logo

The Cardboard Kingdom

Chad Sell

The Cardboard Kingdom

Chad Sell

  • 47-page comprehensive Study Guide
  • Chapter-by-chapter summaries and multiple sections of expert analysis
  • Featured in our FamilyJuvenile LiteratureFriendship collections
  • The ultimate resource for assignments, engaging lessons, and lively book discussions

The Cardboard Kingdom Chapters 1-3 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 1 Summary: “The Sorceress”

A boy (who is later revealed as Jack) plays games with his younger sister in the backyard, while their neighbor watches over the fence. Jack is dressed in a shoddy robe, high heels, and a cardboard headdress, while his sister is dressed as a goblin. The neighbor laughs, distracting Jack and causing him to fall into a small kiddie-pool filled with water. He storms off, embarrassed and dejected, and the neighbor feels guilty. Jack’s sister comes to cheer him up by bringing him a new and improved headdress, and together they create a new and improved sorceress outfit for him.

They put on an elaborate show for the neighbor, complete with “floating” rocks (cardboard boxes suspended from the roof) and a “dragon” (their cat, who is adorned with cardboard accessories). They then try to dress the neighbor as a princess, which causes her to storm off, frustrated. Jack and his sister replace the neighbor with a doll, but it is not the same, and Jack is visibly disappointed. However, the neighbor soon returns, dressed as a knight. With everyone finally happy with their roles, the Sorceress, her minion goblin, and the Knight act out a series of intense and blurred text

blurred text