Taran Wanderer
by Lloyd Alexander
Grades 4-8; Genre - Fantasy; Lexile Level 860L; AR pts. 9.0
Taran continues his quest to discover his lineage and solidify his identify. He embarks on a journey across Prydain, seeking answers from the Mirror of Llunet about his parentage, hoping to prove himself worthy of Princess Eilonwy. The book explores themes of self-discovery, the meaning of heroism, and the importance of human connection.
Comprehension Questions
Chapter 1
- Explain why Taran wants to learn of his parentage? He wants to find out if he is noble; if he is noble he feels worthy to ask Eilonwy to marry him p.12
Chapter 2
- Describe Aeddan. Hard worker; older; strong; farmer; lost his son to a battle with raiders; very poor and needs to work his land with his hands since his animals both died; desires the tools and other things Arawn took from them p.35
Chapter 3
- Describe Taran’s experience at Gast’s hold. Welcomed and given the impression they’d have a huge meal, but Gast shared only small portions with he and Gurgi; they found Fflewdur p.53
Chapter 4
- Choose three words to describe King Smoit in this chapter. Explain why you chose those words. Hasty; prideful; stubborn; arrogant; angry; impatient; listen to your child’s answer p.61
Chapter 5
- Explain the gift King Smoit gave Taran and why he can’t accept it. To live in Cadiffor and be heir to the throne to become king after he is gone; he needs to find out where he is from and if he has noble blood in him p.84
Chapter 6
- Predict how Doli became to be a frog. Listen to your child’s answer
Chapter 7
- How is Taran showing courage in this chapter? Helping Doli; wanting to leave Doli and his friends behind while he goes to find Morda p.112
Chapter 8
- What did Taran learn in this chapter? Eilonwy’s mother died at Morda’s hand; for other answers, listen to your child’s answer p.117
Chapter 9
- Predict how Taran will break the bone to Morda’s life? Listen to your child’s answer p.125
Chapter 10
- Why did Taran feel he needed to give up the jewel? It originally belonged to the Fair Folk, so it wasn’t his to begin with p.140
Chapter 11
- Summarize this chapter. Taran and his friends run into a band of men on their travels; they’re fed and are given a proposition, having the men guide them to their destination for a small portion of treasure; Taran doesn’t want to travel with them; Dorath, the leader is waiting for Taran by the animals in the morning p.146
Chapter 12
- Why does Taran have a difficult time trusting Dorath? Dorath manipulates Taran and his companions to get gain p.157
Chapter 13
- Find the analogy Craddoc uses on page 174.
- Who is the sheep that has been found and who is the lost lamb? Taran and Taran’s mother p.174
Chapter 14
- Define what a simile is. A figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind, used to make a description more emphatic or vivid. (Example: brave as a lion or crazy like a fox)
- Find a simile on page 183.
- In this chapter the author describes Taran’s feelings. Pick two opposite emotions Taran felt and explain why he is feeling them. Listen to your child’s answer p.177
Chapter 15
- Summarize this chapter. Craddoc fell down a cliff when he and Gurgi went out into the cold and wind to care for the sheep; Taran fell down the rocks to help him; Craddoc told him he wasn’t his father; Taran used the horn to call for help; The Fair Folk helped save them; Craddoc died p.188
Chapter 16
- Describe Llonio. Kind; lucky; resourceful with the things he finds; takes care of his family; is married and has six children; tall and thin p.211
Chapter 17
- How did Taran contribute to Llonio’s homestead? Built a wheat grinder for his family p.216
Chapter 18
- On page 224, what does Hevydd mean when he said, “life’s a forge “. Taran will be shaped throughout his life like a blade: he’ll be put in difficult situations, put into a fire and pounded, and he’ll come out of his trials as a strong and developed man p. 224
Chapter 19
- Why is Taran going by Wanderer instead of Taran of Caer Dallben? He is ashamed for his thought to let Craddoc die. He feels unworthy to have such thoughts
- What do the craftsmen Taran encountered have in common? The secrets and enchantments to their trade have been stolen by Annuvin; they all make Taran begin with the raw materials of the craft before letting him begin to create p.241
- Find the simile at the end of this chapter. Explain why Taran felt this way. Like a flawed vessel shattered; Taran’s dream of becoming a potter was shattered, he didn’t feel he had the gift to become a potter p.249
Chapter 20
- How did Taran serve those in this chapter? He helped Annlaw deliver his wares; he helped the people of Isav fend off the raiders p.250
Chapter 21
- Why was it beneficial that Dallben didn’t answer his questions about his parentage? Taran needed to learn who he was for himself
- What did he learn about himself and his parentage? Who he is; it’s ok he doesn’t know who his parents are and his lineage, manhood is not given, but earned p.271