Category Archives: Series

Comprehension Questions – The Never Girls #4 From the Mist

From the Mist

by Kiki Thorpe

Grades 1-4; Genre - Fantasy; GRL N; AR pts. 1.0

Kate gets her wish when mysterious mist horses arrive in Pixie Hollow and one takes her on a journey through the magical island.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Out of the four girls, who is the main character of this story? How do you know? Kate; the story is told from her perspective p.1
  2. What was strange about Never Land? A mist covered the land p.9
  3. Why did it worry the queen? It’s uncommon p.12

Chapter 2

  1. Was it wise for the queen to ground the fairies? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer p.17
  2. What did the mist bring? Mist horses p.24

Chapter 3

  1. Describe the mist horses. Large, manes and tails disappear into the mist, ghostly gray eyes, cause trouble p.25
  2. What brave action did Kate take in this chapter? She touched and rode a horse p.33
  3. Predict what will happen to Kate as she tries to take the horse back to the herd. Listen to your child’s answer p.40

Chapter 4

  1. Why is Kate in danger? Mist horses enchant the rider to never want to stop riding p.45

Chapter 5

  1. Do you think the legend is true? What evidence in this chapter shows Kate was enchanted? Kate didn’t want to give up her horse and continued making excuses to ride her; she named her Cloud and felt like she was her horse p.51

Chapter 6

  1. Why did Silvermist feel unsure of herself in this chapter? She felt like her decisions were not helping find Kate p.73

Chapter 7

  1. Choose a word to describe Kate in this chapter. Explain. Prideful, selfish, etc.

Chapter 8

  1. What danger is Kate in? If they don’t find her, Cloud will spirit her away up into the clouds forever p.89
  2. What clues did the friends find to help them know they were on the path to finding Kate? An eaten apple; the fog was thick p.94

Chapter 9

  1. Summarize this chapter. They girls move a log with fairy dust to span a river to get across; Lainey almost falls in the river; they find Kate on her horse standing on the edge of a cliff; the horse stepped off the edge p.99

Chapter 10

  1. What’s the conclusion to this story? Cloud landed near Kate’s friends and Kate let Cloud go to run wild with her herd p.111
  2. What lesson did Kate hopefully learn in this story? Listen to your child’s answer; tell her friends where she was going

Comprehension Questions – #7 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows

by J.K. Rowling

Grades 6-12; Genre - Fantasy; GRL Z; AR pts. 34

Harry discovers what fate truly has in store for him as he inevitably makes his way to the final meeting with Voldemort. Text includes mild profanity, violence and self-harm.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Summarize the introduction of this book. Voldemort is meeting at the Malfoy’s with his followers; Snape arrives and shares that Harry is being transported to a new place; another person contradicts what Snape has said; Voldemort must kill Harry himself and makes Lucius give him his wand; Charity Burbage is spinning in the air above the group and calls to Snape to help her, but he doesn’t; Voldemort feeds her to his snake p.1

Chapter 2

  1. Summarize what the newspaper articles were about in this chapter. Dumbledore; one was a respectable obituary; the other defamed him p.16
  2. What did Harry see in the mirror? A flash of blue; one of Dumbledore’s blue eyes p.29

Chapter 3

  1. How did Harry convince his uncle to go with the Order? By reminding him of the wizards who’ve visited them explaining the danger; the Death Eaters attacking Dudley; Dudley wanting to go with them p.32
  2. How does Dudley feel about Harry? Grateful for him since he saved his life; cared about his welfare p.40

Chapter 4

  1. Explain the plan to get Harry to safety. Did it work? Used poly juice potion to make seven Harrys and all leave at the same time to hopefully throw off the Death Eaters.  No, the Death Eaters recognized him and Voldemort came after him p.43

Chapter 5

  1. Summarize this chapter. Mad-Eye Moody was killed by Voldemort; Harry tells everyone he’s going to leave and that his wand fought off Voldemort of its own accord; he sees and hears Voldemort talking to Ollivander angry that Harry still had a connection to him even though he was using someone else’s wand p.63

Chapter 6

  1. Why is Mrs. Weasley keeping Harry and his friends so busy? So they can’t make plans to leave p.89
  2. How have Ron and Hermione prepared for accompanying Harry? Hermione put a spell on her parents to give them the thought to move to Australia and removed her memory from their minds; Ron’s prepared his ghoul to take his place when people realize he’s missing from Hogwarts p.96

Chapter 7

  1. Why did the Minister of Magic visit the Burrow? To give Harry and his friends the items Dumbledore left them p.123
  2. Predict why Dumbledore gave them these items? To help them on their quest somehow

Chapter 8

  1. Summarize the wedding. Harry disguised himself as a Weasley cousin to the with poly juice potion; Harry learned Dumbledore’s family lived in the same place his parents were buried; Aunt Muriel was sharing gossip of Dumbledore’s life while His friend was defending him; Krum came to the wedding and recognized Luna’s dad wearing a Grindelwald symbol; a Patronus was sent from Kingsley that the Minister was dead and the Death Eaters are coming p.137

Chapter 9

  1. Why were Harry and his friends nervous to go to Grimmauld place? They thought Snape had told Voldemort about the hideout p.168

Chapter 10

  1. Summarize Regulus’s and Kreacher’s experience. Voldemort took Kreacher with him to the cave and made him drink the water in the basin; Regulus called him back, which saved Kreacher’s life; Kreacher took Regulus to the cave and Regulus drank the potion and died; he gave the locket to Kreacher with instructions to destroy it, but he wasn’t able to; Mundungus took the locket from Kreacher p.193

Chapter 11

  1. Why did Harry get so upset at Lupin? He was going to leave his wife and child when he needed to stay with them p.214
  2. Who has the locket now? Dolores Umbridge p.222

Chapter 12

  1. Why was the man Ron was going to double in a hurry to get into the Ministry of Magic, and why didn’t he have on his blue robes? He was going to support his wife who had been accused of being a Mudblood p.243

Chapter 13

  1. Why is the Ministry so focused on getting rid of Mudbloods? The Ministry has been infiltrated by Voldemort and it is his desire to get rid of them p.249
  2. Summarize what happened in the court? Mrs. Cattermole was being interrogated and Harry saw the locket on Umbridge; he stunned her and Yaxley; he cast a Patronus to keep the dementors away; Hermione got the locket and they helped everyone escape who was arrested p.258

Chapter 14

  1. Why did Harry and his friends Disapparate to the forest? Yaxley grabbed onto Hermione as they Disapparated from the Ministry to Grimmauld Place p.270
  2. Why is Harry worried about the thief? Voldemort is after him and will kill him p.283

Chapter 15

  1. Why did the friends take turns wearing the locket? It affected them and influenced them to be angry or not be able to cast spells p.289
  2. Why did Ron leave? He was cold, hungry and frustrated; he was influenced negatively by the locket p.306

Chapter 16

  1. What did Harry and Hermione find at the cemetery? Dumbledore’s family’s and his parent’s headstones; the symbol in the book on a headstone p.325

Chapter 17

  1. Summarize this chapter. Harry and Hermione left the cemetery and were followed; they thought out was Bathilda; she told them to follow her and they went to her house; she told Harry to come upstairs alone and he did; she turned into Voldemort’s snake and tried to kill Harry; Hermione came to help Harry and they escaped; Harry saw how his parents died; Harry’s wand broke p.330

Chapter 18

  1. What convinced Harry that Dumbledore wanted to conquer the Muggles? A letter Dumbledore wrote to Grindelwald when they were young p.357

Chapter 19

  1. Summarize how Voldemort’s Horcrux tried to defeat Ron? Why? They knew Ron’s weakness because he wore the locket p.375

Chapter 20

  1. Why is Mr. Lovegood nervous to see Harry? It’s dangerous to help him and he could get hurt p.402

Chapter 21

  1. Summarize this chapter. Hermione read from the book Dumbledore gave; Harry realized Luna wasn’t there and that something else was going on; Mr. Lovegood was stalling waiting for the Death Eaters; Luna has been captured due to what her father has been printing; he was hoping he would get Luna back if he turned in Harry; Harry and his friends got away p.405

Chapter 22

  1. What’s Harry obsessed with in this chapter? The Deathly Hallows and finding the Elder Wand p.428
  2. Predict who’s outside the tent. Listen to your child’s answer p.445 

Chapter 23

  1. Summarize how Harry and his friends were freed from Malfoy’s Manor. Harry saw Dumbledore in the mirror and told him he needed him help; Dobby showed up and took Luna, Dean and Ollivander to Bill’s house; Harry and Ron get out of the cellar and go save Hermione; Dobby comes to help again and loosens the chandelier, causing it to fall on Hermione and the goblin; Harry and Ron grab them and Disapparate p.463
  2. Name a tragic event in this chapter. Hermione was tortured; Dobby died

Chapter 24

  1. Who did Harry need to talk to in this chapter and why? Griphook - how to break into a vault at Gringotts to find a Horcrux; Ollivander - for information about the Elder Wand and if he can mend Harry’s wand p.487

Chapter 25

  1. Why is Bill’s warning to Harry important? Harry’s not being completely honest with Griphook about the sword and Griphook is going to hold him to his word p.516

Chapter 26

  1. What trouble did Harry and his friends find themselves in as they entered Gringotts? Running into a Death Eater that was also going to the bank; the goblins knew Hermione wasn’t the real Bellatrix; the treasure burned them and multiplied as they touched it; the goblins and wizards came after them; Griphook took the sword and didn’t help them get out of the bank p.526

Chapter 27

  1. Why does Harry feel the need to rush to the school? When Voldemort finds that Harry and Dumbledore have destroyed the other Horcrux’s, he’ll move the one in the school to another location p.550

Chapter 28

  1. Summarize how Dumbledore’s mother and sister died. His sister had gone mad and she accidentally killed their mom; Aberforth, Dumbledore and Grindelwald dueled and Ariana was hit by one of their spells p.564

Chapter 29

  1. Why did Harry have such a difficult time letting Dumbledore’s Army help him and what convinced him to let them help? Hermione and Ron convinced him to let them help p.580

Chapter 30

  1. Why is everyone gathering in this chapter and what are the heads of houses preparing for? A battle with Voldemort; trying to keep Voldemort out of the school long enough for Harry to find the last Horcrux p.595

Chapter 31

  1. Summarize the events in the Room of Requirement. Harry and his friends went in to find Ravenclaw’s Diadem; Draco were there and they fought; Crabbe cast a fire spell that turned into fire beasts; Harry and his friends rescued Draco and his friends; Crabbe died p.628

Chapter 32

  1. Why did Harry need to find Voldemort? To kill Nagini p.651
  2. What did Snape give Harry and why were they important? His memories; so Harry could see who Snape really was and what Dumbledore needed him to know p.657

Chapter 33

  1. What did Harry learn from Snape’s memories? His mom and Snape were good friends; Snape loved his mom; Dumbledore asked Snape to kill him so Draco wouldn’t have to; Snape gave Mundungus the idea to decoy Harry at the start of this book; Snape was trustworthy and did as Dumbledore asked; it was Snape’s Patronus that helped Harry find the sword; Harry will need to die for Voldemort to die p.674

Chapter 34

  1. Summarize this chapter. Harry walked to his death by finding Voldemort and didn’t pull out his wand p.691
  2. Choose a word to describe Harry. Why did you choose that word? Listen to your child’s answer 

Chapter 35

  1. Summarize Harry’s conversation with Dumbledore. Dumbledore explains the reason why he made it hard for Harry, so he wouldn’t get boastful about the Hallows like he did; Dumbledore expressed his regrets and pride with his sister, mom, Grindelwald and the Hallows; how proud he is of Harry p.705

Chapter 36

  1. What’s the secret Harry knew about the Elder Wand? Snape didn’t defeat Dumbledore, Draco did. The wand recognizes Draco as his master, so it won’t work for Voldemort p.742

Epilogue 

  1. What did you like about the conclusion of this story? Listen to your child’s answer

Comprehension Questions – #6 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

by J.K. Rowling

Grades 6-12; Genre - Fantasy; GRL W; AR pts. 29.0

As classes continue for sixth-year students at Hogwarts, Harry Potter searches for the full and complex story of the boy who became Lord Voldemort, thereby finding what may be his only vulnerability. The plot contains mild profanity and violence.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Summarize the introduction. Fudge visit England’s Prime Minister bringing him up to speed on the events that have been happening; we learn about Fudge’s perspective over the last several years; Fudge has been replaced and the new Minister of Magic introduced himself to the Prime Minister and revealed his secretary is a wizard and his Junior Minister is admitted to St. Mungo’s hospital due to being cursed p.2

Chapter 2

  1. What task do you think the Dark Lord asking Draco to perform? Kill Harry p.36
  2. What do you think about Snape? Whose side is he really on? Listen to your child’s answer p.37

Chapter 3

  1. What business did Dumbledore speak to the Dursley’s and Harry about? Harry inherited Sirius’s home, personal things and Kreacher; he told the Dursley’s they didn’t do as he asked and requested that Harry be allowed to come to their home one last time before he’s 17 years old and the protection placed on the home will stay until then p.52

Chapter 4

  1. Why isn’t Harry’s scar hurting? Voldemort is using Occlumency against Harry; he’s blocking his thoughts and feelings from him p.59
  2. Why did Dumbledore come pick up Harry? To help recruit Slughorn; take Harry to the Weasley’s; tell him he would give him private lessons p.74

Chapter 5

  1. Why is Harry disappointed at the end of this chapter? He didn’t pass his potions OWLS with the grade he needed to become an Auror p.104

Chapter 6

  1. Summarize this chapter. The Weasley’s took Harry and friends to Diagon Alley to purchase school supplies; Harry and his friends saw Draco and his mom in a shop, they almost got into a fight; they went to Fred and George’s shop and saw Draco hurrying down the street and followed him in the Invisibility Cloak; he’d gone into a dark arts store and they listened to his conversation p.105
  2. What do you think Draco was doing in the store? Listen to your child’s answer; it might be about the special mission Voldemort has given him p.124

Chapter 7

  1. What proof does Harry have that Malfoy’s a Death Eater? He thinks Malfoy has the Dark Mark, that’s why he jerked away from Madam Milkin when she tried to roll up his sleeve p.130
  2. Summarize what happened to Harry after lunch with Slughorn? Harry snuck into Draco’s compartment with his invisibility cloak; Draco saw him and after everyone else had left the compartment, he cast a paralysis spell on Harry, broke his nose and covered him with his cloak so no one would find him p.153

Chapter 8

  1. Did Harry make it back to London? Explain. No, Tonk’s came looking for him and they jumped off the train just as it was leaving Hogsmeade p.158
  2. What shocking news did Dumbledore give the students after dinner? Slughorn is teaching potions and Snape is teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts p.166

Chapter 9

  1. How did Harry win the Felix Felicis potion? He followed the instructions in the textbook given him, and the extra notes in the book helped him make the best Draught of Living Death p.188
  2. Who does the book belonged to? The Half-Blood Prince p.193

Chapter 10

  1. Why do you think it’s important to know and understand Voldemort’s past? Understanding who he is will help Harry defeat him p.215

Chapter 11

  1. How did Hermione help Ron make the Quidditch team? She cast a spell to make his competition mess up p.232

Chapter 12

  1. Why is Harry convinced Malfoy is the one responsible for the cursed necklace? He thinks he’s a Death Eater p.255

Chapter 13

  1. What memory did Dumbledore and Harry see in this chapter? Dumbledore meeting Tom Riddle and inviting him to come to Hogwarts p.270
  2. What training is Dumbledore giving Harry? Learning who Lord Voldemort is and how he came to be p.277

Chapter 14

  1. Why are Ron and Hermione so angry with each other in this chapter? They like each other, but haven’t admitted it p.282

Chapter 15

  1. What’s the unbreakable vow Snape promised Draco’s mother? He would protect Draco or die p.323

Chapter 16

  1. Why did Scrimgeour want to talk to Harry outside? How did it go? To see if Harry would be a mascot for the Ministry; not well, Harry doesn’t want to be used by the Ministry when he doesn’t agree with what they’re doing p.346

Chapter 17

  1. List the two memories Dumbledore showed Harry in this chapter. Tom murdered his father and grandparents with his uncle’s wand, gave him the memory of doing it, so he confessed; Tom asking Professor Slughorn about Horcruxes p.363
  2. What homework did Dumbledore give Harry? To find out Slughorn’s true memory p.372

Chapter 18

  1. Summarize what happened to Ron and how did Harry handle it. It’s Ron’s birthday and accidentally ate chocolates with a love potion meant for Harry; Harry took him to Slughorn for help and Slughorn gave him an antidote; while drinking to celebrate Ron’s birthday, Ron was poisoned; Harry cured him p.398

Chapter 19

  1. How did Harry wind up in the hospital wing? He was injured during a Quidditch match p.416
  2. Who did Harry call in the hospital wing and why? Kreacher; to follow Malfoy to find out what he’s doing p.422

Chapter 20

  1. Why is the locket important to Voldemort? Why would he kill for it? It was his mother’s p.437
  2. Why is it so important for Harry to retrieve Slughorn’s memory? They need it to find out Voldemort’s intentions p.446

Chapter 21

  1. What did Harry spend a lot of his time doing in this chapter? Was he successful? Trying to get in the Room of Requirement; no p.452
  2. What should Harry have spent his time doing? Trying to persuade Slughorn for the memory about the Horcrux p.456

Chapter 22

  1. Summarize this chapter. Harry and his friends were asked by Hagrid to come to a funeral for a large spider; Harry was still trying to get the memory but had failed; Harry took the lucky potion he’d won and felt like he needed to go to the funeral; on the way, he saw Slughorn and told him about it; Slughorn wanted to go to retrieve venom from the spider; after the funeral, Hagrid and Slughorn started drinking and Harry waited until Hagrid fell asleep; he persuaded Slughorn to share the memory p.469

Chapter 23

  1. Describe how Harry and Dumbledore will defeat Voldemort? They need to find and destroy four Horcruxes, then Harry can defeat Voldemort p.500

Chapter 24

  1. How did the Half-Blood Prince’s book get Harry in trouble? He used a spell from the book that almost killed Draco, giving him detention and missing out on the championship Quidditch match p.522

Chapter 25

  1. What made Harry upset in this chapter? Learning it was Snape who told Voldemort about the prophecy p.548
  2. Why did Harry give Hermione the Marauders Map? To see what Draco and Snape were up to while Dumbledore and he were gone p.534

Chapter 26

  1. Describe what was hard for Harry in this chapter. Why? Dumbledore had asked him to continue giving him the water from the basin until it was gone; Harry didn’t want to hurt Dumbledore p.569

Chapter 27

  1. Describe Malfoy’s mission and what he was doing in the Room of Requirement. He was trying to fix the Vanishing Cabinet to let in the Death Eaters through the store’s Vanishing Cabinet to kill Dumbledore p.585

Chapter 28

  1. Who’s the Half-Blood Prince? Severus Snape p.604
  2. Whose side do you think Snape’s on? Listen to your child’s answer p.604

Chapter 29

  1. Describe what happened to Bill and what are the possible effects? He was attacked by the werewolf, Grayback; he may have wolfish features, he won’t look the same with the scars p.612
  2. Do you think they should close the school down? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 30

  1. Summarize the conclusion of this book. Dumbledore’s funeral takes place; Harry breaks up with Ginny, Harry’s determined to find the other Horcruxes; Hermione and Ron are determined to go with Harry p.633

Comprehension Questions – Sarah, Plain and Tall Series #3 Caleb’s Story

Caleb's Story

by Patricia MacLachlan

Grades 2-6; Genre - Fiction; GRL R; AR pts. 2.0

The stranger lurking on the Witting family's prairie farm turns out to be their long-lost grandfather, whose presence, plus prodding from Caleb, forces Jacob to deal with his past.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Who’s telling the story? How do you know? Caleb; the journal entry at the beginning is his p.3
  2. Where’s Anna going? To work in town, she’s a nurse p.7

Chapter 2

  1. Predict who the old man is? Listen to your child’s answer
  2. Should Sarah have let him into the house? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 3

  1. Why did John want to play hide and seek with Cassie? To distract her so she wouldn’t stare at the man p.25

Chapter 4

  1. Who is the man and why is Jacob shocked to see him? Jacob’s father; he was told he was dead p.35

Chapter 5

  1. Why is Jacob upset to see his father? He left their family when he was young and never came back p.44

Chapter 6

  1. Why was grandfather upset with Sarah? She found out about his pills and said they would take him to the doctor in town p.57

Chapter 7

  1. Why did Sarah warn Anna to be careful? She didn’t want her to get sick with the influenza that was spreading p.68
  2. Why didn’t Grandfather ever want to read? He didn’t know how p.72

Chapter 8

  1. What was the result of Cassie’s comment at dinner? Jacob and his father pushed each other around and Jacob got hurt p.81

Chapter 9

  1. What does it mean to set a bone? To line it up the broken bone so it can heal straight p.83

Chapter 10

  1. Why is it important for Jacob to forgive his father? So, he won’t be angry anymore p.99

Chapter 11

  1. How did Sarah get stuck in the snow? There was a bad snow storm and she tried to follow the rope, but it broke p.106

Chapter 12

  1. How could Jacob forgive his father? By sharing his own feelings as well as listening and understanding his father’s; by letting go of his pride p.112

Comprehension Questions – Sarah, Plain and Tall Series #2 Skylark

Skylark

by Patricia MacLachlan

This book mentions skinny dipping.

Grades 2-6; Genre - Fiction; GRL R; AR pts. 1.0

Maine was beautiful, but Anna missed home, and Papa. And as the weeks went by, she began to wonder what would happen if the rains never came. Would she and Caleb and Sarah and Papa ever be a family again?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe what is happening at the beginning of this book. Papa, Sarah, Anna and Caleb are getting a family picture taken; the land is in a drought; Caleb is worried Sarah’s going to leave; Papa said no matter how bad it gets they won’t ever leave p.3

Chapter 2

  1. Explain in your own words what Sarah meant on page 13. Some people can express more when they write than when they speak
  2. Do you write in a journal? What do you like to write about? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 3

  1. What is Sarah thinking when she sadly and thoughtfully said, “I am surrounded by motherhood”? She wants to have a baby p.16

Chapter 4

  1. Why didn’t Sarah want to read her aunt’s letter out loud? It talks of rain and green grass; Anna’s family is still in a drought and she didn’t want to make Papa feel stressed p.25

Chapter 5

  1. Why did Maggie get upset with Sarah in the store? Sarah doesn’t understand how hard it is to pack up and leave due to the drought p.31

Chapter 6

  1. What did Caleb see in the field and were they able to take care of it? A fire; yes they put it out p.35

Chapter 7

  1. What do you think Sarah day dreamed about if it’s not Maine? Having a baby p.41
  2. How does Sarah really feel about living there? She hates it p.44

Chapter 8

  1. Describe Sarah’s birthday party. The neighbors all came; there was music and dancing; lemonade and food; Anna gave Sarah a book she had written p.51

Chapter 9

  1. Why was it decided Sarah would take the children to Maine? Another fire burned down the barn and they have to travel further for water; it was getting too dangerous p.60

Chapter 10

  1. Summarize this chapter. It tells of the journey to Maine and how Sarah’s aunts showered them with love when they arrived p.62

Chapter 11

  1. Predict what you think will happen. Is Maine going to be their new home? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 12

  1. Which two birds was Sarah compared to in this chapter? Why? Skylark for singing and prairie lark that hasn’t come to earth p.80

Chapter 13

  1. Why do you think Anna wasn’t able to answer Caleb when he asked if they would see Papa again? She didn’t know if or when they would p.88

Chapter 14

  1. What good news did Papa and Sarah share in this chapter? Sarah was having a baby in the spring p.93

Chapter 15

  1. What was significant about Sarah writing her name in the dirt? It meant she was ready to come to earth and call the prairie her home p.96

Comprehension Questions – #4 Isadora Moon Has a Birthday

Isadora Moon Has a Birthday

by Harriet Muncaster

Grades 1-4; Genre - Fantasy; GRL N; AR pts. 1.0

Half-fairy, half-vampire Isadora Moon wants a normal human birthday party, but will her parents be able to meet her request?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Why does Isadora like human birthday parties? There’s fun games and activities, party favors, cake and ice cream p.9

Chapter 2

  1. Why did Isadora get in trouble at school? Her dad had sent her birthday invitations via bat wings and they flew into the classroom interrupting the lesson p.18

Chapter 3

  1. Why is Isadora irritated her cousin Wilbur came to the party? He can do magic tricks, but she wanted a human magician who would do pretend magic p.28

Chapter 4

  1. Summarize this chapter. Isadora changed into her costume for her party and guests arrived in their costumes p.33

Chapter 5

  1. What made Isadora nervous in this chapter? Wilbur turned her friend into a box of frogs and she was worried he couldn’t turn him back again p.47

Chapter 6

  1. What went wrong in this chapter? Wilbur gave the cloud more bounce and as the children bounced on it, the pegs snapped and the clouds went back into the sky with Isadora’s friends p.62

Chapter 7

  1. What’s Samantha’s plan to get back down? Isadora make wings on the costumes real so the children can fly themselves and each other down p.75

Chapter 8

  1. How did the children react when Isadora’s mom admitted they should have made the party more like human parties? Isadora’s friends said they liked it just the way it was; that they liked her family just the way they were p.85

Chapter 9

  1. What part of the cake did the children want to eat? The vampire and fairy layer p.90

Chapter 10

  1. Why was it important for Wilbur to apologize to Isadora? He should have listened to her p.96
  2. What gift did Isadora’s parents give her? A wand p.100

Comprehension Questions – Magic Tree House #35 Camp Time in California

Camp Time in California

by Mary Pope Osborne

Grades 1-4; Genre - Historical Fiction with Fantastical Elements; GRL M; AR pts. 1.0

When the magic tree house whisks Jack and Annie back in time, they land in the tallest tree in Yosemite, California where they join nature conservationist, John Muir, and US President Teddy Roosevelt on a historic trip through the woods.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Where’s the setting for this story? Yosemite, a National park in California p.7

Chapter 2

  1. How did Jack and Annie learn their pencils were magic? They had to start using them p.17

Chapter 3

  1. Did Jack and Annie follow Jack’s instructions when they ran into the bear? Explain. No, they ran away from it and Jack read people shouldn’t run from bears p.25

Chapter 4

  1. Summarize this chapter. Jack and Annie meet some travelers in the forest and were invited to join them for the night p.29
  2. Is it smart for Jack and Annie to join them? Why, or why not? Yes, it’ll keep them safe p.35

Chapter 5

  1. Do you know who Teddy is? Listen to your child’s answer
  2. How did Teddy help Jack? Helped him feel like he could ride the mule p.41

Chapter 6

  1. What helped Jack enjoy his experience? Forgetting about himself p.52

Chapter 7

  1. Why was Annie upset and what helped her feel better? Finding out the oldest tree in the world was cut down; Jack took her up to the cliffs edge and looked at the stars p.59

Chapter 8

  1. Who is Teddy? Theodore Roosevelt, the President of the United States p.69
  2. Why did he go on an adventure in the Yosemite wilderness? To see the value in making it a National Park p.71

Chapter 9

  1. Explain John’s attitude of being in the wilderness. He loves it more than being inside p.78

Chapter 10

  1. What did Jack and Annie learn about drawing? Helped them understand what they drew p.90

Comprehension Questions – Wings of Fire #1 The Dragonet Prophecy

The Dragonet Prophecy

by Tui T. Sutherland

Grades 5-8; Genre - Fantasy; GRL X; AR pts. 10.0

The seven dragon tribes have been at war for generations, locked in an endless battle over an ancient, lost treasure. A secret movement called the Talons of Peace is determined to bring an end to the fighting, with the help of a prophecy, a foretelling that calls for great sacrifice.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe the introduction to the story. Clay is a dragonet learning to fight, but he doesn’t like it. Kestrel is his teacher and wants more out of him. Tsunami is another dragonet who stands up for Clay. She suggests they leave the caves earlier than two years when the prophecy is to take place p.1

Chapter 2

  1. Summarize this chapter. The five dragonets acted out the prophesy, but got in trouble when Kestrel found them; Tsunami shared her desire to escape with the other dragons, except for Sunny since she can’t keep a secret p.12

Chapter 3

  1. Describe how the Minders treat the dragonets and if you’d like to be under their tutelage. Why, or why not?  Angry, mean, bossy, condescending and say rude things to them; listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 4

  1. Summarize Morrowseer’s visit? He wanted to see which of the dragonets were up to the task p.34

Chapter 5

  1. What disturbing information did Clay hear when he spied on the Minders? Morrowseer ordered them to kill Glory by noon the next day p.53

Chapter 6

  1. Describe the plan the dragonets put in place to save Glory? Clay would swim downriver until he was out of the cave; the dragonets in the cave would build a fire so Clay could see where the cave is from the outside; meanwhile Glory would use her dragon skills and camouflage herself to prevent the Minders from finding and killing her p.60

Chapter 7

  1. Summarize this chapter. Clay took to his journey in the river; he was still underground when he came to a stream and a waterfall; he decided to go up the stream, but something stung him and he blacked out p.66

Chapter 8

  1. Who helped Clay? Tsunami p. 74
  2. How did she break free of the chains? Sunny and Fireflight breathed fire on them together p.75

Chapter 9

  1. Why was Clay excited to see dirt? He’s a mud dragon; he’s much more comfortable in the dirt p.84

Chapter 10

  1. Who did the dragonets run into above the surface? Scarlet, the queen of the Sky Wings p.93
  2. Is that good or bad? Why? Bad; she will want to prevent the prophecy and destroy the dragonets p.93

Chapter 11

  1. Describe the interaction Tsunami and Clay had with Scarlet. She wanted to take them with her, but they knew they couldn’t go with her; Tsunami stabbed her tail with a claw and the dragonets flew off p.95

Chapter 12

  1. List a consequence the dragonets will have because they left the cave. Queen Scarlet knows where the secret hideout is; she knows about the 5 dragonets p.109

Chapter 13

  1. Why is Clay surprised Kestrel was willing to give herself up to save the dragonets? Kestrel isn’t loyal to any dragon except her own kind and she hated the dragonets p.114

Chapter 14

  1. Describe the prison cell Clay has. It’s outside, hundreds of feet above the ground; on a spire/column by himself with many other columns around him with dragons on them; high above the arena p.119

Chapter 15

  1. Describe the battle between Peril and Horizon. Peril burned Horizon with her touch, to end the fight, Horizon held onto Peril and died p.132
  2. Predict what will happen the next day. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 16

  1. Describe Peril. She’s the queen’s champion; she’s a Sky Wing dragon; she burned her twin to death in their egg; her mother tried to drop her over a cliff but the queen saved her; she has too much fire, anyone that touches her is burned; needs a friend p.138

Chapter 17

  1. Why did the queen bring the three friends to her? To decide who she should put in the arena with an Ice Wing p.152
  2. Why did both Clay and Tsunami volunteer to fight in the arena? They wanted to protect each other and their friends p.153

Chapter 18

  1. Who do you think won the fight? Why? Listen to your child’s answer p.161

Chapter 19

  1. Why does Clay think he’s going to make the prophecy fail? Because he thinks he’s weak p.163
  2. Who does Clay think Peril’s mother is? Kestrel p.172

Chapter 20

  1. What’s Kestrel and Peril’s story? Kestrel had the twins and fled, but the queen caught her and told her if she killed one of the dragonets she and the other dragonet could go free; Kestrel killed the one twin, but the queen lied and didn’t free her; Kestrel tried to escape, but was burned when she grabbed Peril; she dropped her and left her to the queen p.180

Chapter 21

  1. Why did Clay feel like they had to escape that night? Queen Burn was coming and she will be ruthless with the dragonets; he was worried one of them would have to fight Peril the next day; he knew he had to save Sunny before Burn took her home p.188

Chapter 22

  1. What’s stopping the dragonets from leaving Peril’s cave? A fire burning from black rocks p.197
  2. Who do you think sprayed Fjord with poison? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter23

  1. Describe Peril’s actions in this chapter. The dragonets thought she was helping them, instead she betrayed them p.209

Chapter 24

  1. How did Clay fulfill a prophecy? He came from a blood red egg and can walk through fire p.212

Chapter 25

  1. Describe the crowd’s attitude toward the fighting in the arena? They like the fight; they wanted death p.221
  2. Compare the relationship the five dragonets have to the rest of the dragons in this world. They care about each other; they are friends and help each other; the other dragons have no care for each other and don’t know how to be real friends p.221

Chapter 26

  1. How did the audience react when Tsunami and Starflight wouldn’t fight? They thought it was sweet p.224
  2. Who showed up at the end of the chapter? Morrowseer p.228

Chapter 27

  1. What did Morrowseer do in this chapter? He saved Starflight and flew away p.231

Chapter 28

  1. What word would you use to describe Clay in this chapter? Why? Noble; loyal; dedicated; listen to your child’s answer p.241

Chapter 29

  1. Do you agree that the dragonets should free Kestrel? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 30

  1. How did Peril grow in this chapter? She realized Clay would be her friend even if she helped free him and his friends p.259

Chapter 31

  1. Why is Glory mad at Clay? He made her feel like she wasn’t wanted p.266

Chapter 32

  1. Describe Clay’s experience as he walked into the Mud Wing domain? They weren’t friendly; no one paid him and Glory any attention; people seemed bothered by them; they were in military groups and only talked with each other p.280

Chapter 33

  1. Why was Clay disappointed after speaking with his mother? She wasn’t happy to see him; she didn’t care about him; he didn’t receive any answers from her about his father; she sold Clay’s egg to the Talons of Peace p.283

Chapter 34

  1. What did Clay find in this chapter? Explain. The answers he’d been looking for; his family; what life would have been like had he been born in the tribe p. 290
  2. Why couldn’t Clay stay with them? He has his own destiny; he didn’t want to tear his sibs apart; his sibs would feel like they had to choose between him and Reed who was their current bigwings p.293

Chapter 35

  1. What did Clay realize at the end of this story? That he was good enough to fulfill the prophecy just the way he was p.300
  2. Why is that important? Listen to your child’s answer

Epilogue
1. What did you learn from reading the epilogue? Morrowseer is evil and has made a deal with Blister; he wants her to be the next queen; Morrowseer gave instructions to Starflight to betray his friends; the dragonets are in danger; he killed Kestrel and are looking for Webs p.301

Comprehension Questions – Magic Tree House #34 Late Lunch with Llamas

Late Lunch with Llamas

by Mary Pope Osborne

Grades 1-4; Genre - Historical Fiction with Fantastical Elements; GRL M; AR pts. 1.0

The magic tree house whisks Jack and Annie away to South America, where they must climb Machu Picchu to save a baby llama. 

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Where is Jack and Annie going in this book? Peru p.7
  2. What continent is Peru on? South America 

Chapter 2

  1. Why is the boy so upset in this chapter? His baby llama was stolen p.19

Chapter 3

  1. Why are Jack and Annie afraid to cross the bridge? It’s made of rope and hangs between two mountains p.25
  2. Why are Jack and Annie determined to cross the bridge? Their mission is to go across and save the llama p.27

Chapter 4

  1. Why did Jack and Annie feel sick while hiking up the mountain? They didn’t have water and they needed to slow down to let their bodies get used to the high altitude p.35

Chapter 5

  1. How did Jack and Annie know they were taken back hundreds of years into the past? Topa and his grandparents called Machu Picchu the Secret City p.40

Chapter 6

  1. Where did Jack and Annie find drinking water? In one of the many springs in the city p.47

Chapter 7

  1. How will the legend help Jack and Annie? The llama will speak and tell the Emperor what it wants p.61

Chapter 8

  1. Name one thing that was scary for Jack in this chapter? The Emperor wouldn’t believe them; the trail to the rope bridge was on a cliff; condors were flying overhead p.62

Chapter 9

  1. How did Jack keep Cria safe from the condors? He remembered the legend and asked the condors to tell the constellations to keep Cria safe p.74

Chapter 10

  1. What’s Annie’s explanation of “the secret of the brave”? People can’t be brave unless they’re afraid first p.85

Comprehension Questions – Magic Tree House #33 Narwhal on a Sunny Night

Narwhal on a Sunny Night

by Mary Pope Osborne

Grades 1-4; Genre - Historical Fiction with Fantastical Elements; GRL M; AR pts. 1.0

The magic tree house whisks Jack and Annie to Greenland, where their mission is to save a narwhal.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What do you know about Greenland from this first chapter? It’s cold, by the Arctic Circle, can’t have a lot of grass and trees, icebergs and reindeer p.5

Chapter 2

  1. Name one fact you found interesting in this chapter. The earth is warming causing the polar caps to melt; 56,000 people live there with most of them Inuits; there are three kinds of seals and 15 kinds of whales that live there p.12

Chapter 3

  1. Why were Jack and Annie worried about the orcas swimming toward the narwhals? Orcas will kill and eat narwhals p.22

Chapter 4

  1. How did Annie convince the boy not to kill the narwhal for its horn? She told him they’re special and mysteries of nature; they know secrets humans will never know and hear things in ways we’ll never hear; they talk in a language we’ll never understand p.28

Chapter 5

  1. Describe how the kids free the narwhal? Leveraged a spear into the ice to break it p.34

Chapter 6

  1. Describe what you know about Erikson and his family. They’re seafarers; came from Iceland 8 years ago p.40

Chapter 7

  1. Describe the village Erikson lives in. His dad is the chief; long wooden house; thatched huts; barns; dogs; families live there: shocked to see Jack and Annie p.48

Chapter 8

  1. Why are Jack and Annie wanting to sneak away from Leif’s house? His family is under the impression they have a ship and want to take the entire village to see it in the morning p.62

Chapter 9

  1. What gift did Jack and Annie give Leif? Their map of Greenland p.69

Chapter 10

  1. Why do you think “thanks” is the special word Jack and Annie saw glow? Listen to your child’s answer p.79

Chapter 11

  1. Who can you thank? Make sure to write them a note or tell them! P.84