About
Hawaii boy Calvin Coconut has come up with the best idea ever for his sister Darci's birthday party. But a huge tropical storm hits the islands and threatens everything! The river next to Calvin's house rises high, and when Calvin's friend Willy falls into the raging water, Calvin grabs his skiff to save him. As Willy is swept into the bay, Calvin struggles in the wild waves. What happens next shows Calvin what heroes are made of!
Lexile measure: 460L.
Read one section at a time, then discuss the questions to review understanding. These questions are a starting place for conversation, not a complete test of the chapter.
Chapter 1
Comprehension questions
Who are Calvin’s friends?
Page 2 — Julio Reyes, Willy Wolf, Maya Medeieros, and Calvin’s black and white dog Streak
2
What was the waterway that ran by Calvin’s house?
Page 4 — It was a drainage canal that carried runoff from the lowlands out to the ocean.
4
Chapter 2
Comprehension questions
What chore does Calvin need to do?
He needs to clean up after the dog
What are they building for Darci’s birthday?
A slip and slide.
Chapter 3
Comprehension questions
Why are Stella and Clarence, her boyfriend, are taking Darci and Calvin to the Byodo-In Temple?
Page 16 — It is Stella’s birthday present to take Darci because there are wild birds there you can feed right out of your hand and Darci loves birds.
16
Why does Darci’s party get postponed?
Page 17 — There is a massive tropical storm coming.
17
Chapter 4
Comprehension questions
What do Darci and Calvin do at the temple?
Page 22 and 24 — They ring the gong and feed the wild birds.
22 and 24
Why do they leave the temple?
Page 25 — It starts to rain.
25
Chapter 5
Comprehension questions
Why does Clarence have to drive home very carefully?
Page 28 and 29 — The rain was coming down so hard it was hard to see and the traffic lights were out.
28 and 29
What does Calvin think a flood is?
Page 29 — Lots of water making rivers where rivers shouldn’t be.
29
Chapter 6
Comprehension questions
As the storm continues Calvin sees what things floating in the river?
Page 35 — Piece of lumber, a tree branch, carboard box, white packing foam, beach ball.
35
How does Calvin take care of his scared dog, Streak?
Page 37 — He brings Streak into the house to keep her dry and to be with her.
37
Chapter 7
Comprehension questions
Who helps Calvin drag his boat higher?
Page 40 — Clarence
40
Where does Calvin tell his mom he’s going?
Page 43 — Julio’s house
43
Chapter 8
Comprehension questions
Calvin goes to Julio’s house and then where do the boys go?
They go to the beach
Why does a police officer pick the boys up and take them home?
Page 48 — He says it is too dangerous with the wind blowing and that they could get hit with something.
48
Chapter 9
Comprehension questions
Why does Calvin’s mom have to go to the store?
Page 52 — To get groceries and candles
52
When Clarence leaves, he asks Calvin to do what?
Page 54 — To watch the leak
54
Chapter 10
Comprehension questions
What is the name of Clarence’s half-sister?
Page 57 — Lovey Martino
57
Why is Willy not happy when he sleeps over and how does Calvin help him feel better?
Page 63 — Willy does not like all the bugs that have come into Calvin’s room to get out of the rain and Calvin lets him have the top bunk of his bed.
63
Chapter 11
Comprehension questions
What does Calvin’s mom warn him and Willy not to do? And Why?
Page 69 — Calvin’s mom warns Willey and Cavin not to get to close to the river because it is going very fast.
69
What does Willy do to get into trouble?
Page 73 — Willy grabs a branch that is floating by and gets pulled into the river.
73
Chapter 12
Comprehension questions
What three things does Cavlin immediately do?
Page 76 — He tells Willy to let go of the branch and swim for shore, he runs to his boat, and he calls help.
76
Instead of waiting for Clarence to come back what does Calvin do?
Page 78 — Calvin gets his boat into the water and goes to try and get Willy.
78
Chapter 13
Comprehension questions
Where does Calvin almost get dumped out of the boat?
Page 81 — Where the river empties into the ocean
81
Calvin is not only worried about Willey, but who else puts themselves in danger?
Page 84 — Streak races into the waves
84
Chapter 14
Comprehension questions
What does Calvin have to do to save Willey?
Page 87, 88 — Calvin dives in and grabs Willey and then then grabs an oar.
87, 88
Since the boys couldn’t get into the boat what did they do?
Page 89 — They held on and waited for help.
89
Chapter 15
Comprehension questions
Calvin puts Streak into the boat. Who puts Willy into the skiff?
Page 92 — Clarence and Calvin push Willy into the skiff
92
After Clarence and Calvin pull the boat to Flat Island what do they do?
Page 94 — Clarence gets the water out of the boat and Calvin takes care of Willy.
94
Chapter 16
Comprehension questions
What does Calvin find out about Stella?
Page 98 — That she said if Ledward stopped coming over their house would fall apart.
98
Why does Willey feel so sick?
Page 99 — Because he swallowed dirty water.
99
Chapter 17
Comprehension questions
Instead of returning in the rescue helicopter how do Calvin, Clarence and Stella get back home?
Page 102 — They go back in the boat
102
What is Calvin worried about?
Page 104 — That his mom is going to kill him for scaring her.
104
Chapter 18
Comprehension questions
What does Clarence call Calvin?
Page 110 — The hero of Hawaii
110
What does Stella tell Calvin?
Page 110 — That what he did was brave.
110
Chapter 19
Comprehension questions
Who does Calvin try to call and why?
Page 114 — Willy to make sure he’s ok.
114
What worries Calvin’s mom about Willy?
Page 116 — That he’ll be afraid of the ocean after what happened.
116
Chapter 20
Comprehension questions
Ledward tells Calvin that once he had been similarly scared. What was Ledward scared of?
Page 121 — A volcano
121
What does Calvin thank Ledward for?
Page 123 — For putting cables on the oars
123
Chapter 21
Comprehension questions
What does Calvin’s mom’s fortune cookie say?
Page 125 — That great riches are in her future.
125
What does Darci get for her birthday?
Page 126 — A silver bracelet
126
Chapter 22
Comprehension questions
What idea does Darci get?
To take some cupcakes to Willy and his family.
Who else does Calvin think are heroes?
Clarence, Ledward, his mom, and Streak.
Chapter 23
Comprehension questions
Who was afraid of the Slippery slide?
Page 137 — Carlos.
137
How does Calvin help Carols?
Page 140 — By going down the slippery slide with him.
140
Chapter 24
Comprehension questions
What is Calvin’s first present to Darci?
Page 144 — A book on the birds of Hawaii.
144
What is Calvin’s second present to Darci?
Page 144 — Clarence. He is going to teach her how to swim.
144
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