Ellen Tebbits
By Beverly Cleary
Grades 3-5; Genre - Fiction; GRL P; AR pts: 3.0
Ellen Tebbits is eight years old and is lonely now that her best friend has moved. She becomes best friends with the new girl in town, Austine and together they share a secret that no one else knows about.
Comprehension Questions
Chapter 1
- Tell me about Ellen Tebbits. 8 years old, ballet dancer, had a secret, only child, best friend moved away p. 7
- Who was at the ballet school when Ellen arrived? Austine Allen p. 10
- What was Ellen’s big secret? She had to wear woolen underwear p. 14
- Tell me about Otis? The dance teacher’s (Mrs. Spoffard) son, boy who’s Ellen’s age, a big tease p. 24
- What did Ellen and Austine share that helped them become fast friends? They both wore woolen underwear p. 32
Chapter 2
- Why did Ellen like her third grade teacher? She wore pretty clothes and red heels, nicest teacher at school p. 42
- Why did Ellen feel like Mrs. Joyce didn’t like her? Miss. Joyce never picked her to clap erasers p. 43
- Why did Ellen want to bring in the beet so badly to Miss. Joyce? To please her so she would choose Ellen to clap erasers p. 51
- What did Ellen look like when she got to school after pulling up the beet? A mess, muddy, dirty, dress ripped p. 60
Chapter 3
- What did Austine use to mend the tear in Ellen’s dress? Scotch tape p. 63
- Why is Austine a good friend? She defends and protects Ellen, helpful and thoughtful, always kind to her p. 64
- What did Otis have at school that caught everyone’s attention? Mexican Jumping Beans p. 69
- Why didn’t Miss Joyce ever ask Ellen to clap the erasers? Clapping erasers is dirty work and Ellen always keeps her dresses so clean p. 77
Chapter 4
- How had Ellen misled Austine about riding horses? She made Austine think she had ridden horses a lot since she exaggerated p. 83
- How does Austine know so much about horses and how to ride them? Read horse books p. 87
- How was Ellen feeling when she was riding Brownie and she didn’t know how to guide him? Embarrassed p. 102
- What did Ellen decide to do so she could learn more about horses? Go to the library and read books on horses p. 103
Chapter 5
- How were the girls going to be twins for the first day of school? wear the same dresses p. 106
- How could Austine’s mother not being able to sew be a problem for what the girls wanted? Austine’s dress might not get done, the dress might not look the same or very nice p. 107
- What were some differences between Ellen’s and Austine’s dresses? Austine’s didn’t have a sash, her skirt sagged, snaps instead of buttons p. 113
- What problem arose when the girls’ dresses weren’t the same, like they had hoped and planned? Austine felt bad hers wasn’t as nice, Austine was jealous, Austine continued to untie Ellen’s sash p. 117
Chapter 6
- Why did Ellen think Austine should apologize to her first? Austine had started the quarrel by untying Ellen’s dress p. 121
- How did Austine treat Ellen after Ellen slapped her? ignored her, didn’t look at her or speak to her p. 123
- Why did Ellen want to be in the play for the open house? So she could be near Austine p. 126
- Why was Ellen able to be in the play? Someone was not able to attend so she was able to substitute in for them p. 134
- Why did Austine help Ellen when she got stuck on stage during the play? Austine didn’t know who was in the rat costume p. 146
- Who had actually undone Ellen’s sash that day she slapped Austine? Otis p. 146
Chapter 7
- How did Ellen feel about being around Austine now that she knew Otis had untied her sash? She avoided her p. 148
- Why was it good for Mrs. Gitler to choose both Ellen and Austine to go outside and clap erasers? It made them talk to each other p. 157
- After the girls became friends what secret did they share again? They both had on their woolen underwear p. 158
- Why was it important for the girls to know about each other’s secret? They didn’t feel alone/ helped them have a connection to being best friends again p. 158