Category Archives: Author Page

Comprehension Questions – A to Z Mysteries The Falcon’s Feathers

The Falcon's Feathers

by Ron Roy

Grades 2-5; Genre - Mystery; GRL N; AR 1.0

Josh and his two friends look for the person who stole a peregrine falcon from its nest.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What did you learn about peregrine falcons in this first chapter? They are almost extinct; they have multiple eggs/babies at a time; they are private and don’t like to be disturbed; they build their nests in trees; if humans disturb their nests, the parents might abandon the babies; falcons have a mother and father that stay together to help them grow up p.4

Chapter 2

  1. What is Josh’s reasoning that an owl or snake didn’t take the falcon babies? Mother and father falcons are fierce and wouldn’t let an animal take their babies p.15

Chapter 3

  1. Who did the children see near the nest and why? A man named Curt; he’s from the Department of Environmental Protection; Josh spoke with him on the phone; he was checking out the nest and told the kids to stay away from the area p.19

Chapter 4 

  1. Why did Ruth Rose name the baby falcon Flash? He moves so quickly p.25
  2. What’s the result of someone trimming Flash’s wings? He couldn’t fly p.27

Chapter 5

  1. What was suspicious about Grace watching them from the diner? She was reading a magazine about falcons p.38

Chapter 6

  1. Predict who you think took Flash out of his cage. Listen to your child’s answer p.44

Chapter 7

  1. Why is Grace at the top of Josh’s list as a suspect? Because of Grace’s suspicious behavior; Flash bit her; she could have busted the lock on the gate; she was reading the magazine about falcons p.48

Chapter 8

  1. Why did Josh and his friends look through a book about falcons? To learn more about them; to learn why someone wants to steal Flash and the other babies p.49

Chapter 9

  1. What clues were found in this chapter? The person who broke into the gate was wearing gloves; the falcon’s leg band had the letters and numbers GLKS-6-17 p.61

Chapter 10

  1. Summarize this chapter. Josh, Dink, and Ruth Rose went to Curt’s cabin and heard whistling; they went to the shed and climbed in through the window; there were at least a dozen falcons in the cages; Curt saw them in the shed and slammed the window closed so they couldn’t get out p.66

Chapter 11

  1. What puzzle did Rush Rose solve while they were trapped in the shed? GL stands for Green Lawn and KS stands for Kurt Striker (his name begins with a K, not a C)

Chapter 12

  1. Why was Grace so suspicious during this story? She’s an undercover agent sent to Green Lawn to protect the Falcon population p.83

Comprehension Questions – The Chronicles of Prydain #4 Taran Wanderer

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

  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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. Predict how Doli became to be a frog. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 7

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. Predict how Taran will break the bone to Morda’s life? Listen to your child’s answer p.125

Chapter 10

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. Why does Taran have a difficult time trusting Dorath? Dorath manipulates Taran and his companions to get gain p.157

Chapter 13

  1. Find the analogy Craddoc uses on page 174. 
  2. Who is the sheep that has been found and who is the lost lamb? Taran and Taran’s mother p.174

Chapter 14

  1. 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)
  2. Find a simile on page 183. 
  3. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. How did Taran contribute to Llonio’s homestead? Built a wheat grinder for his family p.216

Chapter 18

  1. 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

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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

  1. 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

  1. Why was it beneficial that Dallben didn’t answer his questions about his parentage? Taran needed to learn who he was for himself
  2. 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