Category Archives: Series

Comprehension Questions – The Chronicles of Narnia #7 The Last Battle

The Last Battle

by C.S. Lewis

Grades 5-7; Genre - Fantasy; GRL W; AR pts. 7.0

Jill and Eustace join Prince Tirian as he tries to defeat the evil that has infested Narnia.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe Shift. An ape; bosses Puzzle around; manipulative; gets what he wants; not a good friend; makes Puzzle feel guilty for telling him “no” p.3
  2. Why didn’t Puzzle want to wear the lion skin? He felt it would be wrong and disrespectful to Aslan p.9
  3. Why did Shift want Puzzle to wear the lion skin? To pretend to be Aslan so he could get what he wants p.14
  4. Do you think it’s a good idea? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 2

  1. Has Aslan shown himself in the land? No, it’s Puzzle in the lion skin p.17
  2. What tidings did Roonwit bring the king? There’s evil that hangs over Narnia p.19
  3. How did the king act rash in this chapter? He raced in with Jewel and killed the Calormenes instead of waiting for his army p.27

Chapter 3

  1. Why is everyone believing Puzzle is Aslan? That’s what Shift is telling them; They’ve never seen Aslan before; they don’t know what he looks like or what his nature is p.30
  2. What’s Shift doing in this chapter? Lying to the Talking Beasts to make them go along with his plan; being deceitful p.37

Chapter 4

  1. Compare Puzzle to the real Aslan? Stiff in stature; Shift speaks to the people for him; Aslan always shows himself and speaks for himself when he wants and he wouldn’t kill the trees or enslave the animals p.48
  2. What shoes Tirian do in this chapter? Calls out for help to Aslan and to the children/friends of Narnia p.50

Chapter 5

  1. Who’s sitting at the table Tirian saw? The Professor, Aunt Polly, Eustace, Jill, Peter, Lucy, Edmund p.57
  2. Where did Tirian take the children? The battlements p.60

Chapter 6

  1. Where had Jill gone and what did she find? To the stable; Puzzle in the lion skin p.74
  2. Why didn’t the group feel the need to whisper anymore? They had the false Aslan and could prove to everyone they had been tricked p.76

Chapter 7

  1. How did the dwarfs react when Tirian saved them and cheered for Aslan? They didn’t believe in Aslan and didn’t want a king anymore p.83
  2. Summarize the conversation Poggin overheard. The Cat and the Calormene Captain agreed to use the Ape to their advantage to make Narnia a Calormene province p.90

Chapter 8

  1. What news did the Eagle bring to Tirian and the others? Calormene ships attacked Cair Paravel and the dying Roonwit sent a message with Farsight that all worlds draw to an end p.103

Chapter 9

  1. How was the king’s plan ruined? Shift told the Beasts that a donkey had dressed up as Aslan, so now the Beasts want to kill Puzzle p.116

Chapter 10

  1. Summarize this chapter. The Ape challenged Narnians to go into the stable; the Cat goes in and comes out unable to talk; a Calormene soldier goes in, but a different soldier comes out dead; the Ape threatens a Boar to go in and Tirian and his group come out with their weapons; Tirian invites the Narnians to stand at his side and fight the Calormenes p.117

Chapter 11

  1. Name something discouraging that happened in this chapter. The dwarfs shot and killed the Talking Horses; the Calormenes reinforced the enemy army; many Narnian Animals left and wouldn’t help fight; Narnians joined the enemy p.134

Chapter 12

  1. What did Tirian find inside the stable? Tash took Rishda away and 7 kings and queens stood before him, the same as in the dream he had when he called to them p.150

Chapter 13

  1. Why couldn’t the dwarfs be helped? They didn’t want to be p.169
  2. Who appeared in the stable? Aslan p.169

Chapter 14

  1. Summarize this chapter. The animals of the world all had to face Aslan; the world of Narnia ended; Emeth the Calormene was sitting against a tree p.174

Chapter 15

  1. Why was Emeth able to see Aslan? He believed in him p.188

Chapter 16

  1. What had happened to the children and their parents? There was a railway accident and they all died p.210

Comprehension Questions – #2 Isadora Moon Goes Camping

Isadora Moon Goes Camping

by Harriet Muncaster

Grades 1-4; Genre - Fantasy; Lexile 520L; AR pts. 1.0

When Isadora Moon and her family go on a camping trip to the beach, they're just like everybody else. They roast marshmallows and build sand castles and sleep in a tent But in a magical family, anything can happen. And when Isadora goes on a nighttime adventure, she makes an unusual friend under the sea. . . .

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Predict what Isadora did during summer break. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 2

  1. How does Isadora’s dad’s feel about camping? He didn’t want to; doesn’t like it p.11
  2. Where did her family go for their vacation? Camping at the beach p.22

Chapter 3

  1. How did Isadora figure out her dad was in the bathroom? There was a long line of people waiting to get in p.31

Chapter 4

  1. How was the special comb lost? Isadora put it on top of her sandcastle; the tide came in and washed it away p.46
  2. Why didn’t Isadora tell her dad what happened to it? She was too scared at first, but then he wouldn’t talk to her when she tried p.48

Chapter 5

  1. Who did Isadora meet on the beach? A mermaid p.60
  2. Should the mermaid princess give back the comb? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 6

  1. How did Isadora get the comb back? She asked the princess and agreed to stay for a tea party p.75

Chapter 7

  1. What did Isadora do to Princess Delphina’s stuffed mer-bear? Why? Brought it to life; she was lonely p.83
  2. What did Isadora’s dad learn? He shouldn’t have brought his comb to the beach; spending time with his family is more important than a comb p.91

Comprehension Questions – #1 Isadora Moon Goes to School

Isadora Moon Goes to School

by Harriet Muncaster

Grades 1-4; Genre - Fantasy; Lexile 520L; AR pts. 1.0

Isadora Moon loves sunshine — and nighttime. She loves her magic wand — and her black tutu. She loves spooky bats — and Pink Rabbit. Isadora is half-fairy, half-vampire, and she’s special because she is different! Now Isadora’s parents want her to start school, but she’s not sure where she belongs — fairy school or vampire school?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe Isadora. Half vampire, half fairy; has a vampire dad, fairy mom, and a little sister like her; her pink stuffed rabbit is alive; lives in the top tower of her large home p.2

Chapter 2

  1. What decision is Isadora trying to make in this chapter? What school to go to p.16

Chapter 3

  1. Why is Isadora embarrassed in this chapter? She was practicing her wand skills and instead of a carrot cake, a carrot appeared that grew to a great size and flew out the window p.32

Chapter 4

  1. What happened on Isadora’s first day at fairy school? She couldn’t use a wand; she couldn’t dance like the other fairies because she couldn’t wear her black tutu; she didn’t know she shouldn’t pick toadstools from a fairy ring and she got red spots from the toadstools p.43

Chapter 5

  1. Why isn’t Isadora prepared for vampire school? She wasn’t able to sleep all day and will be tired p.60

Chapter 6

  1. What did Isadora learn about herself in this chapter? That her wings flap and she doesn’t zoom and glide like other vampires p.68

Chapter 7

  1. How did Pink Rabbit get banned from vampire school? He opened the window and let all the bats out p.84

Chapter 8

  1. What did Isadora like about herself in this chapter? Her wild hair p.91

Chapter 9

  1. What made Isadora feel happy? She felt proud to be who she was; the human kids accepted her for who she was p.103

Chapter 10

  1. How did Isadora convince her parents to let her go to regular human school? Humans are all different, just like her; she really wanted to go p.114

Comprehension Questions – #5 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

by J.K. Rowling

Grades 6-12; Genre - Fantasy; GRL W; AR pts. 44.0

Fifteen-year-old wizard Harry Potter struggles with a threatening teacher, a problematic house-elf, the dread of upcoming final exams, and haunting dreams that hint toward his mysterious past. The plot contains mild profanity and violence.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Why is Harry so anxious at the beginning of this story? Now that he knows that Voldemort is back, he’s waiting for something bad to happen p.10
  2. Who attacked Harry and Dudley? Two dementors p.16

Chapter 2

  1. Why did Uncle Vernon want Harry to leave and not come back? Voldemort is after him and Harry’s uncle doesn’t want his family to get hurt p.38
  2. Who changed Uncle Vernon’s mind to let Harry stay? Why? Aunt Petunia; She got a howler from an owl that made her feel like Harry should stay p.40

Chapter 3

  1. Who visited Harry at his aunt and uncle's house? Why? 8-9 wizards; to take Harry to safety p.56
  2. Where did they take him? London; the house where the Order of the Phoenix is meeting p.58

Chapter 4

  1. What’s the Order of the Phoenix? A secret society of wizards who previously fought against Voldemort p.67
  2. Why is a portrait of Sirius’ mother in the house? It’s the home Sirius’ grew up in p.78

Chapter 5

  1. What did Harry learn in this chapter? Harry thwarted Voldemort’s plans; Voldemort is secretly recruiting Death Eaters and working on a weapon; the Ministry doesn't believe that Voldemort is back p.92

Chapter 6

  1. Describe Sirius’ family? Share two examples. They’re Voldemort supporters; don’t like anyone who’s not a pureblood; Sirius’s brother was a Death Eater and Draco’s dad is married to Sirius’s cousin p.113
  2. What hearing is Harry worryied about and why? He’s on trial for using magic in the muggle world; he could be expelled from Hogwarts and be forced to return to live at the Dursley’s p.119

Chapter 7

  1. Summarize this chapter. Describes the Ministry of Magic building and Harry and Mr. Weasley's travels; the location and time of the hearing changed and Harry and Mr. Weasley run to get there p.121
  2. Why do you think the hearing was changed to the new location? Listen to your child's answer

Chapter 8

  1. How do we know Fudge didn’t expect Dumbledor at the hearing? He was surprised and flustered when Dumbledor arrived; didn’t set out a chair; changed the time and location of the hearing intentionally so Dumbledor wouldn’t be there p.139
  2. Who do you think told Dumbledor of the change? Listen to your child’s answer
  3. Why doesn’t Fudge want to believe dementors attacked Harry? It would prove that Voldemort is back p.148

Chapter 9

  1. What was Harry feeling when he didn’t make Prefect? Jealous and selfish p.166
  2. Why was Mrs. Weasley so upset when she saw the bogart? She’s scared someone in her family is going to die p.176

Chapter 10

  1. What did Draco Malfoy say to unnerve Harry in this chapter? Why? “I’ll be dogging your footsteps in case you step out of line"; Draco’s dad might have noticed Sirius dropping off Harry at the train station and know where he's hiding out p.194
  2. Why was Harry alarmed his friends couldn’t see the creatures pulling the carriages? He’s not been able to see them until now; Luna has been able to see them as well, which concerned him p.199

Chapter 11

  1. What did the Sorting Hat sing about? The different houses; warnings; advice p.207
  2. Why was that strange? The Hat hasn't given advice or warnings since Harry's been at Hogwarts p.207
  3. Why is Harry frustrated and grateful at the end of this chapter? Seamus’ mom doesn't believe Harry and Dumbledor and doesn't want him at the school; Neville believes Harry and stood up for him p.220

Chapter 12

  1. What’s Harry’s Divination class about? Predicting the future p.237
  2. Why isn’t Harry happy about keeping a dream journal? His dreams are about Voldemort and come true p.238
  3. Describe Professor Umbridge. Very short; sweet voice and but very strict; determined to put Harry’s accusations about Voldemort to rest and called them lies p.239

Chapter 13

  1. What pun did Professor Umbridge use on page 266? “Oh, as long as it takes the message to sink in” p.266
  2. Why is it a pun? When Harry used the quill, it actually carved the words into his flesh p.267
  3. Why doesn’t Harry want to talk to Dumbledor about his detention or his scar? Dumbledor hasn’t talked to him since the summer p.277

Chapter 14

  1. What concerns did Sirius calm when Harry spoke with him? Harry’s scar isn’t anything to worry about; Professor Umbridge isn’t a Death Eater; Hagrid's away on a mission and is fine p.302

Chapter 15

  1. Why did Hermione suggest Harry teach the Defense against the Dark Arts class? Why? Harry; he’s been successful in using the spells against Voldemort p.326
  2. What’s Harry’s reaction? He didn’t feel qualified p.328

Chapter 16

  1. Which houses are the students from who came to the Dark Arts meeting? Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Gryffondor p.338
  2. Why were the students hesitant to sign their names? They didn’t want to be found out p.346
  3. Why was Harry noticing how beautiful the village is now? Cho likes him p.349

Chapter 17

  1. Why did Professor Umbridge ban student organizations, societies, teams, groups and clubs? To prevent the secret Dark Arts class p.351
  2. Why are the teachers upset with Umbridge? She has the power to get rid of them, is questioning how they teach and putting them on probation p.364
  3. What caused Sirius to vanish? Umbridge came looking for him in the chimney floo p.372

Chapter 18

  1. Why weren’t the other elves picking up Hermione’s hats and socks? They were insulted p.385
  2. Describe the first lesson Harry taught. Harry was voted their leader; they call themselves the D.A., Dumbledor’s Army; they learned the Expelliarmus spell p.396

Chapter 19

  1. Describe the Quidditch match and what happened after. Ron missed three goals, Harry caught the snitch so they won; during the match Slytherin sang a mean song about Ron; Draco taunted Ron, Harry and George hit him; Umbridge banned Harry, George and Fred from playing Quidditch again; Ron left the field very discouraged p.406

Chapter 20

  1. Summarize this chapter. Harry and his friends went to see Hagrid; he told them how he went to the giants to gain their favor against Voldemort; the chief who liked them was killed and a new chief was put in, he was siding with the Death Eaters; Hagrid and Madame Maxine weren’t successful in convincing the other giants to join; Umbridge came to see Hagrid while the kids were there, but couldn’t see them due to the invisibility cloak; Hermione is worried Umbridge going to get rid of Hagrid p.424

Chapter 21

  1. Why was Harry so confused by Cho’s kiss? She cried about missing Cedric just before p.458
  2. What and who was Harry in his dream? A snake; Voldemort p.462

Chapter 22

  1. Why did Dumbledor remove Harry and the Weasley’s from Hogwarts? He didn’t want Umbridge to get involved; he wanted them to be able to see their father p.476
  2. Why didn’t Harry want to hear the conversation in the hospital room? He was disturbed Voldemort is possessing him p.491

Chapter 23

  1. Why was Harry so upset at the beginning of this chapter? He thought Voldemort was using him as a weapon p.493
  2. What helped Harry feel better? Talking to his friends; Ginny reminded him she’d been possessed by Voldemort too p.499
  3. Who did Harry and his friends see on the closed ward of the hospital? Why? Neville Longbottom; his mom and dad were cursed by Bellatrix Lestrange p.515

Chapter 24

  1. Why did Dumbledor want Harry to learn Occlumency? It would teach him to control and protect his mind from Voldemort p.518
  2. Why was Harry so sick at the end of this chapter? He’d had his first lesson with Snape and his mind was weakened and tired p.542

Chapter 25

  1. Why did Harry’s date with Cho go poorly? Harry didn’t want to talk about Cedric and then said he was meeting Hermione and that made Cho jealous p.562
  2. Why did Hermione want Harry to meet her? To tell Rita Skeeter the truth about Voldemort p.567
  3. How did Hermione convince Rita to do the story about Harry for free? She blackmailed Rita since she’s not a registered Animagus p.569

Chapter 26

  1. What was the reaction to the article written about Harry and Voldemort? Umbridge was angry and put up a new decree that students were forbidden to read it; the students believed Harry; Harry received lots of fan mail p.579
  2. How does Snape know that Harry dreamt of Voldemort? He can see Harry’s memories as they practice Occlumency p.593

Chapter 27

  1. Why was Harry taken to Dumbledor’s office? Umbridge caught him doing the D.A. Class p.611
  2. Why did Dumbledor take the blame for organizing the class? He didn’t want Harry to get expelled; he knew he could handle the consequences p.618
  3. What advice did Dumbledor give Harry before he left? To study Occlumency as hard as he could and close his mind p.623

Chapter 28

  1. Why was Snape so enraged to find Harry watching his memory? It was humiliating to him; it was about how Harry’s dad treated him when they were younger p.645
  2. Should Harry have looked into the Pensieve? Why, or why not? No; Snape’s memories were personal like a journal 

Chapter 29

  1. What did Sirius tell Harry about his father? That he was 15 years old and an idiot; that his father was a show off when Lily was around; he was his best friend and a good person p.671
  2. What diversion did Fred and George do so Harry to talk to Sirius? Made a swamp in the school p.675

Chapter 30

  1. What was Hagrid hiding in the Forbidden Forest? His brother, a giant p.690
  2. Why did Hagrid need Harry and his friends to visit his brother? He was worried Umbridge was going to fire him p.701
  3. Why did Harry and Hermione decide to wait to tell Ron about Hagrid's brother? Ron had just won the Quidditch Cup p.702

Chapter 31

  1. What event interrupted the astronomy test? Umbridge telling Hagrid to leave Hogwarts p.719
  2. Who was Voldemort torturing in Harry’s dream and why? Sirius; Voldemort wanted Sirius to fetch something p.728

Chapter 32

  1. Do you think Snape got Harry's message? Listen to your child’s answer p.745
  2. Predict the weapon Hermione and Harry are taking Umbridge to? Listen to your child’s answer p.748

Chapter 33

  1. How did Luna, Neville, Ginny and Ron escape? They used spells Harry taught them p.761
  2. Why were they so determined to go with Harry? They wanted to use the skills Harry taught them against Voldemort p.761

Chapter 34

  1. Why wasn’t Sirius where Harry saw him in his dream? It was a trap Voldemort planned to get Harry into the room with the orb p.780

Chapter 35

  1. Summarize this chapter. The kids were all fighting for their lives running from the Death Eaters when members of the Order of the Phoenix arrived to help them; Sirius fell through the veil and died p.781

Chapter 36

  1. What did Fudge finally admit? That Voldemort’s back p.817

Chapter 37

  1. Who took the blame for Sirius’s death? Why? Dumbledor; he should have told Harry everything long before p.826
  2. Who lied to Harry and betrayed the Order? Kreacher p.829
  3. Why did Dumbledor wait to tell Harry the prophecy? He would need to one day kill Voldemort or be killed by him p.844

Chapter 38

  1. What was Nicks response when Harry asked him about Sirius? Sirius moved on and wouldn’t come back as a ghost p.860
  2. What did Luna say that helped Harry feel better? That those who have died are just behind the veil, they’re not gone p.863
  3. Why was Harry confident going home with the Dursley’s? The Order stood up for him and told the Dursley’s they’d better be nice to Harry; Harry knew he had support from his friends p.870

Comprehension Questions – Tales from the Odyssey Book #6 The Final Battle

The Final Battle

by Mary Pope Osborne

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

This sixth book of the series presents an excerpt from Homer's ODYSSEY where Odysseus returns to Ithaca and finds that he must fight to regain control from those who are plaguing his family.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Why did Athena give Penelope the gift of sleep? She couldn’t sleep on her own; she was heartbroken for Odysseus and worried the gods would support the killing of Telemachus p.13

Chapter 2

  1. Why was Odysseus broken hearted to see his dog? No one has taken care of him since Odysseus leftp.21

Chapter 3

  1. Summarize this chapter. Athena told Odysseus to beg from each man to learn who was good and who was evil; Telemachus told the suitors to leave and they did; Athena guided the father and son as they moved the weapons to an upstairs room p.23

Chapter 4

  1. What contest was Penelope going to require of the suitors? To string Odysseus’s bow and shoot an arrow through the rings of 12 ax handles p.39
  2. Why did Athena call Odysseus a faithless mortal? He was beginning to doubt in her p.42

Chapter 5

  1. What were the gods trying to tell the men and Odysseus’s family in this chapter? Odysseus would prevail and the suitors would die p.44

Chapter 6

  1. Why was Penelope and the other women told to go to their rooms? To protect them from seeing the battle that was about to ensue p.56
  2. Could Odysseus string the bow and shoot through the ax handles? Yes p.57

Chapter 7

  1. How did Athena help Odysseus in this battle? She sent the enemies spears away from them; gave the enemies a cloud of her shield which meant certain death p.64

Chapter 8

  1. What convinced Penelope she had her husband home? Odysseus’s upset reaction when she told her maid to carry out her bed p.74

Chapter 9

  1. Why didn’t Odysseus fight the suitors' kin? Athena and Zeus told him not to seek their lives and that there was to be peace p.86

Comprehension Questions – Tales from the Odyssey Book #5 Return to Ithaca

Return to Ithaca

by Mary Pope Osborne

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

With the help of the gray-eyed goddess, Athena, Odysseus and Telemachus must set out to regain control of Ithaca.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Summarize how this story begins. Odysseus survived the storm and is sleeping on an island hoping to get home; Penelope is heart-broken that her son and husband are gone and in danger; Telemachus is trying to decide if he go search for his father or go home to help his mother; Athena is going to help them p.9

Chapter 2

  1. How is Athena helping Odysseus in this chapter? She sent the daughter of the king down to the beach where Odysseus is sleeping p.21

Chapter 3

  1. How did Odysseus make it to the palace without being noticed? Athena put a mist around him and made him invisible p.28

Chapter 4

  1. What did Odysseus do in this chapter to betray who he was? Wept openly twice p.40

Chapter 5

  1. Describe how the sailors treated Odysseus. They put a blanket over him to sleep and let him sleep the entire way home; they carried him onto his island and left him with the gifts p.47

Chapter 6

  1. What word describes Odysseus’s relationship with Athena? He has faith in her; loyal; trust; listen to your child’s answer
  2. How would you answer Odysseus if you were Athena? Why did you take away his son? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 7

  1. How do you know the swine herd is a good servant to Odysseus? He loves him; is respectful and protective when talking about him and his family; he longs for him to return home; he cares about his swine and went into the storm to watch them through the night p.63

Chapter 8

  1. What instructions did Athena give Telemachus? Set sail for home immediately; don’t sail close to the shore in the strait; send your men on the ship to the harbor, but Telemachus go to his father’s swine herd p.71
  2. Why did Athena direct Telemachus to go to the swine herd? That’s where his father is p.76

Chapter 9

  1. Explain what this phrase on page 86 means: “it is easy for the gods to cast a man down and then raise him up again”. Gods have power to humble and help men p.86

Chapter 10

  1. Why did Telemachus believe they would win against the suitors? They would have the gods, Zeus and Athena, helping them fight p.90
  2. What’s Odysseus’s plan? Telemachus will go to the palace; Odysseus will dress as a beggar and go to the palace later; when Athena gives the word, Telemachus is to take most of the weapons to an upstairs room p.92

Comprehension Questions – Tales from the Odyssey Book #4 The Gray-Eyed Goddess

The Gray-Eyed Goddess

by Mary Pope Osborne

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

For nearly twenty years, Odysseus has fought terrifying giants and monsters, weathered the loss of his men, and angered gods and goddesses. Now he is trapped on the island of the alluring sea goddess, Calypso. Back in Ithaca, his wife, Penelope, and their son, Telemachus, are desperately warding off the suitors who want to marry Penelope in order to take control of Odysseus's island. Then a visit from a mysterious stranger gives Telemachus the courage to confront the suitors, and to head off in search of his long-lost father. Could the stranger be the gray-eyed warrior goddess, Athena?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. How does this story begin? Odysseus has been captive on Calypso’s island for 7 years; the story turns to what’s happening at Odysseus’s home with his family p.13

Chapter 2

  1. Explain what Mentor commanded Telemachus to do? Get rid of the suitors, go in search of his father, make a name for himself, have strength and courage p.30

Chapter 3

  1. Why did Telemachus think Athena came to him? Mentor’s spear was like hers, his sandals were like hers, his gray eyes shone like her eyes, she had favored Odysseus before p.41

Chapter 4

  1. How did Athena help Telemachus in this chapter? Find a crew for the ship; put everyone to sleep at his home so they wouldn’t know what he was doing; sailed on the ship with him p.52

Chapter 5

  1. What’s causing Telemachus to look like a god? His presence and confidence p.67
  2. Why is Telemachus traveling to see King Menelaus? He was the last to arrive home after the Trojan War and might have seen or heard what happened to Odysseus p.64

Chapter 6

  1. What does it mean to “hold fast”? Hold on tight and not let go p.80
  2. Predict what Telemachus is going to do. Listen to your child’s answer p.81

Chapter 7

  1. How did Calypso help Odysseus prepare for his journey? She gave him a bronze ax; gave him linen cloth for a sail; gave food for the journey; told him what stars to follow; blew a fair warm breeze out to sea p.91

Chapter 8

  1. How did Odysseus survive swimming in the ocean for three days? He had a veil from the white goddess and Athens kept the winds calm p99
  2. How has Athena answered Odysseus’s prayer? She’s sending Telemachus to find him; she helped him get to shore, helped him sleep and took away his sorrow and pain p.103

Comprehension Questions – Tales from the Odyssey Book #3 Sirens and Sea Monsters

Sirens and Sea Monsters

by Mary Pope Osborne

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

Retells a part of the Odyssey in which Odysseus and his men, returning from the Land of the Dead determined to sail home to Ithaca, encounter Scylla, the six-headed monster, and Charybdis, the deadly whirlpool.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Summarize how this story begins. Odysseus and his men return to Circe’s island; she feeds them and they rest; Odysseus shares who he talked with at the Land of the Dead p.13

Chapter 2

  1. List the warnings Circe gave Odysseus. He was going to pass the sirens, he needed to make sure his men put beeswax in their ears or they will die; he is to pass the sea monster Scylla but not fight her, if he fights more men will die, only 6 men will die if they hurry past her; he’ll reach the sun god’s island and he is not to touch the animals or his men will die and he’ll have trouble when he arrives home p.23

Chapter 3

  1. Why did Odysseus want to tell his men about the dangerous voyage ahead of them? So, they could be prepared and know what to expect p.37
  2. Describe the experience Odysseus and his sailors had while passing the sirens. The wind stopped blowing; Odysseus prepared the beeswax and his men put it in their ears; they tied Odysseus to the mast; the men rowed past the island; the sirens sang and Odysseus desired to throw himself into the water, but his men wouldn’t untie him; they got past the island, and they were all safe p.39

Chapter 4

  1. What does it mean to defy something? openly resist or refuse to obey p.51
  2. Why did Odysseus defy Circe’s counsel? He didn’t want any of his men to die p.51

Chapter 5

  1. Why did Odysseus understand Circe’s words at the end of the chapter? He saw that there was no way he could fight Scylla and that the best thing he could do was to hurry past her p.56

Chapter 6

  1. Why was Odysseus worried about Eurylochus’s plan? He knew that this plan could still go wrong and that circumstances might make his men want to eat the sheep and cattle of the sun god p.63

Chapter 7

  1. How did the plan go wrong? Zeus caused a storm to rage on the island for so long that they ran out of provisions and found less and less to eat, so his men were hungry p.66

Chapter 8

  1. Summarize this chapter. The men killed the sun god’s animals; Odysseus was angered; they sailed away, and a horrible storm hit and all of the men but Odysseus were killed p.73

Chapter 9

  1. What word would you use to describe how Odysseus was feeling at the end of this chapter? Betrayed by his gods; alone; devastated 

Chapter 10

  1. Who did Odysseus meet and how did she help him? Calypso; she sang to him which helped him feel comforted and at peace p.89

Describe how Odysseus felt at the end of this story. He was broken (heart and body); worried about his family; but relieved to find peace and safety after all the troubles he and his men have been through p.91

Comprehension Questions – Owl Diaries #1 Eva’s Treetop Festival

Eva's Treetop Festival

by Rebecca Elliott

Grades 1-2; Genre - Diaries & Journals; GRL M; AR pts. 0.5

Having a Bloomtastic Festival at school to celebrate spring is a great idea, but Eva Wingdale, a young owl, discovers that it is also a lot of work, and there is nothing wrong with asking her friends for help.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe Eva. She’s a red, blue and pink owl, has likes and dislikes, has a pet bat named Baxter, has a family, Lucy is her best friend, goes to school p.1
  2. Name three facts about owls. Awake in the night, sleep in the day, turn heads almost all the way around, can fly p.7

Chapter 2

  1. What do you think Eva’s idea is? Listen to your child’s answer p.17

Chapter 3

  1. What advice did Miss Featherbottom give Eva? Not to take on too much as she plans the festival p.23
  2. Why is this good advice? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 4

  1. Why didn’t Eva accept Sue’s help? Sue is mean and Eva didn’t want to accept from her p.32

Chapter 5

  1. What did Eva spend her day doing? Helping her friend Lucy get ready for the festival p.37
  2. What should she have done instead? Prepare for the festival p.41

Chapter 6

  1. Was it a good idea that Eva turned down help from Lucy? Listen to your child’s answer p.45

Chapter 7

  1. What’s Eva worried about in this chapter? That she’ll need to cancel the festival p.50

Chapter 8

  1. What did Eva do in this chapter? She thought of the talents the other owls had and asked them to help get things ready for the festival p.52

Chapter 9

  1. What word describes Eva for asking Sue for help when she was scared? Courageous, brave, etc p.56

Chapter 10

  1. Why didn’t Eva enjoy the festival? Everything went wrong for her p.61
  2. Have you ever felt like Eva? Explain. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 11

  1. Why couldn’t Eva accept the prize from Miss Featherbottom? She wasn’t the only one who worked on the festival p.69
  2. Why did Eva give everyone a chance to hold the trophy? Her classmates helped the festival be successful p.71

Comprehension Questions – #3 Isadora Moon Goes to the Ballet

Isadora Moon Goes to the Ballet

by Harriet Muncaster

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

Isadora Moon goes on a school trip to her first ballet with her parents as chaperones and Pink Rabbit at her side.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What does Isadora want to be when she grows up? A ballerina p.6

Chapter 2

  1. Why doesn’t Isadora want her parents to go on the field trip? She’s embarrassed with who they are p.19

Chapter 3

  1. Why does Isadora’s dad dislike mornings? He’s a vampire who prefers the night p.30

Chapter 4

  1. What are two ways Isadora could have been embarrassed by her parents in this chapter? Her dad left the class to go do his hair and her mom made flowers and grass grow at the train station p.35

Chapter 5

  1. What exercise did Isadora’s dad get in this chapter? He flew p.47

Chapter 6

  1. Describe the auditorium. Glittering; velvet seats; large; massive stage with a curtain p.51
  2. Predict what’s going to happen next. Isadora will go look for Pink Rabbit p.53

Chapter 7

  1. Where did Isadora find Pink Rabbit? Where the actors and dancers go to get ready p.63

Chapter 8

  1. Why can’t the show go on? Tatiana Tutu tripped and hurt her leg p.71
  2. What do you think Isadora’s idea is? Listen to your child’s idea p.76

Chapter 9

  1. Summarize this chapter. Pink Rabbit danced as the white rabbit in the ballet p.79
  2. Were you correct in your prediction? Listen to your child’s answer 

Chapter 10

  1. What was in the gift? The tiara and tickets to Tatiana’s next ballet show p.101
  2. What’s the moral of this story? It’s important to be kind in big and small ways, you never know how much it means to someone p.104