About
Jack and Annie are on a mission for Merlin the magician! This time, the magic tree house whisks them off to Thebes, Egypt, to find Florence Nightingale, a world-famous nurse. But when they find her, the Florence Nightingale they meet is not a famous nurse at all—she’s not even a regular nurse! Have they found the right person? Or did Merlin make a mistake? An easy mission turns dangerous when Jack and Annie try to solve the mystery!
Read one section at a time, then discuss the questions to review understanding. These questions are a starting place for conversation, not a complete test of the chapter.
Chapter 1
Comprehension questions
What was Jack working on when Annie wanted to see if the tree house was in the woods?
Page 3 — A magic show for his parents and grandparents
3
Who are Jack and Annie visiting in this adventure?
Page 7 — Florence Nightingale
7
Where were Jack and Annie traveling to find Florence Nightingale?
Page 12 — Egypt
12
Chapter 2
Comprehension questions
Who is Ali?
Page 15 — A boy Jack and Annie met when they first got to Egypt. He has two donkeys and was napping in a rowboat. His grandfather is a tourist guide
15
What part of Egypt did Jack and Annie get sent to?
Page 18 — Thebes; on the River Nile; across from the Temple of Luxor
18
Who is Mustafa?
Page 23 — Ali’s grandfather; the guide
23
Chapter 3
Comprehension questions
What is the definition of an “aristocrat”?
Page 28 — a person who lives within the standards of exceptional rank and privileges, especially the hereditary nobility (upper class)
28
Describe the Bickerson’s.
Page 31 — Aristocrats; easily upset; miserable and frightened in Thebes
31
Who is Countess von Kensky?
Page 32 — A woman from Hungary who has a baby baboon for a pet named Koku
32
What does Florence enjoy doing in Egypt?
Page 37 — Taking notes of the ruins
37
Chapter 4
Comprehension questions
Why did Lord Bickerson call Jack and Annie “impolite”?
Page 42 — they were standing up for Florence; shared their opinions which were the same as Florence’s
42
Why did the countess need Annie and Jack to babysit Koku?
Page 48 — The countess wanted to visit a sick friend who didn’t like wild animals
48
What does “rendezvous” mean?
Page 49 — To meet up with each other at agreed time and place
49
Chapter 5
Comprehension questions
What’s the definition of “solitude”?
Page 55 — being alone
55
Where did Jack and Annie travel to when they rented the donkeys?
Page 55 — Valley of the Queens
55
How did Jack feel as they saw and approached the Valley of the Queens?
Page 62 — nervous; couldn’t shake his uneasy feeling
62
Chapter 6
Comprehension questions
What does the word “shrieking” mean?
Page 65 — A loud, sharp, shrill cry
65
When the jackals were coming after Annie at the entrance of the tomb, why did Koku jump from Annie’s arms and run away?
Page 67 — To distract the jackals and get them to chase her
67
What were two skills Jack and Annie gained as expert rock climbers after they inhaled the mist?
Page 71 — Confidence; shift body weight; relax their grip; 100% focused on finding new places to grip; knowing where to put feet and hands
71
What is the definition of “hoisted”?
Page 72 — lifted; raised
72
Chapter 7
Comprehension questions
Why did Annie have to remind Jack not to “freak out”?
Page 78 — he could lose his concentration and fall down the cliff side
78
How far did Jack get down the cliff side when he realized the mist had worn off?
Page 79 — Half-way down
79
What does it feel like to have the breath knocked out of you?
Page 80 — Can’t breathe or talk; tightness in chest; scary
80
Predict what you think is going to happen next.
Page 82 — Florence will tend to Jack and Annie’s injuries and realize she has a gift to take care of people; She will admit to Jack and Annie she enjoys taking care of people
82
Chapter 8
Comprehension questions
When Jack and Annie were wanting to go back to the river, how did they know which way to go?
Page 83 — Followed the moon since it rose over the Nile
83
What does the word “jostle” mean?
Page 84 — Bump, shove, push, brush against
84
Give two examples of onomatopoeia on page 88.
Page 88 — Baaing of sheep; bleating of goats; croaking of frogs; rustling of reeds; hee-haw of donkeys
88
What’s the definition of “moored”?
Page 91 — to make fast with or as if with cables, lines, or anchors; to secure
91
Chapter 9
Comprehension questions
What would Florence love to do with her life?
Page 97 — Be a nurse
97
Why did Florence think Jack and Annie hit their heads when they fell off the cliff?
Page 98 — They said she would be a great nurse someday
98
What did Florence say that caused the ring to finally glow?
Page 101 — One’s life must have meaning and purpose
101
Chapter 10
Comprehension questions
Why wouldn’t Mustafa accept payment from Jack after all he had done to help the children?
Page 112 — Mustafa did it because they needed help, not for the money
112
What happened to Jack and Annie’s injuries when they reached Frog Creek, Pennsylvania?
Page 114 — They were gone
114
After the adventure to Egypt, how many secrets of greatness had Jack and Annie learned?
Page 115 — 3
115
Downloads
All the book’s resources, or just the ones you need, ready to read or print.
Worksheets
Practice sheets with space to write your answers.
Download one reading section
A small printout with all the resources for the selected section.
