The last kids on Earth and the Nightmare King Comprehension Questions & Reading Journal

The last kids on Earth and the Nightmare King questions by chapter

We know the book, its characters, setting and story, but not what happens in each chapter. So every question is written for this book, and any of them works wherever your reader has just stopped. One question per chapter, across all 25 chapters, and every one is editable before you print. The example answers under 3 of the chapters are the ones printed at the front of the booklet.

1. Chapter 1

   So far, what does Jack's wish to keep his friends with him tell you about his feelings? Use a detail from your reading.

   Example answer: I think Jack is scared of being left alone, even if he does not always show it. He wants his friends to stay instead of searching for other survivors. That makes me think their friendship helps him feel safe in a dangerous world. I understand his fear, but I also think his friends should have a say.

2. Chapter 2

   What challenge in the chapter you just read shows how hard it is to live in a world full of monsters?

3. Chapter 3

   Based on what you have read so far, how do June's goals compare with Jack's? Explain one similarity or difference.

4. Chapter 4

   What do you predict Jack will try next to solve a problem he is facing? Use a clue from your reading.

5. Chapter 5

   How does the author make a scary or dangerous situation funny in your reading so far? Explain how the humor affects you.

6. Chapter 6

   What has Quint contributed to the group so far? Explain why his contribution matters.

7. Chapter 7

   Choose an interesting word from your latest chapter that helps describe a monster, a feeling, or a survival problem. What do you think it means, and which clues helped you?

8. Chapter 8

   Based on your reading so far, what makes Dirk someone the others can count on—or someone they might question? Support your answer.

9. Chapter 9

   What lesson about friendship could a reader learn from Jack and his friends so far? Explain which part of their situation supports that lesson.

   Example answer: I think the story shows that friends can care about each other and still want different things. Jack wants everyone to stay together, while his friends are interested in finding other survivors. Their different wishes do not have to mean they care less about one another. I think being a good friend means listening, even when the answer is not what I want to hear.

10. Chapter 10

    How does the monster-filled setting of Wakefield affect a choice or action in your latest chapter?

11. Chapter 11

    So far, which seems harder for Jack: facing monsters or facing the thought of losing his friends? Explain your thinking.

12. Chapter 12

    What is your opinion of Jack's wish to keep his friends together? Explain what you understand about his wishes and what concerns you.

13. Chapter 13

    What have you learned so far about why searching for other survivors might matter to someone in the group?

14. Chapter 14

    Choose a description from your latest chapter that helped you picture the world around Jack. Which words made the picture clear?

15. Chapter 15

    What survival skill has seemed most useful in your reading so far? Explain how it helps in Jack's world.

16. Chapter 16

    How well is Jack handling the job of being part of a team so far? Describe a strength or something he needs to improve.

17. Chapter 17

    What mood does your latest chapter create? Explain how the writing, events, or pictures help create that mood.

18. Chapter 18

    Choose a decision from your reading so far. What consequence might it have for the group's trust in one another?

19. Chapter 19

    What does a conversation in your latest chapter reveal about the relationship between two characters?

20. Chapter 20

    How does Jack's way of telling the story affect your opinion of him so far? Explain with a detail about his words or attitude.

21. Chapter 21

    What problem in your latest chapter requires more than strength or fighting skills? Explain what else might help solve it.

22. Chapter 22

    So far, how fairly does Jack balance his own wishes with what his friends want? Use a detail to explain your view.

23. Chapter 23

    If you could ask Jack, June, Quint, or Dirk one question about what you have read so far, what would you ask, and why?

    Example answer: I would ask Jack, "What worries you most about your friends searching for other survivors?" I want to know whether he is more afraid of danger or of being apart from them. His wish to keep everyone together makes me wonder about both. I think his answer would help me understand his choices better.

24. Chapter 24

    Compare your first impression of one character with your impression now. What has changed or become clearer as you have read?

25. Chapter 25

    At this point in the story, what do you most hope will happen for Jack and his friends? Explain why that outcome matters to you.