The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore

1. The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore

2. Chapter 1 • Think about setting. Where a book takes place often affects the character’s personalities and the possibilities for plot. Setting in the fantasy genre often helps us distinguish the fantasy world from the real world. • Write a paragraph in your journal that tells how the people in The Power of Six’s world differ from the students’ world. How does this affect the character? The plot? The themes? Why is setting so important?

3. Chapters 1 and 2 • Short Answer Questions - Chapters One and Two • 1. For what is Marina waiting? • 2. How many orphans reside where Marina lives? • 3. Where does Marina fall in age in relation to the other orphans? • 4. When will Marina turn eighteen? • 5. What choice will Marina have to make when she turns eighteen? • 6. What does Marina have to do in a few minutes?

4. Chapters 1 and 2 • 7. What does Marina do out of frustration? • 8. Why does Sister Dora call to Marina? • 9. What does the third ring on Marina's leg mean? • 10. What does Adelina tell Marina to do when Marina shows her the rings on her leg? • 11. What are John and Henri labeled? • 12. What does Marina absentmindedly do to the plant beside the computer?

5. Beliefs • Marina and Adelina are staying at the Santa Teresa convent which doubles as an orphanage. During this time, Adelina seems to have lost her belief in Lorien and the mission that she and Marina face. • Discussion: Debate this statement: Just because someone believes something does not mean it is true.

6. Chapters 3 and 4 • 1. Who wakes John? • 2. What was John's vision concerning when he is awoken? • 3. Where is the motel that Six, John and Bernie Kosar are in right now? • 4. Where does Six want to go? • 5. What is in the place where Six wants to travel? • 6. Where does Six think her Loric chest is?

7. Chapters 3 and 4 • 7. Who is Katarina? • 8. Why does Six use clippers on the others? • 9. What does Sam think he looks like when Marina is done using the clippers on him? • 10. What do none of them have for driving the truck? • 11. To what was Six responding when she and Katarina encounter Mogadorians? • 12. What does John realize will happen if the Mogadorians catch up to the group?

8. Chapters 5 and 6 • 1. What does Marina see when she closes her eyes? • 2. What does Marina tell Adelina as she is helping Marina get ready for mass? • 3. When does Marina want to return to her cave? • 4. What does Sister Dora catch marina doing? • 5. Who comes up to greet Marina? • 6. Why does Marina always pack away a few things when she is cleaning up after lunch?

9. Chapters 5 and 6 • 7. Where is Marina's cave? • 8. What purpose(s) does the blanket Marina has with her on her trek serve? • 9. What legacy is triggered the first time Marina goes inside the cave? • 10. What painting does Marina work on while in the cave? • 11. What statue is in the background of the landscape she painted? • 12. What do the ringing of the bells at the convent announce?

10. Description • Description brings the world in a novel to life, giving the reader a sense of location and time. It grounds the characters into the pretend world of the novel. • With a partner write a short description of The Power Of Six and whether you feel it is effective. Come up with a picture of what you think the character(s) looks like and what the setting looks like from the description.

11. Chapters 7 and 8 • 1. What will happen if the cop pulling them over radios in the stop? • 2. What does the cop think is in the chest on the floor? • 3. What does John do as the officer is bringing his gun up? • 4. Why does John lift Sam to his shoulder? • 5. How long will it be before a helicopter joins the search? • 6. What does BK morph into when he lands?

12. Chapters 7 and 8 • 7. What does John ask BK to do with a shirt that they each wiped their faces on? • 8. What does Six use her ability on the river to do? • 9. What does John use to guide BK back to them in the dark? • 10. What does Six do to the sky? • 11. What makes John go down when dealing with some officers? • 12. What does John throw far away?

13. Determination • John is amazed that Six has been on her own since she was thirteen and marvels at the determination it must have take. • Write a paragraph on what you believe is the difference between determination and stubborness.

14. Chapters 8 and 9 • 1. What do they do in Tennessee? • 2. How many Mogs stormed Six's room when she is captured? • 3. Where does Six waken after being captured by the Mogs? • 4. What happens when a Mog tries to cut Six? • 5. Why does Six start telling the Mogs what they want to hear? • 6. What happens after Six tells them what she knows?

15. Chapters 8 and 9 • 7. What is the first legacy that appears for Six? • 8. What does Six memorize when she escapes from the Mogs? • 9. What does Ella begin to mimic? • 10. What is Marina's second legacy? • 11. What is Hector doing when Marina and Ella see him on the way to school? • 12. What is the crucial element that Marina finally realizes she is missing?

16. Chapters 10 and 11 • 1. Where is John when he wakes? • 2. What state are the fugitives in now? • 3. What does BK turn into when he gets out of the water? • 4. What does Six show John and Sam? • 5. What did John see in a vision around the neck of the leader of the Mogs? • 6. Who does John believe is headed for Earth?

17. Chapters 10 and 11 • 7. What does Marina notice about Ella's sketch? • 8. What does Ella say about her drawing abilities? • 9. What does Marina find under her pillow that night? • 10. What is Ella giggling in church? • 11. Why does Marina hear Ella scream? • 12. What does Marina find when she arrives at her cave?

18. Think About • 1. John Smith is in some ways a larger-than-life hero. Despite incredible odds, he usually comes out on top, in "The Power of Six" and in the other books in the series. Discuss the following:1. Does having a larger-than-life hero make that person less of a hero? In other words, which is more admirable--a hero who ultimately always "lands on his feet," or one who strives against impossible odds and doesn't succeed?2. Does a character have to be successful in order to be a hero? Explain your answer.3. Does every work of fiction have to have a hero? Explain your answer.

19. Chapters 12 and 13 • 1. What does Marina tell Adelina when Marina runs back to the convent from the cave? • 2. What is Adelina's response? • 3. How does Marina surprise Sister Dora? • 4. Where does Marina find Hector? • 5. Why does Marina think a man she encounters while looking for Hector is a Mogadorian? • 6. What does Marina explain to Ella?

20. Chapters 12 and 13 • 7. What does Ella say she will do? • 8. What does Six suggest John do? • 9. What pulses when Six touches it? • 10. What does Six tell Same about the thing that pulses? • 11. What is another object inside the chest? • 12. From where did the yellow stone come?

21. Think About • 2. "The Power of Six" is one book in a series of novels involving John Smith and many of the other characters.1. What are two advantages of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Use examples.2. What are two disadvantages of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Use examples.3. Do you prefer to read a standalone book, or a series of books with the same main characters? Explain your response.4. Do you think it is easier or more difficult (or about the same) to write a standalone book versus one in a series? Explain your answer.

22. Legacies • Legacy. Six's first legacy reveals itself and she is able to use invisibility to escape her cell. Marina knows that they were supposed to separate until their Legacies developed, but for how long? The objective of this lesson is to look at the concept of legacy.

23. Chapters 14 and 15 • 1. What does John discover when he gets up because he can't sleep? • 2. How does Six keep John and her and BK from being seen as they walk? • 3. What does Six do to the man with the revolver? • 4. What does the man with the gun say? • 5. What happens when Six shoots out the back window of the gunman's vehicle? • 6. Who is Maren Elizabeth?

24. Chapters 14 and 15 • 7. What happens as John is about to kiss Six? • 8. For whom does Marina look? • 9. How has Adelina changed? • 10. What does Marina begin to believe about Adelina? • 11. What does Marina see in a vision? • 12. What does Ella tell Marina one night when Marina wakes to find Ella standing over her?

25. Protagonist • 3. Most protagonists are a mixture of admirable traits and character flaws:1. Trace and analyze situations when John demonstrates his instinct for handling problems that might be beyond the ability of a 17 year old boy. Give specific examples to illustrate your analysis. 2. Trace and analyze John's character flaws, and explain how they create a more complex and believable character. How do you think John's character flaws make some situations more difficult for him?3. After analyzing John's strengths and weaknesses, decide if John is the main "hero" of the story. Is there anyone else who might have done a better job?

26. Chapters 16 and 17 • 1. Where does Ella lead Marina? • 2. What does Ella climb? • 3. What do Gabby and some other girls harass Marina about when they find her? • 4. What happens when Marina loses her temper with the girls? • 5. What happens when Ella jumps on Gabby? • 6. What does Marina do to stop Ella's crying?

27. Chapters 16 and 17 • 7. How does Marina bring her chest to the ground? • 8. Where is Sam when John runs into the house? • 9. What wraps itself around John's hand? • 10. What happens when a Mog fires a cylindrical tube at John? • 11. Who kills the third scout? • 12. What do they put on an eighteen wheeler headed South?

28. Think About • 4. Whenever reading a science fiction or fantasy novel, one must become familiar with new terminology that explains concepts or technology that is not a part of the "real" world. In the case of "The Power of Six", much of the setting is familiar to the reader, though there are new ideas and terms to learn. Discuss the following:1. Find five terms that are a part of The Power of Six's world that occur in the "real" world but are used differently in "The Power of Six"'s world. Define the words as used in the world of "The Power of Six" and compare those five words as to how they are currently used in the American English language. 2. There are ways of learning about a new world or time when reading a science fiction or fantasy novel. Discuss the ways you were able to understand the world of The Power of Six. Did you have to look up any words? What does it mean to learn a word through its context? Do you have to do that in "The Power of Six"? What word(s)? 4. Were there any words you never really understood from "The Power of Six"? Which ones? How can you learn the meaning of those words?

29. Chapters 18 and 19 • 1. Where is the log cabin the group stops at? • 2. What does John know he has to do one morning when he wakes? • 3. Who expresses sorrow about not being there for John? • 4. What were the ten gifted Loric children to someday become? • 5. What does Henri say Sam's father was given? • 6. What does Six think at first when she sees Sam in tears?

30. Chapters 18 and 19 • 7. Why does Sam think they need to go back to Paradise? • 8. What has Marina hidden behind a locked door in the north belfry tower? • 9. What does Adelina tell Marina? • 10. What does Marina name the cat she heals? • 11. With whom is Ella meeting? • 12. Why does Marina break into Hector's home?

31. Setting • 5. Discuss the following:1. Compare/contrast the setting and world of "The Power of Six" to that of "real" life. What are the advantages to each world? The disadvantages? 2. In which world would you rather live in if you possess no supernatural abilities? Explain your response.3. In which world would you rather live in if you possess legacy abilities and the Mogadarians are the rulers of the world where you could practice your powers? Explain your response.

32. Chapters 20-21 • 1. Why does John take the Lorien solar system and float it in the truck? • 2. What does Marina do when she makes tea for the sisters? • 3. Why does Marina float Adelina down the hallway that night? • 4. What does Adelina help Marina do before Adelina falls asleep? • 5. What happens when Marina drops the glowing red crystal? • 6. What does the Lorien solar system do while they are driving?

33. Chapters 20-21 • 7. Which country of Earth shows a pinprick of light? • 8. What does Marina do with the branch? • 9. What happens as Marina is concentrating with the branch? • 10. What do Six and John leave with Sam at his house? • 11. Where do John and Six go? • 12. What happens to John's chest?

34. Characterization • 6. Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:1. Compare/contrast the characters of John and Sam. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.2. Compare/contrast the characters of Marina and Six. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in "The Power of Six" help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

35. Chapter 22-24 • 1. What does Marina do with Legacy? • 2. Why does Marina free fall almost the entire way to the ground? • 3. Where does Marina think of to hide? • 4. What does Adelina say when Marina says the Mogs have come? • 5. What does Ella insist? • 6. What do Adelina and Marina tell Sister Dora?

36. Chapter 22-24 • 7. What does Ella tell Marina Ella had seen? • 8. What does Carlotta call Marina when she goes to Hector's house? • 9. With whom is Hector sitting at the cafe? • 10. What happens as Marina is saying she wants Ella to come with them? • 11. What does Sarah ask John to do? • 12. Who captures John and Sam?

37. Put Yourself in Their Shoes • 7. Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as "The Power of Six" help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading "The Power of Six"? Why or why not.3. Choose one specific incident in "The Power of Six" to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

38. Chapters 25-27 • 1. What does John do in the interrogation room? • 2. What vision does John have in the interrogation room? • 3. What happens when the ground shakes and John hears gunshots? • 4. What does John grab on his way out of the cell area? • 5. Why does Six lose her temper? • 6. To whom does Six say she owes her life?

39. Chapters 25-27 • 7. What does John say about Sarah? • 8. What does John ask Six to do with the Xitharis? • 9. What does Sam decide to do? • 10. Why can't BK go into the Mog cave? • 11. Where is Six going? • 12. Who is Crayton?

40. Chapters 28-30 • 1. What do Sam and John discuss concerning the government and the Mogs? • 2. What does John say about the skeleton in the well? • 3. Where did Six hide the map? • 4. How far north of the Mogs' cave do they drive? • 5. What does BK express as John and Sam are staring at the cave? • 6. How do John and Sam get pas the camouflage net?

41. Chapters 28-30 • 7. What do John and Sam notice about the area where the beasts are kept? • 8. How many chests does John find? • 9. Who is guarding the chest(s)? • 10. What happens as John and Sam are in the room with the chest(s)? • 11. Where does Crayton escort Marina and Ella? • 12. How is Crayton injured?

42. Chapters 31-33 • 1. How do John and Sam fight the beast that attacks them when they become visible? • 2. How does Sam kill row after row of Mogadorians? • 3. What does John use to turn Mogs to ash? • 4. What happens when John throws a fireball at the control panel? • 5. Who is the first person they free? • 6. What does the red rock do that is given Sam to use?

43. Chapters 31-33 • 7. What do John and the first person John rescues see as they emerge from the cave? • 8. What happens when John hits the force field? • 9. What is Crayton carrying? • 10. Why does Marina have to help Hector in the lake? • 11. What happens when Marina tries to heal Hector a second time? • 12. Where does Marina suggest they go?

44. Genre • 11. The Power of Six belongs to the science fiction genre. Discuss the following:1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the science fiction genre.2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.3. What do you think is the difference between a science fiction and a historical novel or mystery?

45. Protagonist/Antagonist/Plot • 12. Discuss the following:1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

46. Forshadowing • 13. 1. What is foreshadowing? How many incidences of foreshadowing are in "The Power of Six"? How does foreshadowing contribute to a book's suspense?2. Discuss an example of foreshadow in "The Power of Six" including why you believe it is foreshadowing. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.3. How do you think most people react to uncertainty in their lives? Use examples from "The Power of Six" and your own live to support your opinion.

47. Reflection • 8. There are a number of interesting questions raised by "The Power of Six". Questions that Lore most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:1. What does the term "author agenda" mean? 2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Lore's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Lore's probable agenda concerning that idea.2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?4. Research the life of Lore and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

48. Novel Discussion • Discuss the following:1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?2. Analyze and discuss "The Power of Six" based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if it is a successful novel.3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider "The Power of Six" a successful novel? What about young teens?

49. Imagery • Imagery in literature. Imagery is the picture we form in our minds of the story we read. It can involve, visual, auditory, olfactory, gustatory, tactile, and kinetic (general motion), and kinesthetic (motion of animals and people). The author uses these imagery to translate words into a visual story that we can see and participate in within our minds. The objective of this lesson is to look at imagery in literature. • 1) 1. Class discussion. What is visual, auditory, olfactory, gustatory, tactile and motion imagery? How does Lore use these tools to create a world that contains "unreal" events, objects, or beings? How is the imagery used so the reader will accept the story as real?

50. Dialogue • 1) 1. Class discussion. Introduce dialogue to the students and how writers use it in books. Ask the students to choose a character from The Power of Six and isolate the character's dialogue. They should look at the dialogue and see what it says about that character. How does the character speak? What does the character say? How does Lore use dialogue in this book? Is the dialogue realistic? Do the students think the dialogue is more about style then characterization? Do they think almost every word a person speaks is designed to have an effect on the story? How would dialogue be different in a play as opposed to a novel?