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Reading schedule · Grades 6–9

Kidnapped in 5 Weeks: A Reading Schedule

A five-week plan for reading Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson, one section a week. Each week gives the reading, a short summary of what happens, three discussion questions and the escape room that goes with it. For grades 6–9, in class or at home.

Pacing

Logic-stage readers (grades 6–9) can usually manage a section a week on their own, reading a few chapters most days. Use the questions to move from what happened to why it happened: motives, causes and consequences. A long section can take two weeks without spoiling the plan.

Each week ends with an escape room on that week's reading: seven self-checking locks that run in any browser, with no logins, and progress is saved, so a room can be finished another day. Every room has free taster locks to try, and members can open them all.

Print this schedule Escape rooms on Kidnapped

Week 1: Chapters 1–6

Read: Chapters 1–6

After his father's death David Balfour leaves Essendean and finds his miserly Uncle Ebenezer at the House of Shaws. His uncle sends him up the tower stair in the dark, then takes him to Queensferry, where he meets Captain Hoseason of the brig Covenant.

Discussion questions

1. What clues show that Ebenezer cannot be trusted?
2. Why does David go with his uncle to Queensferry?
3. What kind of person is David at the start?

Escape room: The House of Shaws (lockedlessons.com/rooms/kidnapped-chapters-1-6/)

Week 2: Chapters 7–13

Read: Chapters 7–13

David is kidnapped and held in the hold of the Covenant, and after the death of the cabin boy Ransome he is moved to the roundhouse. The brig picks up Alan Breck Stewart, David and Alan hold the roundhouse against the crew, Alan tells of the Red Fox, and the brig is lost.

Discussion questions

1. Why does David side with Alan against the crew?
2. What do Alan's boasting and his bravery tell us about him?
3. Who is the Red Fox, and why does Alan hate him?

Escape room: The Roundhouse (lockedlessons.com/rooms/kidnapped-chapters-7-13/)

Week 3: Chapters 14–19

Read: Chapters 14–19

Stranded on an islet, David at last makes his way across Mull and Morven, using Alan's silver button. He meets the catechist Mr Henderland, is present when a shot is fired in the wood of Lettermore, finds Alan again and spends a night at the house of James of the Glens.

Discussion questions

1. Why is the islet episode both funny and sad?
2. Why are David and Alan now in danger?
3. What does the night at James's house show about loyalty in the Highlands?

Escape room: A Shot in Appin (lockedlessons.com/rooms/kidnapped-chapters-14-19/)

Week 4: Chapters 20–25

Read: Chapters 20–25

Hunted, David and Alan spend a day on a burning rock and cross the moor, and they stay with Cluny Macpherson in his Cage on Ben Alder, where cards cause trouble. A bitter quarrel follows, and they meet Robin Oig in Balquhidder.

Discussion questions

1. Why do David and Alan quarrel, and how do they make up?
2. What does the card game show about Alan?
3. How has David changed since the start?

Escape room: Flight in the Heather (lockedlessons.com/rooms/kidnapped-chapters-20-25/)

Week 5: Chapters 26–30

Read: Chapters 26–30

With the help of a lass from Limekilns they cross the Forth, and David visits the lawyer Mr Rankeillor, who tells him the old story of the two Balfour brothers. Alan plays a trick at the door of the House of Shaws, and the friends part.

Discussion questions

1. What does David learn about his father and his uncle?
2. How does Alan's trick work?
3. Why is the parting of the friends so moving?

Escape room: Coming Home (lockedlessons.com/rooms/kidnapped-chapters-26-30/)