The Explorer: questions to ask and activities to try
Four children crash in the Amazon and must survive. The Explorer is a Costa Award-winning adventure about friendship and survival.
What age is it for? The Explorer is best for ages 8–11. Good for: Surviving in the Amazon after a plane crash.
The Explorer (Katherine Rundell)
- Age
- 8-11
- Best for
- Surviving in the Amazon after a plane crash
Read a chapter a night with older children. Talk about how they worked together.
What it helps with
- Survival and resilience
- Teamwork
- Nature and the rainforest
- Adventure novels
Comprehension and discussion questions
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “What happened to the plane?”
- “Who were the children?”
- “How did they find food?”
- “Who did they discover?”
- “What did they learn?”
- “What would you need in the jungle?”
5-minute activities to try together
Survival kit
List ten things you'd need to survive in a jungle.
Rainforest facts
Find five facts about the Amazon.
Free printables: The Explorer worksheet and activity pack
This book’s one-page worksheet with the questions and activities above, plus our activity pack: printable scenario cards, three 5-minute activities and a “What could I try?” page for practising everyday skills together. Enter your email and download them straight away.
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If your child liked this, try
Nim's Island (Wendy Orr and Kerry Millard)
- Best for
- A girl alone on an island, being brave
- Age
- 8-10
The Wild Robot (Peter Brown)
- Best for
- A robot learning to survive in the wild
- Age
- 7-10
The Emerald Forest (Catherine Ward and Karin Littlewood)
- Best for
- Orangutans, rainforests and losing a home
- Age
- 3-7
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 10 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.