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The Last Kids on Earth
Last updated Monday, June 1, 2026
Author: Max Brailler
Illustrator: Douglas Holgate
Date of Publication: 2015
ISBN: 0670016616
Grade Level: 4th (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jun. 2026
Synopsis:
Ever since the monster apocalypse hit town, average thirteen year old Jack Sullivan has been living in his tree house, which he's armed to the teeth with catapults and a moat, not to mention video games and an endless supply of Oreos and Mountain Dew scavenged from abandoned stores. But Jack alone is no match for the hordes of Zombies and Winged Wretches and Vine Thingies, and especially not for the eerily intelligent monster known only as Blarg. So Jack builds a team: his dorky best friend, Quint; the reformed middle school bully, Dirk; Jack's loyal pet monster, Rover; and the fiercest girl Jack knows, June. With their help, Jack is going to slay Blarg, achieve the ultimate Feat of Apocalyptic Success, and be average no longer! Can he do it?
| Note to readers: |
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Let the students know that this book is in a series of books (1 of 11) by Max Brailler and give examples of other book series. Ask if they have started reading books that are in a series. (Example of Book series: Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Magic Tree House, Harry Potter, Junie B. Jones, Wings of Fire, Pete the Cat)
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Start a discussion on the book cover and ask what they would do being the last kids on earth?
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See if anyone saw The Last Kids on Earth book on Netflix.
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Prepare to read chapter 1 see if you have time to read Chapter 2 and show illustrations.
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| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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How old do you think these kids are? What do you think they are preparing to do?
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Describe the background images behind the kids from the cover. What do you think they are doing or about to do?
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Have you heard of the word, apocalypse? What do you think an apocalypse might be?
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Do you know what a hero is? Do you know a hero?
Vocabulary
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Terrifying - causing great fear or terror, scary
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Thrills - to cause to feel a sudden, sharp excitement. Excite
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Splinter - a small, sharp piece of material that is broken off from a larger piece. Break/Shatter
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Gargantuan - of enormous proportions; huge; gigantic. Big, great
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Orphan - a child whose parents have died.
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Apocalypse - any instance of terrible destruction and devastation, esp. on a scale that could bring about an end to the world.
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Ferocious - fierce; savage.
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Protagonist - the leading character in a literary work. Leader/Hero
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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How is Jack’s life unusual? Where does he live? Does Jack’s life experience help him in the Monster Apocalypse? Tell us how?
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Why did Jack need to go to CVS?
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What is Blarg?
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How do you think Jack’s encounter with the monster helps him with fear and survival?
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Did you see anything funny about the encounter with the monsters and Jack? How would you tackle these monsters?
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| Craft ideas: |
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It is Father’s Day the following Sunday, interest them in making something for their fathers.
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| Special activities: |
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Complete the provided word search and maybe have a fun race to see who finishes first.
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*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions.
You can use them, but you don't have to use them.
You can expand upon them, or add your own twist.
Remember, though, that the focus of your time should
not be on the development and execution of a craft;
the focus should be on the read-aloud and the
enjoyment of the book!
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