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Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

Discussion guide by Lauren Furnish

Summary

In this alternate Steampunk history, countries are either Clankers—nations who use mechanical creations—or Darwinists, who use evolution to create fabricated animals to serve any need. Alek, a prince, and Deryn, a girl who disguised herself to be a British Airman, find themselves thrown together in the chaos of war.

Booktalk

When Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife are assassinated on June 28, 1914, Prince Aleksander is left an orphan and Europe is plunged into World War I. With a few loyal men, Alek escapes into the night in a Cyklop Stormwalker, a two-legged fighting machine. Deryn, under the alias Dylan Sharp, serves in the British Air Force aboard the Leviathan, a giant biological airship crafted from a whale. Deryn is a talented Airman, but she hides her identity because women are forbidden to serve.

A secret mission on the Leviathan with a daring scientist may be the key to stopping the war. Deryn helps transport the secret cargo and she realizes it’s alive. When she asks about it, the scientists tell her it’s “a military secret.”

The only certainty is that their enemies are closing in. A surprising series of events throw Alek and Deryn together. They must find a way to work together to survive, and keep the secret cargo alive. The future of the world depends on their success.

464 pages, 7th grade and up

Discussion questions

Warning! Some of the questions contain key elements of the plot. Do not read if you don't want to know what happens!

  1. The countries in Europe have become divided about the use of machines and fabricated creatures. Which side are you most comfortable with? Why?
  2. Deryn is not allowed to serve in the military as a girl, so she becomes Dylan Sharp to serve undercover. She is risking her life to be an Airman aboard the Leviathan. Why do you think she does that? What would you do?
  3. After his family is murdered, Alek is cautious about whom he trusts. He knows every choice he makes has political consequences. Do you think that Deryn and Alek will be able to remain friends, or do you think that their opposing loyalties will force them to betray each other?
  4. Would you rather serve as a soldier on a machine like a Cyklop Stormwalker, or be aboard the Leviathan? Why?
  5. Dr. Darwin is a prominent female scientist, which is uncommon. How do you think she overcomes society’s restrictions on women?
  6. Count Volger and his crew of men gave up their lands, their titles and their families in order to serve Alek. Why did they remain so loyal when they had so much to lose? What, or who, are you loyal to?
  7. Both Alek and Deryn mature and evolve over the course of this book. What is Alek’s character weakness? Deryn’s weakness? Do they manage to rid themselves entirely of these shortcomings?

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Activities

At the very end, the Leviathan becomes a type of new breed—a mix between Clanker technology and Darwinist science. Invent (and draw) your own creation based on the machines and fabrications in this book.