The Last Book In The Universe

Chapters 1-3

Reading Check

1. The Bangers (Chapter 1)

2. 5 years old (Chapter 2)

Short Answer

1. Spaz’s ability to retain this fact demonstrates that he has a strong memory. In the world of The Last Book in the Universe, no one has strong memory retention because of the prevalence of mindprobes. (Chapter 3)

Chapters 4-6

Reading Check

1. A Tactical Urban Vehicle (Chapter 4)

2. Coley Riggins (Chapter 4)

Short Answer

1. First, always believe Billy. Second, always obey Billy. Third and finally, always speak true to Billy. (Chapter 5)

2. He remembers when he was about four years old his adopted younger sister Bean coming to his family unit, which consisted of his foster mother Kay and father Charly. He recalls immediately feeling a sense of brotherly love for Bean. (Chapter 6)

Chapters 7-9

Reading Check

1. Three (Chapter 7)

2. Bone marrow sickness, otherwise known as leukemia (Chapter 8)

Short Answer

1. Billy enforces strict rules on Spaz, which seem to apply only to Spaz and not to the group at large. He is punished for interrupting or disrespecting Billy, and Billy looks out for Spaz’s wellbeing (by forbidding him to make the treacherous journey to see Bean). Spaz looks to Billy as a father figure for rules, permission, and acceptance. (Chapters 7-9)

Chapters 10-12

Reading Check

1. The Monkey Boys (Chapter 10)

2. Hear Mongo and obey (Chapter 11)

Short Answer

1.  A person is said to be “looping” when they stay within the simulation of their mindprobe, allowing it to loop in an endless cycle. Mongo has been looping in trendie called Forever Eden for over a year, which has him believing that he is a proov living in Eden. (Chapter 12)

Chapters 13-15

Reading Check

1. Choxbars (Chapter 13)

2. The Forbidden Zone (Chapter 14)

Short Answer

1. Eden is at the center of the Urb, as Lanaya explains. With the Zone surrounding them on all sides within Eden, Lanaya has become used to the mines because she goes out to the latches to feed people. (Chapter 15)

Chapters 16-18

Reading Check

1. Nails and/or White Widow (Chapter 16)

2. They must deliver the probe runner to Lotti. (Chapter 17)

Short Answer

1. Vida is going to take over the latch with his Furies, who are more feared than Lotti’s Vandals. He is doing this because he wants power, and he thinks he can overtake Lotti Getts to become latchboss. (Chapter 18)

Chapters 19-21

Reading Check

1. A genetic defect (Chapter 20)

2. Eden (Chapter 21)

Short Answer

1. Because Spaz froze in fear – he could not move. Lanaya had to shake him in order to make him run. (Chapter 19)

Chapters 22-24

Reading Check

1. That she won against Bleek (Chapter 22)

2. Blue (Chapter 23)

Short Answer

1. Because every proov baby is genetically modified before conception. Therefore, parents “contribute” to the creation of the baby with their DNA, and scientists overseeing the genetic modification take care of the rest. (Chapter 24)

Chapters 25-27

Reading Check

1. In a dream of Eden (Chapter 26)

2. Chess (Chapter 27)

Short Answer

1. Because that’s where the proovs first went after the Big Shake. The Big Shake, which was a massive earthquake, caused volcanic eruptions that released toxic poisons into the air; therefore, the proovs needed to hide underground to stay safe. (Chapter 25)

Chapters 28-30

Reading Check

1. Grasswalking (Chapter 28)

2. The sound of jetbikes (Chapter 30)

Short Answer

1. The trial is to determine whether or not Spaz and his group of normals can stay inside Eden, even though typically normals are not allowed. With a resounding “no” from the crowds in the Stadium, the Masters decide that Spaz and his crew must leave. (Chapter 29)

Chapters 31-33

Reading Check

1. His papers (Chapter 31)

2. Wheels (Chapter 32)

Short Answer

1. Both are doing well, still in the confines of Eden. At the end of the novel, Lanaya sends word to Spaz that Little Face is doing just fine, and she also reminds him (referring to the corrupt ruling class of the Urb/Eden): “Today is theirs, but the future is ours.”