Comprehension Questions – The Great Treehouse War

The Great Treehouse War

by Lisa Graff

Grades 3-7; Genre - Fiction; AR pts: 5.0

Winnie's last day of fourth grade ended with a pretty life-changing surprise. That was the day Winnie’s parents got divorced and decided that Winnie would live three days a week with each of them and spend Wednesdays by herself in a treehouse between their houses, to divide her time perfectly evenly. It was the day Winnie’s seed of frustration with her parents was planted, a seed that grew until it felt like it was as big as a tree itself.

By the end of fifth grade, Winnie decides that the only way to change things is to barricade herself in her treehouse until her parents come to their senses—and her friends decide to join. It’s kids vs. grown-ups, and no one wants to back down first. But with ten kids in one treehouse, all with their own demands, things get pretty complicated! Even if they are having the most epic slumber party ever.

Vocabulary

Comprehension Questions
Chapter 1

  1. Why was Winnie’s teacher, Mr. Benetto curious about Winnie? She comes to school happy and outgoing on Thursdays, but the rest of the week she’s quiet and reserved p.6
  2. What are Winnie’s parent’s names? Varun and Alexis p.17
  3. Why would Winnie think her parents were getting a divorce? They always fought p.14
  4. What are some other solutions Winnie’s parents might have come up with instead of having Winnie live in a tree house? listen to your child’s answers p.15

Chapter 2

  1. Why do you think Uncle Huck was so good to Winnie? She was his niece; he had a special connection with her p.30
  2. Why was Thanksgiving so important to Winnie’s family? That was the only holiday her family cared about and they had a huge feast p.34
  3. What was the first holiday Winnie’s mom decided to celebrate with her and why? Flag Day; to be better than Winnie’s father; to win Winnie’s favor p.35
  4. Can you answer Mr. Benetto’s inquiry about why Winnie comes to school so happy on Thursday now? Explain. Yes, because she’s in her tree house alone with no holidays or pressure from her parents p.38

Chapter 3

  1. How did Mr. B. start off his conversation with Winnie? He asked her if everything was all right at home p.49
  2. Why did Mr. B. talk to Winnie instead of her parents? Her parents were difficult and wouldn’t come to talk to Mr. B. if the other one was there p.52
  3. Why was Winnie failing 5th grade and what did she have to do to pass? She never had time to do her homework since her parents take all her time and celebrate holidays every day; she has to get an A or A- on a good local history report p.54

Chapter 4

  1. Why didn’t Winnie want to tell her friends about her problems at first? Didn’t want to think about it and wanted to focus on happier things p.60
  2. Why did the friends wait to eat cupcakes at lunch? Squizzy wanted to wait for Winnie p.60
  3. Why was Squizzy grounded from reading books? She needed to get her grades up p.70
  4. Why would the next school year be so different than the previous ones? The kids are going to middle school p.74

Chapter 5

  1. Where was Winnie’s father planning on taking her for the summer? Kansas to study grouse feces p.90
  2. Why was Winnie upset about her mother’s idea of spending Wednesdays with her? That’s Winnie’s alone time and she loves it p.93
  3. Explain why Winnie’s parents aren’t doing the holiday celebrations for her, but for themselves. They don’t really care about Winnie’s feelings or grades and are more concerned about being the better, more fun parent p.94
  4. Predict what the letter stuck to the book said. Listen to your child’s answers p.96

Chapter 6

  1. Describe Winnie’s plan. Since the treehouse wasn’t a part of the U.S., Winnie didn’t have to follow the laws of the country or her parents and could do what she wanted. P.106
  2. Why did Winnie come up with this plan? To get her parents to stop being selfish and begin listening to her p.106
  3. Predict what Winnie’s parents will do when they read about her plan. Listen to your child’s answers p.108

Part II

Chapter 7

  1. Why do Winnie’s parents feel like everything has to be even? They don’t want the other parent to be better than them p.114
  2. What did Winnie demand since both of her parents wanted to talk to her? They both climb up the ladder and talk to her together p.116

Chapter 8

  1. Why wouldn’t Winnie want her friends to stay in the treehouse? She wanted to get her report finished p.125
  2. Who joined Winnie in the treehouse? The Tulip Street Ten p.126
  3. What did the kids in the treehouse write to their parents? Their demands; what it will take to get them to come down from the treehouse p.142

Chapter 9

  1. Why were there so many reporters and cameramen gathered around the treehouse? They were all curious and thought this story would make a great headline p.145
  2. What did Uncle Huck want when he came to visit? To check on Winnie and to show support p.149
  3. Do you feel Winnie’s demand for her parents is reasonable? Why or why not? Listen to your child’s answers p.153
  4. How did other parents around the world feel about the treehouse war? They thought the kids were brats and that the parents should hold out and not give the kids what they want p.156

Chapter 10

  1. Describe what’s going on with the war at the beginning of this chapter? Parents aren’t giving in to the demands and the kids are confused p.163
  2. Create your own strategy of how the parents could get the kids to give up and come down. Listen to your child’s thoughts p.164
  3. Explain why the sleepover wasn’t as fun as when it first started? The kids are all tired and grumpy p.178
  4. Why couldn’t the kids just leave and go home when they wanted to? They wouldn’t have their demands met and they knew they’d lose the war p.178

Chapter 11

  1. Do you agree with Lyle or Squizzy? Explain. Listen to your child’s answers p.190
  2. Why couldn’t Winnie pick a side? She agreed with both of their opinions and didn’t want to hurt either of their feelings p.191
  3. What was the new war created in the treehouse? Squizzy supporters were against Lyle’s supporters and all were against Winnie since she wouldn’t choose a side p.194

Chapter 12

  1. Why was it important for Winnie to escape to Uncle Huck’s? she needed to finish her report and got to talk to Uncle Huck about everything p.203

Part III

Chapter 13

  1. Why did Winnie think she couldn’t communicate very well? No one listened to her p.209
  2. Why did Winnie need to fix everything quickly? Someone was hired to find a loophole in the law and stop the war p.212

Chapter 14

  1. Summarize what happened in this chapter. Winnie took her uncle’s advice, looked at her friends with her Artist Vision and realized what was really going on with her friends p.218

Chapter 15

  1. Who did Winnie write letters to and why? Her friends’ families and others they respect. She wanted to communicate to them what her friends needed and were interested in so they could reach out to them and help them come home p.226

Chapter 16

  1. Why was Winnie happy to be alone? It’s quiet p.244
  2. Why weren’t Winnie’s friends made at her? They got what they needed, and the demands weren’t important anymore p.248
  3. What favor did Lyle do for Winnie? Wrote notes to her parents p.256

Chapter 17

  1. How was Winnie able to get through to her parents? She respectfully kept talking and trying to explain until they started to listen p.260

Chapter 18

  1. How have Winnie’s parents grown and changed? They don’t fight anymore, aren’t competitive or selfish, and they respect Winnie’s wishes p.271
  2. What were the kids going to do with the treehouse? Make it fun for all kids and allow them to come hang out on Wednesdays p.280