Category Archives: Series

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

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