The Last Kids on Earth and the Nightmare King

What evidence is there to demonstrate that Jack is the hero of the story? How does his role as the hero make Jack feel pressured and anxious?

How does Brallier turn the dark and disturbing topic of a worldwide apocalypse into an adventure story for middle-grade readers? For example, analyze and discuss the voice and language of the narrative. How might the story be different if it were written for adults?

How do the illustrations and text work together to tell a story? Identify and discuss three examples from the book.

What does each member of the friend group contribute to the effort of surviving in the post-apocalyptic world? How do the four kids work as a team to take care of one another?

Why does Jack worry that his friends will abandon him when they find their families? How does Jack’s background of growing up in foster care influence his thoughts and actions?

Why are reminders of the past and the world before the apocalypse so important to Jack and his friends? How might creature comforts and nostalgia help with Surviving and Thriving in a Dying World?

How do both the text and illustrations build the setting of Wakefield?

Compare Jack to another child hero of a magical world, such as Harry Potter. What parallels and differences are there? How are each rendered vulnerable by evil and isolation, and how do both ultimately grow?