Narwhal on a Sunny Night
by Mary Pope Osborne
Grades 1-4; Genre - Historical Fiction with Fantastical Elements; GRL M; AR pts. 1.0
The magic tree house whisks Jack and Annie to Greenland, where their mission is to save a narwhal.
Comprehension Questions
Chapter 1
- What do you know about Greenland from this first chapter? It’s cold, by the Arctic Circle, can’t have a lot of grass and trees, icebergs and reindeer p.5
Chapter 2
- Name one fact you found interesting in this chapter. The earth is warming causing the polar caps to melt; 56,000 people live there with most of them Inuits; there are three kinds of seals and 15 kinds of whales that live there p.12
Chapter 3
- Why were Jack and Annie worried about the orcas swimming toward the narwhals? Orcas will kill and eat narwhals p.22
Chapter 4
- How did Annie convince the boy not to kill the narwhal for its horn? She told him they’re special and mysteries of nature; they know secrets humans will never know and hear things in ways we’ll never hear; they talk in a language we’ll never understand p.28
Chapter 5
- Describe how the kids free the narwhal? Leveraged a spear into the ice to break it p.34
Chapter 6
- Describe what you know about Erikson and his family. They’re seafarers; came from Iceland 8 years ago p.40
Chapter 7
- Describe the village Erikson lives in. His dad is the chief; long wooden house; thatched huts; barns; dogs; families live there: shocked to see Jack and Annie p.48
Chapter 8
- Why are Jack and Annie wanting to sneak away from Leif’s house? His family is under the impression they have a ship and want to take the entire village to see it in the morning p.62
Chapter 9
- What gift did Jack and Annie give Leif? Their map of Greenland p.69
Chapter 10
- Why do you think “thanks” is the special word Jack and Annie saw glow? Listen to your child’s answer p.79
Chapter 11
- Who can you thank? Make sure to write them a note or tell them! P.84