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The Poulps Attack

Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea by Jules Verne · Episode 11 of 12

This reader is the eleventh of twelve episodes adapted from Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea by Jules Verne, first published in 1870. Verne's novel is a landmark of science fiction and undersea adventure, combining accurate scientific knowledge of his era with thrilling storytelling. This episode depicts one of the novel's most famous and violent scenes — the attack of the giant octopi — and marks a turning point in Professor Aronnax's understanding of Captain Nemo. The captain's grief for his lost crewman reveals his humanity, while his continued refusal to grant freedom shows his unyielding will. The episode also deepens Ned Land's desperation and sets the stage for the final confrontation. This text reflects its era; a few period terms have been modernised. Verne's vivid imagination and his careful blend of wonder and peril have made this story a classic for over 150 years.

Band

Green · Independent readers, earlyTypical starting range: ages 9–11

Length

medium · about 846 words in 6 sections · 3 pictures

Source

Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea, Jules Verne

First published

see the About page in the reader

Regions

Canada · United States

Included formats

• · Web reader and PDF
• · EPUB for e-readers
• · Home-print sheet
• · Folded booklet
• · Binder edition (8.5 × 11)
• · Worksheet
• · Quick Check (10 questions) with answer key
• · Read-aloud script
• · Teacher’s Edition (members)

Readers are engineered from the original public-domain text with AI under HummingRead’s published canon and Content Philosophy, checked by automated audit and sampled by a person. Pictures are made with AI to HummingRead’s brief for each story. How a reader is made.

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