Brightstorm by Vashti Hardy

Age 9-11
Reasons for selection and synopsis
Twins Arthur and Maudie receive word that their father died in a
failed attempt to reach South Polaris. But a mysterious clue leads
the twins to question the story they've been told, and they join the
crew of a new exploration attempt in the hope of learning the
truth. Will Arthur and Maudie find the answers they seek?

Before reading…
Ask the children to look at the front cover. What do you think the
book will be about? What things can you see on the front cover?
What sort of story will it be? Who might enjoy it?
Now read the blurb – were any of your predictions correct?
What might a ‘Brightstorm’ be?

The following questions are designed as

prompts only – allow the children to come up
with their own questions and ideas. They will
be much more engaged this way!
 Chapter 1
Vocabulary Define ‘engrossed’.
What does ‘tradition’ mean?
Find and copy a phrase that shows the two children are related.
Define ‘briskly’.
What is a synonym for expedition?
What does ‘perished’ mean?
Infer What does Arthur mean by ‘thanks for nothing’?
How will Poacher feel if she catches the children?
How can you tell the children know a lot about sky- ships?
Do you think Madame Poacher was a good choice for the job of
housekeeper? Why?
Why do you think the children slept in the library?
Predict Predict how father perished.
Predict what life will now have in store for Arthur and Maudie.
Explain Explain how the book was titled.
What impression do you get of Madame Gainsford?
Retrieve Where is the story set?
What book was Arthur reading?
Who won the race to the top?
Where is the ship going?
Why is it surprising that Miss Poacher’s footsteps are very heavy?
Where is the children’s father?
How does Arthur say he lost his arm? Is it true? How do you know?
What does Madame Gainsford have around her neck?
Summarise Summarise the first chapter in less than 50 words.
 Chapter 2
Vocabulary What does it mean if you are ‘self-conscious?
Define ‘iridescent’.
What does it mean if you are an ‘esteemed member’ of
something?
Find and copy a word that means ‘very thorough’.
Define ‘disarray’.
Infer Why does Miss Poacher make Arthur brush his hair?
Why do you think the two rival expedition teams came together
to eat?
What did Mr Wicketts discover when he checked the engine
rooms?
What do you think ‘the code’ might be?
Predict Predict what the outcome will be from the board.

Explain What do you think happened on the mission? Why?

Retrieve Why were the siblings silent?
How can you tell the Geographical Association is a high-end
place?
Why does Madame Gainsford bang a hammer on the table?
Who was the leader of the other expedition trying to get to South
Polaris?
What happened to the Brightstorm crew?
Summarise Summarise the events of the mission in forty words or less.
 Chapter 3
Vocabulary Define ‘neglecting’ in this context.
What is a clause in a contract?
Find and copy the phrase that alerted Arthur to the fact that Miss
Poacher had sold the children.
Infer What do you think the author means by ‘time stood still’?
Why does Maudie tighten her lips?
Why might Miss Poacher not want to look after the children?
What is the woman referring to that says ‘one of them was…’?
Predict Predict what Bartemaus wants.
Predict where Miss Poacher will send the children.
Explain How did you feel when you heart about the clause in the
contract?
Retrieve Who comes to the house with Miss Poacher?
Why won’t the children be able to stay in the house?
What is the Brightstorm moth?
What are the man and woman intending to do with the
children?
Why does Miss Poacher say she sold the children?
Summarise Summarise the children’s thoughts in 50 words each.

Chapter 4
Vocabulary Define ‘shabby’.
What does it mean to be ‘compelled’?
 Define ‘traverse’.
Infer Why might keeping Beggins Hall clean been an impossible task?
Why don’t the Beggins give the children any supper?
Why is Parthena thin and sad?
Why does Arthur find the appearance of the locket unusual?
Predict Predict what Parthena might be.
Predict who the figure was.
Explain What is the effect of leaving this chapter on a cliffhanger?
Retrieve Why didn’t Arthur like constantly wearing his arm?
Why didn’t they run away?
What is outside the window?
What instrument does Maudie think she can hear?
What is Parthena?
What was in Parthena’s claw?
Summarise Summarise life in Beggins Hall in less than forty words.

Chapter 5
Vocabulary What does it mean if someone is incompetent?
Define ‘venerable’.
Define ‘bedraggled’. Why might Pompelfrey look this way?
Infer For what reasons does Eudora want to be the first to South
Polaris?
Why do you think Eudora is so horrible to Pompelfrey?
Predict Predict what Eudora has been up to.

Explain What is your first impression of Eudora Vane? Explain why.

Retrieve Who is Eudora Vane?
 Why does she have a very specific amount of clothing?
Who is Miptera?
Why does Smethwyck come to see Eudora?
Summarise Summarise the character of Eudora in one word and explain
your choice of word.

Chapter 6
Vocabulary What is ‘unprecedented demand’?
What are talons?
Define ‘treacherous’.
Infer Why’s Arthur annoyed that some of the leftover is an egg?
How does Arthur cheer Maudie up?
Why does Arthur think Miss Culpepper might take them?
Predict Predict if Miss Culpepper will take them.

Explain Explain how you felt when you saw the advert.
Retrieve Why are the children sneaking?
What food did the children find?
What is the advert for?
Summarise Summarise this chapter in one word and explain your choice of
word.

Chapter 7
Vocabulary Find a word that shows it took some time to get to Archangel
Street.
What is a ragamuffin?
What is an evaluation?
 Find and copy phrases that show Felicity is embarrassed.
Infer What is your first impression of the house and the people who
could live inside? Explain your answer.
Why do you think Arthur took a shine to the lady?
Why does Felicity flush beetroot?
Why does Felicity tell Welby that Maudie and Arthur are her
relatives?
Predict Predict how the evaluation will go.

Explain What is your first impression of Felicity? Explain your answer.

Retrieve Why did the children wake up so early?
What falls out of the woman’s coat?
Why has the woman brought the spoon?
What is the woman’s name?
What is the house named?
Summarise Summarise this chapter in less than twenty words.

Chapter 8
Vocabulary Find noisy words from the first two pages. What do these noises
tell you?
Harriet nods ‘encouragingly’. What does this mean and what
does it tell you?
Define ‘nimble’.
Infer Why is Arthur glad they left Parthena at home?
Why is Arthur so nervous?
Why do you think Harriet values honesty in a crew?
What makes the children feel dejected?
Predict Predict if Harriet will let them come on the expedition.
Explain Harriet tells you about the things she would value in a crew. What
would you value in a crew and why?
Retrieve What is Miss Culpepper’s first name?
Who is Queenie?
What tattoos does Harriet have?
Summarise Summarise Harriet in one word and explain your choice of word.

Chapter 9
Vocabulary What does it mean to stow away?
Define ‘nonchalantly’.
Define ‘naïve’.
Infer How can you tell the children were happy about the offer?
Why has Eudora come to see the children?
Do you think Eudora wants the children to go? Why?
Predict Predict what the offer will be.
Predict what Eudora Vane will want.
Explain Do you like Eudora Vane? Why?
Retrieve Why was the rain particularly bad news for the children?
Why do the children want to go down to the dockyard?
Who is at the window?
What tattoo does Vane have?
What is Harriet’s ship called?
Summarise Summarise Eudora’s offer in less than thirty words.

Chapter 10
Vocabulary Trust is an important theme in this chapter. Can you define trust?
 What is the ‘scruff’ of a shirt?
Infer What happens to Arthur?
How do the children open the door?
Predict Predict who has taken Arthur and what will happen to him?

Explain Do you think you would take the risk? Why?

Retrieve Why is Welby annoyed?
Why can’t the children get out of where they get up?
Who do the children run into? Do you think they were pleased to
see her?
Summarise Summarise this chapter in less than fifteen words.

Chapter 11
Vocabulary What is a blighter? Why does Mrs Beggins call the children this?
What does pelted mean?
What does ascended mean? What’s the antonym of this word?
Infer What happens to Harriet’s house? Why does this cause people to
gasp?
Why do you think Harriet chose to go back for the children?
Why doesn’t Harriet want to be called Captain?
Why can’t Felicity’s lucky spoon be silver?
Predict Predict what’s next for the ship.

Explain How did Vashti Hardy create tension in this chapter?

Retrieve What time is it? Why is this important?
What does Parthena do to Mr Beggins?
What does Felicity do to Mr Beggins?
How does Harriet save Arthur?
Summarise Summarise this chapter in less than 30 words.

Chapter 12
Vocabulary What phrase shows you how big The Victorious is?
What is momentum?
Find a phrase that shows that Harriet isn’t panicking.
What does it mean if something is rigorous?
Infer What do you think makes Arthur feel competitive?
Why does everyone start clapping?
What does not on your nelly mean?
Why does Harriet want everyone to teach each other skills?
How might a water run ship be advantageous later on?
Why isn’t Harriet mad that they walked on the wing?
Predict Predict which team you think will win the competition.

Explain How is the new ship different from what the children had been
expecting?
Retrieve Why did the houses look so small?
Why is Maudie so excited about the ship?
What do the crew spend most of the first week doing?
What does Aurora run on?
Summarise Summarise the first week on the ship in less than fifty words.

Chapter 13
Vocabulary What does ‘devoured’ tell you about Arthur’s reading habits?
Define ‘loyal’.
Infer Why weren’t the Brightstorms in the book?
 Why were the maps on the ship so detailed?
What does Maudie mean by ‘that man can say a lot with
eyebrows’?
Predict Predict what might happen in a library.

Explain Explain why this chapter might have been included.

Retrieve What types of books were in the library?
Why is Arthur really careful with his book?
Where did the Acquafreeders travel to?
Summarise Choose one word to describe this chapter and explain your
choice of word.

Chapter 14
Vocabulary Define ‘reluctant’.
What is snickering?
What are ‘the elements’?
Infer True or false: Maudie is very intelligent. Explain your answer.
How does Arthur feel closer to his dad?
Predict Predict what will happen on the second continent.

Explain Do you think Margaret is a good protagonist? Explain your

answer.
Retrieve What does Felicity teach Arthur to make? Why these specific
types?
What could be The Victorious’s downfall?
How will the Aurora refuel their water?
What present does Harriet give to Arthur and why?
Where do they reach at the end of the chapter?
Summarise Summarise the ship’s plan in less than fifty words.
 Chapter 15
Vocabulary What does it mean if you replenish something?
What is compassion?
Infer Why would it have felt strange to be on the ground?
Why does Welby raise his eyebrow?
Why was the man using a beige blanket?
Predict Predict what Welby has seen and what Harriet wants to get
involved in.
Predict what will happen when the man is on the ship.
Predict if Arthur will be freed from the quicksand, and how.
Explain Was Felicity right about a storm coming? Explain your opinion.
How does this chapter trick the reader?
Retrieve Why does The Aurora take back off quickly?
What did they throw off the boat and why?
Why is The Fontaine heading back north?
What has happened to the legless man?
Why don’t the crew have any weapons?
Summarise Summarise this chapter in less than fifty words.

Chapter 16
Vocabulary What is a citadel?
Define ‘impeccable’.
What is sabotage?
Infer What makes them think that this was a set up?
What do you think Temur means when he says the deadliest
 creatures are all around us?
What happens when Batzorig places his hands on the children’s
cheeks? Do you think he is making it up?
What do you think Batzorig means when he says that Arthur must
see himself first?
Why do you think the kings would accept no payment?
Predict Predict the significance of the silver insect.
Predict what Arthur wants to show Maudie.
Explain Did you like the kings? Explain your answer.
Retrieve What calmed Arthur?
Who are the two Kings?
What is Batzorig’s horse called?
What is Moz Gazar?
How long ago was Victorious at the citadel?
Summarise Summarise this chapter in less than forty words.

Chapter 17
Vocabulary Define meticulously.
What does indigenous mean?
What is a ‘palatial dwelling’?
What is instinct?
Infer Why does Arthur need a lemon?
What is important about the Last Post?
Why didn’t Solongo see their dad’s ship?
Why does Arthur’s heart sink?
Predict Predict what they might find at the Last Post.
Explain Explain how Harriet reassures Arthur.
Do you believe Vane has something to do with everything?
Why?
Retrieve What was Maudie fixing?
What does Arthur find in the Vane explorer symbol?
What does Arthur uncover in the book?
Who greets them when they land?
Summarise Summarise the character of Harriet in one word and explain your
choice of word.

Chapter 18
Vocabulary What do you think the author means when she describes the sea
as ‘moody’?
Find words and phrases that really show the extent of how cold it
is.
Infer Why was it a sad goodbye?
What does ‘going full steam ahead just to stay still’ mean?
Why are the Glacies almost extinct?
What do you think Parthena was screaming at?
Predict Predict again what the significance of the insect might be.

Explain Explain how tension is being created within the competition.

Retrieve Which sea were they flying over?
Why has the Firebird turned back?
Why does Arthur need to turn the ovens off?
What animals do they see?
Why is Aurora going to gain an advantage?
Summarise Summarise this chapter in less than thirty words.
 Chapter 19
Vocabulary Find and copy a phrase that shows that Albert likes his new
surroundings.
What does sinister mean?
Define ‘wallow’.
What is a ‘veritable feast’?
Infer Why doesn’t Harriet want to be in the vicinity of The Victorious?
Why does Harriet tell the children to wrap themselves up?
Why do they sit in sad silence?
What does Arthur think happened to the engine?
Predict A great boom wakes Arthur up. Predict what it was.
Predict what keeps saying ‘why do you come’ to Arthur.
Predict what the green eyes are.
Explain Explain Harriet’s plan.
Retrieve What was the only way the crew could tell they were not alone?
What makes Arthur feel uneasy?
Why does the Aurora crash?
What injury has Welby sustained?
What does Harriet discover on the hydra-valve?
What does Eudora try to steal? Why is this not possible?
Summarise Summarise this chapter in less than fifty words.

Chapter 20
Vocabulary What does ‘blurted’ tell you about Arthur’s actions?
Define ‘provoke’.
 Why does Arthur shrug ‘sheepishly’? What does this mean?
What does ‘knees knocking’ mean?
Infer What made the children cover their ears?
Why are the wolves angry with humans?
Why is Maudie so angry with Arthur? Is she right to be?
Why do you think Harriet makes Queenie stay behind?
Predict Predict what thought wolves will be and what they want.
Predict what will be found at the lake.
Explain Why does Arthur almost laugh?
Retrieve How could Arthur tell the beasts were giant?
What does Arthur tell the wolves that Vane said? What is their
response?
What is the wolf’s name?
Where does Tuyok offer to take them?
Why aren’t they going to walk?
Summarise Summarise your first impression of the thought wolves by picking
three words to describe them and explaining your choice of
words.

Chapter 21
Vocabulary Define ‘stationary’.
What does ‘huffed’ mean? Why is Felicity doing this?
Define ‘abrupt’.
Infer Why might Arthur find it hard to hold on?
Why is Arthur happier?
Predict Predict what the grave news will be.
Explain Explain the effect of leaving this chapter on a cliffhanger.
Retrieve Why does Parthena fly low?
What does Arthur do while they wait?
How do they know a member of the crew is missing?
Summarise Summarise the character’s feelings at the end of the chapter,
attributing one feeling to each character.

Chapter 22
Vocabulary What are wreaths?
What does it mean if the lake is unstable?
Define ‘excruciating’.
Infer Why can’t the Victorious make it over the mountains?
Why is it now an even playing field?
Why does Harriet look in the Violetta first?
What does Felicity glean when sniffing the food? How?
How did Arthur figure out that dad avoided being poisoned?
Predict Predict what will happen when they go off to the Victorious.

Explain What is the effect of not knowing exactly what happened to

dad?
Retrieve Why does Harriet take a photograph?
Who finds the Violetta?
Why won’t the wolves go on any further?
If there is nothing in the fuel stores, what will that tell the crew?
Summarise Summarise this chapter in less than forty words.
 Chapter 23
Vocabulary What word that Tuyok says shows that Arthur isn’t going to
change his mind?
What does it mean if you say something sarcastically?
Infer How did Tuyok know what they were going to do?
Why does Arthur take the locket?
How did they know that Eudora poisoned the crew?
Predict Predict if the children will get caught.

Explain What does this chapter make you feel about Eudora Vane?
What do you hope happens to her?
Retrieve Why is Arthur being as silent as he can?
How did they know they had the right ship?
How did Arthur know the layout of the ship?
How do they smash a cup?
Summarise Summarise this chapter in one word and explain your choice of
word.

Chapter 24
Vocabulary What words show that the children are moving quickly?
Define ‘pristine’.
What is valour?
Infer What does Maudie mean by ‘not on your life’?
Why is Arthur gritting his teeth?
Why is Harriet angry at the children?
Why does Arthur have a lump in his throat?
Predict Predict what will happen next for the Brightstorms.

Explain Why might this chapter be called ‘evidence’?

Retrieve Why did the children stop moving?
What can Tuyok tell that Eudora is thinking?
What happens to Tuyok?
Summarise Summarise this chapter in forty words or less.

Chapter 25
Vocabulary Why would they move ‘cautiously but swiftly’?
Define buoyant.
What does it mean when the author says their thoughts
‘collided’?
Infer Why was it strange to see no sign of the Victorious?
What happens when ‘Arthur’s feet disappeared’ beneath him?
Why are Harriet’s lips blue?
Why do you think the tea tasted so good?
Why do the twins laugh?
Predict Predict if they will successfully make a compass.

Explain Do you think Maudie is right to be angry at Arthur?

Retrieve What does Maudie think might be in the distance?
Who got Arthur out of the water?
How did Harriet lose the compass? Why is this bad news?
How did Arthur’s stuff stay dry?
Summarise Summarise the character’s thoughts at the end of the chapter in
less than twenty words.
 Chapter 26
Vocabulary What is sap?
What is a ‘privilege’?
Find a phrase that shows that Arthur is devastated.
Define ‘stave’.
Infer How can you tell Arthur like the cave?
What sort of mood does Parthena seem to be in? How do you
know?
How can you tell Harriet is keeping a secret?
Why was the doctor dying first especially bad for the crew?
Predict Predict what will happen under the mountain.
Predict what Harriet’s secret will be.
Explain Explain how they are using the arm as a compass.
Why do you think Parthena landed on Maudie’s arm?
How did you feel when you found out their father was dead?
Retrieve What lights up the cave?
Why had Harriet magnetised the arm?
What has happened to the Brightstorm’s father?
What does Harriet bring back for Arthur?
Summarise Summarise this chapter in less than thirty words.

Chapter 27
Vocabulary What is an aurora?
What phrase shows that Harriet wanted to continue?
 Define ‘loomed’.
What is a ‘rash decision’?
Infer Why do you think they began to run?
What do the children really want to know about Eudora?
Why does Harriet let the children call her Harrie?
Predict Read up to where they stand open-mouthed and predict why
this is happening.
Predict what Maudie is going to do.
Explain How did you feel when the Victorious beat them there?
Retrieve Why was it potentially a bad idea to leave the caves?
What do the crew dig?
What feeling does Felicity get?
How is the Victorious getting through to the Polaris?
What does everyone realise is happening at the end of the
chapter?
Summarise Summarise this chapter in less than 20 words.
Chapter 28
Vocabulary Define ‘undoubtedly’.
Define ‘degrading’.
What is animosity?
What does it mean if someone is gullible?
Infer Why would Eudora be getting her photograph taken?
Why does Eudora say she couldn’t have stolen the locket?
Why had Eudora killed the whole crew?
Predict Predict what will be in the locket.
Predict what will happen next.
Explain Explain the twist.
How did you feel when you found out that Tuyok was alive?
Retrieve What is Harriet most concerned about?
What picture is in the locket?
What does Maudie do with Arthur’s arm?
Why does Arthur stop responding?
Summarise Summarise the events of this chapter in less than fifty words.

Chapter 29
Vocabulary What is ‘nectar’?
Define ‘trepidation’.
Define ‘illusion’.
Infer Why do you think the children go to talk to their father?
What is their intention with the camera?
Why had Welby moved the camp?
Why does Arthur stick his tongue out?
Predict Predict what else they might find on the camera.
Predict what will happen when they get back to Lontown.
Explain How did you feel when Harriet asked the children to live with
her?
Retrieve How did Tuyok survive?
How had Tuyok found the crew?
What do they find on the ground?
What do they leave for their dad?
What were Arthur and Tuyok’s final thoughts to each other?
Summarise Summarise this chapter in less than 40 words.

Chapter 30
Vocabulary Define ‘perished’.
What does it mean to discredit someone?
What is an intrusion?
Infer Why are they reluctant to report Eudora?
What do they find on the camera?
Why do they run to the Geographical Society?
Why does Vane’s reaction shock the children?
Predict Predict why this chapter might be called victorious.

Explain How does this chapter make you feel about Eudora Vane?
Retrieve Why does everyone assumed the crew of Aurora perished?
When is the prize ceremony and where?
Summarise Summarise your thoughts about Eudora Vane and her reaction in
this chapter in one word and explain your choice of word.
Chapter 31
Vocabulary Find a phrase that shows the Aurora house has been restored.
Define ‘docile’.
Define ‘contrive’.
Infer Why does the article catch Arthur’s eye?

Predict Predict what would happen in the sequel to this book.

Explain Did you like this book? Explain why.

Retrieve Why did Welby have to do no shoes Monday?
Who gets the prize money?
 What is the article about?
Summarise Summarise the whole story in less than 100 words.