Category Archives: Comprehension Questions

Comprehension Questions – #2 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

by J.K. Rowling

Grades 5-8; Genre - Fantasy; GRL V; AR pts: 14.0

When Harry and his best friends go back for their third year at Hogwarts, an escaped mass murderer is on the loose, and the sinister prison guards of Azkaban have been called in to guard the school. The plot contains profanity.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Find the simile on page five that the author
    used to describe how the Dursleys treated Harry now that he’s back home with
    them again.  “back to being treated
    like a dog that had rolled in something smelly”
  2. How was Harry spending his birthday? Doing
    chores     and in his room, making no noise and pretending he doesn’t exist
    p.6
  3. How did Dudley get Harry in trouble? He
    taunted him about not getting any cards on his birthday and asked if he had any
    friends at his school p.9

Chapter 2

  1. Describe Dobby and the message he gave to
    Harry. Small creature with bat-like ears and bulging green eyes the size of
    tennis balls, a house elf; he warned Harry not to go back to Hogwarts because
    he’ll be in mortal danger p.12
  2. Why did Dobby come to warn him? Because Harry
    escaped Lord Voldemort twice, Dobby thinks Harry’s too great and too good to
    lose p.16
  3. What did Uncle Vernon do to punish Harry for
    ruining his deal and for not telling them that he couldn’t use magic outside of
    school? Put bars on his windows, locked him in his room, put food through a
    cat door, only let him out in the morning and evening for the bathroom, and
    told Harry he was never going back to school p.21

Chapter 3

  1. How did Harry become free from his room and the
    Durleys? Ron and his older twin brothers came to find out why Harry hadn’t
    written him all summer and broke him out of his room, ripping the bars from his
    window with their flying car p.25
  2. Why did they think Draco Malfoy could have sent
    the house elf to Harry? It wouldn’t surprise them if Draco wanted to stop
    Harry from going to school p.28
  3. What softened Mrs. Weasley’s anger when the boys
    arrived home with Harry? George told her the Dursleys were starving Harry
    p.34
  4. How did the boys get rid of the gnomes? They
    twirled them in the air to make them dizzy, then threw them over the wall p.37

Chapter 4

  1. Who was the author of the majority of the books
    Harry needed to purchase for his school year? Gilderoy Lockhart p.44
  2. Where did Harry land when using the Floo powder
    and who did he see? In a wizard’s shop on Knockturn Alley; Draco Malfoy and
    his father selling illegal items p.49
  3. Who did Harry see in Knockturn Alley? Hagrid
    p.54
  4. Who’s the new Defense Against the Dark Arts
    teacher at Hogwarts? Gilderoy Lockhart p.60

Chapter 5

  1. When Ron and Harry missed the train, how did
    they get to Hagwarts? Mr. Weasley’s flying car p.69
  2. What attacked the car after the boys crashed? The
    tree they hit into p.75
  3. What is Ron’s and Harry’s consequence for being
    seen in the flying car and crashing into the Whomping Willow? They had to
    miss the feast and detention p.81
  4. How did the other boys treat Ron and Harry after
    learning about the flying car? They cheered them on like they’d just won a marathon
    p.84

Chapter 6

  1. Explain what type of letter Ron received. It’s
    called a Howler and is a punishment letter; when you open it, the messenger is
    yelling at you and after the message is given, it burns up p.87
  2. What did Colin and Harry have in common? They
    both came from muggle homes and didn’t know how they could do the odd things
    they did. Hogwarts sent a letter to them both inviting them to wizardry school
    p.96
  3. What does Professor Lockhart think Harry’s doing
    when he arrives in a flying car and learns Colin wants a photo with him? Thinks
    he’s trying to publicize himself p.98
  4. What did Ron and Harry think about Professor
    Lockhart as he ran out of the room and left the three friends to take care of
    the pixies? That he doesn’t know what he’s doing p.103

Chapter 7

  1. Why was Wood so determined to win the Quidditch
    Cup this year? Because they lost it last year since Harry was in the
    hospital and they were short a player p.109
  2. Why did the kids go to Hagrid’s home? They
    needed help; because of Ron’s broken wand, he accidentally cast a slug spell on
    himself p.113
  3. Why were Hagrid’s pumpkins so large? He’d
    been putting an engorgement spell on them p.118
  4. What did Harry hear while in detention with
    Professor Lockhart and who do you think said it? “Come…come to me…Let me rip
    you…Let me tear you…Let me kill you…; listen to your child’s answers p.120

Chapter 8

  1. Why was Harry in Mr. Filch’s office and what did
    he read while waiting for Mr. Filch? He was in trouble for wearing his muddy
    and dripping wet robes into the building; a letter on Kwikspell to learn magic
    p.126
  2. Why does Hermione avoid the girls’ bathroom on
    the first floor? A ghost named Moaning Myrtle haunts one of the toilets,
    throws tantrums and causes the bathroom to flood p.132
  3. What did the kids find as Harry listened to the
    voice and climbed the stairs? Writing on the wall that said, “the Chamber of
    Secrets has been opened, enemies of the heir, beware,” and Mrs. Norris, the
    cat, looking dead, hanging by its tail p.138

Chapter 9

  1. After analyzing the cat, what conclusion did
    Dumbledore come to? It’s not dead, but is petrified p.142
  2. Explain what a Squib is. It’s a person born
    into a wizarding family, but they themselves don’t have any magic powers p.145
  3. How did Professor Binns feel about the
    Chamber of Secrets? That it’s a myth and that there’s no truth to it p.152
  4. What’s Hermione’s idea of getting into Slytherin
    to question Draco Malfoy? Use the Polyjuice Potion to change their
    appearance to look like Draco’s friends p.159

Chapter 10

  1. What was the problem with the Bludger during the
    Quidditch match? Instead of going toward all players, it only went after
    Harry p.168
  2. How did Harry win the game for Gryffindor? He
    got the snitch p.171
  3. Who made the Bludger focus on Harry during the
    match and why? Dobby; so Harry would get hurt and be sent home p.177
  4. What happened to Colin Creevey? He was
    petrified on his way to visit Harry p.179

Chapter 11

  1. Why did the students trade talismans,
    amulets, and other protective devices? To protect themselves from the
    creature in the Chamber of Secrets     p.185
  2. What distraction did Harry cause to help
    Hermione sneak into Snape’s office? Lit a firework to land in a cauldron; Snape
    had to help those that got hurt p.187
  3. What did Harry do to stop the snake from
    attacking Justin? Told the snake to “leave him alone” p.194
  4. What did Harry trip over in the dark passage? Justin
    and Nearly Headless Nick who were both petrified p.202

Chapter 12

  1. Why was Harry happy most people were leaving
    for the Christmas holiday? He was tired of people skirting around him in the
    corridors and from hearing their hissing, pointing, and muttering p.209
  2. How were Ron and Harry supposed to get a bit
    of Crabbe and Goyle, as well as keep them out of the way while they talked
    Malfoy? Hermione filled two chocolate cakes with a sleeping potion p.213
  3. What did the boys learn when they interrogated Malfoy?
    That Malfoy didn’t do it and where his father’s hidden chamber was p.222
  4. What happened to Hermione and why couldn’t she
    go with the boys to the Slytherin common room? Her potion turned her into a
    cat p.225

Chapter 13

  1. Why was Moaning Myrtle so upset when Harry
    and Ron came into talk to her? Someone had thrown a book at her p.230
  2. What was the book and who did it belong to? A
    journal; Tom M. Riddle p.231
  3. What was odd about the journal? There wasn’t
    any writing in it. When Harry wrote in it, the ink disappeared, but reappeared onto
    the pages as Tom wrote back to him p.239
  4. What did Harry learn after following Tom Riddle
    in the book? That Tom turned in Hagrid for opening the Chamber of Secrets 50
    years before p.245

Chapter 14

  1. Why doesn’t Harry want to report the stolen
    journal? He didn’t want to expose Hagrid being expelled as a youth p.254
  2. Why was Harry more worried about what the voice
    said this time? He was worried someone would die p.255
  3. Why was the Quidditch cup match cancelled? Two
    students had been petrified, one of them being Hermione p.257
  4. What message did Dumbledore and Hagrid give the
    boys before they were accompanied off the school property? That Hogwarts
    will help anyone who comes asking for it; to follow the spiders and to feed
    Fang p.264

Chapter 15

  1. What made Ernie apologize to Harry? He
    realized Harry would never hurt Hermione p.268
  2. Where did the spiders lead Harry and Ron? Into
    the Forbidden Forest, p,272
  3. What did Harry and Ron find in the forest that
    had been lost? Ron’s family’s car p.274
  4. What saved Harry, Ron and Fang after Aragog was
    finished talking to them? Ron’s car p.279

Chapter 16

  1. Why did Harry want to speak with Moaning Myrtle?
    She might be the child that was killed the first time the Chamber of Secrets
    was opened p.287
  2. What did Harry see in Hermione’s hand? A
    paper torn out of an old book about a basilisk p.290
  3. Why do you think it was good that Harry and Ron
    found the paper before going to talk to Moaning Myrtle? They now knew what
    the monster was and how to get to it p.292
  4. How did Harry get the sink to open? By saying
    “open up” in Parseltongue p.300

Chapter 17

  1. Who did Harry see in the Chamber of Secrets? Ginny
    and     Tom Riddle who is Lord Voldemort p.307
  2. Who opened the Chamber of Secrets and how? Ginny
    Weasley; Tom Riddle had her in his power p.310
  3. How did Fawkes and the Sorting Hat help Harry
    defeat the basilisk and Tom? The phoenix poked out the basilisk’s eyes, the Sorting
    Hat gave Harry a sword to pierce the basilisk, the phoenix healed Harry with his
    tears, Fawkes dropped the diary in Harry’s lap and healed Harry p.319
  4. How did the children and Lockhart get back up to
    the bathroom? They all held onto each other and Fawkes flew/lifted them
    p.325

Chapter 18

  1. Why did the phoenix come to help Harry? He
    showed loyalty to Dumbledore p.332
  2. Why can Harry speak Parseltongue? Voldemort
    transferred some of his own power into Harry the night he gave him the scar
    p.333
  3. What did Harry do to show he belongs in the
    Gryffindor House? He chose to be there and wielded the sword from Godric
    Gryffindor p.333
  4. How did Harry free Dobby? Harry put the diary
    in his sock and gave it to Lucius Malfoy, Malfoy threw the sock and Dobby
    caught it p.338

Comprehension Questions – #17 Junie B. Jones Is a Graduation Girl

Junie B. Jones Is a Graduation Girl

by Barbara Park

Grades 1-3; Genre - Fiction; GRL M; AR pts: 1.0

All the children in Room Nine are excited when they get their bright white graduation gowns. Mrs. says to keep them in their boxes until the big day. But Junie B. Jones just can't help herself. Then — uh-oh! — an accident happens! Can Junie B. find a way to fix things? Or will graduation be a spotty dotty disaster?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What gifts did Junie B. get for her
    birthday? Toys and games; A tool belt; tools to fix the toilet p.3
  2. Why was Junie B. nervous about graduation
    day? She’s going to go to first grade and won’t know any of the kids in her
    class p.5
  3. What’s a diploma? A special piece
    of paper; a certificate that says you’ve completed part of your education p.7

Chapter 2

  1. What did the class create to put on
    their invitations for the graduation? A poem p.10
  2. Name the first three lines of the
    poem? “Rose are red, violets are blue, graduation is here…” p.12
  3. Why did Junie B. have to go to the
    office? She yelled out a fourth line for the poem that was funny, but inappropriate
    and the teacher had already gotten after another student for the same thing p.14

Chapter 3

  1. How did the principal respond when he
    saw Junie B. in the blue chair next to his office? He was surprised to see
    her there, since it had been awhile since he saw her last p.16
  2. Why did the principal laugh when
    Junie B. told him the poem? He was taken by surprise; he thought it was
    funny p.20
  3. What did the principal want Junie B.
    to think about? Being obedient to her teacher p.22

Chapter 4

  1. What did the janitor bring into the
    room? Boxes full of caps and gowns p.25
  2. What did Lucille think Mrs. said was
    in the boxes? Cats and gowns p.25
  3. What did the kids do after getting
    their caps and gowns? Put them on and skipped around the room p.27

Chapter 5

  1. Why did Grace raise her voice at
    Junie B. on the way home from school? Junie B. wanted to peek in her box and
    Grace knew she shouldn’t p.31
  2. Where did Junie B.’s mother put her
    graduation outfit and why? On the refrigerator; to keep Junie B. from
    putting it on p.35
  3. Who wanted to see Junie B.’s graduation
    outfit after her mother sent her to her room? Her stuffed animals p.37

Chapter 6

  1. Who gave Junie B. the box with her
    gown and cap? Her Grandpa Miller p.40
  2. What was Junie B. wearing when she
    poured grape juice for her and her friends? Her white graduation gown p.42

Chapter 7

  1. How did Junie B. clean up the
    driblets of grape juice on the shelf? With her white gown p.44
  2. What did Junie B. use to try to get
    the juice out of her gown? An eraser, a white crayon, her dad’s new
    whitening toothpaste p.46
  3. Why did Junie B. feel like a genius at
    the end of this chapter? She colored her gown with crayons to cover the
    stains p.50

Chapter 8

  1. How did Grace respond when she saw
    Junie B.’s gown? She gasped p.55
  2. Why did the kids stop laughing at
    Junie B.’s gown? She started crying p.59

Chapter 9

  1. What joke did Grandpa Miller tell Junie
    B. and her parents before she went on stage with her spotted gown? “…when
    she goes on the stage, she’ll be easy to spot” p.61
  2. What did the other kids do to their
    gowns that helped Junie B. feel better? Spots p.63
  3. How did Junie B. feel about the graduation
    ceremony? She loved it; she had the time of her life p.67

Comprehension Questions – #14 Junie B. Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentime

Junie B. Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentime

by Barbara Park

Grades 1-5; Genre - Fiction; GRL M; AR pts: 1.0

Hurray! February 14 — Valentime's Day, as Junie B. calls it — is just around the corner. Junie B. can't wait to see all the valentines she'll get. But she never expected a big, mushy card from a secret admirer! Who is this secret mystery guy, anyway? Junie B. is determined to find out!

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What kind of party is Junie B.’s class going to
    have? A Valentine’s Day party p.2
  2. What will the students do for Valentine’s Day? Make
    a valentine box and write cards with well wishes to each other p.3
  3. What’s on the menu for the Valentine’s Day
    party? Cupcakes, punch and candy hearts p.4

Chapter 2

  1. What did Junie B. and Grace see Mrs.
    carrying into the school? The box they would decorate for Valentine’s Day p.8
  2. Why did Grace and Junie B. get mad at one
    another? Junie B. wants to say valentime instead of valentine p.9
  3. Why did Mrs. take away Junie B.’s and Jim’s
    scissors? Because they were fighting over who could cut their hearts the
    fastest p.13

Chapter 3

  1. Who didn’t Junie B. want to bring valentine’s
    for? The kids she didn’t like in her class p.18
  2. What did the valentine say that Junie B. wanted
    to give to Grace? “Valentine! You and I make a perfect pair!” p.21
  3. Which valentine does Junie B. want to give to
    Jim? One that had a picture of a skunk p.22

Chapter 4

  1. What did Mrs. give Junie B. for a prize for
    bringing in her valentine cards first? Some broken chalk and a rubber band
    p.27
  2. Why did Lucille think she would get more valentines
    then her friends? She said the boys love her more since she’s the cutest and
    richest girl in their class p.29
  3. Who won the battle of who would get the most valentine
    cards and why? Grace because she has a snake and boys like snakes p.33

Chapter 5

  1. How many valentines did Grace and Lucille each
    have? 17 p.38
  2. How many valentines did Junie B. get and how did
    she react? 16; she was mad and asked the other to see who didn’t give her a
    card p.40
  3. What did Mrs. tell Junie B. to help her feel better
    about the missing card? That she didn’t get a card because it was a mistake
    p.42

Chapter 6

  1. What was Junie B.’s plan to find out who hadn’t given
    her a valentine and how did it work out? Look at the names of the cards and
    cancel out who hadn’t given her one; no, because 7 of them weren’t signed p.43
  2. What did Mrs. find in the bottom of the valentine
    box? Junie B.’s missing card p.46
  3. Who gave Junie B. the card? A secret admirer
    p.49

Chapter 7

  1. Why did Lucille get upset with Junie B. and
    scoot her chair to the end of the table? Junie B. has a secret admirer and
    she doesn’t p.51
  2. What same action did Junie B. do to some boys in
    her class as she tried to find out who her secret admirer was? Winked, or
    tried to wink and said “wink, wink” p.52

Chapter 8

  1. Who gave Junie B. the beautiful card? Meanie
    Jim p.59
  2. Why didn’t he want Junie B. to take the card
    outside? It will get dirty and it cost him a month’s worth of allowance to
    buy it p.59
  3. Why does Meanie Jim act like he doesn’t like
    Junie B.? so no body will know he likes her p.62
  4. Why didn’t Jim want to tell Mrs. they were
    friends? That would ruin the fun of room nine p.65

Comprehension Questions – #13 Junie B. Jones is (almost) a Flower Girl

Junie B. Jones is (almost) a Flower Girl

by Barbara Park

Grades 1-5; Genre - Fiction; GRL M; AR pts: 1.0

Junie B. is a very grown-up little lady. So how come everyone treats her like a baby? It's not fair. But Junie B. knows just how to fix the situation. Her Aunt Flo is getting married. What a perfect chance for Junie B. to show everyone how grown-up she is! Too bad she wasn't picked to be the flower girl in the wedding so she could really show off. But surely Junie B. can still find some way to get everyone's attention.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Why did Junie b. chase down Ricardo and tackle him?
    Because he was chasing the new girl named Thelma and she only wanted him to
    chase her since they were boyfriend and girlfriend p.1
  2. Why did Ricardo break up with Junie B.? he
    wanted to chase Thelma p.4
  3. Explain how Mrs. had compassion on Junie B. When
    the bell rang for recess to end, she came out to Junie B. and asked what was
    wrong, gave her a tissue, helped her stand up, then walked into the school with
    her p.4

Chapter 2

  1. What did Junie B.’s mom do with the cookie she
    didn’t eat at snack time? Her mom ate it p.7
  2. What did Junie B.’s mom tell her about having a
    boyfriend? That she’s way to young p.8
  3. How did Junie B. try to prove she wasn’t a baby?
    She held up baby Ollie’s hand and foot and compared them to her own p.10

Chapter 3

  1. Why didn’t Junie B. want the bath toys and
    washcloth puppet? She was trying to show her mom they’re for babies
    and she’s grown up p.14
  2. What’s the good news Junie B.’s mom told her? Her
    Aunt Flo is getting married, so that means Junie B. is going to her first
    wedding p.17

Chapter 4

  1. How do you get to be a flower girl at a wedding?
    The person getting married will ask you p.20
  2. What’s a flower girl? A girl who dresses up
    and is the first person to walk down the aisle at a wedding; She carries a
    basket full of flowers and throws petals on the floor p.21
  3. What were Grace and Lucille going to teach Junie
    B.? how to be a flower girl p.23

Chapter 5

  1. Why didn’t Grandpa Miller want to call Aunt Flo?
    He didn’t know if she’d already chosen a flower girl p.25
  2. What did Junie B. sneak after her grandpa told
    her to wait for her mother to call Aunt Flo? She snuck the address book and
    went into her mother’s room and called Aunt Flo p.27
  3. What bad news did Aunt Flo give Junie B.? Aunt
    Flo already had a flower girl and it’s her fiance’s younger sister, Bo p.32

Chapter 6

  1. Why was Junie B.’s mother so upset that she
    called her Aunt Flo? Because Junie B. disobeyed her grandfather p.34
  2. What’s an alternate? It’s like a substitute,
    so if Bo gets sick Junie B. could be the flower girl p.36
  3. What’s Aunt Flo’s good news? That Junie B.
    would sit with the other bridesmaids at the reception and be an alternate
    flower girl p.36

Chapter 7

  1. How did Junie B.’s mom respond to her wish that
    Bo would get sick? Her mom said that they do not wish for people to get sick
    and to wish a nicer wish on top of the other wish p.42
  2. What did Junie B. wish for instead? That Bo
    would get lice p.43
  3. What did Philip Johnny Bob suggest could happen
    to Bo? That her dad would be driving with her to the wedding and they’d get
    stuck at a railroad crossing with a really long train or that the car would get
    stuck in Krazy Glue p.45

Chapter 8

  1. Instead of hoping Bo was sick, how should Junie
    B. feel for Bo? Happy that she has this opportunity p.50
  2. What was Junie B.’s great idea when she saw Bo
    throwing flower petals on the ground? She thought it would be ok to get a
    few petals out of the basket and throw them p.52
  3. What does the word tussle mean? Fighting over
    something p.53

Chapter 9

  1. What did Bo give Junie B.? two petals p.57
  2. What’s Junie B.’s interpretation of “loose feet”?
    have no shoes or socks on p.64
  3. Who did Junie B. become friends with at the wedding
    reception? Bo p.65

Comprehension Questions – #12 Junie B. Jones Smells Something Fishy

Junie B. Jones Smells Something Fishy

by Barbara Park

Grades 1-3; Genre - Fiction; GRL M; AR pts: 1.0

There's going to be a Pet Day at school — only the rule is No Dogs! And that's the only kind of pet Junie B. has! If Mother won't let her get a new pet, then Junie B. will have to take matters into her own hands. Maybe a jar of ants? Or a wiggly worm? Or — could it be something even better?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What fun day is Junie B.’s class going to have
    next week? Pet Day p.2
  2. Why can’t Junie B. bring her dog to school? Mrs.
    said no cats or dogs, only pets in cages can come to school; Junie B. can bring
    a picture of her dog though p.4
  3. How does Junie B. feel about bringing in a
    picture of her dog? She’s sad; it isn’t fun; she covered her arms over her
    head until the end of school p.7

Chapter 2

  1. Why didn’t Junie B. want to take Grandma Miller’s
    canary to school for Pet Day? She doesn’t like that bird p.11
  2. Why doesn’t Junie B. like Twitter? He pecked
    her on the finger p.12
  3. What animal did Junie B. want to catch at her
    grandma’s house? the raccoon that gets into her garbage p.13

Chapter 3

  1. Why didn’t Junie B.’s parents want her to catch the
    raccoon? It has sharp claws and teeth p.15
  2. Why couldn’t Junie B. go to the lake with her
    grandparents? They were fishing with some friends p.19
  3. Can you name two other animals Junie B. could
    catch to take to Pet Day? Butterfly, grasshopper, snail, fish, mouse, snake
    p.21

Chapter 4

  1. What surprise did Grandma have for Junie B.? a
    worm p.22
  2. What did Junie B.’s mother do with the worm? Put
    it in a mayonnaise jar and poked holes in the lid for air p.25
  3. Why do worms make great pets? They don’t
    bark, sniff or scratch themselves, and they eat their food right from the soil
    p.28

Chapter 5

  1. What did Junie B. name the worm? Noodle p.30
  2. Why did Junie B. want to get friends for Noodle?
    Noodle went into the dirt and she thought he might be looking for some
    friends p.31
  3. What friends did Junie B. put in the jar? Ants
    and a fly p.33

Chapter 6

  1. What did Junie B. name Sparkle? A huge fish
    Grandma Miller caught p.36
  2. What did Junie B. do after she put the leash on
    the fish? Slid him around the floor p.40
  3. Why couldn’t Junie B. take Sparkle to school for
    Pet Day? Sparkle was dead p.42

Chapter 7

  1. Why was Junie B. upset at the ants? They were
    eating Buzzy the Fly p.47
  2. How did Junie B. lose Noodle? She dumped out the
    jar p.48

Chapter 8

  1. What did Junie B. and her grandfather look for
    in the freezer? Orange juice p.51
  2. Predict the pet Junie B. saw in the refrigerator?
    Listen to your child’s answers p.52

Chapter 9

  1. Why did William get sick? He thought about holding his bullfrog Wendell p.56
  2. What’s Junie B.’s pet? A fish stick p.59
  3. Define the word “pet” and explain if Fish Stick is a pet? A pet is a tamed animal that is kept as a companion; yes, Fish Stick is tame and is a good companion p.61
  4. What special ribbon did Fish Stick get at the end of Pet Day? Most Well-Behaved p.64

Comprehension Questions – #8 Junie B. Jones Has a Monster Under Her Bed

Junie B. Jones Has a Monster Under Her Bed

by Barbara Park

Grades 1-3; Genre - Fiction; GRL M; AR pts: 1.0

There's no such thing as monsters. Mother and Daddy even said so. But then why is there monster drool on Junie B.'s pillow? Oh, no! What if Paulie Allen Puffer is right; what if she really does have a monster under her bed? If Junie B. goes to sleep, the monster might see her feet hanging down. And he might think her piggy toes are yummy little wiener sausages!

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Why did Junie B. wear her dinosaur dress to
    school? It was picture day p.2
  2. What did Paulie Allen Puffer say that gave Junie
    B. shivers on her arms? That everyone has a monster under their bed p.8
  3. Where did Paulie explain the drool on your pillow
    comes from? A monster lying on your pillow practicing putting your head in
    his mouth p.9

Chapter 2

  1. Why did Junie B. continue to say, “just say
    right” to her friends in class? She wanted them to tell her there weren’t
    any monsters under her bed p.14
  2. Did her friends help her feel better? no p.17
  3. Why isn’t Grace saying, “right”? Because she
    felt there really might be a monster under Junie B.’s bed p.18

Chapter 3

  1. What fun snack did Grandma Miller want to make
    for Junie B. to help her feel better? Popcorn p.21
  2. What made Junie B. nervous while she was
    changing out of her school clothes? She thought about the monster that could
    be under her bed p.23
  3. Why couldn’t Grandma Miller see the monster
    under Junie B.’s bed? Because he turns invisible when you look at him p.26

Chapter 4

  1. Why did Junie B.’s dad cook hamburgers for
    dinner? That’s her favorite meal and he hoped it would help her feel better
    or distract her p.31
  2. Why didn’t Junie B. want to go to bed? She was
    scared there was a monster under her bed p.33
  3. Why did Junie B.’s parents get frustrated because
    she wouldn’t stay in bed? They knew there wasn’t a monster under her bed,
    but she wouldn’t believe them p.36

Chapter 5

  1. Who was Junie B. relieved to see that night? Her
    dog, Tickle p.44
  2. Where did Junie B. try to go to sleep and who
    did she take with her? Her parent’s room; her stuffed animal and dolls p.47
  3. What happened when Junie B.’s mom woke up? She
    took her right back to bed and told her not to get out again in a quiet angry
    voice p.48

Chapter 6

  1. How did Grace’s mom get rid of the monster under
    her bed? She sucked it out with the vacuum hose, put the vacuum cleaner bag
    in the trash compactor and smashed it flat p.51
  2. Why was there still a problem when Grandma Miller
    vacuumed under the bed and put the bag in the trash? It wasn’t the trash
    compactor, so the monster wouldn’t be smashed flat p.54
  3. Why was Junie B. still nervous after her grandma
    flattened the bag with her car tires? Because it wasn’t the trash compactor
    p.56

Chapter 7

  1. Why did Junie B. panic when she saw drool on her
    pillow? Paulie told her that was monster drool and that meant the monster
    laid his head on her pillow p.58
  2. How did the kids react to Junie B.’s pictures? They
    laughed and said they were gross p.63

Chapter 8

  1. How did Junie B. feel about her pictures when she first saw them and brought them home? She thought they were ugly p.65
  2. What was Junie B.’s great idea? She thought her school pictures were so scary, she put them under the bed to scare the monster p.66
  3. How did Junie B.’s mother feel about the solution to her problem? She laughed and thought it was a good idea too p.67

Comprehension Questions – When You Reach Me

When You Reach Me

by Rebecca Stead

Grades 5-7; Genre - Fiction; GRL V; AR pts: 6.0

In 1979, as her mother prepares to be a contestant on the THE $20,000 PYRAMID, a twelve-year-old New York City girl tries to make sense of a series of mysterious notes received from an anonymous source that seems to defy the laws of time and space.

Comprehension Questions

Chapters 1-3 pgs. 1-11

Ask your child to think about the names of the chapters and how they’re symbolic to the story. Tell them you’ll ask them at the end of the book to see if they’ve figured it out.

  1. What point of view is this story told in and who’s the main character? first person; Miranda p.1,5
  2. Why does Miranda’s mom need to win the game show? Because her mom’s hating work and if she wins, she doesn’t have to work anymore p.6
  3. What book is Miranda telling Belle about while waiting for her mom in the store? A Wrinkle in Time; If you
    child doesn’t know yet, don’t tell them, sections of this book come up through the rest of the story p.8
  4. What did Miranda and her mom hide in this chapter? A key to their apartment p.11

Chapters 4-6 pgs. 12-20

  1. How did Miranda meet Sal? She and her mom had just moved into the apartment and that same day they met Louisa holding Sal in the lobby. He was crying and stopped when he saw Miranda p.15
  2. Describe the crazy man on the corner? He showed up as school began and would do sudden kicks into the street, shake his fist at the sky, yell crazy stuff and throw his head back and laugh so everyone could see his mouth full of fillings. He sometimes slept with his head under the mailbox p.16
  3. Who is Miranda referring to when she says, “you”? listen to your children’s thoughts

Chapters 7-10 pgs. 21-31

  1. What’s the consequence of Sal getting punched? It ended Miranda’s and his friendship p.24
  2. How does Miranda deal with strangers that she comes across? She asks them if they have the time p.25
  3. How did Miranda deal with the bully who followed her and punched Sal? She turned around and asked him if he had the time; after their conversation realized she wasn’t scared of him p.30

Chapters 11-14 pgs. 32-53

  1. Why did Miranda ask Annemarie if she wanted to have lunch together? Miranda needed a friend and overheard Julia tell Annemarie that she wouldn’t eat lunch with her for the rest of the week p.35
  2. Why is it important that Louisa writes down notes from the game show? So Miranda’s mom can practice just how it will be when she gets on the show p.40
  3. Who was the last kid on the list Miranda picked up to the dentist and what did they have a debate about? Marcus, the boy who hit Sal; Miranda’s book p.47

Chapters 15-19 pgs. 54-66

  1. Where did Miranda, Annemarie and Colin get jobs and what was the pay? Jimmy’s; a soda and cheese sandwich p.55
  2. What was missing and what did Miranda find in her library book? The apartment key; a note that freaked Miranda and her mom out p.60
  3. Why was Miranda nervous to bring Annemarie home? They had to walk by the group of boys and the laughing man on the corner p.64

Chapters 20-25 pgs. 67-83

  1. What was in Jimmy’s bank in the back of the restaurant? Lots of $2 bills p.69
  2. How does Miranda feel about Colin? She has a crush on him p.74
  3. What did Jimmy do to Julia at the sandwich shop? He kicked her out p.83

Chapters 26-30 pgs. 84-99

  1. What had been stolen from Miranda’s apartment? Richard’s work shoes p.87
  2. Why shouldn’t Annemarie eat bread and drink soda? She has epilepsy and that type of food makes her seizures worse p.92
  3. What did Miranda learn from the third note? That whoever was writing the notes was watching her p.99

Chapters 31-34 pgs. 100-117

  1. Why did Marcus hit Sal? To see what would happen p.105
  2. Why had Miranda’s bread count at Jimmy’s come up short? Colin had taken two of the rolls and stuffed them in his knapsack p.109
  3. How did Miranda’s mom react when she found out Miranda gave the laughing man a sandwich? She was upset and thought Miranda put herself in danger p.115

Chapters 35-39 pgs. 118-136

  1. Why didn’t Jimmy let the kids into the restaurant? Someone had stolen his bank and he assumed it was one of them p.124
  2. Why does Jimmy think Julia stole the bank? She’s black p.130
  3. What’s the book Miranda is always carrying and debating with Marcus? A Wrinkle in Time p.135

Chapters 40-43 pgs. 137-153

  1. Why did Miranda’s mom get scared when Miranda wasn’t home and she didn’t know where she was? She thought something happened to her; Miranda left and said she was going to bring back a bagel for her and never came back p.141
  2. What caused Miranda’s change of heart? She saw Julia’s face as she looked at Annemarie and realized she had the same face when she looked at Sal p.144
  3. Who was at the door when Miranda heard the strange knock and what did they want? Colin; he kissed Miranda p.153

Chapters 44-47 pgs. 154-170

  1. Why did Sal run away from Marcus into the road? Sal was scared of him because he had punched him p.158
  2. Who wrote the notes to Miranda and saved Sal’s life? The laughing man p.162
  3. Why did Sal want to take a break from being friends with Miranda? He wanted to have other friends because he didn’t have any p.169

Chapters 48-55 pgs. 171-197

  1. Explain what happened with Marcus’ brother and Marcus’ explanation of why he hit Sal. Anthony, Marcus’ brother got beat up and Marcus stood and watched. Anthony was upset that Marcus didn’t help him and told him he’d have to hit and be hit someday to understand. The next day Marcus hit Sal and instead of hitting Marcus back, Sal bent over and cried. When Anthony found out what Marcus did, he was mad at him for hitting a short kid p.177
  2. Who’s the laughing man? Marcus from the future p.189
  3. What did Miranda find under the mailbox and who’s the drawing of? Her missing apartment key and a drawing of Julia p.194
  4. Summarize this story. Miranda received three notes explaining she needed to write a letter telling the story of what happened between Sal and Marcus. The notes were from Marcus (the laughing man) from
    the future. Young Marcus needed the letter to know how to protect Sal.

Challenge Question

  1. What did the chapter titles represent in this story? Subjects on $20,000 Pyramid

Comprehension Questions – #10 Junie B. Jones Is a Party Animal

Junie B. Jones Is a Party Animal

by Barbara Park

Grades 2-5; Genre - Fiction; GRL M; AR pts: 1.0

Lucille is having a slumber party - at her richie nanna's big giant house! Grace and Junie B. can't wait to see all the rich stuff in that place. Sleeping over at the nanna's is sure to be a dream come true! 'Cause what could possibly go wrong?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe Lucille’s nanna. She’s very rich;
    she owns a gold Cadillac and drives Lucille to school every day; she has a huge
    house with lots of rooms and Lucille’s family lives with her p.2
  2. How did Lucille feel about Junie B. calling her
    nanna, Nanna? She was very upset p.6
  3. How did Junie B. make Lucille’s nana laugh? Nanna
    thought the things Junie B. said were darling p.6

Chapter 2

  1. Why is Lucille upset at Junie B. and Grace? She
    was trying to convince her nanna to be her a white poodle when Junie B. and
    Grace climbed in the back of the car p.11
  2. What was Junie B.’s idea to help Lucille get the
    poodle? Junie B. and Grace could sleep over and help beg for the poodle p.13

Chapter 3

  1. How did Junie B. get invited to sleepover? Lucille’s
    nanna called Junie B.’s mom p.16
  2. List three rules Junie B. needs to follow to
    spend the night at Lucille’s. No running, no jumping, no shouting, no squealing,
    no hollering, no snooping, no spying, no arguing, no fighting, no cheating at
    games, no talking back to the nanna, no breaking other people’s toys, no grumping,
    no crying, no fibbing, no tickling people when they say no, no staying up late,
    and absolutely no head-butting p.20

Chapter 4

  1. List two things Junie B. packed by herself for Lucille’s. Slippers, pajamas, pillow, bathrobe, blanket, sheets, stuffed elephant name Philip Johnny Bob, and a small throw rug p.22
  2. Why was Junie B. so energetic and excited when Lucille’s nanna arrived to pick her up? She’d been sitting and waiting all day instead of using her energy p.28
  3. Who was in the car with Lucille's nanna? Lucille and Grace p.29

Chapter 5

  1. Why did Lucille’s nanna say no as Junie B. and
    Grace asked her to get a poodle for Lucille? Her nanna’s allergic to dogs
    p.32
  2. Name one room in Lucille’s home you would enjoy
    having in your own and why? Have your child name a room and explain why.
    Here are the rooms: living room, dining room, kitchen, big giant patio, daddy’s
    office, mother’s office, family room, pool room to play pool, outside pool to
    swim and sit in the hot tub, the library, the gym, Nanna’s room, mother and
    daddy’s room, fancy gold bathroom with the Jacuzzi, brother’s room, Lucille’s
    bedroom, and a whole bunch of guest rooms p.35
  3. Why couldn’t Junie B. and Grace play with Lucille’s
    stuffed animals or sit on her bed? They were just for show p.37

Chapter 6

  1. How did Nanna react after Junie B. broke a
    crystal glass, dropped her Frank on the white tablecloth from Ireland, and spilled
    chocolate ice cream on her chair cushion? She sighed and said, “you’re a bit
    of a bull in a China shop, aren’t you dear?”, she patted her hand and then said,
    “quite all right” p.47
  2. What bed did the girls jump on? The guest
    room bed that made for tall people p.53
  3. Describe what happened when the girls had a
    pillow fight on the bed? Junie B.’s pillow ripped open and feathers exploded
    out of it, then Nanna walked in the room and put her face in the pillow p.57

Chapter 7

  1. What did Lucille do when Nanna said, “I don’t
    want to hear one more peep out of you”? she started saying “peep” over and
    over p.62
  2. How did Nanna react? She opened the door to
    the bedroom and yelled, “SILENCE!” p.63
  3. How did Junie B. feel about Nanna now? She was
    scared of her p.63

Chapter 8

  1. What word would you use to describe Junie B. as
    she decided she didn’t want to eat anything since she might break or ruin more
    things? Responsible, thoughtful, careful, etc. p.68
  2. Why was Junie B. relieved to feel her normal
    back seat material instead of the soft material in the nanna’s car? She didn’t
    have to be as careful and she could relax p.69
  3. What helped Junie B. realize that she loved her
    own nanna just perfect? She can be herself around her own nanna, is
    comfortable, and doesn’t have to worry about breaking things or making her mad
    p.71

Comprehension Questions – The Fudge Books Superfudge

Superfudge

by Judy Blume

Grades 3-5; Genre - Fiction; GRL Q; AR pts: 4.0

Farley Drexel Hatcher - otherwise known as Fudge - thinks he's a superhero, but his older brother, Peter, knows Fudge is nothing but a big pain! Dealing with Fudge is hard enough, but now Peter's parents have decided to move to New Jersey for an entire year! Even worse, Peter's mom is going to have a new baby. And if this baby is anything like Fudge - help! How will Peter ever survive?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What’s the big news Peter’s parents
    told him? His mother is going to have a baby p.3
  2. Describe how Peter felt about the new
    baby? He was angry; he didn’t want another sibling like Fudge; he wanted to
    run away p.4
  3. How did Peter come to accept the idea
    of the new baby? His dad told him to take a chance, the baby may not be like
    Fudge; his mom promised him the baby would sleep in the dining room and not his
    room p.10

Chapter 2

  1. How did Peter feel about the baby’s
    nickname, Tootsie? He thought it was a terrible name since he thought she’d
    be teased when she went to school p.16
  2. Why wasn’t Tootsie in her crib when
    Peter came home from school? Fudge had taken her out and was playing hide
    and seek with her p.19
  3. Why did Fudge try to sell Tootsie? He
    wanted to be the baby; Tootsie wasn’t any fun p.21

Chapter 3

  1. What news did Peter’s parents share
    with him and Fudge in this chapter? They’re moving to Princeton, New Jersey
    for a year p.31
  2. Why was Peter upset that in
    Princeton, Fudge will be in the same school? He didn’t want to go to a new
    school; he doesn’t want to be in the same school as Fudge p.35
  3. Why was Peter’s father taking a leave
    of absence from work? He’s writing a book p.38

Chapter 4

  1. Why did Jimmy come and apologize to
    Peter for getting mad at him for moving? He realized he was only an hour
    away by train and Peter can’t do anything about moving p.41
  2. Why is Sheila glad Peter’s moving? She
    won’t have to smell his dog p.46
  3. Why did Fudge put trading stamps all
    over Tootsie? He wants to trade her in for a two-wheeler p.49

Chapter 5

  1. Why did Peter’s dad buy books about
    roses, gardening and beetles? In the new house they had a rose garden, as
    well as an herb and vegetable garden p.52
  2. Describe Alex Santo. He’s going
    into 6th grade like Peter; he’s very small; has hair that hangs in
    his eyes; wears a t-shirt that says Princeton Class of ’91 p.54
  3. Why did Alex and Peter take worms to
    Mrs. Muldour and why were they so small? She buys them for $.05 a worm; they
    cut them in half/thirds to make more money p.58

Chapter 6

  1. Why did Peter have trouble falling
    asleep? He missed the sounds of the city; it was too quiet p.64
  2. Why didn’t Peter want to walk with Fudge
    to school? He wanted to ride his bike like all the other kids at school p.67
  3. Why did Peter get called down to the
    principal’s office? To help get Fudge down from on top of a cabinet. Fudge
    had kicked the teacher because she wouldn’t call him Fudge, and then he climbed
    up on top of the cabinet just below the ceiling p.74

Chapter 7

  1. What kind of bird does Fudge want and
    why? A myna bird; they can talk p.82
  2. Why was it ironic that the bird was copying
    Fudge? Fudge had copied Peter in everything he had said and now Fudge was
    being copied p.88
  3. Who helped Fudge sleep in his own
    room again? Uncle Feather his bird p.89

Chapter 8

  1. Whose painting did Peter see in the
    art gallery? Jimmy’s dad’s painting p.100
  2. Why is Peter’s mom going back to work
    in the dentist office? They need the money; Peter’s dad is writing a book
    and isn’t working  p.102
  3. Why didn’t Peter tell Beverly the story
    of how the painting became Anita’s Anger? He realized there were things he
    wouldn’t want Jimmy to tell other people, so he thought this was probably one
    of those things Jimmy wouldn’t want others to know p.111

Chapter 9

  1. Describe Daniel, Fudge’s friend. He’s pudgy with a lot of red hair and ears that stick out; he’s 6; knows a lot about birds; very picky about his food; always watches TV while he’s eating p.116
  2. Why was it difficult for Peter when his two best friends met? They were jealous of each other and couldn’t stand each other p.122
  3. Describe what happened at the movie theater. The boys ran into Sharon, Elaine and Joanne from school. Joanne bought their tickets, and everyone was introduced to Jimmy; they got the little boys settled in the theater, then the older kids went to their own seats; Peter sat next to Joanne, they shared popcorn, and then held hands after Fudge put ice down Peter’s back p.126

Chapter 10

  1. What did Fudge want for Christmas? A red bicycle like Peter’s p.137
  2. Why was Peter upset there weren’t ever secrets during Christmastime? He always knew what he was going to get for Christmas, either by finding the presents or overhearing his mom talking about it p.140
  3. What’s Fudge’s opinion of Santa Claus? He knows he’s not real, but pretends since his mom and dad thinks he believes in Santa p.147

Chapter 11

  1. Why wasn’t Peter worried about his parents
    getting a divorce? Whenever his parents fought, they ended up laughing p.150
  2. Why did Fudge get so many cuts and
    bruises while riding his bike? He didn’t use the brakes and would crash into
    things p.151
  3. Who did Fudge have Brian Tumkin draw?
    Mr. Green the principal p.157

Chapter 12

  1. What prank did Fudge play on Peter? Fudge
    woke Peter up saying he was late for school, but it was really a Saturday p.159
  2. What did Alex and Peter do for the
    afternoon? Had a picnic at the lake and watched the university rowing team
    p.163
  3. What consequence did Peter suggest as
    a punishment for the boys running away? Taking away their bikes for a month
    p.173

Comprehension Questions – Ready, Freddy! Thanksgiving Turkey Trouble

Thanksgiving Turkey Trouble

by Abby Klein

Grades PreK-3; Genre - Fiction; GRL N; AR pts: 1.0

Freddy's Thresher's first-grade class is doing a Thanksgiving play, and Freddy wants to have a really cool part. Will he get to be an Indian, or will Thanksgiving end up being nothing but big trouble onstage?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Why do we celebrate Thanksgiving? It’s
    the Pilgrims first harvest in the New World in October 1621
  2. What are three things you’re thankful
    for? Encourage and listen to your child
  3. What was the class going to get to
    perform for the parents and how will they get their parts? A play; the parts
    will go in a hat and each person will choose p.18

Chapter 2

  1. What made Freddy so excited that he
    danced around the dinner table? His grandparents were coming for
    Thanksgiving p.20
  2. What’s the worst part Freddy could
    get in the play? the Thanksgiving turkey p.26
  3. What part in the play does Freddy
    hope to get? An Indian p.27

Chapter 3

  1. How did Freddy feel about Jessie when
    she stood up to Max? He thought she was brave and wanted to be like her p.32
  2. What was Max’s consequence for teasing
    Chloe? He was to go to time-out and have last pick for his part p.34
  3. What part in the play did Freddy get?
    The turkey p.38

Chapter 4

  1. Why was Freddy lucky to get to be the
    turkey for the play? It’s the symbol of Thanksgiving and is a very important
    part of the play p.40
  2. What part did Jessie get and how did she
    feel about it? The Indian princess; she was happy because the princess was
    brave p.42
  3. How was Jessie a friend to Freddy on
    the bus home from school? Max was making fun of Freddy for being the turkey
    and she told him to stop and that she knew karate p.44

Chapter 5

  1. How did Freddy’s mom know that
    something was wrong after school? He usually goes to the kitchen after
    school for a snack, but instead he went to his room and hid under his covers
    p.50
  2. What did Freddy decide to do so he
    wouldn’t have to be in the play? Run away from home until after Thanksgiving
    p.51
  3. How did Freddy’s mom find his packed suitcase?
    She tripped on the handle p.56

Chapter 6

  1. How would Suzie have felt if Freddy ran
    away? Really sad p.63
  2. What did Freddy give Suzie to keep
    his secret of taking a family picture off his mom’s dresser? his golden-dollar
    coin p.65

Chapter 7

  1. What advice did Papa Dave give Freddy
    about running away? Running away doesn’t solve anyone’s problems, people have
    to face them head on p.68
  2. What was Papa Dave’s reason for the
    turkey being the best part of the play? The turkey will be the most
    remembered because its different and being different is good p.70
  3. What advice did Freddy receive from his
    grandpa about Max bullying him? Show Max that he’s proud to be turkey and to
    wobble, flap his wings and gobble until Max runs away p.70

Chapter 8

  1. Where did Freddy’s mom find his hood
    for the play? In the bathroom laundry hamper p.74
  2. What made Freddy run out of the room
    and hide in the supply closet? The kids in the class were laughing at him as
    he put on his costume p.77
  3. How did the principal help Freddy
    feel better about being the turkey? He told Freddy about his part in a play
    in first grade. He was a piece of trash and stole the show by dancing and by being
    the best piece of trash anybody had ever seen p.83