The Dark Secret
by Tui T. Sutherland
Grades 4-7; Genre - Fantasy; GRL W; AR pts. 10.0
Starflight, a dragonet of destiny, is kidnapped by the NightWings and finds that the kingdom of his birth is a miserable place full of terrible secrets. With his fellow dragonets too far away to help, the fate of two kingdoms rests in his talons.
Comprehension Questions
Chapter 1
- Describe the dragonets in this chapter. NightWings, thin, coughing, jealous of Starflight being to the mainland and specially chosen, scared of Morrowseer p.1
Chapter 2
- Summarize this chapter. Starflight is taken before the NightWing queen; Deathbringer is also brought before the queen for being a traitor, but Vengeance is instead killed p.12
Chapter 3
- Predict how Morrowseer knows who Starflight’s father is. Listen to your child’s answer
Chapter 4
- Is your prediction correct? Listen to your child’s answer
- Why is Starflight confused and feeling rejected? The dragonet he met said she is part of the project to end the war; he is supposed to be the one who ends of the war p.45
Chapter 5
- Describe Starflight’s father. His name is Mastermind; thin black dragon; very smart; talks like Starflight; scars on his face and bloodshot eyes; thrilled to meet his son p.47
- Why have the NightWings imprisoned RainWings? To experiment and do tests on them. How do you feel about that? Listen to your child’s answer
Chapter 6
- What would you do if you were Starflight and knew the NightWings’ plan? Listen to your child’s answer
Chapter 7
- Why does Morrowseer want the second group of dragonets to kill Starflight? If they can’t then he is the correct dragonet for the prophecy p.75
Chapter 8
- Summarize this chapter. Starflight escapes and Fatespeaker found him but didn’t want to kill him; Morrowseer told them all the Queen wants him to choose the NightWing dragonet and kill the others; the dragonets were placed in the same cave as when Starflight woke up; he fell asleep and Fatespeaker was excited to meet the other NightWings p.77
Chapter 9
- Summarize what the dragons found while exploring in this chapter. The tunnels and cave where the treasure used to be hidden; inside the room were two dragons who had died p.89
- What did Starflight find in this chapter? A dream visitor stone
Chapter 10
- Why did Starflight feel worse after seeing and hearing his friends in the dream state? He found out what they think of him; he’s too cowardly to do anything on his own and can’t make decisions p.109
Chapter 11
- Describe the test Morrowseer is giving the dragonets? They are to go into a SkyWing outpost to convince them they’re the Dragonets of Destiny p.120
- What could be the consequences? They could die p.121
Chapter 12
- Choose a word that defines Starflight in this chapter. Courageous, bold, etc. explain why you chose that word. Starflight has courage and spoke the truth to the SkyWings p.123
Chapter 13
- Why is Starflight upset with how Squid is treated? Squid is now alone and rejected; Starflight cares about him and doesn’t want him to get hurt p.138
Chapter 14
- Summarize this chapter. Starflight and Fatespeaker follow Flame to the dungeon; they speak with Deathbringer and learn where the Queen is; they go in search of her; Starflight knows he should help Deathbringer but doesn’t know how p.142
- Why does Starflight feel like he should help Deathbringer? Deathbringer has helped him and his friends
Chapter 15
- Describe the queen’s room and what the dragonets found in it. Three different walls had holes to look through and a cauldron fill to the brim with lava p.162
Chapter 16
- Why are the dragonets feeling rejected at the end of this chapter? The Queen listens to them but told them to listen to Morrowseer p.170
Chapter 17
- Summarize this chapter. Starflight uses the dream visitor and speaks with Glory; her tribe isn’t ready to go through the tunnels; Starflight asks Glory to protect Tsunami; Starflight is worried someone knows about the dream visitor p.171
Chapter 18
- Predict why Morrowseer has two sets of Dragonets of Prophecy. Listen to your child’s answer
Chapter 19
- Do you think Fatespeaker would fit in with Starflight’s friends? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer
- Predict why Mastermind wants to speak with Starflight. Listen to your child’s answer
Chapter 20
- Summarize the decision made in the Council and why it was made. The NightWings will attack the RainWings at midnight because they are worried about the RainWings getting stronger and the dragonets causing issues p.203
Chapter 21
- How are the dragonets going to get through to the tunnel to save the RainWings? Brought Flame with them and use the excuse to save Flame with special healing properties found in the rain forest p.214
Chapter 22
- Do you agree with Glory’s plan at the end of the chapter? Listen to your child’s answer p.227
Chapter 23
- Summarize Sunny’s idea and explain if you think it will work or not. Have the RainWings use sleeping darts on the NightWings to make them all go to sleep; yes, because the RainWings are comfortable using them and have used them on other dragons as they patrol, or used them on each other as a prank p.234
Chapter 24
- Summarize this chapter. Starflight tells Sunny he loves her; the RainWings go into the tunnel and successfully knock out the guards; they free Orchid and the other prisoners; they talk to the Queen of the NightWings p.237
Chapter 25
- Describe Starflight in this chapter. Brave, courageous, bold, didn’t worry what others thought, spoke his mind p.251
- In the last two chapters, share two examples Starflight has been bold and courageous when speaking with another character. Telling Sunny he loved her; telling Queen Battlewinner she will die in the volcano and that the queen he should be speaking to is Greatness
Chapter 26
- Predict what will happen. Will the RainWings let the NightWings live in the rain forest or will the NightWings all die? Explain. Listen to your child’s answer
Chapter 27
- What did you learn about the prophecy in this chapter? Morrowseer made it up and feels like he can do whatever he wants p.280
Chapter 28
- Summarize the conclusion to the story. Morrowseer died from the volcano eruption; Clay saved Starflight with his fireproof scales; Starflight is confused about Sunny and Fatespeaker; he’s confused about the prophecy being fake; he was put to sleep so he could heal from his burns p.281
Epilogue
- Why do the queens want to destroy the dragonets? They are getting in the way of their plans