Grump: The (Fairly) True Tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves

Describe Borlen and his background.

Page 1 — 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

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Summarize this chapter.

Page 10 — 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

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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

How did Rudger treat Borlen and Gilpin?

Page 45 — He was mean and teased them

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How is Gilpin a good friend to Borlen?

Page 56 — He made him a bed, smiled at him

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Summarize how Borlen made it to The Surface?

Page 63 — 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

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Describe how Borlen got in trouble in this chapter.

Page 73 — 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

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Summarize this chapter.

Page 78 — 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

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Using descriptive words, compare the queen in chapters 8 and 9.

8: mean, harsh, impatient.

How did the queen convince Borlen to stay above ground?

Page 102 — He’s not happy underground and he’s valued on The Surface

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How did the queen trick Borlen?

Page 109 — She cried and acted sad until he offered to let her use his mirror

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Is the queen a good person? Why, or why not?

Page 115 — No, she throws innocent girls into the dungeons and planted a poisonous apple tree; she’s manipulative

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Summarize what happened at the ball.

Page 120 — 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

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Why is Borlen horrified at the end of this chapter?

Page 135 — The queen grabbed him by the beard and now he’s bound to do everything she commands

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Why is Borlen nervous Snow White is in the tunnel?

Page 146 — A human inside the dwarf caverns will make the other dwarves unhappy and scared

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Summarize this chapter.

Page 147 — 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

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How did the dwarves find themselves on The Surface?

Page 159 — Snow hit the ceiling of the cave with the axe and it was starting to collapse, so they escaped to The Surface

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Why did the dwarves decide to let Snow and Borlen stay with them?

Page 169 — They had compassion on Snow; didn’t know how to get back into the caverns and now Snow knew where the caverns were

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Describe the evening with Snow White.

Page 173 — 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

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Why didn’t Borlen want the ruby Snow White offered him?

Page 196 — The queen had used rubies to get him to do what she wanted, and he didn’t want to be manipulated again

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Describe how Snow White is a good friend.

Page 202 — She’s kind; likes Borlen for who he is; a good listener; ready to give her life for Borlen; is humble

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Was it wise for Borlen to not tell the prince or Snow White about each other? Why, or why not?

Page 211 — Listen to your child’s answer

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Predict what you think will happen now that the queen sees Borlen in the mirror.

Page 219 — Listen to your child’s answer

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Summarize this chapter.

Page 30 — 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

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Explain why Borlen’s heart was “in the deepest depths of despair“.

Page 232 — He felt at fault for killing Snow White

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Do you agree with him?

Listen to your child’s answer

Summarize this chapter.

Page 234 — 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

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Predict Borlen’s plan.

Page 249 — Listen to your child’s answer; ask about the queen and what new beginnings might happen for Borlen

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How did Borlen find the prince and convince him to help him?

Page 256 — 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

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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

Why is Florian surprised when Snow woke up?

Page 272 — She was grumpy and hungry; she didn’t seem pleased at all

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How did Borlen save Snow White?

Page 284 — 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

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What did you like about this story. Explain.

Listen to your child’s answer