The High King
by Lloyd Alexander
Grades 5-9; Genre - Fantasy; GRL X; AR pts. 11.0
Taran and his companions face their ultimate battle against Arawn, the Lord of Death, whose forces threaten to engulf Prydain with the powerful sword Dyrnwyn, now in his possession.
Comprehension Questions
Chapter 1
- Summarize the introduction to this book. Kaw finds Taran and Gurgi and tells them Eilonwy is home; they hurry home and have a wonderful reunion; Fllewder barges in the door with Gwydion over his shoulder; Arawn tricked them and attacked them; Achren and Glew are living with Dallben; Achren tells everyone Arawn’s secret and how to defeat him p.1
Chapter 2
- Name one thing that was upsetting to Taran in this chapter. HenWen was afraid to prophesy; the stick shattered when Hen went to read it; Achren took a horse and headed to Annuvin p.24
Chapter 3
- Why might the companions not take Glew with them to Annuvin? He is greedy and will do something to spoil their plans or hurt them to get what he wants p.53
Chapter 4
- Summarize this chapter. Taran, Gwydion and Coll are captured by Magg at King Smoit’s castle; they fear Fllewder and his companions will be captured as well p.54
Chapter 5
- How could Gwystyl’s treasures help the companions? Listen to your child’s answer p.78
Chapter 6
- Summarize this chapter. Gwystyl shared the rest of his magic items and helped the friends get into the castle walls; they were seen and ambushed p.82
Chapter 7
- Describe the battle. Eilonwy frees the captives; they realize they do not have enough reinforcements; King Rhun rides out pretending to call the reinforcements and scares Magg’s men; Prince Rhun is shot and dies p.93
Chapter 8
- Describe Medwyn. Animals trust him and take refuge in his valley; he takes care of them and can speak to them; he helped Taran and his companions in a previous book; lives in a hidden valley; he is good and wants to fight against evil p.109
Chapter 9
- Explain why Taran carried around a broken piece of pottery? It reminds him of the people he has lost and the weight of his responsibility as a war leader p.131
Chapter 10
- Summarize this chapter. The companions reach Caer Dathyl; King Math speaks to Taran; they meet Taliesin, the Chief Bard of Prydain who gave Fllewdur his harp; he offers Fllewdur another harp, but Fllewdur keeps his; Lord Pryderi asks for King Math’s surrender instead of joining him p.132
Chapter 11
- On the bottom of page 151, the author shows Taran’s vulnerability. How has Taran’s character developed from the beginning of the series to now? Because of his inexperience, he felt he knew much and that he was strong and brave; now, after his experiences, he realizes he doesn’t feel ready to stand among men p.151
- Explain Pryderi’s battle strategy? Stall the battle until the Cauldron-Born came and King Math’s armies were weakened p.157
Chapter 12
- Choose a word to describe Coll in this chapter? Explain why. Courageous; brave; humble; listen to your child’s answer p.q161
Chapter 13
- Summarize why Taran and his soldiers became frustrated in this chapter. Glew causes a cave in, and everyone needs to turn around; overtaking the Cauldron Born will be very difficult p.196
Chapter 14
- Summarize what happened to Eilonwy and Gurgi. They were kidnapped by Dorath; wolves from Medwyn’s valley saved them and led them until they saw Taran and his band; Eilonwy saw that the Huntsmen were going to trap Taran’s group without either of them knowing so Eilonwy made her bauble shine as bright as the sun p.199
Chapter 15
- Summarize how the prophecy was fulfilled in this chapter. Taran’s group cut down trees and lighted them with fair folk fire; they turned ice into a river; and Eilonwy turned night into day with her bauble p.212
Chapter 16
- How was Pryderi betrayed? Arawn used him to try to kill Dallben since his Cauldron Born and Huntsmen couldn’t; he was being used by Arawn to get the Book of Three; he thought Arawn was serving him, but in the end, he was Arawn’s servant p.225
Chapter 17
- Summarize this chapter. The companions found Achren injured by the gwythaints; they were caught in a snowstorm as they traveled back to the soldiers; they found an overhang and took shelter under it; thought they would die from hypothermia; Fllewder broke his harp and they burned it; it played melodies all night long and gave off a magical warmth p235
- Define resilience. Resilience is the ability to adapt well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, or significant sources of stress. It's not about avoiding difficult experiences, but rather about successfully navigating them and maintaining psychological well-being.
- Give one example of how the companions show resilience in this chapter. Listen to your child’s answer
Chapter 18
- Do you agree that Taran should trust Achren? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer p.252
Chapter 19
- Describe the companions’ reaction when they first heard the prophecy and their reaction now that it has been fulfilled. They were discouraged and unsure because of the unknown; the prophecy in the beginning sounded destitute; now that the prophecy has been fulfilled and they have defeated Arawn, it all makes sense to them p.275
Chapter 20
- Why did the three witches come to Taran? To say good-bye and give him the tapestry of his life; the tapestry on their loom, belonged to Taran and was being weaved as he lived his life p.285
Chapter 21
- Summarize the conclusion to this story and series. Taran and Eilonwy are wedded and become high king and queen; the rest of the companions depart to the Summer Country p.288
- Explain the development Taran’s character underwent throughout the series. From the first book to the last, he grew in wisdom, maturity and humility.
- What do you admire about Taran? Listen to your child’s answer
- What characteristic do you want to glean from him? Listen to your child’s answer