Xander leaned close. He said, “I found Mom!”
NOT THE END . . .
READING GROUP GUIDE
1. Xander wants to immediately plunge through the portals in search of Mom. Dad insists that they pace themselves; he says their search may take time, and he wants to make sure they have the energy and freedom to continue looking for as long it takes. Do you understand Xander’s feelings? Do you see that Dad may be right as well? What can Xander learn from Dad’s caution? What can Dad learn from Xander’s impatience?
2. When David jumped through the portal, thinking he saw his mother, was he being reckless or heroic? What would you have done?
3. After David returns from the World War II French village, the old man Jesse wakes up realizing someone is in the house. What do you think happened that alerted him to the Kings’ presence in their new home?
4. Why do you think Taksidian wants the Kings out of the house?
5. What’s with that clearing? What do you think makes it defy the laws of gravity? Dad calls it a place to take your mind off everything. Do you sometimes need a mental break? What do you do to clear your mind?
6. Dad invited Xander into a calm, peaceful world, where they sat on a picnic blanket by a river. Why does Dad think that this world may have contributed to his father’s decision to give up their search and leave the house? What do you think this world is all about? Why is it relaxing when the other worlds seem to be so crazy?
7. Can you relate to David’s experience at school that first day? Have you ever been the new kid in school? What did you do to adjust? Did anyone help? Why do you think bullies bully? What is the best way to handle bullies?
8. In the Mission Control Center, Xander puts up posters of tough-guy action movies to get them “psyched up” for their adventures into unknown worlds. What psyches you up to tackle difficult challenges?
9. David and Xander disobey Dad to go into the Civil War world. Xander says it’s because Dad’s search for Mom isn’t moving fast enough. Do you agree that this is a good reason to sneak into the portals? With Mom’s rescue at stake, what else could Xander have done?
10. Cops arresting Dad. Clayton coming into the house through the linen closet portal. Xander finding Mom (but he didn’t bring her back!) What happens next?
11. Where would you like to see the Kings go? Your idea could end up in a future Dreamhouse Kings book. See the contest information page for more details.
THE DREAMHOUSE KINGS “DREAM THE SCENE” CONTEST
Xander and David have already battled a gladiator in the Roman Colosseum dodged bullets in a World War II French village, and almost died on a Civil War battlefield. Now their mother has been taken somewhere in time, and the kids are determined to find her. Where do you think they should look? An Aztec temple at the height of the Spanish conquest? A pirate ship during the high-seas mutiny? On Admiral Peary’s trek to the North Pole
What do they fi nd there? What clues to Mom’s location? Who helps them? Who tries to stop them? Does Toria tag along? Does Dad?
HERE’S YOUR CHANCE TO LAUNCH THE KINGS
INTO AN ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME.
Author Robert Liparulo wants to know where you think the Kings should go and what they find when they get there. If he chooses your idea, he’ll write it into a future Dreamhouse Kings book, making it a part of their story forever. The creator of each winning idea will be acknowledged in the novel that features the adventure, and also receive a new iPod Nano.
You have four chances to win, so find out all the rules and how to enter at www.DreamhouseKings.com. Submissions must be fifty words or less and must be received by August 15th, 2008, in order to be considered for the next book in the series.
Look for Gatekeepers—Book Three of the Dreamhouse Kings Series
COMING JANUARY 2009
Watcher in the Woods Page 18