The Last Kids on Earth and the Nightmare King
#3 of 9 in The Last Kids on Earth Series
What’s inside...
In the third book of the New York Times bestselling series, Jack Sullivan and his friends June, Quint, and Dirk, are back to fight the Nightmare King. They've got cool weapons, superpowers, and the ability to drive in post-apocalyptic, monster-ridden Wakefield. But the Nightmare King is no ordinary villain. He's a master of disguise, and he's hiding in plain sight, waiting to unleash a nightmarish plan to end the world. Jack and his friends must defeat him before it's too late. The book is also a Netflix Original series! Life after the zombie apocalypse is pretty good for 13-year-old Jack Sullivan: he lives in a mind-clobberingly cool tree fort with his best friends, speeds through town playing Real-Life Mario Kart, has a crew of monster buddies, battles zombies on the regular, and generally treats life like it's a videogame! But then Jack's friends make a startling discovery: they may not be the last kids on earth, after all. This is great news for everyone... except Jack. Once they've found other humans, his friends won't stick around for long! Jack's only hope for keeping things the way they are is to prove that everything here is perfect, life is crazy fun, and nothing else could be any better. One problem: it's hard convincing his friends that everything is great when they're being hunted by a monstrous Nightmare King and an ancient evil who won't rest until Earth has been devoured. Crud! Maybe life after the monster apocalypse is more complicated than Jack thought...
Character compass
Jack Sullivan
June Del Toro
Dirk Savage
Quint Baker
The Nightmare King
Discussion points
What would you do if you were in Jack’s shoes and had to face the Nightmare King?
How do you think teamwork helps the characters overcome their challenges?
What are some ways the friends in the story show courage and support for each other?
If you could have any tool or weapon from the story, which one would you choose and why?
How do you think Jack changes from the beginning of the book to the end?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by sharing your own thoughts on a character or event to set a conversational tone.
Encourage your child to describe their favorite part of the book and discuss why it stood out to them.
Ask your child to compare the characters’ experiences with their own, fostering a personal connection to the story.
Utilize the open-ended questions to promote critical thinking and help your child articulate their thoughts and feelings about the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: The characters in 'The Last Kids on Earth and the Nightmare King' often need to work together to overcome challenges and fight monsters. This demonstrates the power of collaboration and pooling individual strengths to achieve a common goal.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities or team sports, learning to value each member's contribution and working together towards a shared success.
Example Lesson: Resilience in Facing Challenges
Explanation: Throughout the book, the characters are faced with numerous threats and obstacles that they must overcome. Their determination and resilience teach young readers that persistence is key to tackling difficult situations.
Real-World Application: This can be mirrored in a child’s life when dealing with academic challenges or personal setbacks, instilling the importance of perseverance and a never-give-up attitude.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Innovation
Explanation: The protagonist, Jack, and his friends often use creative solutions to deal with the monsters and challenges they face. This highlights the importance of thinking outside the box.
Real-World Application: Children can embrace creativity to solve problems or create projects in their schooling and daily activities, understanding that sometimes unconventional thinking leads to the best solutions.
Example Lesson: Friendship and Loyalty
Explanation: The strong bonds between the characters showcase the importance of friendship and being loyal to those you care about, even in dire situations.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of maintaining and nurturing relationships, helping them build strong, supportive networks with their peers.
Example Lesson: Courage to Face Fears
Explanation: Jack and his friends often confront scary situations and monsters, illustrating the importance of facing one’s fears head-on.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand that it’s normal to feel afraid, but being brave and confronting those fears can lead to growth and overcoming obstacles in real life.