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

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

1. 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

1. Predict how Morrowseer knows who Starflight’s father is. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 4

1. Is your prediction correct? Listen to your child’s answer
2. 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

1. 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
2. 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 

1. What would you do if you were Starflight and knew the NightWings’ plan? Listen to your child’s answer 

Chapter 7

1. 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

1. 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

1. 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
2. What did Starflight find in this chapter? A dream visitor stone

Chapter 10

1. 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

1. 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
2. What could be the consequences? They could die p.121

Chapter 12

1. 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

1. 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

1. 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
2. Why does Starflight feel like he should help Deathbringer? Deathbringer has helped him and his friends

Chapter 15

1. 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

1. 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

1. 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

1. Predict why Morrowseer has two sets of Dragonets of Prophecy. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 19

1. Do you think Fatespeaker would fit in with Starflight’s friends? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer
2. Predict why Mastermind wants to speak with Starflight. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 20

1. 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

1. 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

1. Do you agree with Glory’s plan at the end of the chapter? Listen to your child’s answer p.227

Chapter 23

1. 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

1. 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

1. Describe Starflight in this chapter. Brave, courageous, bold, didn’t worry what others thought, spoke his mind p.251
2. 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

1. 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

1. 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

1. 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

1. Why do the queens want to destroy the dragonets? They are getting in the way of their plans

The Hidden Kingdom

by Tui T. Sutherland

Grades 3-7; Genre - Fantasy; GRL W; AR pts. 10.0

The five dragonets of the prophecy are hoping to hide in safety in the RainWing kingdom, but when tribe members start disappearing and the old queen does nothing, it is up to Glory and her friends to uncover the lurking evil. Text has violence.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

1. Summarize the introduction. The friends traveled with Webs toward the RainWing kingdom; two MudWing guards passed the group, were attacked and died p.1

Chapter 2

1. Describe Glory’s expectations in meeting her family? She wants it to be better than life on the mountain and hopes her parents won’t be like Clay’s parents p.14

Chapter 3

1. Describe the RainWings they meet in this chapter. They were different beautiful colors; didn’t recognize Glory; use poisonous darts to capture and question dragons

Chapter 4

1. What is something Glory learned about herself in this chapter? The sun recharges RainWing scales and makes them happier, prettier, smarter, and better at camouflage p.30

Chapter 5

1. Why is Glory unimpressed when she found out she’s related to Jambu? He never cared about her before so she figured he wouldn’t now p.44

Chapter 6

1. Summarize this chapter. The friends wake up and demand to see the queen to get help for Webs; there’s a line and as they wait, they learn a number of RainWings are missing from the tribe p.47

Chapter 7

1. What response did Glory get from the queen when she said she was stolen? The Queen thought whoever took her was rude but didn’t really care p.67

Chapter 8

1. Predict what Glory and her friends do. Listen to your child’s answer
2. Choose a word that defines Glory in this chapter. Explain. Impulsive, reasonable, brave; listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 9

1. Summarize what Clay and Glory do. Were you correct in your prediction? They hide in the trees and watch the area to see if anything goes in and out of the doorway/hole p.82

Chapter 10

1. Summarize the journey into the tunnel and what Glory found. The tunnel seemed to be made from magic and led to the desert, and the Sand Kingdom p.89

Chapter 11

1. Explain why Mangrove rushed through the tunnel unannounced. He wants to find Orchid and knew if he said something, he would be stopped p.102

Chapter 12

1. Summarize this chapter. The dragons fly toward the Ice Kingdom; waking early, Glory flies around and finds a NightWing near where she and her friends slept p.105

Chapter 13

1. Describe Deathbringer. A young learned NightWing; he’s on a mission, waiting for someone; flirtatious with Glory; expects other dragons to be in awe of him p.113

Chapter 14

1. Why did Glory decide they needed to go into the fortress appearing as IceWings? There wasn’t a way to sneak in and she didn’t want Jambu to freeze; Mangrove wouldn’t have given up trying to get in p.126

Chapter 15

1. What choice did Glory make when determining what to do to Blaze. She gave a version of the truth p.133

Chapter 16

1. Predict what you think will happen. Listen to your child’s answer 

Chapter 17

1. How is Glory and Tsunami’s friendship growing? They are individually maturing and don’t fight and argue like they used to p.154
2. Do you agree with Mangrove that his search for Orchid in the fortress was useless? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 18

1. What does Glory mean when she wants to be the bait? She’s willing to be in danger to find out more about the monster p.168

Chapter 19

1. Summarize this chapter. Glory was alone and was captured; She was taken into a cave and heard dragons talking; Deathbringer knows them and is giving them instruction p.169

Chapter 20

1. Describe the home of the NightWings. Cave with molten lava and smells of eggs; full of NightWings p.181

Chapter 21

1. Describe Kinkajou. A dragonet no more than three years; talks a lot; is very brave; the RainWing that was out training and was kidnapped

Chapter 22

1. Do you think Glory will be able to trust Deathbringer? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 23

1. Why didn’t Kinkajou want to use her acid? She didn’t want to hurt another dragon p.203

Chapter 24

1. Why did Glory challenge Queen Magnificent for the throne? Because the Queen didn’t care what happened to her tribe and Glory did; if Glory is queen, she can control what the tribe does p.217

Chapter 25

1. Summarize Glory’s reason for wanting to be queen? To save the missing RainWings p.227

Chapter 26

1. Describe Sunny in this chapter. Hopeful dragons can change; encouraging; positive p.231

Chapter 27

1. Summarize this chapter. Glory trained for the challenge the next day; her friends made her sleep; she woke up looking at Queen Scarlet p.237

Chapter 28

1. Describe how Queen Scarlet found Glory. A magical dreamvisitor stone an animus dragon created to see and talk to people while they sleep p.244

Chapter 29

1. Predict the challenge the Queen will have Glory and her team do? Listen to your child’s answer p.257

Chapter 30

1. What had the sloths done during the tree gliding race? Cheated for the queen; threw out a vine to slow Jambu down p.267

Chapter 31

1. Summarize the camouflage contest and who won. The queen went first; Glory found her by watching the audience’s reactions; the Queen found Glory by scaring her sloth and chasing it when it ran to Glory; the queen won p.276

Chapter 32

1. Summarize this chapter. Glory and the Queen were tied two to two; during the venom contest, Kinkajou saw a sloth wander in front of the board and was burned when saving it as Grandeur spit and hit her p.280

Chapter 33

1. Summarize the conclusion to this story. Glory is rightfully queen due to being Grandeur’s descendent; the tribe celebrates; Clay comes to warn Glory that Starflight is gone and possibly went to warn the NightWings p.287

Epilogue

Who is the unconscious dragonet? What do you think happened? Starflight, he was kidnapped p.296

The Lost Heir

by Tui T. Sutherland

Grades 4-7; Genre - Fantasy; GRL W; AR pts. 10.0

Tsunami and the other dragonets of destiny aren't any closer to ending the war for Pyrrhia, and someone in the SeaWing kingdom wants them gone before they can even try. Text contains violence and disturbing imagery.

Comprehension Questions

Prologue

1. Summarize the prologue. Crocodile helps Webs escape after reporting to the Talons that the dragonets had been captured; Webs is going to try and go home 

Chapter 1

1. Where are the dragonets seeking safety? In the SeaWing kingdom p.5
2. Why is Starflight so worried? Was he right to be so? He didn’t want the SkyWings to find them; yes, they were patrolling in the area p.9

Chapter 2

1. Did Tsunami do the right thing attacking the soldier? Listen to your child’s answer
2. Do you think it was right to not kill the dragon soldier? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 3

1. Summarize this chapter. Tsunami dove into the water to try and find her kingdom; she found another SeaWing and followed him; he interacted with another dragon that came out of hiding; she tried to talk to him, but he attacked and chased her p.25

Chapter 4

1. Why did Tsunami feel foolish in this chapter? She didn’t know there was a special language for SeaWings to communicate under water; she doesn’t know any of the SeaWing customs p.33

Chapter 5

1. How did Riptide convince the other SeaWings that Tsunami is the missing princess? She knew about Webs and had special patterns on her wings p.52

Chapter 6

1. Describe what the dragons needed to do to get into the Summer Palace? Dive into the water and swim through a long tunnel, coming up for air where there were small breathing pockets in the caverns along the way p.56

Chapter 7

1. Why is it concerning Queen Blister was talked about so frequently? They’re worried she is an ally p.74
2. Why is it a problem that Tsunami has a sister? Listen to your child’s answer; the Queen may not care about Tsunami anymore p.75

Chapter 8

1. How did Coral receive Tsunami? She was excited to see her and gave her a warm and loving welcome p.77
2. Predict what will happen in the SeaWing palace. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 9

1. What did the dragons use to swim faster? The current p.94
2. Who is the dragon found dead? Kestrel p.97

Chapter 10

1. Why is it dangerous for Tsunami to tell her mother she knew who the dead dragon is? Her mother might have thought the dragonets killed her and that they were a threat to the kingdom p.98
2. Compare Anenome and Tsunami. How are they the same? They both think their lives are hard; they both have been raised in restrictive environments; they are both daughters to the queen p.102

Chapter 11

1. What is hard for Tsunami in this chapter? Being humiliated in front of The Council; learning that the dragon she fought and killed in the SkyWing kingdom was her father p.121

Chapter 12

1. Are the dragnets safe in the SeaWing kingdom? Why, or why not? No, Shark will kill them when the queen orders it; Blister is coming to see them all; Tsunami was attacked at the end of this chapter p.132

Chapter 13

1. What is tragic in this chapter? a hatchling was killed p.145

Chapter 14

1. What is a mystery to Tsunami in this chapter? There is only one entrance into the Royal Hatchery and someone entered and killed the hatchling p.147
2. What will happen if Tsunami lets something happen to the egg? She could be killed by her mother p.152

Chapter 15

1. Summarize the task ahead of Tsunami. She is to guard the egg with her life; she needs to get back to the Summer Palace safely by herself with the egg; she needs to check in with her friends p.156

Chapter 16

1. How did Tsunami make it to the Summer Palace? Riptide came to her aid when she signaled for him p.164

Chapter 17

1. How did Tsunami convince the guards to give her the key? She talked to them about the prophecy, was honest, and said she’d remember them p.176

Chapter 18

1. Do you agree with the friends that Coral is the murderer? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer
2. What resolution did the friends come to in this chapter? To stick together; everyone stay at the SeaWing palace and watch over the egg p.185
3. Do you agree that’s what they should do? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 19

1. How did Tsunami hope to protect the guards that gave her the key to unlock her friends? By putting her on the spot and acting like she wouldn’t do such a thing p.195

Chapter 20

1. Summarize what Anenome and Tsunami talked about. Anenome has special powers but doesn’t want to use her power, she loses a little off herself each time and could become evil; Tsunami told her to make mistakes, so their mother thinks she needs more training p.208

Chapter 21

1. Why did the dragonets save Webs from falling to his death? They had compassion on him p.216

Chapter 22

1. Why is Coral angry with Webs? Do you agree with her? Why, or why not? He abandoned her during the war and stole her egg; listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 23

1. Summarize this chapter. Tsunami was with the egg in the hatchery; the statue attacked her; she pinned the statue with the spear; the egg hatched; Tsunami assumed it was Orca who put the curse on the statue p.233

Chapter 24

1. What prevented Coral from finding out Tsunami killed her husband? Starflight said Blister killed Kestrel p.251

Chapter 25

1. Why do you think Whirlpool tried to kill Tsunami? Listen to your child’s answer p.263

Chapter 26

1. How were the dragonets freed from prison? Anenome hit Whirlpool with the spear and he fell into the water; the eels shocked him so they weren’t a threat for a few moments; Tsunamis jumped through the water and pulled on the chain, stopping the waterfall p.267

Chapter 27

1. Summarize how the SkyWings found the SeaWings palace. Crocodile followed Webs to the Summer Palace p.279

Chapter 28a

1. Give an example in this chapter how Tsunami’s character has grown and developed. She’s trying to be more like her friends; she knows she’ll need to make choices that are her own; she wants to lead her friends to keep them safe, not just to be bossy p.286

Epilogue 

1. What’s the alternative plan to the prophecy? Replace the dragonets with false ones and kill Tsunami and Glory p.295