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Table of Contents
About The Book
Set sail to Atlantis with Tim and his friends in the laugh-out-loud funny, highly illustrated fourth book of the New York Times bestselling Once Upon a Tim series from Spy School author Stuart Gibbs.
Tim and his ragtag crew have been rescued from certain doom by a mermaid princess—but now, she wants something in return for saving their lives: her father King Neptuna’s stolen trident.
To pay their debt, Tim, Belinda, Ferkle, Rover, and Princess Grace once again brave the Sea of Terror to track down the trident in the glorious city of Atlantis, which hasn’t sunk into the sea yet. (In fact, it is famed as the safest city on earth.) But there is plenty of danger en route—and the notorious Prince Ruprecht is lurking about as well. Can the junior knights evade the scheming royal and complete their quest?
Tim and his ragtag crew have been rescued from certain doom by a mermaid princess—but now, she wants something in return for saving their lives: her father King Neptuna’s stolen trident.
To pay their debt, Tim, Belinda, Ferkle, Rover, and Princess Grace once again brave the Sea of Terror to track down the trident in the glorious city of Atlantis, which hasn’t sunk into the sea yet. (In fact, it is famed as the safest city on earth.) But there is plenty of danger en route—and the notorious Prince Ruprecht is lurking about as well. Can the junior knights evade the scheming royal and complete their quest?
Excerpt
Chapter One: Why I Was in Danger CHAPTER ONE Why I Was in Danger
My friends and I were tied up in a rowboat, about to plunge over a waterfall at the edge of the earth.
I know this is not the way these stories usually begin.
Believe me, I would have been much happier if our quest had started some other way. Like this, for instance:
ONCE UPON A TIME…
There was a brave young knight-in-training named Tim who woke up safe and sound in his nice, comfy bed to find a hot meal of bacon, oatmeal, and more bacon waiting for him.
Unfortunately, that is not what was happening in my life at this time.
Over the past few days, I had battled a bargleboar, a sea monster, and a hydra; been tortured by the horrendous singing of the sirens; nearly got swallowed by a giant whirlpool; been betrayed by my fellow knights; and been captured by the evil Prince Ruprecht and his horde of nasty pirates, who had put us in that rowboat and sent us to our doom.
All in all, it was a crummy week.
And yet, being a knight-in-training was still better than my previous job.
Before this, I had been a peasant, just like my father and his father and his father and everyone else in the history of my family. Being a peasant was dull and boring, which is why I had jumped at the chance to become a knight.
Being a knight had been very exciting. Quite a bit more exciting than I had expected, in fact. I had traveled to many distant lands, met many unusual people, and nearly died in many different ways.
Obviously, I had survived all those ordeals. But this one looked like it might be different.
You may have noticed that there were three other people and a giant frog in the boat with me.
Belinda was my closest friend, a tough, loyal girl who had pretended to be a boy so that she could join the knights, because, sadly, most people in my time didn’t think girls could do anything except be housewives or witches.
Princess Grace was, well… a princess. The princess of Merryland. People in my time (including Princess Grace’s parents) thought that princesses should do even less than other girls. They were expected to simply wait around the castle for princes to show up and ask to marry them. Princess Grace liked the idea of that even less than Belinda and I liked the idea of being peasants, so she had snuck away to join us on our adventure.
Of course, if she had known how things were going to work out, she might have stayed home.
Ferkle was our village idiot, although he was actually very intelligent. He had only gone into village idiocy because it was the family business.
Rover was not really a giant frog. He was a fr-dog. He had originally been my dog, until the mean witch who lived next door to me got angry at him for digging up her begonias and turned him into a frog. So now he was a frog who behaved like a dog. He could lick your face from ten feet away.
I’m not sure if Rover was worried about the waterfall ahead, but the rest of us certainly were. We had almost reached the lip of it and were about to go over the edge of the earth.
“I know we have been in plenty of danger before,” Ferkle said, “and we have escaped each time. But this situation doesn’t look very good at all.”
“So you don’t have a plan for how to get us out of this?” Princess Grace asked.
“If I had a plan to get us out of this,” Ferkle said, “don’t you think I would have put it into action already?”
Princess Grace frowned. “I was hoping that, maybe, you were waiting until the last moment to announce it. For better dramatic effect.”
“No,” Ferkle told her. “In fact, there’s really only one thing I can come up with to do right now.”
“What’s that?” Belinda asked.
“Cry,” Ferkle replied. And then he began to sob. “It’s not fair! We’re all too young to die!”
Princess Grace and Belinda began to cry as well. I felt that I ought to try to be brave and strong in the moment, but I found myself getting teary too.
The current took the boat to the edge of the waterfall. Our bow poked over the rim. We were only a second away from plunging to our doom.
And then we stopped.
The water kept flowing all around us, but our boat was no longer moving. We just sat there with the stern in the water and the bow sticking out over the edge of a very, very, very big drop.
You are probably not that surprised that we didn’t go over. I mean, this is only the first chapter of the book. There’s still over a hundred pages left. If we were going to perish right off the bat, then this would only be a pamphlet.
However, my friends and I were very surprised.
“What happened?” I asked, feeling extremely relieved but still quite nervous. “Why aren’t we plummeting to our deaths?”
“I don’t know,” Ferkle admitted.
“Perhaps it’s some sort of magic?” Belinda suggested.
“Maybe the person whose hand this is could tell us,” Princess Grace said.
The rest of us looked at her, confused.
“What hand?” I asked.
“The one holding on to our boat,” Princess Grace replied. And then she pointed to it.
Sure enough, there was a hand grasping the stern of the rowboat. Like this:
The hand was attached to a very muscular arm, which was sticking out of the water. The rest of whoever the arm belonged to was hidden below the surface.
And that’s when our adventure really began.
My friends and I were tied up in a rowboat, about to plunge over a waterfall at the edge of the earth.
I know this is not the way these stories usually begin.
Believe me, I would have been much happier if our quest had started some other way. Like this, for instance:
ONCE UPON A TIME…
There was a brave young knight-in-training named Tim who woke up safe and sound in his nice, comfy bed to find a hot meal of bacon, oatmeal, and more bacon waiting for him.
Unfortunately, that is not what was happening in my life at this time.
Over the past few days, I had battled a bargleboar, a sea monster, and a hydra; been tortured by the horrendous singing of the sirens; nearly got swallowed by a giant whirlpool; been betrayed by my fellow knights; and been captured by the evil Prince Ruprecht and his horde of nasty pirates, who had put us in that rowboat and sent us to our doom.
All in all, it was a crummy week.
And yet, being a knight-in-training was still better than my previous job.
Before this, I had been a peasant, just like my father and his father and his father and everyone else in the history of my family. Being a peasant was dull and boring, which is why I had jumped at the chance to become a knight.
Being a knight had been very exciting. Quite a bit more exciting than I had expected, in fact. I had traveled to many distant lands, met many unusual people, and nearly died in many different ways.
Obviously, I had survived all those ordeals. But this one looked like it might be different.
You may have noticed that there were three other people and a giant frog in the boat with me.
Belinda was my closest friend, a tough, loyal girl who had pretended to be a boy so that she could join the knights, because, sadly, most people in my time didn’t think girls could do anything except be housewives or witches.
Princess Grace was, well… a princess. The princess of Merryland. People in my time (including Princess Grace’s parents) thought that princesses should do even less than other girls. They were expected to simply wait around the castle for princes to show up and ask to marry them. Princess Grace liked the idea of that even less than Belinda and I liked the idea of being peasants, so she had snuck away to join us on our adventure.
Of course, if she had known how things were going to work out, she might have stayed home.
Ferkle was our village idiot, although he was actually very intelligent. He had only gone into village idiocy because it was the family business.
Rover was not really a giant frog. He was a fr-dog. He had originally been my dog, until the mean witch who lived next door to me got angry at him for digging up her begonias and turned him into a frog. So now he was a frog who behaved like a dog. He could lick your face from ten feet away.
I’m not sure if Rover was worried about the waterfall ahead, but the rest of us certainly were. We had almost reached the lip of it and were about to go over the edge of the earth.
“I know we have been in plenty of danger before,” Ferkle said, “and we have escaped each time. But this situation doesn’t look very good at all.”
“So you don’t have a plan for how to get us out of this?” Princess Grace asked.
“If I had a plan to get us out of this,” Ferkle said, “don’t you think I would have put it into action already?”
Princess Grace frowned. “I was hoping that, maybe, you were waiting until the last moment to announce it. For better dramatic effect.”
“No,” Ferkle told her. “In fact, there’s really only one thing I can come up with to do right now.”
“What’s that?” Belinda asked.
“Cry,” Ferkle replied. And then he began to sob. “It’s not fair! We’re all too young to die!”
Princess Grace and Belinda began to cry as well. I felt that I ought to try to be brave and strong in the moment, but I found myself getting teary too.
The current took the boat to the edge of the waterfall. Our bow poked over the rim. We were only a second away from plunging to our doom.
And then we stopped.
The water kept flowing all around us, but our boat was no longer moving. We just sat there with the stern in the water and the bow sticking out over the edge of a very, very, very big drop.
You are probably not that surprised that we didn’t go over. I mean, this is only the first chapter of the book. There’s still over a hundred pages left. If we were going to perish right off the bat, then this would only be a pamphlet.
However, my friends and I were very surprised.
“What happened?” I asked, feeling extremely relieved but still quite nervous. “Why aren’t we plummeting to our deaths?”
“I don’t know,” Ferkle admitted.
“Perhaps it’s some sort of magic?” Belinda suggested.
“Maybe the person whose hand this is could tell us,” Princess Grace said.
The rest of us looked at her, confused.
“What hand?” I asked.
“The one holding on to our boat,” Princess Grace replied. And then she pointed to it.
Sure enough, there was a hand grasping the stern of the rowboat. Like this:
The hand was attached to a very muscular arm, which was sticking out of the water. The rest of whoever the arm belonged to was hidden below the surface.
And that’s when our adventure really began.
Reading Group Guide
Reading Group Guide
Once Upon a Tim #4:
The Quest of Danger
By Stuart Gibbs
Illustrated by Stacy Curtis
About the Book
Tim and his ragtag crew have been rescued from certain doom by a mermaid princess, but now she wants something in return for saving their lives: her father King Neptuna’s stolen trident.To pay their debt, Tim, Belinda, Ferkle, Rover, and Princess Grace once again brave the Sea of Terror to track down the trident in the glorious city of Atlantis, which hasn’t sunk into the sea yet. (In fact, it is famed as the safest city on earth.) But there is plenty of danger en route—and the notorious Prince Ruprecht is lurking about as well. Can the junior knights evade the scheming royal and complete their quest?
Discussion Questions
1. As the novel opens, Tim and his friends are found in a very precarious situation where, he exclaims, “My friends and I were tied up in a rowboat, about to plunge over a waterfall at the edge of the earth.” (Chapter one) What makes this particular situation so scary for them? Without reading further, can you think of any ways they might be able to get themselves out of this jam?
2. Through the illustrations that accompany the text, readers witness Tim and his friends in peril as they are shown tied up, dangling over a waterfall, and even encountering a kraken and a Cyclops. What do the illustrations add to the story, and which is your favorite in The Quest of Danger?
3. As the group is rescued, they meet Piscina, and Princess Grace exclaims, “‘You’re a mermaid!’” Piscina tells her, “‘The term mermaid is sexist. . .. I prefer the term merperson.’” (Chapter two) From their brief interaction and this exchange, how would you describe Piscina?
4. After being saved by a seahorse and Piscina, Tim and his friends are taken to the Kingdom of Merland. Why might this journey underwater feel a bit scary for them?
5. Tim states, “Once I got over the initial shock of going underwater, I saw that it was far more beautiful down there than I had imagined. There were large schools of colorful fish, forests of seaweed, and—on the bottom of the sea itself—there was an entire merperson city.” (Chapter two) Why is this opportunity such a good one for Tim and his friends? What was something new that you were afraid of but ultimately loved or really enjoyed?
6. Why does learning that Piscina’s parents, the king and queen of Merland, want to meet them cause Princess Grace and Belinda to be concerned? How could this situation be problematic for Tim and his friends?
7. While on their way to meet the king and queen, Princess Grace becomes more worried, and when questioned, she says, “‘They obviously know I’m a princess. . .. And now they’re going to try to marry me off to their son. . .. That’s all anyone thinks I’m good for: marriage. They don’t care about my mind or my personality or my life goals. Once they hear I’m a princess, they want me to marry their prince.’” (Chapter three) Do you think Princess Grace is right to be concerned? Why is this typical reaction of royals so problematic?
8. For most people in “olden times” (what we might refer to as the Middle Ages), an individual’s fate was believed to be set. In what ways do Tim, Belinda, Ferkle, and even Princess Grace continue to prove that despite that, it’s possible to still find ways to change their lives or choose what happens to them in the future?
9. While describing her ideal future spouse to Tim, Princess Grace states, “‘I want someone who is smart and brave and funny and honorable and attractive. . .. Kind of like your cousin Bull.’” (Chapter three) What are your thoughts about this list of qualities Princess Grace describes? In what ways are these admirable or poor qualities to have in a friend, as well as in a romantic partner?
10. King Neptuna reveals that Prince Ruprecht has stolen his Great Trident of Merland. The king expects Tim and his friends to retrieve it, or else he will return them to the very dangerous spot on the edge of the world from which they were rescued. What does this manipulation reveal about King Neptuna as a leader? Do you believe the excuse he uses for needing them to do it is good enough? Why or why not?
11. Piscina tells the group, “‘Dad’s really upset about his trident. . .. It’s not just pretty and expensive. It also has magical powers. With it, you can get any sea creature to do your bidding.’” (Chapter four) Why is learning that Prince Ruprecht is in control of this magical trident so problematic?
12. Tim describes Atlantis as “the most amazing place” he has ever seen. (Chapter nine) Based on any prior knowledge you have of it, how is the kingdom of Atlantis in Quest of Danger similar to what you previously imagined it to be? How is it different?
13. Ferkle tells Belinda that “‘Atlantis is so safe because the architects have taken great care to build it well, with strong buildings and dragon-proof walls. I wouldn’t be surprised if this city remained standing for centuries to come.’” (Chapter nine) In what ways is the city’s record for being the safest city of all time and the details Ferkle shares ironic to readers?
14. Looking into Belinda’s eyes after a debate about how to sneak into Atlantis undetected, Princess Grace tells her, “‘You’re right as usual, Bull. . .. You’re very smart.’” (Chapter nine) Based on what he witnesses about this interchange and others before, why is Tim so worried about Princess Grace’s feelings for Bull?
15. What continues to make Ruprecht and Nerlin enemies of Tim, Belinda, and Princess Grace?
16. Based on what you learned about them from reading The Quest of Danger and the previous Once Upon a Tim books, how have your opinions about the elder Knights of Merryland changed throughout the series?
17. As the novel ends, readers learn that not all the challenges faced by Tim, Belinda, Grace, Ferkle, and Rover have been resolved, and the story ends with more challenges and adventures awaiting them. What are your predictions for the next installment of Once Upon a Tim?
IQ Booster Vocabulary Activities
The Once Upon a Tim books are filled with big vocabulary words that are fun to learn and use, and that make the story more engaging. Use the following activities to help readers practice using and learning these words so they can sound like geniuses too.
Word Art!
Drawing detailed pictures of a word’s meaning is another powerful tool to help students learn, understand, and retain a new vocabulary word. Choose six words prior to making copies, or the student can choose the six trickiest words.
Vocabulary Relay
a) Print out IQ Booster words from The Quest of Danger on one set of cards (copy this set a few times) and definitions, context, or sentences in which they could be used on another set (just one set).
b) Jumble up the words in a pile in the middle of the floor, and jumble up the definitions, context, and sentences to keep with you. Break students into teams of four or five.
c) Call out the definition/context/sentence and give students some think time (8–10 seconds) to talk about what word it might be.
d) After the discussion time, call out “Word!” One member from each team runs to the center and tries to find the word in the pile. Consider having multiple sets of the words so more than one team can get it. Check to make sure they’re correct, and then discuss it briefly before the next round.
Vocabulary Bingo
After the group has learned at least twenty-five different vocabulary words from The Quest of Danger, bingo is a great game students love to play that will provide an opportunity for review. Students write a vocabulary word from the novel in each space of their bingo card (you’ll need to create a template). Use review and discussion of The Quest of Danger to provide the definition of one of the words. Then each student should find the vocabulary word and cover it with a bingo chip. The first player to get five in a row, four corners, or blackout wins the game.
Extension Activities for The Quest of Danger
1. Magical Mayhem! Bling It Out! In The Quest of Danger, Ruprecht is wearing manyof the magical and mystical treasures that he has stolen from different kingdoms throughout the series; he has adorned himself with the Mystical Protective Amulet of Merryland on a gold chain around his neck, the Golden Crown of Tinkerdink on his head, the Royal Robes of Roobadoob around his shoulders, and many jeweled rings on his fingers. (Chapter ten) Meanwhile, his knights are seen carrying golden scepters and staffs and orbs—and the Great Trident of Merland. Have readers illustrate versions of these treasures or alternatively, offer a variety of art supplies to allow creations of their own life-sized versions for a blinged-out fashion show parade.
2. Underwater Mysteries in the Deep Sea: Create a Creature! Throughout The Quest of Danger, readers encounter a kraken and a Cyclops as well as several other scary and fantastical monsters and creatures while on the journey to reclaim the magical trident that rightfully belongs to the king of Merland. Have readers use their imaginations to create an original sea creature not described or illustrated in the book. In addition to determining the sea creature’s appearance, be sure to name the creature and describe a few of its characteristics. After everyone has designed their own, allow readers to take turns sharing.
3. Map It Out! In The Quest of Danger, the team embarks on a forced mission to retrieve the magical trident stolen by Prince Ruprecht and his entourage. Working in teams, use the novel’s sequence of events and large butcher paper to design an updated map that highlights the story’s landmarks and pitfalls.
4. Comic Construction: The Quest of Danger is filled with delightful illustrations by Stacy Curtis. Using Stacy’s illustrations as inspiration, select a favorite scene from the novel and create either a digitally or manually illustrated graphic for that scene. Use either a digital comic strip creator (http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/Comix/) or a printable comic book storyboard sheet (found online) to begin to design the storyboards for the selected scene.
This guide was created by Dr. Rose Brock, an associate professor in the Library Science Department in the College of Education at Sam Houston State University. Dr. Brock holds a Ph.D. in Library Science, specializing in children’s and young adult literature.
This guide has been provided by Simon & Schuster for classroom, library, and reading group use. It may be reproduced in its entirety or excerpted for these purposes.
Once Upon a Tim #4:
The Quest of Danger
By Stuart Gibbs
Illustrated by Stacy Curtis
About the Book
Tim and his ragtag crew have been rescued from certain doom by a mermaid princess, but now she wants something in return for saving their lives: her father King Neptuna’s stolen trident.To pay their debt, Tim, Belinda, Ferkle, Rover, and Princess Grace once again brave the Sea of Terror to track down the trident in the glorious city of Atlantis, which hasn’t sunk into the sea yet. (In fact, it is famed as the safest city on earth.) But there is plenty of danger en route—and the notorious Prince Ruprecht is lurking about as well. Can the junior knights evade the scheming royal and complete their quest?
Discussion Questions
1. As the novel opens, Tim and his friends are found in a very precarious situation where, he exclaims, “My friends and I were tied up in a rowboat, about to plunge over a waterfall at the edge of the earth.” (Chapter one) What makes this particular situation so scary for them? Without reading further, can you think of any ways they might be able to get themselves out of this jam?
2. Through the illustrations that accompany the text, readers witness Tim and his friends in peril as they are shown tied up, dangling over a waterfall, and even encountering a kraken and a Cyclops. What do the illustrations add to the story, and which is your favorite in The Quest of Danger?
3. As the group is rescued, they meet Piscina, and Princess Grace exclaims, “‘You’re a mermaid!’” Piscina tells her, “‘The term mermaid is sexist. . .. I prefer the term merperson.’” (Chapter two) From their brief interaction and this exchange, how would you describe Piscina?
4. After being saved by a seahorse and Piscina, Tim and his friends are taken to the Kingdom of Merland. Why might this journey underwater feel a bit scary for them?
5. Tim states, “Once I got over the initial shock of going underwater, I saw that it was far more beautiful down there than I had imagined. There were large schools of colorful fish, forests of seaweed, and—on the bottom of the sea itself—there was an entire merperson city.” (Chapter two) Why is this opportunity such a good one for Tim and his friends? What was something new that you were afraid of but ultimately loved or really enjoyed?
6. Why does learning that Piscina’s parents, the king and queen of Merland, want to meet them cause Princess Grace and Belinda to be concerned? How could this situation be problematic for Tim and his friends?
7. While on their way to meet the king and queen, Princess Grace becomes more worried, and when questioned, she says, “‘They obviously know I’m a princess. . .. And now they’re going to try to marry me off to their son. . .. That’s all anyone thinks I’m good for: marriage. They don’t care about my mind or my personality or my life goals. Once they hear I’m a princess, they want me to marry their prince.’” (Chapter three) Do you think Princess Grace is right to be concerned? Why is this typical reaction of royals so problematic?
8. For most people in “olden times” (what we might refer to as the Middle Ages), an individual’s fate was believed to be set. In what ways do Tim, Belinda, Ferkle, and even Princess Grace continue to prove that despite that, it’s possible to still find ways to change their lives or choose what happens to them in the future?
9. While describing her ideal future spouse to Tim, Princess Grace states, “‘I want someone who is smart and brave and funny and honorable and attractive. . .. Kind of like your cousin Bull.’” (Chapter three) What are your thoughts about this list of qualities Princess Grace describes? In what ways are these admirable or poor qualities to have in a friend, as well as in a romantic partner?
10. King Neptuna reveals that Prince Ruprecht has stolen his Great Trident of Merland. The king expects Tim and his friends to retrieve it, or else he will return them to the very dangerous spot on the edge of the world from which they were rescued. What does this manipulation reveal about King Neptuna as a leader? Do you believe the excuse he uses for needing them to do it is good enough? Why or why not?
11. Piscina tells the group, “‘Dad’s really upset about his trident. . .. It’s not just pretty and expensive. It also has magical powers. With it, you can get any sea creature to do your bidding.’” (Chapter four) Why is learning that Prince Ruprecht is in control of this magical trident so problematic?
12. Tim describes Atlantis as “the most amazing place” he has ever seen. (Chapter nine) Based on any prior knowledge you have of it, how is the kingdom of Atlantis in Quest of Danger similar to what you previously imagined it to be? How is it different?
13. Ferkle tells Belinda that “‘Atlantis is so safe because the architects have taken great care to build it well, with strong buildings and dragon-proof walls. I wouldn’t be surprised if this city remained standing for centuries to come.’” (Chapter nine) In what ways is the city’s record for being the safest city of all time and the details Ferkle shares ironic to readers?
14. Looking into Belinda’s eyes after a debate about how to sneak into Atlantis undetected, Princess Grace tells her, “‘You’re right as usual, Bull. . .. You’re very smart.’” (Chapter nine) Based on what he witnesses about this interchange and others before, why is Tim so worried about Princess Grace’s feelings for Bull?
15. What continues to make Ruprecht and Nerlin enemies of Tim, Belinda, and Princess Grace?
16. Based on what you learned about them from reading The Quest of Danger and the previous Once Upon a Tim books, how have your opinions about the elder Knights of Merryland changed throughout the series?
17. As the novel ends, readers learn that not all the challenges faced by Tim, Belinda, Grace, Ferkle, and Rover have been resolved, and the story ends with more challenges and adventures awaiting them. What are your predictions for the next installment of Once Upon a Tim?
IQ Booster Vocabulary Activities
The Once Upon a Tim books are filled with big vocabulary words that are fun to learn and use, and that make the story more engaging. Use the following activities to help readers practice using and learning these words so they can sound like geniuses too.
Word Art!
Drawing detailed pictures of a word’s meaning is another powerful tool to help students learn, understand, and retain a new vocabulary word. Choose six words prior to making copies, or the student can choose the six trickiest words.
Vocabulary Relay
a) Print out IQ Booster words from The Quest of Danger on one set of cards (copy this set a few times) and definitions, context, or sentences in which they could be used on another set (just one set).
b) Jumble up the words in a pile in the middle of the floor, and jumble up the definitions, context, and sentences to keep with you. Break students into teams of four or five.
c) Call out the definition/context/sentence and give students some think time (8–10 seconds) to talk about what word it might be.
d) After the discussion time, call out “Word!” One member from each team runs to the center and tries to find the word in the pile. Consider having multiple sets of the words so more than one team can get it. Check to make sure they’re correct, and then discuss it briefly before the next round.
Vocabulary Bingo
After the group has learned at least twenty-five different vocabulary words from The Quest of Danger, bingo is a great game students love to play that will provide an opportunity for review. Students write a vocabulary word from the novel in each space of their bingo card (you’ll need to create a template). Use review and discussion of The Quest of Danger to provide the definition of one of the words. Then each student should find the vocabulary word and cover it with a bingo chip. The first player to get five in a row, four corners, or blackout wins the game.
Extension Activities for The Quest of Danger
1. Magical Mayhem! Bling It Out! In The Quest of Danger, Ruprecht is wearing manyof the magical and mystical treasures that he has stolen from different kingdoms throughout the series; he has adorned himself with the Mystical Protective Amulet of Merryland on a gold chain around his neck, the Golden Crown of Tinkerdink on his head, the Royal Robes of Roobadoob around his shoulders, and many jeweled rings on his fingers. (Chapter ten) Meanwhile, his knights are seen carrying golden scepters and staffs and orbs—and the Great Trident of Merland. Have readers illustrate versions of these treasures or alternatively, offer a variety of art supplies to allow creations of their own life-sized versions for a blinged-out fashion show parade.
2. Underwater Mysteries in the Deep Sea: Create a Creature! Throughout The Quest of Danger, readers encounter a kraken and a Cyclops as well as several other scary and fantastical monsters and creatures while on the journey to reclaim the magical trident that rightfully belongs to the king of Merland. Have readers use their imaginations to create an original sea creature not described or illustrated in the book. In addition to determining the sea creature’s appearance, be sure to name the creature and describe a few of its characteristics. After everyone has designed their own, allow readers to take turns sharing.
3. Map It Out! In The Quest of Danger, the team embarks on a forced mission to retrieve the magical trident stolen by Prince Ruprecht and his entourage. Working in teams, use the novel’s sequence of events and large butcher paper to design an updated map that highlights the story’s landmarks and pitfalls.
4. Comic Construction: The Quest of Danger is filled with delightful illustrations by Stacy Curtis. Using Stacy’s illustrations as inspiration, select a favorite scene from the novel and create either a digitally or manually illustrated graphic for that scene. Use either a digital comic strip creator (http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/Comix/) or a printable comic book storyboard sheet (found online) to begin to design the storyboards for the selected scene.
This guide was created by Dr. Rose Brock, an associate professor in the Library Science Department in the College of Education at Sam Houston State University. Dr. Brock holds a Ph.D. in Library Science, specializing in children’s and young adult literature.
This guide has been provided by Simon & Schuster for classroom, library, and reading group use. It may be reproduced in its entirety or excerpted for these purposes.
About The Author
Photograph by Dashiell Gibbs
Stuart Gibbs
Stuart Gibbs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Charlie Thorne series, FunJungle series, Moon Base Alpha series, Once Upon a Tim series, and Spy School series. He has written screenplays, worked on a whole bunch of animated films, developed TV shows, been a newspaper columnist, and researched capybaras (the world’s largest rodents). Stuart lives with his family in Los Angeles. You can learn more about what he’s up to at StuartGibbs.com.
About The Illustrator
Stacy Curtis
Stacy Curtis is the illustrator of The 7 Habits of Happy Kids series by Sean Covey and the Once Upon a Tim series by bestselling author Stuart Gibbs. He lives with his wife and dog in Oak Lawn, Illinois.
Product Details
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (November 7, 2023)
- Length: 176 pages
- ISBN13: 9781665917476
- Ages: 7 - 10
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): The Quest of Danger Paper Over Board 9781665917476
- Author Photo (jpg): Stuart Gibbs Photograph by Dashiell Gibbs(0.1 MB)
Any use of an author photo must include its respective photo credit
