Thanksgiving Turkey Trouble

by Abby Klein

Grades PreK-3; Genre - Fiction; GRL N; AR pts: 1.0

Freddy's Thresher's first-grade class is doing a Thanksgiving play, and Freddy wants to have a really cool part. Will he get to be an Indian, or will Thanksgiving end up being nothing but big trouble onstage?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

1. Why do we celebrate Thanksgiving? It’s the Pilgrims first harvest in the New World in October 1621
2. What are three things you’re thankful for? Encourage and listen to your child
3. What was the class going to get to perform for the parents and how will they get their parts? A play; the parts will go in a hat and each person will choose p.18

Chapter 2

1. What made Freddy so excited that he danced around the dinner table? His grandparents were coming for Thanksgiving p.20
2. What’s the worst part Freddy could get in the play? the Thanksgiving turkey p.26
3. What part in the play does Freddy hope to get? An Indian p.27

Chapter 3

1. How did Freddy feel about Jessie when she stood up to Max? He thought she was brave and wanted to be like her p.32
2. What was Max’s consequence for teasing Chloe? He was to go to time-out and have last pick for his part p.34
3. What part in the play did Freddy get? The turkey p.38

Chapter 4

1. Why was Freddy lucky to get to be the turkey for the play? It’s the symbol of Thanksgiving and is a very important part of the play p.40
2. What part did Jessie get and how did she feel about it? The Indian princess; she was happy because the princess was brave p.42
3. How was Jessie a friend to Freddy on the bus home from school? Max was making fun of Freddy for being the turkey and she told him to stop and that she knew karate p.44

Chapter 5

1. How did Freddy’s mom know that something was wrong after school? He usually goes to the kitchen after school for a snack, but instead he went to his room and hid under his covers p.50
2. What did Freddy decide to do so he wouldn’t have to be in the play? Run away from home until after Thanksgiving p.51
3. How did Freddy’s mom find his packed suitcase? She tripped on the handle p.56

Chapter 6

1. How would Suzie have felt if Freddy ran away? Really sad p.63
2. What did Freddy give Suzie to keep his secret of taking a family picture off his mom’s dresser? his golden-dollar coin p.65

Chapter 7

1. What advice did Papa Dave give Freddy about running away? Running away doesn’t solve anyone’s problems, people have to face them head on p.68
2. What was Papa Dave’s reason for the turkey being the best part of the play? The turkey will be the most remembered because its different and being different is good p.70
3. What advice did Freddy receive from his grandpa about Max bullying him? Show Max that he’s proud to be turkey and to wobble, flap his wings and gobble until Max runs away p.70

Chapter 8

1. Where did Freddy’s mom find his hood for the play? In the bathroom laundry hamper p.74
2. What made Freddy run out of the room and hide in the supply closet? The kids in the class were laughing at him as he put on his costume p.77
3. How did the principal help Freddy feel better about being the turkey? He told Freddy about his part in a play in first grade. He was a piece of trash and stole the show by dancing and by being the best piece of trash anybody had ever seen p.83