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
- Who’s telling the story? How do you know? Caleb; the journal entry at the beginning is his p.3
- Where’s Anna going? To work in town, she’s a nurse p.7
Chapter 2
- Predict who the old man is? Listen to your child’s answer
- Should Sarah have let him into the house? Listen to your child’s answer
Chapter 3
- 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
- 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
- Why is Jacob upset to see his father? He left their family when he was young and never came back p.44
Chapter 6
- 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
- Why did Sarah warn Anna to be careful? She didn’t want her to get sick with the influenza that was spreading p.68
- Why didn’t Grandfather ever want to read? He didn’t know how p.72
Chapter 8
- 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
- What does it mean to set a bone? To line it up the broken bone so it can heal straight p.83
Chapter 10
- Why is it important for Jacob to forgive his father? So, he won’t be angry anymore p.99
Chapter 11
- 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
- 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