has individual introductions to each character in the series. Visitors can also read major reviews, learn about acceptable social decorum of the time, our take a tour of 19th century New York with the help of an interactive map.
 * Harper Teen: The Luxe **

Explore “Elizabeth’s Rules of Decorum” under the “Extravagant Extras” link available on the homepage. Rule No. 2 notes:
 * Extension Idea: Create your own Calling Card **

“During informal visiting hours… visitors must always present their card in the foyer to announce their presence.”

Calling cards were a popular with the upper class during the late Victorian Era. Each lady or gentleman had their own unique card. Visit a few of the Web sites below to learn more about these unique calling cards.

[] This site includes a brief history of Victorian calling cards, along with colorful photos. These cards are also for sale at a reasonable price.
 * Calling Cards from the Days of Elegance **

[] This site also features colorful photo examples of Victorian calling cards. These items are for sale.
 * DeWitt & Company Antiques and Collectibles **

**Averyl’s Attic ** [] This site features a number of Victorian era items, including clipart, poetry and historical information about calling cards.

After you’ve visited these sites, try creating your own “calling card”. Create your own electronic calling card with free image editing software such as[|GIMP] This open source software is available for free download by visiting their site and works with most operating systems.

You can also print your own clip art or cut out photos, words and designs from magazines and newspapers and create your own calling cards for yourself, or give them as gifts.

Explore the book reviews posted on this site Harper Teen Luxe site. If you’ve read the book, you can post your own review at popular Web sites such as Amazon.com or through your account on LibraryThing http://www.librarything.com/.
 * Extension Idea: Write your own book review **

For tips on writing book reviews, visit some of these helpful Web sites:

[] (Available through Scholastic.com) Here you'll find writing tips, strategies, and challenges to help you write a book review. Once you've completed Rodman Philbrick’s challenges, try writing and publishing a review of your own. When you've completed your review and this workshop, you can write your own book review and publish it online. [] (Available through About.com: Classic Literature) Provides 14 easy steps to writing a review for a work of fiction.
 * Write a Book Review with Rodman Philbrick **
 * How to write a book review **

[] Learn more about the master-mind behind The Luxe novels. Author Anna Godberson answers insightful questions from Teenreads.com and provides some information about what she did before she started writing the popular Luxe series.
 * Anna Godberson interview **

 Teenreads.com is a popular website with information about books for teens, authors, book reviews, etc. The site also includes some helpful details on starting your own book club with friends or classmates. For a guide to get you started, visit [].
 * Extension Idea: Start your own Luxe book club **

[] As you think about starting your Luxe book club, think about questions you could ask related to each of the three books? What other books could your club read that have similar themes, take place during similar time frames or in similar geographical locations. For example, you could explore titles by other authors such as Edit Wharton ([]) or F. Scott Fitzgerald ([]), who both wrote about New York City’s society life.
 * The Literature Network **

For a list of possible book club titles, open the following Microsoft Word Document:

**Gotham Center for New York City History** [] Founded in 2000 by historian Mike Wallace, the Gotham Center for New York City History is part of the City University of New York's Graduate Center. The popularity of his Pulitzer Prize-winning book, // [|//Gotham: A History of New York City to 1898//] // (co-authored with Edwin Burrows), inspired him to create a public center devoted to the history of New York. The website offers an extensive virtual guide to history-related resources, including turn of the century Manhattan.

**Digital History** [|http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu] This fabulous Web site offers exhibits, teacher resources, photographs and films on time periods throughout American history. Use the timeline feature ([]) to focus on the 1890’s and follow the links connected to New York City history.

**New York Times NYC 100** [] Created by The New York Times, this Website celebrates the last 100 years of New York City History. Of special importance are photos of New York City at the turn of the century, including pictures of the Waldorf-Astoria hotel and Madison Square Garden. Check out the photos here: []

Be sure to check out this special feature about New York City from 1898- 1907, which covers much of the city’s history during the time of The Luxe series: []





//**Victoriana Magazine **// <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">[] <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">As an online time-machine, //Victoriana Magazine// focuses on the decorative arts and lifestyles of the Victorian era (1837-1901) with articles from both current experts and Victorian era publications. This free online magazine provides ideas, inspiration and information on Victorian decorating, remodeling, entertaining, holidays, fashion, history and more. Each illustrated issue contains a special crafts section, children’s corner, plus the latest museum exhibits. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">

[] Created by a professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, this site includes information on dresses and "costuming" of the Victorian era. Men's dresswear and ladies hats are also featured.
 * <span style="color: #be3783; font-family: Georgia, serif;">The History of Fashion and Dress **

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Eras of Elegance: The Victorian Era ** [] This easy to read site provides information on the culture of the Victorian Era, including popular artistic movements, music, literature and poetry. During the late 1800's impressionism was becoming an increasingly popular art form. Music halls also became popular and forms of ethnic European music took hold, such as the polka, waltz on Irish jig.
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[] Created by a student at Bowling Green State University, this site features information about popular music of the 1890's. African Americans contributed to the ragtime movement, while composers such as John Philip Sousa led the U.S. Marine Band. The piano also became a popular instrument in well-to-do society families.
 * <span style="color: #be3783; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Popular Music of the 1890's **

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[] Learn about the dance hall traditions of the Victorian Era. This Victorian Pride Web site also features descriptions of popular dances, such as the Cakewalk, and the Cotillion.
 * <span style="color: #be3783; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Types of Victorian Dances **