Grump
The (Fairly) True Tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves
by Liesl Shurtliff
Grades 3-7; Genre - Fables/Fairy Tales; GRL O; AR pts. 10.0
Ever since he was a dwarfling, Borlen (nicknamed "Grump") has dreamed of visiting The Surface, so when opportunity knocks, he leaves his cavern home behind.
Comprehension Questions
Chapter 1
- Describe Borlen and his background. A dwarf; born underground, but close to The Surface; ate common rocks and minerals instead of gems; named Borlen after the rocks surrounding the area he was born; fearful of going deeper underground and desires to go to The Surface, but his parents don’t want him to p.1
Chapter 2
- Summarize this chapter. Borlen’s mother took him to the nursery mines and asked other dwarflings to play with him; one crew did, but they bossed him around; Borlen found a baby bat and took care of it; they explored the caverns looking for a tunnel to the surface; Borlen’s parents signed him up for a crew because he kept trying to escape to The Surface p.10
Chapter 3
- Describe the ceremony Borlen and the other dwarflings went through in this chapter. They lined up, received an axe, used the axe to mine their Fate Stone and were given a crew to work with
Chapter 4
- How did Rudger treat Borlen and Gilpin? He was mean and teased them p.45
Chapter 5
- How is Gilpin a good friend to Borlen? He made him a bed, smiled at him p.56
Chapter 6
- Summarize how Borlen made it to The Surface? The crew found they were digging close to The Surface; Borlen suggested he continue digging there while the rest of them dug deeper; Borlen secretly dug upward until he broke through p.63
Chapter 7
- Describe how Borlen got in trouble in this chapter. He enjoyed being on The Surface and ran and fell, causing two human children to see him, they chased him, and he got away, the queen came in a carriage and was wearing a ruby on her forehead, Borlen followed the queen into the castle p.73
Chapter 8
- Summarize this chapter. Borlen watches as the queen and her advisor talk about the kingdom and her plans; she finds out her advisor betrays her so she turns him into a weasel; she looks into her mirror and sees Borlen p.78
Chapter 9
- Using descriptive words, compare the queen in chapters 8 and 9. 8: mean, harsh, impatient.
9: kind, warm, friendly p.85
Chapter 10
- How did the queen convince Borlen to stay above ground? He’s not happy underground and he’s valued on The Surface p.102
Chapter 11
- How did the queen trick Borlen? She cried and acted sad until he offered to let her use his mirror p.109
Chapter 12
- Is the queen a good person? Why, or why not? No, she throws innocent girls into the dungeons and planted a poisonous apple tree; she’s manipulative p.115
Chapter 13
- Summarize what happened at the ball. Borlen sat next to the queen in Snow White’s seat; Borlen received rubies as gifts and ate them all feeling euphoric; he sang then started to tell the queen about humans who grab dwarves by the beard; he spies on Snow White; Borlen told the queen Snow White is the prettiest human he’d ever seen p.120
Chapter 14
- Why is Borlen horrified at the end of this chapter? The queen grabbed him by the beard and now he’s bound to do everything she commands p.135
Chapter 15
- Why is Borlen nervous Snow White is in the tunnel? A human inside the dwarf caverns will make the other dwarves unhappy and scared p.146
Chapter 16
- Summarize this chapter. Snow White wanders to the dwarves sleeping quarters and Borlen follows; he looks in the mirror and sees the huntsman giving the queen the boar heart; Snow White and Borlen fall asleep p.147
Chapter 17
- How did the dwarves find themselves on The Surface? Snow hit the ceiling of the cave with the axe and it was starting to collapse, so they escaped to The Surface p.159
Chapter 18
- Why did the dwarves decide to let Snow and Borlen stay with them? They had compassion on Snow; didn’t know how to get back into the caverns and now Snow knew where the caverns were p.169
Chapter 19
- Describe the evening with Snow White. She was bossy regarding the cottage and food; she didn’t like food that was prepared so Borlen went to find her some; she still didn’t like the food; she took their beds, and they slept on the floor p.173
Chapter 20
- Why didn’t Borlen want the ruby Snow White offered him? The queen had used rubies to get him to do what she wanted, and he didn’t want to be manipulated again p.196
Chapter 21
- Describe how Snow White is a good friend. She’s kind; likes Borlen for who he is; a good listener; ready to give her life for Borlen; is humble p.202
Chapter 22
- Was it wise for Borlen to not tell the prince or Snow White about each other? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer p.211
- Predict what you think will happen now that the queen sees Borlen in the mirror. Listen to your child’s answer p.219
Chapter 23
- Summarize this chapter. Borlen’s stone showed the queen where Snow was; Snow was sick and Borlen tried to help her feel better; they played a game and the queen disguised as an old woman arrived at the cottage p.30
Chapter 24
- Explain why Borlen’s heart was “in the deepest depths of despair“. He felt at fault for killing Snow White p.232
- Do you agree with him? Listen to your child’s answer
Chapter 25
- Summarize this chapter. Borlen lived in a cavern by himself during the winter; taking care of Leaf kept Borlen alive; someone left gems for Borlen; the trolls escaped the queen and found him, bringing him his fate stone p.234
Chapter 26
- Predict Borlen’s plan. Listen to your child’s answer; ask about the queen and what new beginnings might happen for Borlen p.249
Chapter 27
- How did Borlen find the prince and convince him to help him? A young maiden grabbed him by the beard and commanded her take a message to Florian; people then told him where to find him; Borlen told Florian someone brave and strong needed to help Snow White and that she spoke highly of him p.256
Chapter 28
- Describe Florian. He’s a prince, is a good friend to Snow White, wants to be brave and courageous, but is afraid; his father banished him from home since he’s not very brave; is a worrier
- Do you think Snow will wake up now that Florian kissed her? Listen to your child’s answer
Chapter 29
- Why is Florian surprised when Snow woke up? She was grumpy and hungry; she didn’t seem pleased at all p.272
Chapter 30
- How did Borlen save Snow White? The ruby he threw at the apple is what kept her alive when she bit into the apple; it was his idea to make the queen turn herself into a rat p.284
Epilogue
- What did you like about this story. Explain. Listen to your child’s answer