The Last Book in the Universe by Rodman Philbrick - Character Highlights & Story Insights

The Last Book in the Universe by Rodman Philbrick unfolds in a post-apocalyptic future in The Urb, a destitute world plagued by poverty and gang control. Follow protagonist Spaz, who navigates a life filled with conflicts, encounters with unique characters like Ryter, and a quest to reunite with his sister, Bean. The story delves into themes of survival, identity, and the importance of embracing one's uniqueness.

• Rodman Philbrick
• Post-apocalyptic
• Character development
• Adventure
• Identity

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Uploaded on Jul 17, 2024 | 0 Views

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1. THE LAST BOOK IN THE UNIVERSE BY RODMAN PHILBRICK

2. GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CHARACTERS Spaz: Suffers from epilepsy Epilepsy: a medical condition that causes electrical abnormalities in the brain. This leads to sudden convulsions, seizures, and/or blackouts. Lives in The Urb a very poor area of the world within The Pipe His latch (neighborhood) is run by The Bully Bangers Spaz works for Billy Bizmo the latch boss by ripping off other people Has a sister named Bean

3. GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CHARACTERS CONTINUED Ryter An older gentleman Seems to be working on a novel In possession of many old items Tell Spaz that his epilepsy is a gift not a curse and references many historical figures who also had epilepsy Offers to help Spaz get to his sister, Bean

4. HIGHLIGHTS FROM CHAPTERS 1-3 The story is set in a post-apocalyptic future The Urb is an impoverished world the people who live in the latches are poor and underfed. Their homes are barely livable, the people are dirty, (e.g. Little Face) and the latches are controlled by gangs Spaz s latch is controlled by Billy Bizmo and The Bully Bangers. Billy sends Spaz to steal from Ryter, but Spaz has conflicted emotions about this once he gets there. We learn that Spaz does not think about his future and does not like to reflect on his past.

5. HIGHLIGHTS FROM CHAPTERS 4-6 Spaz makes contacts with a proov-girl, Lanaya The Proovs are genetically modified people. They live in Eden - a wealthy, luxurious, and lavish place. We will learn more about Eden in upcoming chapters. The proov-girl is handing out edibles (food) to the poor people of The Urb. Ryter and Spaz have an interesting conversation about the past as well as Spaz s epilepsy. Ryter tells Spaz his epilepsy is a blessing and makes him unique.

6. HIGHLIGHTS FROM CHAPTERS 7-9 A latch runner (messenger) is waiting for Spaz at his cubicle (home). The latch runner tells Spaz that his sister, Bean, is sick and needs to see him. Spaz demands a meeting with Billy and says he must leave the latch. Billy denies this request, but Spaz leaves anyway. The Boxers surround Spaz and, because of his growing fear and epilepsy, he has a seizure and blacks out. Ryter is alongside him when he awakes and the travel through The Pipe a sewer line that connects all of the latches

7. HIGHLIGHTS FROM CHAPTER 10 Spaz, and Ryter enter The Pipe - this is a major sewer line that connects all of the latches throughout The Urb While on their way out, they are frightened by a mysterious figure Little Face! The three are now on a journey to get to Bean When they make it to the first latch on their journey, they are surrounded by The Monkey Boys The Monkey Boys are the gang that control this new latch. They are wild, savage, and uncivilized people. They act more like animals than humans.

8. MIND-PROBES VS READING & WRITING WHICH IS BETTER? WHY?

9. HIGHLIGHTS FROM CHAPTERS 11-13 The trio is captured and brought to Mongo the Magnificent the leader of The Monkey Boys He presented himself as this large intimidating figure, but Spaz is amused because it is simply a hologram The real Mongo has become so addicted to mindprobes that his brain is degenerating. His body is physically incapable of support his life anymore. Mongo is stuck looping. If Mongo is taken off of the mindprobe he will die. Ryter and Spaz convince Mongo s Tekboss, Gorm, that the Monkey Boys need a capable leader, and it should be him! He calls himself The Great Gorm. He releases the trio, and they begin traveling to the next latch.