Category Archives: Vocabulary

Comprehension Questions – My Father’s Dragon

My Father’s Dragon

By Ruth Stiles Gannett

Grades 3-5; Genre – Fantasy; GRL N; AR pts: 1.0

When Elmer Elevator hears about the plight of an overworked and under-appreciated flying baby dragon, he packs his knapsack with supplies and stows away on a ship headed for Wild Island. Nothing will stop Elmer from rescuing the dragon!

Vocabulary

Writing Prompts

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What point of view is this story being told in? third person p.9
  2. Who is narrating and who is this story about? A son telling a story about his father, Elmer Elevator p.9
  3. How did Elmer’s mother feel about feeding the stray cat and why? She didn’t like it because if she fed it more stray cats would come around p.11
  4. Describe the alley cat. Old, female, can talk, traveler, good companionship for Elmer, kind p.9

Chapter 2

  1. What example of figurative language describes the cat speaking like a human? Alliteration p.15
  2. Why did the animals on the island want to catch the dragon? So they could use him as transportation instead of walking all the way around to the other side of the island p.17
  3. How did the animals treat the baby dragon if he complains? Beat him and twist his wing p.17

Chapter 3

  1. How did the author’s father get off the ship without getting caught? Hid inside a grain bag and used a rubber band to tie it on the inside p.22
  2. Why wasn’t the author’s father bothered when the fisherman shook with fear talking about Wild Island? He knew the dragon wasn’t scary p.24
  3. Why was it important for the author’s father to travel to the island at night? He was hopping over rocks and the animals on the island would have seen him in the day and he didn’t want them to see him p.25

Chapter 4

  1. How did the animals know something strange was on the island? Saw tangerine peels laying around, the “rock” had moved from its place p.32
  2. How was the main character able to stay hidden? Traveled at night and held onto his peels p.32

Chapter 5

  1. Why couldn’t the main character continue to follow the river and instead ventured further into the jungle? The river was so muddy he got stuck in the ooze and decided to travel in the jungle next to the river using his compass, but the river had a bend he didn’t know about that took him away from it p.35
  2. How many tigers crept up on Elmer? 7 p.37
  3. What knowledge did the cat give to the main character that helped him stop the tigers from eating him? The tigers love chewing gum p.38

Chapter 6

  1. Who was the main character careful to hide from at the beginning of this chapter? Two wild boars p.44
  2. Explain why the rhinoceros was weeping as well as how Elmer helped him. His tusk used to be white, but with age has turned yellow-gray and Elmer brushed his tusk with a toothbrush and toothpaste p.48

Chapter 7

  1. Why was the lion so upset? He had blackberry twigs stuck in his mane and was worried for his mom see him such a mess that she would stop his allowance p.52
  2. What did Elder do to help the lion? Give him a comb, brush and ribbons and showed him how to make his mane pretty p.54

Chapter 8

  1. What animal threatened to twist the main character’s arms like he does the dragon’s wings? A gorilla p.60
  2. What did Elmer give the monkeys to help them get the fleas off the gorilla and how did that help? Magnifying glasses so they could see the tiny fleas p.62
  3. Explain how the main character was freed from the gorilla. More monkeys came out of the trees and surrounded the gorilla as they were wanting to try the magnifying glasses p.64

Chapter 9

  1. Why didn’t the main character pull on the rope to have the dragon fly over to him? Elmer was worried about the gorilla twisting the dragon’s wings and stopping him from freeing him p.65
  2. Why was Elmer not interested in swimming in the river with the crocodiles? He knew he’d be eaten p.66
  3. What did Elmer do to get to the other side of the river? Used lollipops to make the crocodiles line up so he could walk across them. He put the first lollipop in the sand on the beach, then walked across the crocodile and used a robber band to tie a lollipop onto his tail for the next crocodile and so on p.68

Chapter 10

  1. Explain how the crocodiles helped Elmer have the time he needed to free the dragon? The first crocodile finished his sucker and began floating down the river with all the other crocodiles following as they wanted to finish their suckers. The animals had been crossing the river and were stuck on the crocodiles p.76
  2. Who called to the main character and the dragon from the island as they were heading to Tangerine island? The mouse p.76

Comprehension Questions – The Dark is Rising Sequence #1 Over Sea, Under Stone

Over Sea, Under Stone

By Susan Cooper

Grades 6-8; Genre – Fantasy; GRL X; AR pts: 12.0

Barney, Simon and Jane find themselves beset by deadly dangers as they embark on a great quest. Having found a crumbling parchment map, they begin their search for ancient treasure linked to King Arthur. More precious than life itself, the treasure, found by the right people, would help keep at bay the ancient forces of evil that were once again powerful in the world. They turn for help to their Great-Uncle Merry, who draws on his vast knowledge of ancient lore to protect them.

Vocabulary

Writing Prompts

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. List the characters and describe the setting of this story. Barney, Jane, Mother, Father, Great-Uncle Merry, Simon, Rufus the dog; setting: train station, then a city called Cornwall p.1
  2. Describe Great-Uncle Merry. Not really their mother’s uncle, but an old friend her father’s, tall and straight, thick wild white hair; deep set eyes, brown nose curved like a bow, no one knew how old he was, there was something ancient about him p.3
  3. List Barney’s passion and Simon’s passion. King Arthur; boats p.4;5
  4. What is so mysterious about the yacht? Great-Uncle Merry seemed upset by it; Young Bill wouldn’t talk about the supplies he had gathered for it and was really upset after running into Jane; the old fisherman called Young Bill evil; the yacht appeared and disappeared silently and strangely p.6

Chapter 2

  1. What did the children do for entertainment while stuck inside during the rain? Pretended they were explorers and explored the house p.14
  2. Describe the adventure the children pretended they went on. They were explorers in a jungle and made sure to take food for a picnic. They worked their way through each area of the house, then pretended they heard the natives coming after them.
  3. What did they find that was curious while on their adventure? A door behind the wardrobe p.19

Chapter 3

  1. Sketch a picture of the scroll Barney found when searching for his thrown apple core. Brownish parchment springy as steel, cracks through it, another sheet stuck down in it that was darker and older, covered with small writing in strange squashed-looking dark brown letters. Below the writing was singed p.23
  2. Why did Jane and Barney expect Simon to understand the manuscript? They thought it was written in Latin and Simon has been taking Latin at school. 25
  3. Who did Barney think the scroll was written about? King Arthur and his King Mark p.26
  4. Why didn’t the children want to tell their parents about the manuscript? They feared their parents would make them put it back where they found it p.26
  5. Who came to visit the Drew’s during their supper and why? People from the yacht at sea; they invited to spend the day on the yacht out at sea p.29

Chapter 4

  1. On page 36, the author used a word to describe how Jane felt about the Withers. What is it and what does it mean? Sinister- evil or productive of evil p.36
  2. What did Jane find when coming down the stairs for lunch? A small book in the treasure chest p.38
  3. What was her discovery of the book? It had the name King Mark Head which was similar to the name on the map on the manuscript p.39
  4. Describe what a vicarage is and what this one looked like. Home of the vicar or clergy of a village; Scruffy house with neglected overgrown plants; grass as high as hay; weeds in the gravel of the drive; inside was not taken care of and worn p.41

Chapter 5

  1. What did Simon find the morning after Jane visited the vicar? Their house had been broken into and books from all of the main floor had been gone through and thrown on the floor p.48
  2. What do the children think the burglars were after? The manuscript with the map p.53
  3. Who do you think broke into the house? the Withers or Mr. Hastings the vicar p.54
  4. Who do the children feel they can tell about the manuscript? Great-Uncle Merry p.55

Chapter 6

  1. What was Great-Uncle Merry’s response after seeing the manuscript? Happy and Relieved p.58
  2. Explain the battle the children put themselves in the middle of by finding the manuscript. Between King Arthur and the evil ones from the world long ago; people who are trying to remember the world at the time of King Arthur; good and evil that still lives on and is seeking the grail p.60
  3. What do you think over sea and under stone mean?  Listen to your child’s ideas p.62
  4. What was Great-Uncle Merry doing while the children were in the house finding the manuscript? Leading the enemies on a detour and distracting them p.65
  5. Why can’t the children or their great-uncle go tell the police about the Withers? They wouldn’t believe them p.69

Chapter 7

  1. Why would the white yacht, named the Lady Mary, be following the children’s dad and uncle out to sea? The Withers were on it and they were following Great-Uncle Merry to see if he’s lead them to something about the manuscript p.72
  2. Who did the children see as they were sitting on the grass halfway up the Kemare Head? Mrs. Withers and Bill p.74
  3. Where was the clue the children were looking for as the sun was setting? On a large rock on the opposite headland on Kemare Head p.79
  4. Who was the man Bill saw and spoke to while trying to find Simon? Mr. Hastings p.84
  5. How did Simon get away from Bill and the man? Great-Uncle Merry came driving up, Simon got in the car and drove away p.86

Chapter 8

  1. What type of figurative language did the author use on page 89 in the phrase, “He would have given his ears to be the hero of the chase.”? An idiom p.89
  2. What did Jane realize the blodge mark was on the map? The moon p.92
  3. When the children’s parents left for the night, what did that mean the children could do? To go wander out at night to see if the clue worked with the moon p.95
  4. What did Simon and Jane find using the moon as a guide? That the rocks on the end of the headland is where the grail is buried p.100
  5. What was the threat on the hill that night? There were people there trying to get to Jane and Simon p.103

Chapter 9

  1. What is your conclusion about Mrs. Palk sneaking around Barney’s room? That she was looking for the map p.107
  2. Why didn’t Barney want to talk about the grail or map around Mrs. Palk? He was suspicious of her being a part of the evil p.108
  3. Where did Mrs. Palk tell Gumerry where the children went? To St. Austell    Why? To get rid of Gumerry so the evil ones could get to the children p.112

Chapter 10

  1. Why were the rocks at the end of the headland called the Gravestones? The children figured the Knight Bedwin was buried there as well as the grail p.115
  2. What did Rufus find? An area to dig in the ground next to a rock; the children found a large hole in the ground under that area p.119
  3. What could Jane hear in the gaping hole? The sea p.122
  4. What was Simon’s conclusion as he realized the Withers hadn’t seen a cave while scoping out the area? The cave might be under water p.124

Chapter 11

  1. Explain the connection between Bill and Mrs. Palk. She is Bill’s auntie p.130
  2. How had the children missed seeing Barney as he came down the hill? The procession was in the way and the other children were on a stone wall at the corner of the front quay instead of being in inner quay p.131

Chapter 12

  1. What happened to Barney when he couldn’t find Simon and Jane? He was kidnapped p.136
  2. Who had kidnapped Barney and where did they take him? The Withers; to a big deserted looking house p.138
  3. Describe the interaction between Barney and Mr. Hastings. Mr. Hastings asked Barney where the grail was hiding and Barney said he didn’t know what he was talking about. Mr. Hastings was shocked when Barney asked for another sandwich and excused Mr. Withers.  Mr. Hastings tried to convince Barney that he wasn’t bad, but that Gumerry was bad instead and hoping to get information about the grail p.142
  4. What did Barney say in his conversation with Mr. Hastings? He questioned him and said that Gumerry was doing it in the name of King Arthur and the old world before the dark came p.147

Chapter 13

  1. Why did Barney relax and heed his new master, Mr. Hastings? Mr. Hastings hypnotized him p.150
  2. What snapped him out of his trance? Rufus’ howl p.151
  3. How did the children get away from the men chasing them? They hid in a field p.154
  4. Why were the children nervous when they heard the owl hooting? Jane realized it was the enemy and not an owl and they feared the enemy had seen them p.160
  5. What did the children do to take extra precautions at the cave? Tie fishing line around Barney; had matches to light; figured out signals to communicate to each other p.165

Chapter 14

  1. Choose a word that describes Barney as he’s finding his way through the cave. Brave, courageous, determined, P.168
  2. What did Barney find in the cavern with the natural cupboard? The grail p.173
  3. Sketch the grail and describe it. P.173
  4. Summarize what Jane experienced while waiting outside for her brothers while they were in the cave. She felt a significant amount of responsibility holding the manuscript; anxious and worried as she let the string out; worried about the enemies; worried about the tide p.176
  5. What did the boys find with the grail? Another manuscript p. 178
  6. Summarize the battle in the last chapter. The children were starting to head back to the beach and saw the yacht. As they hurried, they saw another dinghy at the shore blocking them off. They were intercepted by the two enemy groups. Mr. Hastings and Mr. Withers were on the rocks with the children and Barney threatened to throw both artifacts into the water. Gumerry came to their rescue in a speed boat with Mr. Penhallow driving. Simon grabbed the artifacts and tried to throw them to Gumerry. Gumerry caught the Grail, but an oar intercepted the telescope case and broke it, sending its contents into the sea. The children all got into the boat and the enemies retreated and left the bay p.179

Epilogue

  1. Who do the children think Great-Uncle Merry is? Merlin p.193

Comprehension Questions – Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

By Mildred D. Taylor

Grades 6-9; Genre – Fiction; GRL W; AR pts: 10.0

The land is all-important to the Logan family. But it takes a while for Cassie and her three brothers to understand just how lucky they are to have it. They must learn the hard way that having a place they can call their own in rural Mississippi permits the Logans the luxuries of pride and courage that their poor black sharecropper neighbors can't afford.

Vocabulary

Writing Prompts

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe the setting of this story. 1933 in Mississippi, autumn time, it was morning as the main characters were walking to school on a dirt road, passing the white kids school, then in the school for black kids p.24
  2. Who are the Logan children? Little Man, Cassie, Christopher-John and Stacey; children who are a family who live in Mississippi with their mama, papa, and Big Ma; children who are the descendents of slaves p.2
  3. Define racism and give an example from this chapter. A belief that one group of persons is superior to another, usually with color of skin. Ex. Berry’s getting burned by some white men p.6; White kids on a bus, where our characters can’t ride the bus p.8; Jeremy getting beat up because he walks with the main characters to school p.9; white kids go to one school our main characters have to go to another p.10; they got all of the old used books the white kids had used and what the books called them p.17
  4. Why were most of the children at the Great Faith school have such thread worn clothes and shoes that were too small to wear? They were all so poor; they worked on plantations and didn’t make very much money p.11
  5. Why didn’t Cassie and Little Man want the books the school was giving them? Because of what the books called them p.18

Chapter 2

  1. Why did Papa bring home Mr. Morrison? He lost his job and he was going to work as a hired hand at the Logan’s farm p.27
  2. Explain in your own words what happened to the Berry’s. they stopped at a gas station for gas and Henrietta heard some white men talk about the men she was with. John Henry left without getting gas and after dropping her off to her home, the white men drove up behind them and rammed into their car. He stopped at his uncle’s house for fear he was going to run out of gas and the men came and dragged him, Beacon and his uncle out of the house and set them all on fire p.29
  3. Why did Cassie’s dad tell them all not to go the Wallace’s store? There was drinking, dancing and smoking and he felt there was going to be trouble one day for those kids who went p.30

Chapter 3

  1. Why did Big Ma use the term “ignorant white folks” when talking to Little Man about getting dirty by the school bus each day? Ignorant means lacking knowledge or comprehension of something, so she understands that the white people don’t understand that black people should be treated similarly p.33
  2. How did Big Ma show Little Man tough love when they were talking about the bus issue? Didn’t feel sorry for him and told him to stop fretting over it; told him to study hard in school and get a good education and he’d be ok; told him he could buy a car when he grew up to drive himself where he wanted to go p.33
  3. What was Stacey’s plan to stop the bus from splashing them to and from school? To dig into the road to make it look like it was washed out p.38
  4. When the bus fell into the deep ditch, why was Mama and Big Ma happy? Now the white kids will have to walk to school just like their kids do every day; now there’s no special privilege for white kids p.42
  5. Why do you think the men in the cars with the headlights came to Cassie’s home that night? To punish the children for digging the ditch; to capture Mr. Morrison p.50

Chapter 4

  1. Why did Mama and Big Ma suspect something was wrong with the children? They were listless, didn’t eat or sleep well p.53
  2. Why were the children relieved after talking to TJ and hearing about the man who got tarred and feathered? They learned it wasn’t because of their prank to stop the bus p.57
  3. Why did Papa bring Mr. Morrison to live near his family? To protect them p.59
  4. Why did Stacey get whipped in school? TJ handed him his cheat notes and the teacher saw p.61
  5. Why did Stacey decide to tell his Mama about fighting at the Wallace’s store? Mr. Morrison helped him understand he needed to. Stacey respected Mr. Morrison and wanted to do what he said p.66
  6. Explain why Mr. Granger wants to buy their land? He just wants it to own it, he doesn’t need it; to take away their privilege of having land; it was his before the ward, but his family had to sell it since they didn’t have any money p.67

Chapter 5

  1. Why did Big Ma park the wagon at the back of the field on market day? Only the white people’s wagons could park near the entrance p.80
  2. How was Cassie supposed to act in the store while Mr. Barnette was helping everyone else before them? Patient, wait until he’s ready to help; helps everyone who’s white before helping her p.85
  3. How had Cassie been insulted when in town? Mr. Barnette yelled at her for having no manners and expecting to be helped in proper order at the store and Lillian Jean made her apologize for bumping into her and expected Cassie to walk in the road p.86

Chapter 6

  1. How did Uncle Hammer react when Cassie told him what happened in Strawberry? He was angry and wanted to get revenge on Mr. Simms so got into his car to go to Mr. Simms home p.93
  2. How did Cassie’s mama explain the reason for Lillian Jean’s treatment? She explained that people are still stuck thinking that white people are better than black people even though slavery had ended decades before p.95
  3. What did Uncle Hammer give Stacey on the way to church and why did he give it to him then instead of at Christmas? A new coat because his was worn and too small p.101
  4. When Uncle Hammer persisted across the bridge to make the other car stop and wait for them, why was Mama so worried as she said, “one day we’ll pay.” Uncle Hammer’s actions will cause the Wallace’s to take offense and cause the Logan family to have issues because of it p.105

Chapter 7

  1. What did Stacey do to the coat Uncle Hammer gave to him and what was his uncle’s reaction when he found out? Gave it to TJ; Uncle Hammer told him not to got get it, but got after him for doing whatever TJ wanted him to do and told him he needed to stick up for himself and not be influenced easily p.107
  2. Summarize Mr. Morrison’s story about the night men. His little town got attacked by them since a woman complained some boys had hurt her. The night men came, started the town on fire, and killed women, children and men. His sisters died and his mother threw him out of the house so he wouldn’t get hurt and she fought next to his dad. They both died that night p.112
  3. What did the children get for Christmas? Books, clothes and candy/food p.116
  4. What did Mr. Jamison propose to Papa and Uncle Hammer? That he’ll back the credit for people to shop at the store in Vicksburg p.122
  5. Why did Mr. Granger come to visit the Logan’s? to tell them not to go to Vicksburg for the groceries or he would cause them to lose their land p.122

Chapter 8

  1. Describe the advice Cassie’s papa gave her about the incident with Lillian Jean? She has Uncle Hammer’s temper and she has to consider what is worse, the hurt you receive or the hurt your family would receive if they reacted the way they wanted to, but you can’t back down at some things or theya eat you alive ; he told her not to be mad, but she needed to decide how she was going to respond this treatment p.133
  2. Why was Cassie so kind to Lillian Jean and being her “pet”? to get her to trust her and tell her things, so when she beat her up and made her apologize, she had leverage to keep Lillian Jean from telling anyone what she had done p.137
  3. Explain why Mama lost her job as a schoolteacher? Mr. Granger came to her class and she admitted to not teaching everything in the book that the school board provided because it wasn’t true p.140
  4. What did TJ say that got their Mama fired?  That she wasn’t a good teacher and destroyed school property by covering the books with paper and that she was the one who told everyone not to go to the Wallace’s store p.143
  5. What’s a consequence of TJ talking to Kaleb Wallace about Ms. Logan and getting her fired? Nobody will talk to him at school p.146
  6. Predict what’s going to happen to TJ and how his actions are going to affect his relationship with the Logan’s.  He’s going to side more with the white people and help them ruin the Logan’s p.147

Chapter 9

  1. What’s the problem with TJ hanging out with Jeremy’s brothers who are 18 & 19? They’re much older than him; could be a bad influence; don’t treat him well when he’s not with them p.150
  2. What’s a chain gang? A group of men who have been arrested or convicts that are forced to working on road construction, ditch digging or farming while chained together p.155
  3. Describe the example Papa used when answering Cassie’s question if they were going to give up. He used a fig tree growing in an area with lots of trees overshadowing it. That fig tree keeps on growing and doesn’t give up. It has a right to be in the yard too. They aren’t giving up either p.156
  4. What had happened to Stacey, Mr. Morrison and Papa on their way back from Vicksburg in the rain? Someone had loosened the wheels on the cart, they came off and while the men were putting the wheels on a car came from behind and someone shot Papa. Jack the mule got scared and the cart rolled and ran over Papa. Mr. Morrison went after the men and stopped them from hurting any of them. The men left and they brought Papa home with a broken leg and his head wrapped from the shot p.162

Chapter 10

  1. Why were Cassie’s parents worried about money? Because her papa couldn’t work on the railroad to get the mortgage payments and her mom lost her teaching job p.166
  2. What did Mr. Morrison do when Kaleb Wallace blocked the road with his truck? He picked up each end of the truck and moved it p.170
  3. When Jeremy came to the pond and trees to see the Logan children, what did he tell them about TJ? That he was hanging around with white boys and stealing stuff from people p.173
  4. What does it mean that the bank called up the note? The bank wanted the Logan’s to pay for the debt on the land immediately p.175
  5. What did Uncle Hammer do to get the money to pay the debt at the bank? Sold his nice car and other things as well as borrowed some money p.178
  6. Why did TJ come to the revival? To show off his new friends to his old friends and boast about his new clothes and friends and how they’d give him anything he wanted p.182

Chapter 11

  1. Explain what happened at the Barnette’s store with TJ, R.W. and Melvin. TJ, M.W. and Melvin went to the store to get the pistol, but the store was closed. TJ climbed into the window and opened the door for the other boys. Once in they got the gun and were trying to get the metal case with money, but the Barnette’s came down the stairs. Mr. Barnette tried to stop them but got knocked in the head by the flat part of the ax and Mrs. Barnette fell and hit her head on the stove. The older boys beat up TJ since he said he was going to tell. They ran to do some business and TJ got a ride with a farmer close to the Logan’s home p.187
  2. What will be the consequence of Stacey taking TJ home instead of telling his parents? The children all saw the Avery family with TJ get pulled out of their home. TJ was accused of breaking into the store p.191
  3. Who came and tried to help the Avery family and TJ from getting hurt? Mr. Jamison p.193
  4. Why did Cassie and her brothers need to run and tell Papa and Mr. Morrison about the events at the Avery home? To warn them and protect them from Kaleb Wallace and the Simms since they want to hang them both as well as TJ p.195

Chapter 12

  1. Why was Mama so worried about Papa taking a gun to find Stacey and help TJ? She knew if he fired at the men he would be hung p.197
  2. What started the fire on their cotton? Lightning p.199
  3. What did Papa and Mr. Granger do to stop the fire? Dig a trench p.202
  4. What had happened to TJ? He got taken into Strawberry to jail so he could be tried for breaking into the mercantile store and hurting/killing the Barnette’s p.205
  5. How did Papa stop the hangings that night? He started a fire which caused Mr. Granger to stop focusing on TJ and instead putting out the fire on his fields p.208
  6. Why did Cassie cry at the end of the story? She mourned what would happen to TJ; she cried for the things that happened in the night, but what would not pass; for the land p.210

Comprehension Questions – Stuart Little

Stuart Little

by E.B. White

Grades 4-5; Genre – Fiction; GRL R; AR pts: 3.0

"When Mrs. Frederick C. Little's second son arrived, everybody noticed that he was not much bigger than a mouse. The truth of the matter was, the baby looked very much like a mouse in every way." So begins E.B. White's tale of a sensitive, erudite mouse that is somehow born to a family of humans.

Vocabulary

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Why did Stuart’s mother send for the doctor? He only gained a third of an ounce pg 3
  2. Why did Stuart go down the drain? To find his mother’s ring pg 4
  3. How did the family feel when Stuart recovered the ring? That he was “awfully good” pg 6

Chapter 2

  1. How did Stuart help around the house? Retrieving ping-pong balls, sticky piano keys pg 7
  2. Why did they tear up the nursery rhyme? Stuart would feel badly about carving knives pg 9
  3. Why did they change “The Night before Christmas” words? It would embarrass Stuart pg 10

Chapter 3

  1. Every morning what does Stuart do with George first thing? Touch toes 10 times pg 13
  2. How did Stuart turn on the bathroom light? Long string to light chain pg 14
  3. How did Stuart turn on the water faucet? 3 strikes with a little hammer pg 16

Chapter 4

  1. What did Stuart argue with Snowbell over? Who had stronger stomach muscles pg 18
  2. What happened when he jumped on the window shade ring? Rolled up inside pg 19
  3. What did Snowbell do? Placed Stuart’s things in front of mouse hole pg 20

Chapter 5

  1. What did George want to do to find Stuart? Rip up the floor pg 21
  2. What did they end up doing? All called together and waited to hear his answer pg 22
  3. Why did George pull down the shades? To respect Stuart who was “dead” pg 25

Chapter 6

  1. What did Stuart watch out for when outside? Dogs pg 27
  2. How did Stuart step up onto a bus? He held onto a man’s pants pg 28
  3. What boat did Stuart want to sail on and beat? The Wasp, The Lillian B. Womarth  pg 33

Chapter 7

  1. What accident happened at the beginning of the race? The policeman fell into the water pg 38
  2. What did the policeman cause? A big wave pg 39
  3. What caused the crash between the boats? A paper bag pg 43
  4. Why did Stuart win? He sailed the Wasp “straight and true” pg 45

Chapter 8

  1. How did Stuart catch bronchitis? He got locked in the refrigerator pg 47
  2. What did Stuart do for Margalo? Take her temperature pg 52
  3. What did Stuart do to Snowbell’s ear? Shoot it with an arrow pg 55

Chapter 9

  1. Why did Stuart jump into the garbage can? To avoid the Irish Terrier pg 57
  2. Where was the garbage truck going? To dump the load on the scow pg 60
  3. Why was Stuart sad that he might die? He would miss his home pg 61

Chapter 10

  1. What did the Angora cat tell Snowbell? You have more self-control than me pg 69
  2. Who overheard the plot to kill Margalo? The pigeon pg 71
  3. What did Margalo do when she read the note? Fly away pg 71

Chapter 11

  1. Why did Stuart run away from home? To look for Margalo pg 73
  2. Who did he go see for advice? Dr. Carey pg 75
  3. Why wouldn’t Stuart’s car attract attention? It was invisible pg 79

Chapter 12

  1. Why were the scholars delighted at #7 School? They would have a substitute for                         Mrs. Gunderson pg 87
  2. What would fix the world being in a lot of trouble? A chairman of the world pg 92
  3. What would be a fine law? Absolutely no being mean pg 94

Chapter 13

  1. What did Stuart want to drink? Sarsaparilla pg 102
  2. Who did the storekeeper want Stuart to meet? Harriet Ames pg 103
  3. What did Stuart invite Harriet to do? Paddle in his canoe pg 110

Chapter 14

  1. What were the paddles for the canoe? wooden ice cream spoons pg 114
  2. Why did Stuart keep changing his shirts? Nervous perspiration pg 118
  3. How did the evening on the river end? It was ruined pg 124

Chapter 15

  1. How much gas did Stuart want? Five drops pg 125
  2. What direction did the repairman say is not making any mistakes? North pg 12

Comprehension Questions without Answers

Chapter 1

  1. Why did Stuart’s mother send for the doctor?
  2. Why did Stuart go down the drain?
  3. How did the family feel when Stuart recovered the ring?

Chapter 2

  1. How did Stuart help around the house?
  2. Why did they tear up the nursery rhyme?
  3. Why did they change “The Night before Christmas” words?

Chapter 3

  1. Every morning what does Stuart do with George first thing?
  2. How did Stuart turn on the bathroom light?
  3. How did Stuart turn on the water faucet?

Chapter 4

  1. What did Stuart argue with Snowbell over?
  2. What happened when he jumped on the window shade ring?
  3. What did Snowbell do?

Chapter 5

  1. What did George want to do to find Stuart?
  2. What did they end up doing?
  3. Why did George pull down the shades?

Chapter 6

  1. What did Stuart watch out for when outside?
  2. How did Stuart step up onto a bus?
  3. What boat did Stuart want to sail on and beat?

Chapter 7

  1. What accident happened at the beginning of the race?
  2. What did the policeman cause?
  3. What caused the crash between the boats?
  4. Why did Stuart win?

Chapter 8

  1. How did Stuart catch bronchitis?
  2. What did Stuart do for Margalo?
  3. What did Stuart do to Snowbell’s ear?

Chapter 9

  1. Why did Stuart jump into the garbage can?
  2. Where was the garbage truck going?
  3. Why was Stuart sad that he might die?

Chapter 10

  1. What did the Angora cat tell Snowbell?
  2. Who overheard the plot to kill Margalo?
  3. What did Margalo do when she read the note?

Chapter 11

  1. Why did Stuart run away from home?
  2. Who did he go see for advice?
  3. Why wouldn’t Stuart’s car attract attention?

Chapter 12

  1. Why were the scholars delighted at #7 School?
  2. What would fix the world being in a lot of trouble?
  3. What would be a fine law?

Chapter 13

  1. What did Stuart want to drink?
  2. Who did the storekeeper want Stuart to meet?
  3. What did Stuart invite Harriet to do?

Chapter 14

  1. What were the paddles for the canoe?
  2. Why did Stuart keep changing his shirts?
  3. How did the evening on the river end?

Chapter 15

  1. How much gas did Stuart want?
  2. What direction did the repairman say is not making any mistakes?

Comprehension Questions – Magic Tree House #29 A Big Day for Baseball

A Big Day for Baseball

by Mary Pope Osborne

Comprehension Questions; Vocabulary; Writing Prompts

Grades 3-5; Genre – Historical Fiction with Fantastical Elements; GRL N; AR pts: 1.0

Chapter 1

Why didn’t Jack and Annie want to go to baseball tryouts? They felt they were terrible at baseball p.4

Where were jack and Annie traveling too this time? Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York p.7

Why were Jack and Annie excited to go there and play baseball? They would have magical gray baseball caps to help them be good at baseball p.8

Chapter 2

What’s a bat boy? Someone who helps a baseball team during a game p.11

Who helped Jack and Annie get to Ebbets Field? Some twins named Olive and Otis p.16

Why was there a huge crowd outside the baseball stadium? There was a baseball game that afternoon p.19

Chapter 3

How do the twins usually watch baseball games since they can’t pay to get into the stadium? Lay on the sidewalk and peek under the gate p.22

Give two differences from a baseball game at Frog Creek in 2017 from what Jack and Annie saw in Ebbets Field in 1947? What people wore to the game and half of the stadium was filled with white people the other half had black people p.24

Who do you think was the baseball player Jack and Annie saw signing autographs? Jackie Robinson p.24

Chapter 4

 Why didn’t the Braves team ignore Jack and Annie? Bat boys never bother the players or get in their way p.28

Name three tasks Jack and Annie needed to do as they acted as bat boys? Hung uniforms in lockers; wiped off equipment and lined up the shoes on the benches; pushed the trunk of bats out to the dugout; unloaded bats and placed them on shelves; took the first aid kit, catcher’s gear, and chewing gum to the dugout; filled jugs with water; took towels and baseball to the dugout p.30

What’s the national anthem? A song we sing in the United States to show respect and appreciation for our country; The Star-Spangled Banner p.32

Chapter 5

What were Jack’s and Annie’s responsibilities while the Braves were up to bat? Jack’s: Retrieve foul balls, gave new baseballs to the umpire always making sure he had three, had to count the baseballs; Annie’s: picked up bats that the players dropped and put them on the rack p.36

Why were the people in the stands heckling the black player? Because he was a different skin color p.41

What happened to Jack’s cap? It blew off in the wind and some kid jumped who had from the stands and grabbed it p.42

Chapter 6

What did Jack and Annie do to confuse the security guard and manager? They took turns wearing the hat to try to prove they were bat boys p.47

Why was Jack worried about people seeing him as they walked out of the stadium? He was embarrassed and humiliated p.48

Give a descriptive word to describe the manager and security guard. Intolerant; angry; impatient p.48

Chapter 7

Who helped Jack and Annie after they got kicked out of the stadium? Olive and Otis p.51

How did the Dodger’s team get their name? Fans need to dodge streetcars to get to the ballpark p.53

Where did Otis and Olive take Jack and Annie to hear the game? To their grannies’ house p.55

Chapter 8

Why were the grannies so fervent on Jackie hitting the ball? They were also people of color and wanted Jackie to be successful p.57

Why was this baseball game so important? Jackie Robinson was the first black player allowed to play with white players in major league baseball and he made history that game p.60

Why were the grannies so surprised to see Jack and Annie in their home? Jack and Annie were the first white people ever to come into their home p.61

Chapter 9

What was significant about the twin’s great-great-granny? She was 101 years old and born a slave p.64

What’s the advice Great-Great-Granny Beck gave to Jack and Annie? Always keep your eyes on the good and always keep your self-respect p.66

Why was it strange for Jack and Annie to be the first white people to go into the grannies’ home? During the history of the United States there had been a lot of racism against black people, but Jackie Robinson helped begin to change it p.69

Chapter 10

What made Jack decide he wanted to try out for baseball? After reading about Jackie Robinson, he realized he didn’t care so much what people thought of him p.75

What was the real reason Morgan sent Jack and Annie to Brooklyn? To help them learn to be brave and keep going p.75

Comprehension Questions – Magic Tree House Super Edition #1 Danger in the Darkest Hour

Danger in the Darkest Hour

By Mary Pope Osborne

Grades 2-5; Genre – Historical Fiction with Fantastical Elements; GRL T; AR 3.0

The Magic Tree House has taken Jack and Annie back in time to England in 1944. England is fighting for its life in World War II. Before long, Jack and Annie find themselves parachuting into Normandy, France, behind enemy lines. The date is June 5. Will the brave brother and sister team be able to make a difference during one of the darkest times in history? They don't know, but they have to try!

Vocabulary

Writing Prompts

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. How did Jack feel when Annie interrupted his reading? He was frustrated; impatient; mad p.5
  2. What was so interesting about the pigeon Annie found? It had a canister to carry messages; it was a carrier pigeon p.7
  3. Who sent the message for Jack and Annie? Teddy p.10

Chapter 2

  1. Describe the setting of the area Annie and Jack traveled to. Hazy; ducks on the pond; sheep grazing in the field; broken down buildings, stone pillars and crumbling archways; Glastonbury, England; 1944 p.14
  2. Why is Teddy concerned about Kathleen? She went on a mission, but hasn’t returned and sent a carrier pigeon with a message in a secret code, but Teddy can’t figure it out p.21
  3. Explain why the times Jack and Annie traveled to were dark. Teddy is limited in his magic; Kathleen is missing; the war is going on and many people are affected p.22
  4. How were Jack and Annie going to travel to Normandy? By jumping out of a plane with parachutes p.26

Chapter 3

  1. Who would Jack and Annie need to find to help send a message to Teddy? Someone from the French Resistance p.30
  2. Demonstrate the ways Jack and Annie can make the Victory sign. Holding up two fingers that make a V; drawing it on a piece of paper; scratching it in the dirt; or any other way you can think of p.30
  3. Tell me three of the supplies Teddy gave Jack and Annie for their mission? Old fashioned pack; Flashlight; clothes; boots; parachutes; goggles; helmet; identity cards with French names p.31

Chapter 4

  1. What was Annie’s attitude when she found out they didn’t have the magic wand? Positive; determined; looking on the bright side; but then she got scared and Jack had to encourage her p.44
  2. Why did Jack and Annie hide in the barn? They heard dogs and men searching for them p.50
  3. Why did the German shepherd barking at them calm down? Annie used her “making friends with animals” skills p.51

Chapter 5

  1. Who are Gaston and Suzette? A married couple a part of the French Resistance p.53
  2. Describe where Jack and Annie stayed the night. Gaston and Suzette’s home in the cellar that had hundreds of wine bottles and smelled dank and musty p.58
  3. What happened to Gaston and Suzette’s twin boys? They were couriers and got caught by the Nazi’s when they were putting up a message of hope p.60

Chapter 6

  1. Why was is so important that Gaston and Suzette had a wireless? That was how Jack and Annie were supposed to communicate with Teddy once they found Kathleen p.65
  2. What were the code phrases the French Resistance used and what did they mean? Code Purple: destroy communication lines so the Nazi’s don’t find out what’s happening; Code Green: Resistance Fighters need to blow bridges and train tracks to keep enemy troops from traveling to that area p.66
  3. Why did Gaston want the children to leave France? An invasion was happening the next day p.70
  4. What did Suzette and Gaston give to the children to help them on their journey? A compass; hats; bikes and advice p.74

Chapter 7

  1. What did Jack do that made people chase them? Made the V signal to a horse and buggy that passed them p.80
  2. How did Jack and Annie escape? A milk man told them to get into his truck and he took them to Caen p.83
  3. Describe the busy town square Jack and Annie were in. Women with children buying food, cloth and lace; cobblestone streets; quaint buildings; church covered with ivy; small train depot; sidewalk café p.84

Chapter 8

  1. Who did Annie mean when she said, “I hate them.”? The Nazi’s p.90
  2. Why did she so strongly dislike the Nazi’s? they were cruel p.90
  3. Why were the Nazi officers going to arrest Jack? They found Resistance papers in the pack p.92
  4. When Jack held up the flyers in the bistro, who did the waitress go get and why? Her mom; she wanted to know how Jack and Annie knew the twins p.100

Chapter 9

  1. What good news did Sylvie give the children? That Tom and Theo escaped from jail and are safe to the south of France p.102
  2. What did Kathleen mean when she wrote knights and small, round cows? They were types of apples p.106
  3. Who do you think was singing the song, Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star?  Listen to your child’s ideas p.110

Chapter 10

  1. Who did Jack and Annie find in the cave? Kathleen and refugee children p.112
  2. Explain how Kathleen has taken care of the children day and night? In the day the stay in the cave and at night they sneak into the chateau’s attic and sleep while Kathleen goes and looks for food p.114
  3. Why do you think the Nazis arrested Sophie and Sarah’s parents for being scientists and Jewish?  The Nazis were sending the Jews to concentration camps. This is a good opportunity to have a discussion with your child about the Holocaust if they’re ready for it. P.115
  4. Describe Annie’s plan to get them all to the drop zone? Sneak the kids out at night, get in a delivery truck, Jack will drive it to the drop zone and Teddy will pick them up in a bigger plane p.119

Chapter 11

  1. Describe how Jack began to feel as he talked with Kathleen and felt her hope? Began to have courage and feel like he could drive the truck p.125
  2. Why did Kathleen write a note for the baker? Because they were taking his truck without asking permission and told him where he could find it p.126
  3. On the last page of this chapter, it commented on Jack’s throat getting tight. What does that mean? He was feeling emotional/ like crying because he really wanted to help the kids find freedom p.132

Chapter 12

  1. Why was Jack so nervous they were going to get caught by the Nazis? They had to go through a checkpoint p.134
  2. How did they make it through the checkpoint safely? Kathleen tricked Jack into thinking she had cast an invisibility spell p.140
  3. How did Jack feel about being tricked? He was confused at whether to be angry at Kathleen or amazed at himself, but just laughed in the end p.141
  4. Why did Kathleen sing songs with the young children? To help them be happy and calm p.143

Chapter 13

  1. What was in the field next to the church as the searchlights scanned the sky overhead? A large plane with Teddy inside p.147
  2. How did Teddy feel when he realized he forgot to send the wand with Jack and Annie? Terrible; guilty p.149
  3. How did the children respond to being in the plane? Excited p.151
  4. Why was Jack confused about the plane? It was silent taking off; you could open the window; it got passed the searchlights; he didn’t know if spy planes were made during WWII p.152

Chapter 14

  1. Now that the children were all safe, what was going to happen to them? Relatives and friends would be located and would come get them p.160
  2. Who was the pilot and what kind of plane did he have? It was Merlin and he had a magical plane p.163
  3. Tell me two things Jack and Annie learned and saw on this mission? How it feels to live in terror all of the time; how it feels to speak or move about freely; seen cruel people hunt down the innocent p.164
  4. How did Jack and Annie feel as they got back to Frog Creek? Safe p.167

Comprehension Questions – Charlotte’s Web

Charlotte’s Web

By E.B. White

Grades 3-7; Genre – Fiction; GRL R; AR pts: 5.0

Wilbur is the runt of a litter born to a pig on the farm of Fern Arable's father. When it is announced that her father is going to kill the pig, Fern rushes forth to save it, asking of her father: "If I had been very small at birth, would you have killed me?" Her father spares the pig, but only if Fern agrees to care for it. Falling in love immediately with the little pig, Fern takes care of him until he is moved to her Uncle’s farm. Wilbur becomes friends with the other animals at the farm including a spider named Charlotte who saves Wilbur’s life.

Vocabulary Words

Writing Prompts

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe the setting of this story. Farm; kitchen and on the way to the pigpen; morning, breakfast time; grass was wet and the earth smelled of springtime p.1
  2. Why did Fern’s father decide to keep the pig and not kill it? Fern said she would take care of it and that it was an injustice to kill a pig just because it was small p.3
  3. What did Fern name her pig? Wilbur p.7

Chapter 2

  1. How did Wilbur stay warm at night? Dug a tunnel in the straw p.9
  2. Why did Mr. Arable need to sell Wilbur? He ate too much food; he didn’t want to provide for him any longer p.12
  3. Why did Fern’s Uncle decide to buy the pig? It was only $6 p.12

Chapter 3

  1. Describe Wilbur’s new home. The lower part of a barn, below the cows, in the manure pile p.14
  2. Is the goose a good or bad influence and why? Bad; She told Wilbur to free himself and to dig in the orchard and garden; told him how to escape when people were coming p.17
  3. How did Lurvy and Uncle Homer catch Wilbur? Go behind him and drove him toward the barn; got a bucket of slop to lure into his pen p.19
  4. Why didn’t Wilbur care that he was being led back to his pen? He was nervous; he wanted the food; he wanted to be in his pen again and not being chased around p.22

Chapter 4

  1. Why is Wilbur sad in this chapter? It’s raining and he can’t do his plan; he’s doesn’t have any friends and he’s lonely p.27
  2. Describe Templeton. He’s a rat; he’s dug tunnels everywhere so he can get to where he wants to without being seen; he sleeps in the day and is out at night; gluttonous; 30
  3. Give me three descriptive words of how Wilbur was feeling in this chapter. Lonely; despair; sad; rejected p.31
  4. Who do you think spoke to Wilbur about being his friend? Charlotte p.31

Chapter 5

  1. Why did Wilbur have a difficult time sleeping? He was anxious for morning so he could meet his new friend p.33
  2. Describe Charlotte. Friendly; nearsighted; a spider; has eight legs; pretty; tells the truth p.37
  3. What did Charlotte say that finally convinced Wilbur that catching bugs and drinking their blood was ok? If she didn’t, bugs would otherwise multiply and take over the world p.40
  4. What did goose know about Wilbur that he did not? Mr. Zuckerman and Lurvy were going to kill him at Christmastime p.40

Chapter 6

  1. Give three reasons why the book felt the happiest and fairest days on the farm are in early summer. Blossoms and lilacs with bees; temperature is warm; school ends; cutting of the hay and put in the loft of the barn; birds, nests and eggs; plenty of things for a child to chew (dandelion stem); goose eggs hatch p.42
  2. Why did the geese worry about Templeton? He would kill a gosling if he could get away with it p.46
  3. What did Charlotte say would happen if the egg broke? It would be such a strong smell that no one could handle living in the barn, it’s a stink bomb p.47

Chapter 7

  1. Who told Wilbur that the farmer would most likely kill him when the weather got cold? The old sheep p.49
  2. What was Wilbur’s reaction? Got upset, cried and ran around in a panic p.50

Chapter 8

  1. Why was Mrs. Arable concerned about Fern? Fern told her about the animals speaking p.54

Chapter 9

  1. What did Charlotte try to teach Wilbur to do? Spin a web p.56
  2. Why couldn’t Wilbur spin a web? He lacked a set of spinnerets and know how p.58
  3. How did Charlotte help Wilbur feel better when he was worried about dying? She said she had a plan to help him p.63
  4. What was the advice Charlotte told Wilbur? Build himself up; get plenty of sleep; stop worrying; no hurrying; chew food thoroughly and eat every bit of it, except leave enough for Templeton; gain weight and stay well; keep fit; don’t lose nerve p.64

Chapter 10

  1. What was Charlotte’s plan going to do to Zuckerman? Trick or fool him p.67
  2. What did Avery want to do with Charlotte? Catch her p.72
  3. Why wasn’t Avery able to catch her? He was climbing to swing a stick to knock her in a box and lost his balance. He fell and landed on the rotten egg and it exploded making it stink terribly, so he ran away p.73
  4. What made the terrible smell go away? Lurvy covered the rotten egg with dirt p.75

Chapter 11

  1. Describe Mr. Zuckerman’s reaction when they saw Charlotte’s web? In awe; bewildered; said a miracle has happened on the farm; said the pig was a special pig p.79
  2. Where did Mr. Zuckerman go with his suit on and why? To see the minister to explain there had been a miracle at the farm p.82
  3. Why was everyone coming to see the pig? They heard about it and wanted to see the “sign” that had appeared in the web p.83
  4. What was Avery’s punishment for trying to hit the spider with a stick? Sent to bed with no supper p.84
  5. What did the minister say the “sign” or miracle was? Human beings needed to be on the watch for wonders p.85

Chapter 12

  1. How do we know Charlotte’s plan to save Wilbur worked? Everyone thought Wilbur was unusual, so they won’t kill him now p.87
  2. How did the animals want Templeton to help out Charlotte? Bring magazine clippings from the dump so she can get ideas and know how to spell words p.89
  3. What made Templeton agree with bringing back magazine clippings? Realizing that if Wilbur dies, he won’t get any more food p.90

Chapter 13

  1. After seeing the word “terrific” written in the web, what plans did Zuckerman make for Wilbur? No more manure; only clean hay; Lurvy was to build a crate so Zuckerman could take him to the fair p.96
  2. What was the dump that Templeton went to? Zuckerman’s throw away pile at the end of a path, below the apple orchard p.97
  3. Give me two examples in this chapter that describe how Charlotte feels about Wilbur. Worked far into the night for him p. 92; Charlotte looked affectionately at him p.101; she told him a story even though she was tired p.102; she sang him a song p.104; listen to other examples stated

Chapter 14

  1. Why did Fern’s mother visit Dr. Dorian? She was concerned about Fern and her interest in the farm animals p.107
  2. What did Dr. Dorian tell Mrs. Arable? To not worry about Fern and that she seemed to be fine p.111

Chapter 15

  1. Why was Charlotte worried when she heard the crickets singing that summer was almost over? she didn’t have much time left and she couldn’t help him anymore p.114 &117
  2. What was Wilbur’s attitude even with the attention he was getting? Humble; modest; kind p.115
  3. Why did Charlotte need to stay at the farm and not go to the fair? it was time for her to lay eggs p.116

Chapter 16

  1. How did the sheep convince Templeton he should go to the fair? told him of all the food scraps that would be left around p.123
  2. What made Wilbur faint as everyone admired him? The farmer spoke of the ham and bacon that would come from killing him p.126
  3. How did the farmer know that Wilbur was ok? Wilbur fought back as they tried to get him into the crate p.28

Chapter 17

  1. Using 3 of the senses describe what the family saw as they arrived at the fair. Hear the music; see the Ferris wheel; smell the of the race track; smell hamburgers frying; hear bleating in pens; see balloons aloft p.130
  2. Avery and Fern wanted to go have fun at the fair. How much money did their father give to each of them? $0.70 p.131
  3. Describe Uncle. A spring big; much larger and dirtier than Wilbur; noisy; cracks weak jokes; unattractive personality p.134

Chapter 18

  1. What word did Templeton bring Charlotte at the fair and why was it a good word? Humble; he’s not proud and he’s near the ground p.140
  2. Why was the fair a paradise for Templeton? He could find all sorts of food to eat p.140
  3. What do you think Charlotte is making? Listen to your child’s ideas; an egg sac p.143

Chapter 19

  1. Why isn’t Charlotte going to see her children? She doesn’t think she’ll be around p.146
  2. Why is everyone so excited after bathing Wilbur in buttermilk? There was an announcement for Mr. Zuckerman to bring his pig to the judges’ booth to receive a special award p.151
  3. Why is Charlotte feeling content and peaceful? She thinks she has saved Wilbur’s life p.153

Chapter 20

  1. Where did Fern want to go during the award ceremony? On the Ferris wheel with Henry p.156
  2. Why is the writing in the web such a phenomenon? Spiders aren’t supposed to write p.158
  3. What did the rat do to Wilbur save him after he fainted? Bit his tail p.159
  4. Why did Avery enjoy getting splashed with water? He loved the crowd cheering at him as he acted like a clown p.162

Chapter 21

  1. Why can’t Charlotte go back to the barn? She’s going to be dead in a day or two; she doesn’t have enough spinnerets to lower her to the ground; she doesn’t have strength to get into the crate p.165
  2. What’s the deal Wilbur made with Templeton to make him get Charlotte’s egg sac? Wilbur would let him eat first when Lurvy fed him p.168
  3. How did the egg sac feel in Templeton’s mouth? Sticky; worse than caramel candy p.170

 Chapter 22

  1. Why did Wilbur look forward to winter ending? Charlotte’s eggs would hatch p.176
  2. Describe to me the signs of spring. A new lamb; frogs croaking; snow melting; a sparrow singing; goose sitting on eggs p.176
  3. Why were Charlotte’s children leaving Wilbur? They needed to go into the world to make webs for themselves p.180
  4. How many spiders decided to stay with Wilbur? 3 p.182

Comprehension Questions – My Side of the Mountain

My Side of the Mountain

By Jean Craighead George

Grades 4-7; Genre – Fiction; GRL U; AR pts: 6.0

Fifteen-year-old Sam Gribley has decided to run away from his crowded apartment home, but unlike most kids who rarely get beyond their block, Sam goes from New York City all the way to the ruined farm of Great-grandfather Gribley in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York. Sam learns to live off the land, and in the course of a year, discovers just how much he values freedom, independence, and adventure when faced with the challenges of blizzards, loneliness and fear.

Vocabulary
Writing Prompts

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe Sam’s home. It’s in a tree he dug and burned out that’s six feet in diameter; his bed is on the right made of ash slats and deerskin; fireplace on the left made of clay and stones; chimney p.3
  2. How did Sam know that a blizzard was coming? The animals were silent and in hiding; his hawk was nervous; it was darker than usual during the daytime p.7
  3. Tell me about Sam’s family. He has a mom and dad, four sisters and four brothers p.8
  4. Tell me the story of Great Grandpa Gribley and how it effects Sam?  He owned the land in the Catskill Mountains and built a home and plowed the land; the farm failed and he went to be a sailor; Sam found the land with the tree that had Gribley carved into it and lives 300 feet from it; he wanted to live on his great grandfather’s land p.9

Chapter 2

  1. What did the truck driver say to Sam as he dropped him off in the forest? He was surprised and told him how he ran away as a child as well; Said he’d be back in the morning if Sam wanted a ride home p.10
  2. Describe Sam’s first night in the woods? He was able to catch fish, but couldn’t start a fire to cook them; he made a shelter, but was so cold with the winds and he couldn’t sleep because of a whippoorwill calling p.17
  3. How would you have felt in this situation? Listen to your child’s answers p.17

Chapter 3

  1. How did Miss Turner respond to Sam when he told her he wanted to live on his great grandfather’s farm? She believed him and supported him; told him to come back if he needed any books to learn about plants, trees and animals p.22
  2. How did Sam find his great grandfather’s property? From Miss Turner’s hand drawn maps p.22
  3. How did having a fire during the night compare to not having a fire? It made the woods friendly and warm; filled the woods with brightness when the first night was dark and frightful p.24

Chapter 4

  1. What did Sam find as he explored his great grandpa’s farm? Hickory trees; a small stream; the foundation of the house; apple trees; walnut trees; a marsh; giant trees p.26

Chapter 5

  1. Why was Sam so careful and deliberate on where his home was? He didn't want it to be seen by people as they came through the mountains p.29
  2. Why did Sam feel like he didn’t plan his time very well in those first few days of his adventure? He had started a home, but didn’t have any food; he would work himself so hard he hardly had energy to find any food; he’d get hungrier p.29
  3. How did Sam put out the fire as he burned out his tree house? he’d smother it with dirt p.35

Chapter 6

  1. What was the story the old woman told Sam? The mountain was haunted; little men play ninepin in the gorge at twilight p.38
  2. Give me three characteristics the old woman has. Explain why you chose those. She was determined; strong; fierce; forceful; bossy; talked a lot; listen to your child's answer p.38
  3. How did Sam get away from the old woman? He walked her to her home and then headed to the library in town p.40

Chapter 7

  1. What did Sam do while he waited to see a peregrine falcon? Ate apples, went fishing and cooked his fish p.42
  2. How did Sam escape the mother falcon as he stole her chick? He used his shoe to protect himself from her dive, jumped to a ledge below, sat down and slid to the next ledge; she saw her other chicks and left him alone p.44

Chapter 8

  1. Who was the man at Sam’s camp and why was he there? A fire warden come to check the area since they saw smoke from Sam’s fire; they were worried about forest fires p.48

Chapter 9

  1. Who is The Baron and how did Sam meet him? A weasel and Sam caught him in a trap p.51
  2. Why did Sam want to catch a deer? To make a door for his home; make tethers for Frightful and a blanket for Sam p.52
  3. How was Sam careful so the warden wouldn’t come back? Put pine needles in bare areas; cleaned up front yard; used dry firewood so it wouldn’t smoke much p.52

Chapter 10

  1. How did Sam get his door? Someone shot a deer but left it; he got to the meadow and dragged it to the woods and covered it to look like a bush; then he cleaned his camp and hid in his tree p.56
  2. How did Sam know the poacher had left his camp and probably wouldn’t return? He heard a gunshot far down the mountain p.57
  3. How long did it take Sam to get the deer ready for smoking and the hide ready for tanning? Many, many days p.57

Chapter 11

  1. What did Sam do to get the deer hide ready to be a door? Soaked it in water and wood chips in a stump for 5 days; chewed, rubbed and jumped on it to make it soft; he had to cut it down to fit the door opening p.59
  2. How did Sam train Frightful to fly to his hand? He’d hold food in his hand and whistle p.62
  3. Why did hikers come to the area during the summer? To hike through the meadow to the gorge p.64
  4. When the two hikers were just about to have lunch on The Baron’s boulder, they left. What made them leave? The Baron running all over and around them p.64
  5. Why didn’t Sam want Frightful to eat what she catches? Because she’ll go wild p.68

Chapter 12

  1. How did Sam always know something was wrong in the forest? Frightful would be alerted p.72
  2. Describe Bando. A college English teacher who got lost in the forest; friendly smile; kind; blue eyes; likes birds; knows how to swing an ax and build a raft p.80
  3. Why does Bando call Sam Thoreau? Thoreau’s an old poet and writer p.77
  4. Name five things Bando and Sam did together? Made jam; made the raft; smoked fish; gathering white oak acorns and groundnuts; harvesting the blueberry crop; went fishing; made willow whistles p.81

Chapter 13

  1. What did Sam decide to use to keep warm for the winter? A clay fireplace p.89
  2. What was Sam looking for as he dug around the old Gribley farmhouse? Anything metal to help him with his fireplace p.90
  3. What did Sam find to help with his fireplace? A flat, narrow, long rock p.92

Chapter 14

  1. What did Sam do to celebrate Halloween? He had a party by leaving out nuts, crayfish, smoked rabbit and apples for the woodland animals p.96
  2. What was the result of the party? Raccoons came in Sam’s tree house and tossed them all over his bed and floor; Sam got sprayed by a skunk; animals found Sam’s camp and food p.99
  3. How did Sam get rid of the animals? Made the fire big; yelled; growled and snarled, hissed and snorted p.100

Chapter 15

  1. What is this chapter about? Deer hunting season and how Sam gets three deer p.104
  2. How does Sam get three deer? Hunters shot the deer, but couldn’t find them after they dropped dead p.104
  3. Describe how Sam made his deerskin hide jacket? Cut a rectangle with a hole for his head and sewed on straight sleeves p.105
  4. What does Sam compare this jacket to? A Russian military blouse and a carpenter’s apron p.106

Chapter 16

  1. When Sam went into town, what made people stare at him? His clothing p.108
  2. Who is Mr. Jacket? A young man Sam met in the drugstore p.108
  3. What important thing did Sam forget to do to prepare for the winter season? Why did it matter? Stack up a big woodpile; to prevent having to go out into the cold and snow to gather and chop wood p.112

Chapter 17

  1. Why did Sam place “x’s” outside his tree house? It was where he wanted to pile the firewood so he could reach it when the snow was deep and then tunnel to other firewood piles p.112
  2. How did Sam and Frightful spend their winter days and evenings? Eat breakfast; Go to the gorge; ice fishing; digging up plants to eat; go to the field and Frightful would fly while Sam would kick the grasses and sometimes a rabbit or pheasant would come up and Frightful would dive to get it; experiment with food; watch Frightful; write notes; go to bed p.113
  3. Sam thought he would tunnel to get to his firewood, but what did he end up doing instead? Walking on the snow and digging for wood p.115

Chapter 18

  1. Who does Sam compare the birds of the forest to? People who lived at his apartment house on Third Avenue home p.117
  2. Who was Sam’s first visitor during the Christmas holiday? Bando p.119
  3. Bando brought up newspaper articles. What did they report? A young man living in the Catskill Mountains p.120
  4. Who also came to visit Sam? His dad p.124

Chapter 19

  1. During the winter months what helped Sam know what to expect in the weather? The birds and animals p.134
  2. Why did Sam oversleep after the rain had frozen into ice? His home was in a block of ice and he couldn’t hear any morning sounds p.139
  3. Find an example of a simile on page 139. ice on a limb like shattering crystal; sky like Indian soup
  4. What was the consequence of the ice storm in the forest? broken trees and limbs lay everywhere; birds and animals died of starvation p.141

Chapter 20

  1. Why couldn’t Sam let Frightful go? He needed her still; she would have been killed by another female since she didn’t have a territory; he had trained her to have instincts made for man; she was a captive bird, not a wild bird p.149
  2. What information did Sam tell Matt Spell? He saw the wild boy wearing a bearskin coat who ran away and lives in a cave. The boy has long matted hair and wears a coon-tail hat. The boy wears newspapers for shoes and does a lot of fishing. He lives off of fish, roots, berries, rabbit and nuts.p.154
  3. What was the deal Matt made with Sam? Matt would come stay with Sam during spring break and would print what Sam told him to p.156

Chapter 21

  1. What does creating the guesthouse mean to Sam? That he was not a runaway anymore; he wouldn’t be alone anymore and hiding in the wilderness p.166
  2. How did Sam know his time on the mountain was coming to an end? Matt said photographers may be on the mountain; more and more newspaper articles were out about him; now that people knew about him, they would move him back to the city p.168

Chapter 22

  1. Who came to visit Sam? The entire family p.174
  2. Why did Sam’s family come to the mountain? They missed him; wanted to see what he was doing; his mom still wanted to take care of him and be his mom p.176
  3. What did Sam’s dad begin to build? A house p.176
  4. Summarize your favorite part of this story. Listen to your child's answer

Comprehension Questions – Tales from the Odyssey Book #1 The One-Eyed Giant

The One-Eyed Giant

By Mary Pope Osborne

Grades 3-5; Genre – Mythology; GRL P; AR pts: 1.0

After a long war to rescue Helen from the city of Troy, Odysseus is anxious to return to his home of Ithaca. However, many obstacles block his route home, including the mysterious lotus-eaters and the monstrous one-eyed Polyphemus.

Vocabulary

Writing Prompts

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Who is the main character of the story and describe him in your own words?  The king of an island; married to Penelope and has a son named Telemachus; lived simply; enjoys taking care of his orchards and fields as well as working with his hands as a craftsman and carpenter p.11
  2. What did Odysseus do to help his country, Greece, when Helen was old enough to wed? made all of the princes and kings promise to defend Helen’s marriage whomever she decided to marry. He feared jealousy would bring their nation to ruin p.15
  3. When the messenger saw that Odysseus was acting mad, what did he do to prove that he wasn’t? Put Telemachus on the ground in front of the plow, to see if Odysseus would be sane enough to not run over his baby p.16

Chapter 2

  1. Describe Athena. Goddess of wisdom and war; daughter of Zeus; wore a shining helmet and carried a spear and shield; flashing gray eyes; gaze was fierce and kind p.20
  2. What was Athena’s plan to get into the city? Build a large wooden horse; hide a few men inside; The rest of the Greek army act like they are retreating in defeat; when the guards bring the horse into the city, the Greek army will return and Odysseus will open the gates for the Greek army p.21
  3. Who helped convince the Trojans they should take the horse into the city? A Greek prisoner who professed to be a traitor p.24

Chapter 3

  1. What did the sailors say caused the great storm at the beginning of this chapter? Some Greek warriors invaded Athena’s temple and were violent and weren’t respectful; they had offended the goddess who had helped them gain victory p.30
  2. Why did Odysseus not want to eat the flowers the islanders offered him? They made his men be in a trance p.34
  3. Why didn’t the three men want to get onboard the ship and return home with Odysseus? They wanted to stay on the island and eat lotus flowers p.36

Chapter 4

  1. What does it mean to be lawless? To not follow or have laws p.40
  2. Why did Odysseus take a goatskin of their sweetest wine onboard when he explored to see who lived on the other shore? He wanted to give it as a gift to anyone who welcomes into his home p.42
  3. Who did they find out lived in the cave? A monster p.44

Chapter 5

  1. What was the name of the monster? Polyphemus p.46
  2. Why did Polyphemus get angry at Odysseus when he mentioned Zeus? He is a son of Poseidon p.49
  3. Why didn’t Odysseus slay Polyphemus? They needed Polyphemus alive to roll the rock away from the opening of the cave or they would be trapped forever in the cave p.51

Chapter 6

  1. What did Polyphemus do in the morning after that first night? Took two more Greeks and had them for breakfast, then opened the cave, took his goats, and closed the cave again with the Greeks inside p.55
  2. What did Odysseus tell Polyphemus when the monster asked for his name? No One p.61
  3. What was the plan to escape Polyphemus’ cave? Odysseus gave Polyphemus wine and the giant lost his balance and fell, going to sleep. Odysseus and his men jabbed the sharpened stake into his eye and with Polyphemus’ cried the other giants came to help him, but they went away because Polyphemus said, “No One blinded me. No One tried to kill me.” Polyphemus rolled the stone away but sat in the opening to catch any that tried to escape p.62

Chapter 7

  1. What was the consequence of Odysseus jeering at Polyphemus as they made their way out to sea? Polyphemus through a huge boulder at them and caused a tidal wave to push them back to the beach; then he asked his father Poseidon to curse Odysseus p.72
  2. What was the curse? That Odysseus would never reach his home alive; that he would lose his way, his ships, his men; that he would only find sorrow and trouble on his journey p.75

Chapter 8

  1. Describe Aeolus. The wind god; has 6 sons and 6 daughters; friendly to Odysseus and enjoyed hearing his tales p.79
  2. What did Aeolus do to honor Odysseus? He bundled the world’s winds into a sack so none could hinder Odysseus on the way home; he left out the west wind to carry the ships to Ithaca p.82
  3. Why didn’t Aeolus help Odysseus put the winds in a bag again so they could get home? He had been cursed by the Cyclops and the gods were punishing him p.88

Comprehension Questions – A Wrinkle in Time

A Wrinkle in Time

By Madeleine L’Engle

Grades 4-8; Genre – Science Fiction; GRL W; AR pts: 7.0

Meg Murray, her little brother Charles Wallace, and their mother are having a midnight snack on a dark and stormy night when an unearthly stranger appears at their door. He claims to have been blown off course and goes on to tell them that there is such a thing as a "tesseract," which, if you didn't know, is a wrinkle in time. Meg's father had been experimenting with time-travel when he suddenly disappeared. Will Meg, Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin outwit the forces of evil as they search through space for their father?

Vocabulary Words

Writing Prompts

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe Meg. A girl who had twin younger brothers; a younger brother named Charles Wallace who had an uncanny sense of knowing when she was sad and couldn’t sleep; she struggled in school; her father had left and she didn’t know where to; her bedroom’s in the attic; has a wild imagination p.1
  2. Tell me about Charles Wallace. Really smart; doesn’t behave normally in front of other people; He spoke in full sentences when he began to talk; understands Meg and her mom;  doesn’t wiggle like other 5 year old boys p.5
  3. Why did Mrs. Whatsit come to visit them? To tell Mrs. Murray there was such a thing as a tesseract p.12

Chapter 2

  1. What do you think the feeling was that compelled Calvin to go over to the haunted house? listen to your child’s answers; intuitive; 6th sense p.20
  2. Why did Mrs. Who steal Mrs. Buncombe’s sheets? In case they needed ghosts for the charade of the haunted house p.21
  3. What do you think Mrs. Who is talking about when she said Meg’s father needed their help? They are going to need to go and help him from the trouble he is in p.22

Chapter 3

  1. Why did Calvin feel alone and why doesn’t he feel alone anymore? He doesn’t feel like his family cares about him and now that he’s met Meg and her family, he feels accepted and loved. P.27
  2. Describe Meg and Calvin’s relationship? They’re good friends; they may like each other romantically p.30
  3. What’s the story behind Meg’s missing father? He’s a physicist and began to travel doing a job that was classified. He wrote his wife every day, but then the letters stopped and they haven’t heard anything from him in a year. The government says he’s on a dangerous mission, but that he can’t communicate for a while and they’ll give any news as soon as they have it p.31

Chapter 4

  1. Now that you know a little more about the three old women describe each of them. Mrs. Whatsit- is always bundled up to her head and has a hard time keeping it all straight wearing a man’s coat and multicolored scarves and shawls, she’s friendly and jovial, she is plump; Mrs. Who wear white robes and glasses, uses quotes in different languages to speak, she has a hard time coming up with words on her own, also jovial; Mrs. Which is what you think a witch would look like, black robe; black peaked hat; beady eyes; beaked nose; long gray hair; has a broomstick; she talks differently and has a hard time materializing into a solid form p.36
  2. Describe the creature that Mrs. Whatsit transformed into. A beautiful marble white creature with rainbow wings; legs of a horse; upper body of a man p.39
  3. How did the shadow make Meg feel? Dark and dreadful; it chilled her with fear that was beyond shuddering, crying or screaming, beyond the possibility of comfort; p.44

Chapter 5

  1. Find a rope, string, or an object of your choice and demonstrate how Mrs. Who explained how they “tesser” or “wrinkle” through space.  Your child should find an object that can fold and explain that if a small insect were to travel from one end to the other it would take along time, but if the ends were brought together, it would be a shorter and much faster. p.47
  2. Explain to me the different dimensions explained in the book. 1st dimension- a line; 2nd dimension- a flat square (like what you would draw on a paper); 3rd dimension-a full square that wouldn’t be flat and where you could see the bottom, sides and top; 4th dimension- you’d square the square which equals time; 5th dimension- you’d square the fourth dimension which makes a tesseract p.48
  3. Why was The Medium hesitant to show the children the planet earth in the crystal ball? The Dark Shadow was hovering over earth and it is the Powers of Darkness; it’s evil p.54

Chapter 6

  1. How can the Darkness be overcome? Light; a star gave up its life in battle with the Thing p.57
  2. Describe what the children saw as they entered the town on Camazotz? The town was laid out in harsh angular patterns; the outside of the houses were exactly alike; in front of all the houses children were playing, skipping and bouncing in rhythm at the same exact moment; everything was in rhythm, all identical. P.65
  3. Why did the children think the people on this planet could be robots? Because they move jerkily; they have done everything in unison; the men and women going into the building looked straight ahead, paying no attention to the children p.70

Chapter 7

  1. After the children went into the building, how did they get past the empty fourth wall? A man turned them in so he wouldn’t get in trouble p.74
  2. How was the man on platform talking to the children? Through their minds; telepathy p.75
  3. When the man was reciting multiplication problems, why did the children shout out rhyme’s and a speech? So they wouldn’t be hypnotized p.77

Chapter 8

  1. When Charles Wallace was under the influence of the man with the red eyes, what did he tell Meg? To relax, that Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which were wrong; that their troubles are over and that this planet is a wonderful place and is in perfect order; the man with the red eyes is their friend p.86
  2. What are the benefits of living on Camazotz? There is no sickness or deformity; everyone is happy because they are all alike; there are no individuals p.88
  3. Who is IT? The boss of Camazotz; he is who makes everyone of one mind p.89
  4. Why is IT evil? It wants to take away individuality and the freedom to choose p.90

Chapter 9

  1. What happened to Charles Wallace when Calvin recited the Tempest words to him. He started to come out of the trance, but he seemed to get smacked with an invisible hand and was knocked to the ground by it; he sat on the floor whimpering p.93
  2. How did Meg get through the invisible barrier that led to her father? She put on Mrs. Who’s glasses p.94
  3. What were Meg’s faults that she realized were supposed to help save her? Her anger, impatience, stubbornness p.100

Chapter 10

  1. Describe how Meg felt after they had tessered away from IT. Icy cold; couldn’t move; like stone /marble p.107
  2. Why was Meg so angry and accusing to her father and Calvin? The Darkness had a hold of her p.109
  3. Describe the beasts on this world that wanted to Meg away. Very tall; no eyes, just soft indentations; four arms with tentacles for fingers; had heads and faces, but had indentations where the features would be and instead of eyes and ears there were tentacles p.110

Chapter 11

  1. Why did Meg resolve to give in to the beasts and realize they were good? Because of the way they made her feel p.114
  2. How was Meg feeling toward Calvin and her father during breakfast? That she couldn’t trust them; they wouldn’t help her save Charles Wallace p.119
  3. Why couldn’t the beasts on this planet understand what the humans tried to explain to them? The beasts understood things in a different way.  They didn’t have eyes to see or ears to hear, yet they understood things more deeply p.120

Chapter 12

  1. Why did Meg decide to go save Charles Wallace by herself? Only she knew him well enough to help him; she was the only one who could save him p.124
  2. What gifts did Mrs. Whatsit and Who give to Meg this time? Love; a verse from the Bible p.128
  3. Why didn’t Mrs. Which give Meg a gift? Meg needed to find the gift for herself p.128
  4. How did Meg defeat IT and save Charles Wallace? By loving Charles Wallace p.132