Journey to the Center of the Earth: book club questions by chapter

🦉 Journey to the Center of the Earth · meeting 1 of 3

Read: Part One, “The Secret Message”; Part Two, “Down the Volcano” (pages 1–6, about 7 minutes aloud).
Stop at the end of page 6, and don't read on: the next part is for next time.

1. How did Axel finally read Saknussemm's secret message?
   The story's answer: He saw the letters from the back, written backward
2. Why did the travelers have to wait three days at the top of Snaefells?
   The story's answer: They needed sunshine to make Scartaris cast its shadow
3. What saved the travelers when they ran out of water?
   The story's answer: Hans heard a hot river behind the granite
4. Who have we met so far, and what does each of them want?
   Listen for: Make a list together on the board; keep it for next time and add to it.
5. The part we just read is called "Down the Volcano". Why do you think it has that name?
   Listen for: Any answer that points to a moment in the part is a good one; ask for the page.
6. Stop here. What do you think will happen next? Write or draw one guess to check next time.
   Listen for: Keep the guesses in an envelope. Don't say whether a guess is right: the next part will.

🦉 Journey to the Center of the Earth · meeting 2 of 3

Read: Part Three, “The Sea Under the World” (pages 7–10, about 5 minutes aloud).
Stop at the end of page 10, and don't read on: the next part is for next time.

1. What did the travelers find growing along the shore of the Lidenbrock Sea?
   The story's answer: Giant mushrooms as tall as houses
2. Look back at last time's guesses. Which came true, and what surprised you?
   Listen for: Read the guesses out. Nobody was wrong: a guess that missed often shows what the author wanted us to expect.
3. The part we just read is called "The Sea Under the World". Why do you think it has that name?
   Listen for: Any answer that points to a moment in the part is a good one; ask for the page.
4. Stop here. What do you think will happen next? Write or draw one guess to check next time.
   Listen for: Keep the guesses in an envelope. Don't say whether a guess is right: the next part will.

🦉 Journey to the Center of the Earth · meeting 3 of 3

Read: Part Four, “Up Through the Fire” (pages 11–13, about 4 minutes aloud).
Stop at the end of page 13, the end of the story.

1. Axel was afraid of almost everything at the start. What does the story suggest about him by the end?
   The story's answer: Facing real danger with others made him braver
2. Look back at last time's guesses. Which came true, and what surprised you?
   Listen for: Read the guesses out. Nobody was wrong: a guess that missed often shows what the author wanted us to expect.
3. The part we just read is called "Up Through the Fire". Why do you think it has that name?
   Listen for: Any answer that points to a moment in the part is a good one; ask for the page.
4. Now that you know the ending, was it the ending you expected?
   Listen for: Ask what in the earlier parts pointed to it, or pointed the other way.

About the whole story

1. Which character changed the most from the beginning to the end?
   Listen for: Ask what changed them.
2. Which scene would you put on the poster if this were a film?
   Listen for: A way to find the scene that mattered most to each reader.
3. Is there a line or a moment you will remember? Why that one?
   Listen for: Let readers find it in the book and read it aloud.
4. Who would you give this story to, and why them?
   Listen for: A reader who can name the right person has understood what the story is like.
5. If you could ask the person who first told this story one question, what would it be?
   Listen for: Collect the questions; some have answers on the story's page in the library.