about the book t -...
TRANSCRIPT
Activity guide
ABOut tHe BOOK
The final Archer Legacy book opens with Gerald, Sam, and Ruby attending the murder trial of their longtime enemy Sir
Mason Green. But just as the trial is about to begin, Green is killed—and Gerald is framed for the murder. Gerald only has one choice: to run. Now he and his friends are off on a quest to clear Gerald’s name. Their journey will lead them across Europe in a race to find the most powerful treasure ever assembled—one that waits for someone, good or evil, to claim it.
ReAd LiKe A detectiveRead carefully! Find the answers to the questions below as you discover the many mysteries of The Mask of Destiny.
1. What does the prologue suggest about the character of Charlotte?
2. At the start of the trial, why does Gerald have a bad feeling about Sir Mason Green?
3. Ruby asks, “Who is this Walter?” (p. 37). Who is “this Walter,” and what’s fishy about him?
4. According to Ruby, how can “two laps of a table” change Gerald’s life (pp. 38–39)?
5. According to Gerald’s mother, why do the police want to talk to him?
6. Which characters are loyal to Gerald? Why are they loyal, and why is their constancy important to Gerald?
7. After the professor gives Gerald the signet ring, why does he say, “Whatever mischief you’re up to, young Gerald, I’m sure your great-aunt would approve” (p. 77)? What is the significance of the Archer family seal?
8. Why is the Tower of the Winds important in this story?
9. What do you learn about the human skeleton that Gerald, Sam, and Ruby find in chapter 8?
10. How does Dr. Serafini betray Gerald? Why?
11. Whose name is engraved on the vacant plinth? What happened to her? Why?
12. Does the story end as you expected? Why or why not?
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WORd PeRFect ANAgRAMPAge
NuMBeRReLAtiONSHiP
SEMOLINA 60
ASTRONOMER 63
CHEAP OLD RELIC 367
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ANAgRAMS, ANyONe?An anagram is a word or phrase formed by reordering the letters of another word or phrase, such as satin to stain. Sometimes it’s possible to form an anagram that’s related to the original word or phrase; these anagrams are known as cognate, or perfect anagrams, and an example is William Shakespeare to I’ll make a wise phrase. Complete the perfect anagrams below from The Mask of Destiny and describe how they are related. Use the page numbers and a dictionary to help you.
Now try making your own perfect anagrams, using the names of characters from the story. For example: Mason Green is a perfect anagram for anger men so. They are related because throughout the Archer Legacy books, Mason Green truly manages to anger men so!
Answer Key: SEMOLINA = IS NO MEAL, ASTRONOMER = MOON STARER, CHEAP OLD RELIC = DELPHIC ORACLE
cHARActeR NAMe PeRFect ANAgRAM ReLAtiONSHiP
SAM VALENTINE
GERALDINE WILKINS
CHARLOTTE GREEN
PeRSON, PLAce, OR tHiNg deScRiPtiONiMPORtANce tO
tHe StORy
Skiron
The birthplace of democracy
Where Quintus and his sons were going on the mission for the emperor; once the spiritual
capital of the ancient world
Athens
God of music, art, and medicine
Where the Archer Corporation gets its name
The Oracle of Delphi
The Oracle’s secret
Greek saying that means “know thyself ”
it’S ALL gReeK tO MeAs you follow Gerald, Sam, and Ruby on their adventures through Greece starting in chapter 17, fill in the table below.
Activity guide
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03/12
1. Policeman Homage. Javert is a fictional character from the novel Les Misérables by victor Hugo. He is a policeman obsessed with tracking down Jean valjean, the hero of Les Misérables. Similarly, author Richard Newsome has named the policeman in his novel Jarvis. in what ways is Richard Newsome’s Jarvis similar to victor Hugo’s Javert?
2. What’s in a Name? dr. Serafini is a friend of Professor Mcelderry’s, and he works at the vatican Museum. His surname comes from the Hebrew word seraphim, which means “burning ones.” Seraphim is also a synonym for serpents. Reread the description of dr. Serafini on page 200. given this description and what he does in The Mask of Destiny, why do you think Richard Newsome gave dr. Serafini this last name?
3. Discovering Sarcasm. Sarcasm is defined as a cutting, often ironic remark intended to show scorn or ridicule. Which character
makes use of sarcasm in The Mask of Destiny? At whom is the sarcasm usually directed? Why? Find three examples of the use of sarcasm in The Mask of Destiny. explain why you do or do not enjoy these uses of sarcasm.
4. The Influence of Tarzan. As gerald, Sam, and Ruby escape Mont Saint-Michel, Ruby gets stuck in the marshy silt. Sam tells his sister, “don’t struggle. it’ll just suck you in harder,” and Ruby asks, “When did you become a quicksand expert?” (page 98). Sam replies, “um . . . watching tarzan movies.” Sam—and Richard Newsome—must have watched the 1936 movie Tarzan Escapes. Watch this movie or read about it online. What happens to captain Fry? Why do you think this movie made such an impression on Sam (and the author)? How else might this movie have influenced Richard Newsome? (Hint: consider captain Fry’s name!)
Activity guide