Category Archives: Series

Comprehension Questions – The Never Girls #13 Under the Lagoon

#13 Under the Lagoon

by Kiki Thorpe

Grades 2-3; Genre - Fantasy; GRL N; AR pts. 1.0

The fairies in Never Land think that mermaids are nothing but trouble. When Gabby befriends a mermaid, Kate, Mia, and Lainey warn her to stay away, but Gabby doesn't want to lose her new friend.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1 

  1. Explain what happened to Gabby in this chapter? She stayed back on the beach while the other girls went on the raft to visit Sunny; she made a sand castle but water kept splashing her; the water swallowed up her barrettes and her sand castle; she thought she saw someone hiding on the rocks in the water p.8
  2. Predict who you think that someone is. Listen to your child’s answer. 

Chapter 2

  1. What saved Gabby from drowning in the cauldron? A mermaid came in and with magic lowered the water level p.25
  2. What did Gabby make that day? A friend p.25
  3. What evidence shows you she made a friend? They enjoyed being together; they played games and talked; they were happy to find out they had many things in common p.27

Chapter 3

  1. Who saw Gabby playing with a mermaid and why did she think it strange? Rosetta; mermaids don’t like humans p.40
  2. Do you think it’s strange that Gabby and Yooni want to be friends? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer. 

Chapter 4

  1. Define the word grudge. to be unwilling to give or admit: give or allow reluctantly or resentfully p.45
  2. What happened when the fairies told and retold what Rosetta saw? The story got more elaborate with each telling and started to be misleading and not true and turned into gossiping p.46
  3. Explain a time when you have experienced something like this. Listen to your child’s answer. 

Chapter 5

  1. Why did the other girls assume Yooni was bad? The fairies assumed she was since she was a mermaid and had told them so p.54
  2. Why was Gabby sad in this chapter? The other girls had been mean and scared Yooni away p.59

Chapter 6

  1. Why did Rosetta agree to take the sea rose to the mermaids? Gabby missed Yooni and she felt guilty she had let the rumor get out of hand p.65
  2. What attitude did both the mermaids and fairies have toward each other? They thought they were better than the other p.71

Chapter 7

  1. Was Gabby making a good choice to go see Yooni or follow her to the mermaid party? Why, or why not? No; she has been sneaky and didn’t tell her sister p.74
  2. Why will Gabby’s sister be upset she went to the mermaid party? She can’t trust the mermaids; she’ll worry that Gabby’s in danger; Gabby should have told her where she was going p.80
  3. From what you’ve learned about mermaids in this story, predict what will happen at the party. Listen to your child’s answer. 

Chapter 8

  1. Why was Rosetta in angst this chapter? She realized she’s having a hard time always knowing what to do and when to talk about things p.88
  2. Have you ever felt this way? Listen to your child’s answer.
  3. Why are the fairies worried Gabby’s with the mermaids? They’re singing their most powerful song which can turn fairies into bats, and they don’t know what it’ll do to humans p.90

Chapter 9

  1. Summarize what happened in this chapter. The fairies and girls went to the mermaid lagoon to find Gabby; they got there and found they were in the eye of the storm; they saw Gabby and she saw them; she fell from the rock into the water p.101

Chapter 10

  1. Were the fairies right to believe that something bad can happen during the mermaids’ powerful music? Yes p.108
  2. What did Gabby learn in this chapter? That’s not all mermaids are bad, but she needs to listen to her sister and the other fairies p.108
  3. What did the mermaids and fairies learn in this chapter? That they can be nice to each other and be friends p.109

Comprehension Questions – Tales from the Odyssey Book #2 The Land of the Dead

The Land of the Dead

by Mary Pope Osborne

Grades 3-7; Genre - Mythology; GRL P; AR pts. 1.0

A retelling of part of the Odyssey in which Odysseus and his fleet continue their journey and encounter giant cannibals, a beautiful witch, and the Land of the Dead.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What’s a vision? the act or power of seeing p.12
  2. What caused Odysseus to anchor his ship away from the others? He had a bad feeling p.14
  3. How did listening to his feelings save him? The other men were destroyed by the giants p.18

Chapter 2

  1. What gave Odysseus’s men hope in this chapter? The gods provided a large deer for food and Odysseus spoke encouraging to them p.25

Chapter 3

  1. What did Odysseus mean when he told his men to “harness their fears”? Control their fears and not panic p.29
  2. Why were the men following Eurylochus so anxious and frightened? They were terrified to come upon monsters p.30
  3. Describe Eurylochus’s adventure. He and his men came to a stone wall and went through the gate; they came upon wolves and lions that didn’t attack but were like pets; they came to the inner courtyard of a palace and heard a woman singing and saw her weaving at a loom in the window; she beckoned the men to come in and they all went in except for Eurylochus; she turned those men into pigs p.34

Chapter 4

  1. What responsibility did Odysseus feel toward the men that were pigs? They were his men, and he knew he needed to save them p.41
  2. Define courage. mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty p.43
  3. Describe the strange man and how he helped Odysseus. The god Hermes; he gave Odysseus an herb and told him how to protect himself from Circe the enchantress p.43

Chapter 5

  1. Why did Circe finally free Odysseus’s men? He demanded it p.53
  2. What softened Circe and persuaded her to host all of Odysseus’s men? The brotherly love the men had for him and each other p.54
  3. What did Odysseus decide at the end of this chapter? To linger with Circe until he and his men were strong enough to travel p.58

Chapter 6

  1. Why was Odysseus unhappy with Circe’s explanation of how to get home? He needed to go see Tiresias on the land of the dead p.62
  2. How did Circe assist Odysseus and his men at the end of this chapter? She filled the sails with wind and sent the boat flying over the waves p.67

Chapter 7

  1. Why was Odysseus horrified to see his mother in the land of the dead? If she was there, it meant she had died p.72

Chapter 8

  1. What instructions did Tiresias give to Odysseus? How to get home; they can’t touch any sheep or cattle as they come to an island, or they will perish p.76
  2. Describe Odysseus’s conversation with his mother? It was sad for him; he learned of her death from a broken heart and the status of his other family members p.81

Chapter 9

  1. Summarize what happens in this chapter? Odysseus allowed other spirits to drink from the trench and he saw and talked to great men of the past; then he went back to his ship and sailed for home p.83
  2. Describe two spirits Odysseus saw. Agamemnon-high king of the Greek forces during the Trojan war; Achilles-bravest of all Greeks; Tantalus-a king whose great pride shared the gods; Sisyphus-a cruel king whom the gods had condemned to forever roll a huge rock uphill; Heracles-a great warrior p.83
  3. Why was Odysseus grateful when he left the land of the dead? That he was still among the living p.92

Comprehension Questions – Anne of Green Gables

Anne of Green Gables

By Lucy Maud Montgomery

Grades 4-8; Genre - Fiction; GRL V; AR pts. 17.0

Anne, an eleven-year-old orphan, is sent by mistake to live with a lonely, middle-aged brother and sister on a Prince Edward Island farm, and proceeds to make an indelible impression on everyone around her.

Vocabulary/Phrases

Writing Prompts

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe Mrs. Rachel Lynde. A busy body; notable housewife; her work was always well done; ran the Sewing Circle, Sunday School, strong in the Church Aid Society and Foreign Missions Auxiliary; always sat in front window knitting “cotton warp” quilts (an impressive amount) p.3
  2. Why was Rachel Lynde against Matthew and Marilla adopting a boy? She’s heard horrific stories of couples who adopt p.8
  3. Describe Marilla’s and Rachel’s friendship. They’re very different; Marilla knows Rachel and is patient with her nosiness and is a good neighbor to her p.8

Chapter 2

  1. Describe Anne. Skinny, freckles, red hair, 10-11yrs old, imaginative, talks a lot, can express herself very well, loves beautiful things, is excited to have a real home and be adopted, kind, personifies objects in nature p.11
  2. Did Matthew make the right decision to take Anne home with him? Why? Listen to your child’s answer. If yes, he couldn’t have let her sleep out in a tree alone all-night p.12
  3. Explain why Matthew was uneasy as they arrived at Green Gables? He knew the disappointment Anne would feel when Marilla told her she wasn’t what they wanted and would need to go back to the asylum p.19

Chapter 3

  1. Describe the emotional ups and downs Anne has been through in this chapter? She was so thrilled to be at Green Gables to start with, but was severely disappointed when Marilla saw she was a girl and didn’t want her p.20

Chapter 4

  1. How does Anne deal with hard situations and disappointment in her life? She uses her imagination p.26

Chapter 5

  1. Why didn’t Anne want to go explore outside in the morning? She knew she was going to be sent back to the asylum, so she didn’t want to fall in love with the beautiful things outside p.29
  2. Describe Anne’s background. Her parents died of the fever when she was a baby and went to an orphanage; Mrs. Thomas took her in and she baby sat for her; after her husband died Mrs. Thomas moved in with Mr. Thomas’ mother, so Mrs. Hammond took her in; Mrs. Hammond had 8 children, 3 sets of twins that Anne took care of; when Mr. Hammond died Mrs. Hammond split her children up and went to the United States; Anne went to another orphanage; she was there for 4 months when Mrs. Spencer came to request a girl for Matthew and Marilla p.32
  3. Compare Anne's life as an orphan to what she would have if she lived with Marilla and Matthew. As an orphan she jumped from house to house and was more of a slave than a child; with Marilla and Matthew she would be treated like a child, she would be loved and taken care of

Chapter 6

  1. Describe Mrs. Blewett. Would she be good to Anne? She’s shrewd; demanding; mean; no she wouldn’t be good to Anne p.37

Chapter 7

  1. Why didn’t Anne care anything for God’s love? She has never had it translated to her through the medium of human love p.41

Chapter 8

  1. How did Marilla feel about Anne’s day dreams? Impatient and frustrated p.47

Chapter 9

  1. Why did Anne get so angry at Mrs.Lynde? Mrs. Lynde said that Anne was skinny, red-haired as carrots, covered in freckles, homely p.51
  2. What consequence did Marilla give to Anne for being defiant to Mrs. Lynde? She needed to apologize p.54
  3. Have you ever had to apologize to someone for being rude? Explain. Listen to your child's answer

Chapter 10

  1. What finally convinced Anne to apologize to Mrs. Lynde? Matthew snuck into her room and asked her to p.55
  2. Compare and contrast Marilla and Matthew's parenting styles. Similarities: they both care for Anne and want her to be happy and have a safe place to grow up; Marilla is harsh, impatient, and uses strict discipline while Matthew is gentle, quiet and sensitive to Anne

Chapter 11

  1. Why did Marilla accuse Anne of being vain? Anne worries a lot about her looks and what people think of her p.61
  2. What was Marilla’s reaction to Anne’s thoughts about Mr. Bell’s prayers and sermons? She realized she felt the same way, but never expressed it p.65

Chapter 12

  1. Describe Diana. Black hair and eyes, 11 years old, excited to have a friend in Anne, plump p.67

Chapter 13

  1. Why was Anne so excited about the picnic? She’d never been to one and there was going to be ice-cream which she has never eaten p.71

Chapter 14

  1. Why did Marilla blame herself for pushing Anne to confess about the brooch? Anne didn’t take it but because Marilla thought she had; she couldn’t go to the picnic until she confessed p.80

Chapter 15

  1. What word would describe Anne in her response to Gilbert? Why? Listen to your child’s answers. 

Chapter 16

  1. What mistake did Anne make in this chapter and what was the consequence? She accidentally gave Diana wine instead of raspberry cordial; Diana’s mother wouldn’t let Diana see Anne anymore p.100

Chapter 17

  1. What initiated Anne’s desire to go back to school? Not being able to see or talk to Diana and at least at school she could look at her p.105

Chapter 18

  1. How did Anne think quickly in this chapter? Diana’s younger sister had the croup, but her parents weren’t home; Anne rushed up to help while Matthew rode for a doctor; Due to her experience with the Hammond twins, Anne knew what to do and saved Minnie May p.112

Chapter 19

  1. Define courage and give an example of how Anne had courage in this chapter. Doing something scary when you’re scared; she faced Diana’s aunt and told her jumping on the bed was her fault p.123

Chapter 20

  1. Who wouldn’t Anne accept Mayflowers from? Gilbert p.126
  2. Why is it such a problem that Anne imagined a haunted wood with Diana? Now she is scared beyond reason to go through the area to Diana’s at night p.130

Chapter 21

  1. What mistake did Anne make in this chapter and how was she comforted? She used anodyne liniment instead of vanilla, for a special cake she baked for Mrs. Allen, the minister’s wife, but the minister’s wife came to comfort her and told her it was a funny mistake then distracted Anne by asking her to show her the garden p.137

Chapter 22

  1. How did Anne’s visit to the manse go? It went well; she was invited to sing in the Sunday School choir; Anne shared her personal history with Mrs. Allen p.141
  2. What news did Mrs. Lynde share? A new female teacher named Miss Muriel Stacy was going to be teaching at the school p.141

Chapter 23

  1. How did Anne bring on the trial she faced in this chapter? She dared Josie Pye to walk the board fence and diminished the accomplishment when Josie did it; In defiance Josie dared Anne to walk the ridgepole on Diana’s roof; Anne accepted the dare but fell off the roof and broke her ankle; She missed the first day of school and was sad to miss the new teacher p.143

Chapter 24

  1. Why is Anne so excited in this chapter and how does Marilla feel about it? She’s excited to go back to school and really loves the new teacher; the class will be putting on a concert to help pay for a school flag; Marilla thinks it’s foolishness p.148

Chapter 25

  1. What was Matthew’s Christmas gift to Anne and what effort did he go through to get it? A dress with puffed sleeves; her tried to shop for it, but was shy around the girl at the store then he asked Rachel Lynde to take care of it p.152

Chapter 26 

  1. What did the girls create in this chapter and why? A story club to cultivate their imaginations and get better at writing stories p.163
  2. Why is Marilla always telling Anne her ideas are foolishness? Marilla wants Anne to be a respectable, practical, and responsible person, so tries to discourage the things that take away from that p.164

Chapter 27

  1. Why did Marilla cut off Anne’s hair? She bought hair dye from a peddler and her hair turned green when she used it p.169
  2. Have you ever had to cut your hair when you didn't want to? Explain. Listen to your child's answer
  3. How did you react? Listen to your child's answer

Chapter 28

  1. Do you think Anne should have forgiven Gilbert Blythe? Why or why not? Listen to your child’s answers p.176

Chapter 29

  1. List three things Anne and Diana did while visiting Miss Barry in this chapter. They went to the Exhibition, saw the horse races, went to a concert in the Academy of Music, had ice cream at 11pm p.182

Chapter 30

  1. Why doesn’t Marilla soften and show Anne more sympathy? Marilla has higher expectations for Anne and doesn’t feel like she can let her see her soft side or Anne won’t meet them p.186

Chapter 31

  1. Why did the Spencervale doctor prescribe that Anne have open air and no books during the summer? She was worn out from working so hard during the school year p.194
  2. Name two ways Anne is growing up. She doesn’t talk as much and doesn’t use big words p.198

Chapter 32

  1. How did the Entrance exam go? Anne and Gilbert tied for first p.204

Chapter 33

  1. What helped Anne come to her senses and be able to perform? She saw Gilbert Blythe in the back of the performance hall and was determined to be successful p.212

Chapter 34

  1. Who was in Anne’s class that ended up being a comfort to her at Queen’s? Gilbert Blythe p.216

Chapter 35

  1. What’s Anne’s attitude toward Gilbert now? She’s not bitter anymore and she sees him as a worthy opponent that drives her determination p.222

Chapter 36

  1. Why was Anne happy after exams? She won the Avery Scholarship p.224
  2. Why is it important that Anne took memory of Matthew’s smile at the end of this chapter? Matthew is getting old and may not be around much longer p.227

Chapter 37

  1. Summarize what happened in this chapter? Matthew died; Marilla spoke of being good friends with Gilbert’s father but got angry at him and couldn’t forgive him p.228
  2. Do you think Marilla’s experience of not forgiving influenced Anne to help her forgive? Listen to your child’s answer.

Chapter 38

  1. How did Anne make amends with Gilbert? He gave up his school so Anne could teach close to home and when she ran into him, she told him thank you and that she had forgiven him; he was thrilled and wanted to be friends p.238
  2. Describe a theme found in this story. Example: love and friendship; reality vs. imagination; self discover and growth
  3. What did you like about this story? Listen to your child's answer

Comprehension Questions – A to Z Mysteries The Kidnapped King

The Kidnapped King

by Ron Roy

Grades 3-4; Genre - Mystery; GRL N; AR pts. 1.0

K is for Kidnapped! Someone has kidnapped the king and queen of Socotra. For safety's sake, their son is staying with Dink until they are safe. But then the prince is kidnapped, too! Can Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose unmask the royals' enemies before it's too late? Or is the royal family of Socotra gone forever?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Why was Dink scared he was in trouble? He was called to the principal’s office p.3
  2. Describe Sammi Bin Oz. From Costra, black hair, dark skin, eyes were the color of honey, quiet voice, made up rhymes to remember new words p.7
  3. Why was Dink excited to introduce Sammi to his friends? Sammi is funny and will be staying at his home for a few weeks p.7

Chapter 2

  1. What did Sammi want kept away from him and why? Josh’s dog; he’s allergic p.12
  2. Why did Sammi’s tutor want to see Sammi’s room? To make sure it was safe p.15
  3. What would be your reaction if you were asked the same question Sammi asked at the end of this chapter? Listen to your child’s answers p.17

Chapter 3

  1. Why was Sammi so upset in this chapter? His parents had been kidnapped p.20
  2. List two things that are different between Dink’s and Sammi’s way of living in this chapter. Dink dresses himself/Sammi has servants to dress him; Dink doesn’t need to worry about getting kidnapped or poisoned/Sammi’s family has enemies that want to hurt them p.20
  3. Why is it important for Dink to tell his mother about Sammi? So, she knows the truth about why he is there and the danger he possibly faces p.26

Chapter 4

  1. What gift will Sammi receive on his fifteenth birthday and why is it special? A Kaleidoscope; it’s been in his family for generations p.28
  2. What language is Sammi’s tutor teaching him? French p.31
  3. What did Joan do before she left for the evening? Check the locks on Sammi’s windows, door, and bathroom door p.33

Chapter 5

  1. Why does Dink think Sammi’s been kidnapped? Sammi’s not in his room or anywhere in the house and the back door has been forced open p.36
  2. How do we know that Joan was upset by the news? She almost fainted and needed help walking p.39
  3. What clue did Dink find? A yellow piece of glass from the kaleidoscope p.42

Chapter 6

  1. Why are the yellow glass pieces important? The pile of them is missing p.47
  2. Why does Officer Fallon think the kidnappers took Sammi away in a boat? A boat is missing and they found one of Sammi’s slipper tassels near the river p.49

Chapter 7

  1. Why do they kids think Sammi left a trail? They’re finding individual yellow pieces of glass p.52
  2. Dink asked a good question…why didn’t Sammi use red or blue to make the trail? Listen to your child’s answers p.58

Chapter 8

  1. What conclusion did Dink come to at the end of this chapter and how did he get there? Dink thinks Sammi wants the kids to know Joan is involved because she was trying to teach Dink how to say yellow in French which sounds just like Joan, which made Sammi choose the yellow shards of glass to leave a trail p.65

Chapter 9

  1. Why is Dink worried in this chapter? He can’t find his mom, she’s not where she said she would be. She has the yellow glass which could put her in danger p.71

Chapter 10

  1. What clue led the kids to want to search Joan’s hotel room? Pal found yellow glass on the soul of Mr. Linkletter’s soul stuck to some gum, so they assumed Sammi has been to the hotel p.73
  2. What did they find in Joan’s hotel room? Yellow glass p.76
  3. Where did they find Sammi? In the bottom of the cart, tied and gagged p.79

Chapter 11

  1. How did Joan act suspicious? She talked about the tassel found at the river when no one told her about it p.84
  2. What does “spill the beans” mean? Reveal secret information unintentionally or indiscreetly p.85
  3. Why was Sammi able to go home? Sammi’s parents were found p.85

Comprehension Questions – Percy Jackson and the Olympians #3 The Titan’s Curse

The Titan's Curse

by Rick Riordan

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

When Percy Jackson receives an urgent distress call from his friend Grover, he immediately prepares for battle. He knows he'll need his powerful demigod allies, Annabeth and Thalia, at his side; his trusty bronze sword, Riptide; and ... a ride from his mom. The demigods race to the rescue, to find that Grover has made an important discovery: two new powerful half-bloods whose parentage is unknown. But that's not all that awaits them. The Titan lord, Kronos, has set up his most devious trap yet, and the young heroes have just fallen prey.
Hilarious and action-packed, this third adventure in the series that started with The Lightning Thief finds Percy faced with his most dangerous challenge so far: the chilling prophecy of the Titan's curse.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What is the setting in the first chapter? A school named Westover Hall in Bar Harbor, Maine just before Christmas break p.1
  2. Why did the friends go to the school? To help Grover save and recruit two half-bloods p.7
  3. Describe Thalia. She’s a daughter of Zeus and a leader; is made about her mom p.14

Chapter 2

  1. Why did Percy consider jumping into the ocean with the children? he could protect them due to his strength in the water p.19
  2. How did Annabeth help Percy and the children? She wore her invisible cap and knocked them to the ground p.21
  3. Why was Percy distraught at the end of the chapter? Annabeth had fallen over the cliff with the manticore and he couldn’t go after her p.27

Chapter 3

  1. Why is Annabeth’s disappearance Percy’s fault? He shouldn’t have gone after Dr. Thorn by himself p.33
  2. What opportunity did Artemis give Bianca? To join the Hunters p.40
  3. What oath must Bianca keep now that she swore her allegiance to Artemis? That she will never fall in love, never grow up, and be a maiden eternally p.41

Chapter 4

  1. Describe Apollo.  He’s Artemis’ brother, the Sun God, he can transport people traveling west, he’s a teenager that sees all and knows all p.48
  2. Why won’t Artemis let Zoe and the other Hunters go with her? It’s too dangerous p.39
  3. How did Thalia feel about driving the sun chariot? She was uncomfortable and didn’t want to p.52

Chapter 5

  1. Why was Thalia upset in this chapter? Annabeth was missing p.65
  2. Why did Poseidon put a water feature in Percy’s cabin? Percy could now contact his family p.66
  3. What gift does Percy have that gives him knowledge about his friends when they’re in trouble? Dreams/nightmares about them p.71

Chapter 6

  1. What was Percy’s dream connected to at the beginning of this chapter? Zoe’s dream p.77
  2. Why was Percy upset when he learned that the Hunters were trying to recruit Annabeth? Because he liked her and didn’t want her to become a Hunter p.78
  3. Why didn’t the Oracle communicate with Percy when he visited it, but yet turned to Zoe in the forest? The Oracle didn’t want to speak to him p.89

Chapter 7

  1. Why did Grover have hope that Pan had been awakened? If the manticore was correct, ancient powers will be waking up p.91
  2. Why didn’t Zoe choose Percy to go on the quest? He was a boy p.100
  3. Explain the dream Percy had at the end of the chapter? The General and Luke had Artemis and Annabeth as prisoners.  Annabeth had been holding up a large dark mass, and Artemis went and took her place.  Kronos wanted Luke to kill Annabeth, but Luke made an excuse to keep her alive p.106

Chapter 8

  1. Describe what Percy saved in this chapter. A baby sea cow; a cow half on the front and serpent bottom half; black fur, big brown eyes, white muzzle p.113
  2. Why isn’t Phoebe able to go on the mission? The Stoll brothers put Centaur’s blood on the inside of her t-shirt and now she’s bedridden with hives p.117
  3. What persuaded Percy to follow the quest? They lost Phoebe and needed 5 people p.119

Chapter 9

  1. Where did Zoe and the others drive to? Washington D.C. p.111
  2. Who did Percy follow in D.C.? Dr. Thorn p.130
  3. Why was Percy worried that the zombies tore off some of his t-shirt? He knew they would hunt him p.137

Chapter 10

  1. Why were the quest members in the Air and Space Museum? They were following Grover’s trail p.139
  2. Why did the freeze-dried space food kill the monster? It choked it p.144
  3. Why did Zoe let Percy be a part of the quest?  Percy proved himself p.147

Chapter 11

  1. How did Percy know that Apollo was the homeless guy who helped them? He said a haiku p.155
  2. Who do you think Percy was in his dream? Listen to your child’s answers p.156

Chapter 12

  1. Why did Bianca join the Hunters? She’s been taking care of Nico her entire life and wanted her own life and friends p.165
  2. Who helped the kids defeat the zombies? A large pig p.170
  3. Who did the kids feel in the air? The Lord of the Wild, Pan p.174

Chapter 13

  1. What did Bianca take from the junkyard and why? A mini statue that Nico didn’t have in his collection p.194
  2. How did Bianca defeat the monster? She went inside of it and made it attack itself and fall apart from the inside out p.197
  3. Why didn’t the companions search for Bianca more than they did? She fulfilled the prophecy by dying p.198

Chapter 14

  1. What was unique about Rachel Elizabeth Dare? She’s human but can see Percy’s sword, the lion coat and the skeletons chasing Percy p.213
  2. Who did Percy see in the elevator? Athena, Annabeth’s mom p.218
  3. How did the angels wake up to save the kids? They prayed to Zeus and Athena p.218

Chapter 15

  1. How did Percy find the Man of the Sea? Went to the docks and could smell the ocean when he passed him p.226
  2. Why is the Ophiotaurus running from the bad people? So he doesn’t get sacrificed p.230
  3. What did Percy learn about Mr. D in this chapter? That he secretly liked Percy because he helped Percy and called him by the right name p.239

Chapter 16

  1. How did the friends get to the Mountain of despair? Annabeth’s dad let them borrow his car p.245
  2. How diff Zoe get them past her sisters? She woke up the dragon p.256
  3. Who is the General? Atlas p.260

Chapter 17

  1. Who can defeat Atlas? Artemis p.268
  2. How did Artemis defeat Atlas? She flung him back to the sky and knocked Percy out of the way p.271
  3. What happened to Luke? He fell over the cliff and died p.272

Chapter 18

  1. Describe what happened to Zoe in this chapter? She died and became a constellation p.278
  2. Where are the friends traveling to? Mt. Olympus p.279
  3. What’s Annabeth’s conclusion of what happened to Luke? He’s not dead, he’s under Kronos’s spell p.282

Chapter 19

  1. Why didn’t the council destroy Percy and Annabeth? They had done well in their quest and their parents stood up for them p.294
  2. What is Percy’s weakness? Personal loyalty to his friends p.298

Chapter 20

  1. How did Nico respond when Percy told him about his sister Bianca? He was angry at Percy and said he hated him p.306
  2. Who is Nico’s and Bianca’s father? Hades p.309
  3. Why didn’t Percy want to tell Chiron that Hades was Nico’s dad? Chiron would need to tell the other gods on Mt. Olympus, and they would kill him p.310

Comprehension Questions – Hank the Cowdog #3 It’s a Dog’s Life

It's a Dog's Life

By John R. Erickson

Grades 4-6; Genre - Fiction; 720L; AR pts: 3.0

Summary by Marcus Schlairet Russ (11 yrs old)

Have you ever wanted to get back at someone? Hank’s sister, Maggie, does in this story.

In the beginning, Hank gets in trouble because he messes up Sally May’s house. He was investigating something, Pete, the Barncat, told Drover.

Then, he ran away to visit his sister, Maggie. She tricked him into eating a bar of soap because he pushed her into the sewer when they were puppies.

In the end, the dogcatcher put him in the pound for rabies, because he was foaming at the mouth. He escaped and went home. He got revenge on Pete scaring him into the water trough.

You will laugh when you read about Hank’s adventures and eating the bar of soap. I know I did!

Comprehension Questions (written by Steven Schlairet)

Chapter 1

  1. What did Hank send Drover to do? Bark at the mailman. Pg. 2.
  2. Why did Hank say he had fleas? Because Loper only bought him 1 gunny sack a year. Pg. 4.
  3. Why did Hank say cowdogs barked at mailmen? Because they always did. Pg. 7.
  4. What news did Drover hear? It was the end of the world. Pg. 9.

Chapter 2

  1. What did Hank think was wrong with Pete? He swallowed a chicken bone. Pg. 11
  2. Why did Pete think it was the end of the world? Cat’s intuition. Pg. 13.
  3. What did they learn from the interrogation of Pete? Sally May wrote on her calendar. Pg. 15.
  4. What was the clicking time bomb? Drover’s chattering teeth. Pg. 16.
  5. How did Hank want to check out the problem? Penetration of the house. Pg. 18.

Chapter 3

  1. What did Hank think smelled like a skunk? Loper’s boots. Pg. 25.
  2. What did Hank find on the table? 3 T-bone steaks. Pg. 29.
  3. Why did Drover call “mayday!”? Because Sally May came home. Pg. 29.

Chapter 4

  1. What did Hank do when Sally May caught him? Knocked the jelly jar off the table. Pg. 31.
  2. Did Hank think it was his fault? No. The cowboys had plenty to eat. Pg. 34.
  3. What did Hank think of cat’s cleaning? Dirty from spit; not clean from the sewer. Pg. 37.
  4. Why was Hank going to leave to visit his sister? Let it blow over. Pg. 39.

Chapter 5

  1. Who did Hank meet playing the banjo and singing? Junior. Pg. 45.
  2. What did Hank teach Junior about singing? How to howl. Pg. 48.
  3. Who joined them in singing? Rip and Snort. Pg. 50

Chapter 6

  1. What was the clothes’ line pole with a shoe? A woman’s leg. Pg. 57.
  2. What did Maggie smell? Hank’s smell from the sewer. Pg. 59.
  3. Did Maggie want Hank to stay? No. Pg. 61.
  4. Why did Hank stay? To tell the kids stories. Pg. 63.

Chapter 7

  1. What did Maggie want to be called? Margaret; she didn’t like nick names. Pg. 65.
  2. What did Hank teach them first? To dig under the fence. Pg. 68.
  3. What did they eat from the garbage? A bunch of fish heads. Pg. 70.
  4. Who made fun of the pups? A cat on the fence. Pg. 72.

Chapter 8

  1. What does urchins mean? A mischievous child poorly dressed. Pg.74.
  2. What do the cats do? Sing a song mocking the dogs. Pg. 76.
  3. What do the dogs do back? Sing a song mocking the cats. Pg. 77.
  4. What do the dogs finally do? Start barking. Pg. 81.
  5. Who arrives after the neighbors get upset? The city dogcatcher. Pg. 83.

Chapter 9

  1. What is the bullet that Hank dodged? Getting his siter’s kids thrown in the pound. Pg. 84.
  2. What does Hank tell Maggie he did with the kids? They were just singing. Pg. 85.
  3. What does Maggie give Hank to eat? An Ivory Dog Bar. Pg. 89.
  4. Why did she give it to Hank? He pushed her into the sewer and she cried. Pg. 92.
  5. Why did the dogcatcher take Hank? He thought he was rabid. Pg. 95.

Chapter 10

  1. What did the dogcatcher do to Hank in the cage? Poke him with a stick. Pg. 99.
  2. What did the dogcatcher say about Hank? He tried to attack a child. Pg. 99.
  3. What test would they run on Hank? Cut off his head to check for rabies. Pg. 100.
  4. What did Ralph keep doing? Falling asleep. Pg. 106.

Chapter 11

  1. Did Hank believe his sister gave him soap on purpose? No. Pg. 108.
  2. What happened when Hank rammed the cell door? He passed out. Pg. 110.
  3. How did Ralph get in Hank’s cell? He just opened the latch. Pg. 110.

Chapter 12

  1. What else did the dogcatcher do besides chase hank? He started shooting at him. Pg. 116.
  2. What was Hank’s plan? To run around the Waterhole until Jimmy Joe ran out of gas. Pg. 117.
  3. Who drove Hank back to the ranch? Slim. Pg. 120.
  4. How did Hank get back at Pete? Shoved him into the water trough. Pg. 125.

Expressions used in the Story

Dodge a bullet.  Pg. 84

Mum’s the Word. Pg. 85.

Spill the beans. Pg. 87.

Toss your cookies. Pg. 94.