Reading Guide

1. Spencer knows he saw some creatures in the school, but he denies it when Dez threatens him after lunch. Have you ever had trouble standing up for something you know is right? What made it hard?

2. Mr. Gates says that a chameleon is someone whose story changes depending on who he’s talking to. Is it important to always tell the whole story? Why, or why not?

3. Daisy tells Spencer that he needs to believe that his dad will come back. Why is it important to have hope? What kinds of things should we hope for?

4. Garth Hadley tricks Spencer and Daisy into doing things for him. How can you know when someone is asking you to do the wrong thing? What should you say if that happens?

5. Spencer waits till after the ice cream social to tell his mom what is going on. By then, he has already caused a lot of problems. How could Spencer have handled that situation differently? What kind of things should we talk to our parents about?

6. Garth Hadley communicates with Spencer via e-mail. Spencer continues to e-mail even after he’s been told not to. Why was that a dangerous choice? How can you be safe on the Internet?

7. If you could have one Glopified cleaning supply, which would it be? Why?

8. For unknown reasons, the BEM has stopped fighting Toxites. The Rebel janitors continue to fight the creatures so that kids can keep learning. Would you join the BEM or the Rebel janitors? Why is it important to get a good education?

9. Spencer and Daisy discover that the Toxites stop kids from learning by creating sleepiness, apathy, and distraction. What are some things in school that make it hard for you to learn? How can you overcome them?

10. Walter tells Spencer that Toxites work harder on kids who really try to learn. Why don’t Toxites “waste their breath” on kids like Dez? How hard would the Toxites have to work to get you?

11. If you could Glopify a new cleaning supply, what would it be? What magical power would it have?

12. At the end of the book, Spencer temporarily becomes a warlock. If you had that power, would you give it back to Walter Jamison? Why, or why not?