Category Archives: Theme

Comprehension Questions – Restart

Restart

by Gordon Korman

Grades 5-9; Genre - Fiction; GRL W; AR pts. 9.0

Chase Ambrose forgets everything after falling off a roof and losing consciousness. He forgets his name & his parents. He forgets what he was doing on that roof. And he forgets he's the biggest bully at Hiawassee Middle School. Book has violence.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe the introduction to this story. Chase Ambrose wakes up in a hospital not remembering anything about himself, his family or his past; his mom takes him home and he wonders who he is as he looks at the picture of himself and his two friends on his phone p.1
  2. Using the text, what are two clues to help you know what kind of person Chase is? Little kids fear him; his mom makes up an excuse about why the beam is cracked in their house; he’s holding a bat with a pumpkin on the end of it in the picture p.1

Chapter 2

  1. Whose point of view are we reading in this chapter? Describe her relationship with Chase. Shoshanna Weber; twin to Joel whom Chase incessantly bullied; Shosh hates Chase because his actions have hurt her brother physically and emotionally; her parents had to send her brother away to a music school to keep him safe p.13

Chapter 3

  1. Why is the school principal encouraging Chase to see the amnesia as a rare opportunity, a blank canvas? Because Chase previously made decisions that hurt other people in the past, the amnesia presents an opportunity to change and become a better person. He can choose to be kind and a good friend instead of a bully p.27

Chapter 4

  1. Why was this encounter Brendon had with Chase important and telling to who Chase is right now? Brendon saw Chase as a polite, respectful, grateful, and humble person. It was hard to believe, but he had proof captured on his camera p.29

Chapter 5

  1. Chase is in a circumstance where he doesn’t know what to believe or who to trust. Have you ever been in a situation like this? Explain. What did you do about it?
  2. If you were Chase, what would you do? Who would you talk to? Listen to your child’s answer p.43

Chapter 6

  1. Give two reasons why Chase was drawn to Brendon? He feels comfortable around him; Brendon is honest with him; Brendon doesn’t seem to judge Chase or act strange around him p.44

Chapter 7

  1. On page 59, Shoshanna says, “Amnesia can wipe out the details of your past, but it can’t change the kind of person you are.” Do you agree with her? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 8

  1. What did Chase remember during the game? He ripped the head off Helene’s teddy bear p.66
  2. Is this a big deal? Do you think Helene forgot about it? Is this something Chase should take more seriously? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 9

  1. Compare Chase’s behavior to Bear and Aaron’s while doing community service. Chase is polite, respectful, taking the initiative to see how he can help and serve the residents of the senior citizen center; his friends are rude, eating the snacks, don’t care about the residents, ignoring them and saying rude things to them p.72

Chapter 10

  1. What significant event happened in this chapter? Chase stood up to Joel and the football team for Brendon with the consequences being making his old friends his enemies p.82

Chapter 11

  1. What did you find out in this chapter about Aaron and his relationship with Chase? He’s upset that Chase isn’t acting like his old self; Chase has something valuable that must have been stolen or retrieved illegally, but he doesn’t know he has it and Aaron doesn’t want to bring it up since Chase could turn them in to the police; Aaron feels betrayed that Chase is hanging out with the video club p.87

Chapter 12

  1. How is Chase’s relationship with Mr. Solway helping them both? Chase can open up and talk to him; Mr.Solway is honest and says things that may be hard to hear, but that are important; Mr. Solway has a friend and visitor in Chase where he can share his past; they are good friends to each other p.95

Chapter 13

  1. What do you think will soften Shoshanna and help her realize Chase isn’t pretending? Listen to your child’s answer p.107

Chapter 14

  1. Do you agree with Chase’s conclusion… that Bear and Aaron might have stolen the medal? Why or why not? Listen to your child’s answer p.120

Chapter 15

  1. Describe why Brendon likes Kimberly more at the end of the chapter than at the beginning. Her reaction to Brendon’s stunt is endearing p.127

Chapter 16

  1. What hard conversation did Shoshanna have with her parents? That Chase has changed and that he is her friend; Joel can come home since Chase has changed p.134

Chapter 17

  1. Summarize this chapter. Joel comes home and attends his old school; he’s surprised that Chase doesn’t recognize him; in video club Chase apologizes to him; he realizes Chase has changed, but he still hates him p.137
  2. Chase has apologized to Joel. Is it ok that Joel still harbors hard feelings towards him? Why or why not? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 18

  1. Explain why Chase got emotional at the end of the chapter. Shoshanna invited him into her house for the first time; her mom and brother paused for a moment but went back to what they were doing. They didn’t kick him out of their home. They are beginning to accept him p.154

Chapter 19

  1. Bear acts like he and Aaron are being picked on for doing community service. Do you agree that Bear and Aaron are victims in this story? Why or why not? Listen to your child’s answer p.157

Chapter 20

  1. Do you think that Chase was part of the stunt in the music room? Why or why not? Listen to your child’s answer p.165

Chapter 21

  1. What does Chase want? To be a part of the video club; to not be his old self p.178
  2. Is it too late? What can Chase do to stop being pulled into his old life? Tell the truth

Chapter 22

  1. Is it evidence or just assumption that makes Brendon think that Chase is not in on the prank? Assumption p.180
  2. Give two examples of why Brendon might feel that way. He stood up for him to the football players before; his overall behavior is inconsistent with the old Chase until that incident
  3. Why is everyone cheering Joel on page 183? He is standing up for himself and showing courage

Chapter 23

  1. Why did “hot tears of shame” stream down Chase’s face in this chapter? He realized he is the one who stole the Medal of Honor from Mr. Solway and he’s ashamed of himself; he’s upset he at himself for stealing the medal and at Bear and Aaron because they won’t let him return it to Mr. Solway p.189

Chapter 24

  1. What convinced Brendon that his assumption about Chase was right? He watched the footage from the camera and saw Chase’s reactions and behavior p.196

Chapter 25

  1. How did the little girl in the painting help Chase in this chapter? She was the only thing he remembered from before his accident; she helped him find the Medal of Honor and helped him remember how and why he fell from the roof p.201
  2. Do you agree with Chase that he needed to visit Mr. Solway and not meet his friends? Why or why not? Listen to your child’s answer p.206

Chapter 26

  1. Using the text for evidence, find and read the paragraph out loud that shows that Shoshanna understands that Chase is innocent. “Shosh’s cheeks are bright read as she digests the truth. My sister…” p.213

Chapter 27

  1. Summarize how Chase got past Bear and Aaron. He dropped the Medal of Honor and let the vacuum suck it up, then he ran at the two boys and bowled them over with the vacuum and ran past them p.217

Chapter 28

  1. How did the video club prove to Chase they were his friends? They stood up for him and helped him when Bear and Aaron attacked him p.221
  2. Choose a word to describe Chase’s behavior in this chapter. Explain. Listen to your child’s answer; Example: Courageous-for being honest even when there would be strong consequences p.223

Chapter 29

  1. On page 235, Chase states, “And in that instance, I understand that being true to myself is more important than fooling the judge with the power to send me to juvie.” What does this mean? Living in a way that aligns with your own personal core beliefs instead of conforming to please others.
  2. Have you ever experienced this? Explain. How did it make you feel? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 30

  1. What is a theme found throughout this book? Example: Friendship & Forgiveness; redemption and personal growth
  2. What did you like about this story? Listen to your child’s answer

Comprehension Questions – Where the Red Fern Grows

Where the Red Fern Grows

by Wilson Rawls

Grade 6; Genre - Fiction; GRL X; AR pts: 11.0

Billy Coleman works and saves to buy two red-bone hunting hounds while his grandfather provides him with support and lessons in growing up. The plot contains mild profanity and gore.

Vocabulary and Themes in the Story (by Steve)

Comprehension Questions (by Steve)

Chapter 1

  1. Describe the dog fight. The pack was attacking an old redbone hound. Pg. 2.
  2. What did the old hound look like? He was starving. Pg. 3.
  3. What could you tell from the paws? He had come a long way. Pg. 3.
  4. What was his name? Buddie. Pg. 3.
  5. Why did he let the hound go? It would break his heart to stay; break his will to live. Pg. 5.

Chapter 2

  1. Where does Billy live? Ozark Mountains on Cherokee land. Pg. 9.
  2. What happened because of his dog-wanting? He lost weight and didn’t sleep. Pg.11.
  3. What did Billy’s dad buy him for hunting? Three small steel traps. Pg. 12.
  4. What did Billy trap? Samie the Cat over and over until he left. Pg. 14.
  5.  What did Billy’s father allow him to do in the summer? Work in the fields. Pg. 18

Chapter 3

  1. What does Billy find in the Fishermen’s camp? A magazine selling dogs for $25. Pg. 20.
  2. What does Billy save his money in? An old K.C. Baking Powder Can. Pg. 22.
  3. How does Billy save the money? He saves the $50 by selling berries, hides, vegetables. Pg. 24.
  4. Why is his grandfather surprised about the money? Billy worked and saved for 2 years. Pg. 25.
  5. What does his grandfather do? Gives him candy and says don’t tell about the dogs. Pg. 26.

Chapter 4

  1. Where does Billie have to go for the dogs? Tahlequah. Pg. 28.
  2. How does Billie get to Tahlequah? He walks 20 miles. Pg. 31.
  3. What and why does he buy things for family? Overalls and cloth because he snuck out. Pg. 34.
  4. How do the kids treat Billie? They call him a hillbilly. Pg. 37.

Chapter 5

  1. Who was in charge at the depot? The stationmaster. Pg. 39.
  2. How did Billy carry the pups home? In the gunny sack with holes for their heads. Pg. 42.
  3. Why did Billy fight the freckle face boy? He pulled his pups ear and it cried. Pg. 44.
  4. What did the Marshall give Billy? Strawberry pop. Pg. 47.
  5. Why did Billy think the lion wouldn’t hurt them? His father said it was afraid of fire. Pg. 51.

Chapter 6

  1. How did Billy pick the pups’ names? They were carved in the tree. Pg.54.
  2. How did Billy’s father know where he was? His grandpa told him. Pg. 56.
  3. What did Mama fix for the pups? Warm milk. Pg. 57.
  4. What was the cave called where Billy spent the night? Robber’s Cave. Pg. 57.
  5. What was the black pipe at the school in town? A fire escape. Pg. 60.

Chapter 7

  1. What did Billy think of his Grandpa’s trapping idea? He thought he was kidding. Pg.65.
  2. What did Grandpa’s pet coon catch his hand in? The butter churn. Pg. 66.
  3. What did Mama think when Billy yelled about the coon? A snake bit him. Pg. 71.
  4. Why can’t you sell coon skins in summer? They have yellow hair. Pg. 74.
  5. What did Billy think about the pups when they had talks? They understood him. Pg. 77.

Chapter 8

  1. Why was Mama worried about Billy hunting? He hadn’t been in the woods all night. Pg.81.
  2. What was the first trick the coon pulled on the hounds? Swam through water. Pg. 84.
  3. Which tree did the coon run up? “The big tree”. Pg. 89.
  4. Why did Billy tell Papa it was important to chop the tree down? To keep his bargain. Pg.92.

Chapter 9

  1. How did Grandpa keep the coon up the tree all night? With a scarecrow. Pg. 99.
  2. What traits did Grandpa say make a man? Determination and will power. Pg.101.
  3. What did Mama learn about coon? That they were smart. Pg. 103.
  4. Where did the dogs spend the night? They slept by the tree together. Pg. 106.
  5. Why did Billy think the wind blew the tree down? He prayed to God. Pg.108.
  6. Did Papa have another explanation? It blew the tree only because it was the tallest. Pg. 112.

Chapter 10

  1. Why did Billy go to the store on Saturdays? It was “Coon Hunter” day. Pg. 115.
  2. Why did the hunters make fun of Billy’s hounds? They were small. Pg. 116.
  3. Who did Mama use to catch the chickens? Little Ann; Old Dan was too rough. Pg. 118.
  4. Why did Billy think Old Dan had drowned? He was in a muskrat den in the slough. Pg.122.
  5. How did Old Dan get up in the tree? He went through the hollow trunk. Pg. 125.

Chapter 11

  1. Why was it dangerous after the snow storm? It was slick and no moon. Pg. 128.
  2. What happened when the dogs jumped the river? Old Dan was strong and made it; Little Ann slipped and fell in. Pg. 132.
  3. What did Billy do when he couldn’t save Little Ann? He prayed for a miracle. Pg. 134.
  4. What did Billy learn from the lantern clanging? Use the handle for a hook. Pg. 135.
  5. Why didn’t Billy tell Mama? Because she’d worry and stop him from hunting. Pg.139.

Chapter 12

  1. Why did Grandpa accept the bet with Rubin? He called him crooked and spat. Pg. 144.
  2. What and how much was the bet for? To catch the ghost coon for $2. Pg. 145
  3. What happened when the coon went up a tree? It disappeared. Pg. 155.

Chapter 13

  1. How did Little Ann know the coon was in the gate post? A breeze carried the scent. Pg. 159.
  2. Where was the ghost coon? In the hallow gate post. Pg. 160.
  3. How did Billy feel about the ghost coon? He wouldn’t kill him. Pg. 161.
  4. Why couldn’t Old Blue beat Old Dan? Little Ann helped fight him. Pg. 165.
  5. How did Rainie react to his brother’s death? He couldn’t get over the shock. Pg. 171.

Chapter 14

  1. What kind of dogs could enter in the coon hunt? Registered. Pg. 179
  2. Was Billy happy with his life? Luckiest boy in the world. Pg. 184.
  3. What did his little sister want from the hunt? The gold cup. Pg. 186.
  4. What was the only thing wrong with Little Ann? Gun-shy, Pg. 189.
  5. What did Grandpa keep secret from Grandma? The corn liquor. Pg. 191.

Chapter 15

  1. Why wouldn’t Old Dan eat his food? He was waiting for Little Ann. Pg. 194.
  2. What did Billy think 2 screech owls meant? Bad luck. Pg. 196.
  3. What kind of dogs were at the hunt? Redbones, blue ticks, walkers, and blood hounds. Pg. 200.
  4.  Why did Billy pick Little Ann for the beauty contest? Old Dan’s face was all scared. Pg. 201.

Chapter 16

  1. Where did the hounds run the coon? Back to the camp. Pg. 211.
  2. Why did Grandpa look funny drying by the fire? His long underwear was steaming. Pg. 212.
  3. Why was the judge worried with the coon in the river? He might drown the dogs. Pg. 221.
  4. What surprised the judge? The dogs cleaned each other’s cuts after the fight. Pg. 222.

Chapter 17

  1. Why did the judge want to quit? Because of the storm. Pg. 226.
  2. How did they get Little Ann to come to them? They fired the gun. Pg. 228.
  3. Who led them to Grandpa? Little Ann. Pg. 231.
  4. What happened when they cut down the tree? 3 coons came out. Pg. 234.

Chapter 18

  1. What did the hunter say happened to the hounds? Frozen solid. Pg. 240.
  2. Why did the dogs keep circling the tree? They’d freeze if they stopped. Pg. 242.
  3. What did Mr. Kyle call dog loyalty? The deepest kind of love. Pg. 243.
  4. What did Mama do that night? Took food to the dogs and prayed. Pg. 250.

Chapter 19

  1. How did Billy try to stop Old Dan’s bleeding? Mud caked onto the wounds. Pg. 260.
  2. How did Billy feel when his dogs died? He didn’t believe in prayer anymore Pg. 270.
  3. What was the miracle from the dogs? The money to move to the city. Pg. 272.

Chapter 20

  1. What did Billy see when he said good-bye to the dogs? The red fern Pg. 278.
  2. What did Papa think the red fern did? It was God’s way of helping Billy understand why his dogs died. Pg.279.
  3. Why did you like this story? Listen to your child's answer