#4 in The Last Kids on Earth Series
The Last Kids on Earth and the Cosmic Beyond
What’s inside...
The story follows Jack Sullivan and his friends as they navigate through a monster-infested world. When a villainous queen threatens to take over the world, it's up to Jack and his friends to stop her. Along the way, they encounter new monsters, face daunting challenges, and learn valuable lessons about friendship and bravery.
Character compass
Discussion points
How do you think Jack and his friends felt when they encountered new challenges in the Cosmic Beyond? Can you relate to their feelings?
What is the importance of teamwork as shown throughout the story? Have you ever worked in a team to solve a problem?
If you had to live in a post-apocalyptic world like the characters, what skills would you use to survive?
The characters in the book meet many unique creatures. If you could create your own creature, what would it look like and what abilities would it have?
How did the characters change from the beginning of the book to the end? Which character do you think changed the most?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage deep thinking by asking your child to compare their own reactions to those of the characters in specific scenarios.
Highlight the value of resilience and resourcefulness, discussing how Jack and his friends handle unexpected events.
Facilitate creativity by inviting your child to draw or describe an imaginary creature and discuss how it would interact with the characters in the book.
Discuss the evolution of the characters, promoting a conversation on personal growth and change over time.
Use examples from the book to talk about the importance of friendship and working together to overcome obstacles.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: The characters in 'The Last Kids on Earth and the Cosmic Beyond' consistently work together to overcome obstacles and fight off zombies and monsters. This cooperation highlights the importance of teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities at school or in sports, learning to cooperate and value each other’s strengths for collective success.
Example Lesson: Creativity in Problem Solving
Explanation: The protagonist, Jack, and his friends often use inventive methods to tackle challenges, showing that sometimes unconventional thinking is needed to solve problems.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think outside the box in their daily challenges, whether it’s finding a new approach to a difficult homework question or resolving conflicts with peers.
Example Lesson: Resilience in Adversity
Explanation: Throughout the book, the kids face numerous threats and setbacks in their post-apocalyptic world, yet they manage to remain optimistic and resilient.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of staying positive and persistent even when faced with difficult situations, enhancing their ability to cope with ups and downs in life.
Example Lesson: Importance of Friendship
Explanation: Strong bonds between the characters provide emotional support and help them to survive in their challenging world, emphasizing the value of true friendship.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to nurture and value their friendships, understanding that true friends are crucial during both good times and bad.
Example Lesson: Adaptability
Explanation: As the characters confront the ever-changing threats in their world, their ability to adapt is key to their survival, showcasing the skill of adaptability.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be applied in a child's life through adjusting to changes such as moving to a new school or adapting to a new family dynamic, fostering flexibility and resilience.