About
This book mentions skinny dipping.
Maine was beautiful, but Anna missed home, and Papa. And as the weeks went by, she began to wonder what would happen if the rains never came. Would she and Caleb and Sarah and Papa ever be a family again?
Read one section at a time, then discuss the questions to review understanding. These questions are a starting place for conversation, not a complete test of the chapter.
Chapter 1
Comprehension questions
Describe what is happening at the beginning of this book.
Page 3 — Papa, Sarah, Anna and Caleb are getting a family picture taken; the land is in a drought; Caleb is worried Sarah’s going to leave; Papa said no matter how bad it gets they won’t ever leave
3
Chapter 2
Comprehension questions
Explain in your own words what Sarah meant on page 13.
Some people can express more when they write than when they speak
Do you write in a journal? What do you like to write about?
Listen to your child’s answer
Chapter 3
Comprehension questions
What is Sarah thinking when she sadly and thoughtfully said, “I am surrounded by motherhood”?
Page 16 — She wants to have a baby
16
Chapter 4
Comprehension questions
Why didn’t Sarah want to read her aunt’s letter out loud?
Page 25 — It talks of rain and green grass; Anna’s family is still in a drought and she didn’t want to make Papa feel stressed
25
Chapter 5
Comprehension questions
Why did Maggie get upset with Sarah in the store?
Page 31 — Sarah doesn’t understand how hard it is to pack up and leave due to the drought
31
Chapter 6
Comprehension questions
What did Caleb see in the field and were they able to take care of it?
Page 35 — A fire; yes they put it out
35
Chapter 7
Comprehension questions
What do you think Sarah day dreamed about if it’s not Maine?
Page 41 — Having a baby
41
How does Sarah really feel about living there?
Page 44 — She hates it
44
Chapter 8
Comprehension questions
Describe Sarah’s birthday party.
Page 51 — The neighbors all came; there was music and dancing; lemonade and food; Anna gave Sarah a book she had written
51
Chapter 9
Comprehension questions
Why was it decided Sarah would take the children to Maine?
Page 60 — Another fire burned down the barn and they have to travel further for water; it was getting too dangerous
60
Chapter 10
Comprehension questions
Summarize this chapter.
Page 62 — It tells of the journey to Maine and how Sarah’s aunts showered them with love when they arrived
62
Chapter 11
Comprehension questions
Predict what you think will happen. Is Maine going to be their new home?
Listen to your child’s answer
Chapter 12
Comprehension questions
Which two birds was Sarah compared to in this chapter? Why?
Page 80 — Skylark for singing and prairie lark that hasn’t come to earth
80
Chapter 13
Comprehension questions
Why do you think Anna wasn’t able to answer Caleb when he asked if they would see Papa again?
Page 88 — She didn’t know if or when they would
88
Chapter 14
Comprehension questions
What good news did Papa and Sarah share in this chapter?
Page 93 — Sarah was having a baby in the spring
93
Chapter 15
Comprehension questions
What was significant about Sarah writing her name in the dirt?
Page 96 — It meant she was ready to come to earth and call the prairie her home
96
Downloads
All the book’s resources, or just the ones you need, ready to read or print.
Worksheets
Practice sheets with space to write your answers.
Download one reading section
A small printout with all the resources for the selected section.
