The Tiger Rising
About
Walking through the misty Florida woods one morning, twelve-year-old Rob Horton is stunned to encounter a tiger — a real-life, very large tiger — pacing back and forth in a cage. What's more, on the same extraordinary day, he meets Sistine Bailey, a girl who shows her feelings as readily as Rob hides his. As they learn to trust each other, and ultimately, to be friends, Rob and Sistine prove that some things — like memories, and heartaches, and tigers — can't be locked up forever.
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
How did Rob's dad rip his clothes?
Page 3 — slapping Rob to make him stop crying
3
Name two of Rob's "not-thoughts".
Page 3 — his mom's death, rash, the Threemonger brothers)
3
Chapter 2
Comprehension questions
Describe Billy and Norton.
Page 5 — boys who ride the bus with Rob; they were bullies to Rob; had bad breath;
5
What does Mr. Nelson, the bus driver, do as Billy and Norton bully Rob?
Page 6 — nothing; whistles a tuneless song ignoring the situation
6
What gives Rob the strength to not-cry when the boys bully him on the bus?
Page 6 — He had the extra power of the tiger with him
6
Chapter 3
Comprehension questions
What did Rob think of Sistine?
Page 8 — she's strange
8
Where did the name "Sistine" come from?
Page 9 — a chapel
9
Describe Sistine.
Page 9 — wore pink lacy dress; gravelly, deep, clipped, sharp voice; sharp nose and chin; black black eyes; didn't seem bothered by the boys; confident
9
Chapter 4
Comprehension questions
Why does Rob want to whittle the tiger?
Page 12 — his mother taught him how to whittle and it makes stuff come alive
12
What is Sistine's attitude toward Robert?
Page 12 — hate's him
12
Chapter 5
Comprehension questions
Why is Mr. Phelmer, the principal, worried about Rob's legs?
Page 15 — parents of the other students think his rash might be contagious
15
Why is Rob's heart singing when the principal tells him he should stay home for a few days for the medicine to work?
Page 17 — he doesn't have to go to school; he can see the tiger; he can begin to whittle the tiger into wood
17
Chapter 6
Comprehension questions
Why didn't Rob yell at Sistine to run when kids were throwing objects at her?
Page 19 — he knew if he did he would get bullied as well
19
Why did Rob feel a thrill when the children were chasing him after he stopped them from ganging up on Sistine?
Page 21 — he was saving Sistine
21
Chapter 7
Comprehension questions
What type of figurative language is this an example of?
Page 23 — "He opened his mouth and the words fell out, one on top of the other, like gold coins." simile
23
Why did Sistine put her hand on Rob's leg, then rub her hand up and down her own legs?
Page 24 — so she would get the rash and not have to go to school
24
Chapter 8
Comprehension questions
Will anyone catch Rob's sickness?
Page 26 — no
26
What will Rob do when he is out of school?
Page 27 — work with his dad
27
How did Rob's dad feel about him missing school?
Page 27 — he was ok with it; thought a break from the bullies would do him good; thought it would be good to have Rob help him around the motel
27
Chapter 9
Comprehension questions
Why does Rob not like sunshine?
Page 33 — it reminds him of his mom's funeral
33
Chapter 10
Comprehension questions
What did Willie May say to Rob that would help him be cured of his rashes?
Page 37 — let the sadness from his mom's death rise up to his heart, not go down to his legs
37
What certificate does Rob's principal not have?
Page 37 — sense certificate
37
Chapter 11
Comprehension questions
When Sistine had brought Rob his homework the first time, why were her clothes dirty and her knuckles bloody?
Page 40 — she'd been fighting at school
40
When Rob told Sistine about the tiger, how did he know he told the right person?
Page 41 — The only question she asked was, "where?"
41
Chapter 12
Comprehension questions
Who was the sculptor that painted the Sistine Chapel?
Page 43 — Michelangelo
43
How did Rob feel when Sistine called him an artist?
Page 43 — joyful and embarrassed
43
Chapter 13
Comprehension questions
How does Sistine get Rob to tell her about his mother?
Page 48 — starts to leave and walks away from him
48
Chapter 14
Comprehension questions
Why is Sistine upset about the tiger being caged in Florida?
Page 50-51 — it was not running free
50-51
Why didn't Rob want to do what Sistine wanted to do and let the tiger free?
Page 51 — It wasn't his tiger to let go
51
What emotion did Rob feel when he grabbed Sistine's hand and ran away from the car approaching them and the tiger?
Page 52 — happiness
52
Why had Rob started to feel happiness again?
Page 52 — he had a friend
52
Chapter 15
Comprehension questions
Why was Rob scolding himself for leaving open his "suitcase"?
Page 55 — now his words, feelings and emotions were out
55
Chapter 16
Comprehension questions
How did Sistine's parents meet?
Page 57 — they were both looking up at the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and ran into each other.
57
Why doesn't Sistine listen to, or respect her mother?
Page 60 — she feels like she's a liar
60
Chapter 17
Comprehension questions
What is Willie May's opinion on caged animals?
Page 64 — she wants to let them go
64
Tell me about the parakeet Willie May got for her birthday.
Page 62 — called him Cricket because he sang all the time; could feel his heart beating in her hand when she held him; let him go since she couldn't stand him being locked up; her dad beat her
62
Chapter 18
Comprehension questions
What special job does Beauchamp want to give Rob?
Page 67 — taking care of the tiger
67
What do you think the bloody meat in Beachamp's jeep is for?
Page 68 — to feed the tiger
68
Chapter 19
Comprehension questions
How did Beauchamp come into possession of the tiger?
Page 70 — a fellow owed him some money and paid him with a tiger
70
Why did Beauchamp give the entire set of keys to the tiger cage to Rob?
Page 71 — Beauchamp trusted him not to open the door
71
What does Rob have that will set the tiger free?
Page 73 — the keys
73
Chapter 20
Comprehension questions
When Sistine presses Rob into letting the tiger go, why does he resist?
Page 76 — the tiger won't be safe
76
Why does Sistine break down crying when Rob won't let the tiger go?
Page 77 — she wants to go live with her dad; she hates it in Florida; she wants to let the tiger go
77
How does Rob comfort Sistine when she breaks down crying?
Page 77 — put his hand on her neck like his mother used to do to him; told her to cry and that he had a good hold on her
77
Chapter 21
Comprehension questions
What does Willie May compare Sistine's anger to?
Page 81 — lightning that was snapping out of her
81
What was the advice that Willie May gave to Sistine?
Page 82 — no one was going to rescue her; she had to rescue herself
82
Chapter 22
Comprehension questions
When Rob's dad found the rotten meat under his bed, what's a word that would describe how his dad felt?
Page 83 — inadequate; frustrated; angry
83
Why did Rob's father stare at the gun and crack his knuckles after finding the meat?
Page 84 — he was thinking about using it on Beauchamp
84
What did Rob carve?
Page 85 — Willie May's bird, Cricket
85
Chapter 23
Comprehension questions
When Rob put the wooden carving into Willie May's hand, what was her response?
Page 88 — she didn't want to open her eyes for fear she would frighten the wooden bird away; she knew what it was with her eyes closed; soothed her heart
88
Why doesn't Willie May have to dream of Cricket anymore?
Page 88 — now she had Rob's carving of her Cricket
88
Chapter 24
Comprehension questions
Why does Rob like Sistine so much?
Page 92 — her voice changes when she sees something beautiful
92
When Rob and Sistine first told Willie May about the tiger, what was her reaction?
Page 93 — surprised; shocked; wanted to see the tiger
93
Chapter 25
Comprehension questions
What does Sistine always say when she gets sad, frustrated or doesn't get her way?
Page 95 — she can't wait until her father comes to get her and that he'll set the tiger free; puts the blame on other people by calling them liars
95
After Willie May told Rob that she would like to see the tiger "rise on up out of his cage", Rob realized what he had to do. What do you predict he'll do?
p.97
Chapter 26
Comprehension questions
When Beauchamp drives up in his jeep toward Sistine and Rob, what does Sistine do that surprises Rob?
Page 100 — smile and sweetly say "Sissy" to Beauchamp
100
What is the truth that Rob and Sistine learn about Beauchamp and the tiger?
Page 101 — Beauchamp is scared of the tiger
101
Chapter 27
Comprehension questions
When Rob unlocks the tiger cage, why do they rock it?
Page 103 — so the tiger will leave
103
What did the author compare the tiger running away from Rob and Sistine to?
he looked like the sun, rising, setting again and again
Chapter 28
Comprehension questions
What happens to the tiger after the kids let him go?
Page 106 — Rob's dad shoots it
106
What was a positive outcome to Rob's dad shooting the tiger?
Page 106 — Rob was able to finally tell his father how he feels about his mother being gone and they could talk and cry together
106
Why do you think it was important to touch the tiger after Rob's dad had shot it?
Page 109 — helps you mourn, say good-bye and accept what has happened
109
Chapter 29
Comprehension questions
What attended both Rob's mother's and the tiger's funeral?
Page 111 — the sun
111
On the way back to the motel after the funeral, Rob felt lighter, as if he had put something heavy down and walked away from it. Why?
Page 112 — he and his dad had talked; he was able to cry; he felt good about his decision to let the tiger go
112
Chapter 30
Comprehension questions
Why does Rob feel all right about going to school now?
Page 114 — Sistine is there
114
What will Rob carve for Sistine?
Page 116 — a tiger
116
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