Characters
Who is the girl that the sea creatures recognize from Dr. Revoy’s journal?
Sophia
What do the sea creatures use to “walk” on land?
An old diving suit — the Aquanaut
Where does most of the story take place?
Aqualand, the marine park
What does “Authorized Personnel Only” mean on the lab door?
Only staff are allowed inside
Why does Sophia feel lonely at school and home?
Her dad is gone, and her uncle is always busy
Who is Dr. Paul Revoy in relation to Sophia?
Her uncle
What project does Sophia bring to the science fair with the creatures’ help?
Answer: Dumbo octopus presentation / sea creatures as her “uncle”
What secret area do the Aquanaut and Sophia discover inside Aqualand?
The restricted research lab / advanced tanks
What is “bioluminescence,” a word Sophia uses at the fair?
The ability of animals to glow in the dark
What is the main conflict Sophia has with her uncle Paul?
He focuses too much on work instead of family
Which sea creature often causes trouble by eating too much?
Carlos
Why does Sophia argue with her uncle Paul about helping her?
He is too busy with research and won’t help her with school
Where does Sophia have to prove herself to pass her class?
The science fair at school
What does “ecosystem” mean, as used in the Aqualand presentation?
A community of living things and their environment working together
What theme is shown when the creatures try to protect and help Sophia at the fair?
Friendship / teamwork
Who is the strict teacher pushing Sophia to pass the science fair?
Mrs. Wexler
What embarrassing thing happens during Sophia’s science fair presentation?
Carlos eats brine shrimp, which are actually sea monkeys
What does Aqualand look like when the sea creatures first explore it?
Like a paradise full of food and marine animals — but it’s actually a trap
What does the word “legacy” mean, as Paul uses it when talking about Sophia’s father?
Something valuable or meaningful passed down, like his life’s work
What lesson do the sea creatures start to learn when exploring Aqualand?
Not everything that looks safe or fun is truly good
What sea creature serves as the navigator of the Aquanaut crew?
Jobim, the sea turtle
What kind of show does Aqualand use to entertain visitors instead of only saving sea life?
Orca / killer whale shows and dolphin petting zoo
What is “Jules,” the expensive project at Aqualand that Mr. Lula complains about?
A research exhibit created by Dr. Revoy and Sophia’s dad
What does Sophia mean when she says, “I’m doomed” before the science fair?
She thinks she will fail completely
How does the science fair scene symbolize Sophia’s struggle in life?
She has to balance carrying her dad’s legacy with her own identity and courage