Book+Activities

**1. Arctic Regions Map** Pullman's story takes place in an alternate world that shares geographical similarities with our own. Much of his narrative takes place in arctic regions. Draw a map of the Arctic Circle, labeling countries, major cities, and features including bodies of water.

**2. Daemon Discovery** What is a daemon? Look up the meaning of the word and come up with reasons the author might have chosen to give his characters animal daemons. Then, draw your own animal daemon. Why did you choose this animal? How does it represent you?

**3. Author Bio** Who is Phillip Pullman? Research the author of The Golden Compass and create a one-page bio describing the man, his life, and his other works.

**4. Movie Review** The book inspired a movie of the same name. Rent or borrow and watch "The Golden Compass," and then write a review of the movie.

**5. Parallel Universes** The book talks about the existence of other dimensions that the characters are not even aware of. Do a little scientific research into "parallel universes." Write a brief scientific analysis of parallel universes. Then, add your own thoughts---do you think they exist? Why or why not?

**6. Lyra Poetry** Write an original poem about Lyra and her world. Include some of the groups she interacts with, including the Gyptians, Scholars, witches, armored bears, and children.

**8. Character Analysis** Write a character analysis of one of the following key figures: Lord Asriel, Mrs. Coulter, Iorek Byrnison, Ma Costa, Farder Coram, or Serafina Pekkala.

**9. If You Could Meet ...** If you could meet one of the characters in The Golden Compass, who would it be, and why? Write an imaginary interview with a character of your choice from the book.

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">**10. Travel Tours** <span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">Pretend you are an entrepreneur setting up tours for people to experience life with some of the groups discussed in The Golden Compass. Create a travel brochure featuring one of the following: Armored Bear Tours, Witches Tours, Gyptian Tours.

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">**11. Golden Compass Collage** <span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">Create a collage that represents one or more of the themes covered in The Golden Compass.

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">**12. Award Presentation** <span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">Create an award you would give to one of the characters in The Golden Compass. It can be an Award for Bravery, for example, or an Excellence Award, or any other award of your choice. Describe your award and explain which character you would present it to. Why would you give it to this character? Write a brief tribute to the character chosen to receive your award.

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">**13. Love Story** <span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">Write your own love story between two characters in the book, such as Lord Asriel and Mrs. Coulter, or Farder Coram and Serafina Pekkala, or two characters of your choice.

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">**14. Dialogue Creation** <span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">Pretend one of the characters in The Golden Compass is a student or a staff member at your school. Create an imaginary dialogue between the character and someone at your school.

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">**16. Scene Re-enactment** <span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">Create an audio or video recording of yourself re-enacting a short scene from The Golden Compass. Feel free to recruit others to help you re-enact the scene.

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">**17. Alternate Ending** <span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">What do you think of the ending? Would you have ended the story differently? Here is your chance---write a new ending for The Golden Compass.

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">**18. The Alethiometer** <span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">Pretend you are the inventor of the alethiometer. Write a short guide that explains to the user how to work the alethiometer.

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">**19. Pan's Day** <span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">Pretend you are Lyra's daemon, Pan. What did you do today? Write a one-day diary entry as if you are Pan.

<span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">**20. Northern Expedition** <span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-top: 0.6em;">You are a scientist headed north to study Dust and the Aurora. Write a mission plan for your expedition. Include your goals, your hypotheses, and a list of supplies and equipment you will need