Teen Reader
“The Last Night of the World” (1951)
“The Last Night of the World” Text Version
“The Last Night of the World” Audio Version
Ray Bradbury
Ray Bradbury, (born August 22, 1920, Waukegan, Illinois, U.S.—died June 5, 2012, Los Angeles, California), American author best known for his highly imaginative short stories and novels that blend a poetic style, nostalgia for childhood, social criticism, and an awareness of the hazards of runaway technology.
As a child, Bradbury loved horror films such as The Phantom of the Opera (1925); the books of L. Frank Baum and Edgar Rice Burroughs, and the first science fiction magazine, Amazing Stories. Bradbury often told of an encounter with a carnival magician, Mr. Electrico, in 1932 as a notable influence. Wreathed in static electricity, Mr. Electrico touched the young Bradbury on the nose and said, “Live forever!” The next day, Bradbury returned to the carnival to ask Mr. Electrico’s advice on a magic trick. After Mr. Electrico introduced him to the other performers in the carnival, he told Bradbury that he was a reincarnation of his best friend who died in World War I. Bradbury later wrote, “a few days later I began to write, full-time. I have written every single day of my life since that day.” (From Britannica.com)
“The Last Night of the World” Discussion Questions
What would you think if you had a dream that the world was going to end at the end of the next day? Would you think it was nonsense or an omen?
Why do you think no one is panicking over the coming event?
What do you gather from the story is the cause of the end of the world?
Have you ever had any dreams that came true in real life? If so, what were they?
Easy Reader
Horses
Storybooks for Elementary, Intensive Support, and Preschool
If You Give a Pig a Pancake
Just Snow Already
Where Did My Teddy Go?
Johnny Appleseed
In Spanish
Sonadores
Additional settings for Safari Browser.
