Tag Archives: Adventure

Comprehension Questions – The Never Girls #8 Far from Shore

Far from Shore

by Kiki Thorpe

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

The Never Girls have heard about a boy who lives in Never Land, a legendary boy named Peter Pan who brings adventure wherever he goes. Kate can't wait to meet him, but Tinker Bell knows Peter is also good at causing trouble.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Which character is this story about? How do you know? Kate; the author is telling it from her perspective p.1
  2. Describe Kate. Likes sports; doesn’t like to wear dresses or do crafts; likes excitement; doesn’t give up easily p.4

Chapter 2

  1. Summarize this chapter. Tink took the girls to meet Peter; along the way she remembered times they spent together; Kate saw Peter and a panther facing off and the panther won p.14

Chapter 3

  1. How did Kate help Mia feel comfortable flying? She held her hand, encouraged her and said she wouldn’t let go p.38
  2. Was Kate reliable in this chapter? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer; no, she left Mia alone in the air and she fell p.41

Chapter 4

  1. Cost a word to describe Mia at the beginning of this chapter. Explain why you chose that word. Listen to your child’s answer p.45
  2. How did Kate act at the end of this chapter? Have you ever been in a situation where a friend is acting like her? Explain. How did it make you feel? How could you avoid making others feel that way? Listen to your child’s answers

Chapter 5

  1. How was Kate a god and bad friend in this chapter? She helped Gabby want to go into the cave; she took the sword away from her before she was finished with it p.55

Chapter 6

  1. What decision did Kate make in this chapter and how did it affect her friends? To go with Peter to the ghost ship; her friends would have to wait for her to come back; they may worry about her p.75

Chapter 7

  1. Why did Tink stop hanging around Peter? She loved to tinker more than hanging out with him p.81

Chapter 8

  1. What trouble did Kate find herself in? She stayed with Peter on the ship and fell asleep; she woke up with the so going out to sea and Peter was gone p.99

Chapter 9

  1. Why did Kate decide to head back to Pixie Hollow? She was tired of excitement p.104
  2. Was she angry at Peter? Why, or why not? No; she realized he doesn’t understand p.105

Chapter 10

  1. Summarize the conclusion of this story. Kate and Tink and their friends were glad to see each other; Kate realized she just wanted to go home p.108

Comprehension Questions – The Never Girls #7 A Pinch of Magic

A Pinch of Magic

by Kiki Thorpe

Grades K-3; Genre - Fantasy; GRL N; AR pts. 2.0

Baking-talent fairy Dulcie helps Mia make treats for a neighborhood bake sale but must return to Never Land before they are done, and Mia may not be able to finish without her help.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Summarize the introduction to the story. The girls are walking home from swimming and stop for ice cream; they see a block party sign for a family whose house burned down; Mia is nervous because she signed up to help with the bake sale but can’t bake; some twins want to compete and made a bet with Mia p.1

Chapter 2

  1. Why did Dulce’s cakes burn? She was distracted by the fish p.20

Chapter 3

  1. Describe how Mia felt when her cookies didn’t turn out? Like she wanted to quit p.32
  2. Do you agree that she should? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer
  3. Have you ever tried to do something and it didn’t work out? What was it and what did you do? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 4

  1. What convinced Dulcie to go back home with the girls? Lily could sleep in her bed while her house was getting fixed up p.42

Chapter 5

  1. Why did shopping make Dulcie tired? She was curious and explored everywhere p.58

Chapter 6

  1. Why did Mia feel like she needed to rush over to her neighbor’s? To apologize for Dulcie taking her pansies out of her garden p.73
  2. Explain if you think that was necessary or not. Yes, because Dulcie couldn’t apologize, Mia needed to; it’s better to just hurry and take care of business than wait and forget about it p.76
  3. Choose a word to describe Mia in this situation. Responsible; honest; determined 

Chapter 7

  1. Summarize this chapter. Dulcie couldn’t sleep so went downstairs; she used the cookie cutters to cut the cake into shapes; she remembered Lily needed her and packed up her suitcase and left thinking Mia could handle the bake sale alone p.79
  2. Predict what will happen at the bake sale. Listen to your child’s answer 

Chapter 8

  1. How did the girls problem solve in this chapter? They figured out how to melt the butter with a hair dryer and made the frosting creamy p.94

Chapter 9

  1. How did Mia problem solve when the table broke? She picked up her cake platters and walked around selling them p.106

Chapter 10

  1. What object did the fairies use for Lily’s house? A pumpkin p.114
  2. What did Dulcie do with the insides of the pumpkin? Make yummy treats p.115

Comprehension Questions – Ella Enchanted

Ella Enchanted

by Gail Carson Levine

Grades 4-7; Genre - Fantasy; GRL U; AR pts. 8.0

In this novel based on Cinderella, Ella struggles against the childhood curse that forces her to obey any order given.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What’s Ella’s curse and why can’t she get cured of it? To be obedient to commands; the fairy that cast it on her won’t remove it and she’s the only one who can p.3

Chapter 2

  1. Describe Char. The prince; friendly; smart; curly hair; polite; kind; sense of humor p.10
  2. Describe Ella and her father’s relationship. He likes formality, Ella doesn’t; he didn’t want her around and be in the way; she doesn’t want to be near him and was always glad when he was away p.10

Chapter 3

  1. Summarize this chapter. There was a wake for Ella’s mother’s death; Dane Olga and her daughters came to pay their respects; Ella gave her daughters a tour and invited them to eat; Ella learned that Mandy was her fairy godmother p.16

Chapter 4

  1. What did Ella learn about fairies in this chapter? They don’t like to do magic in front of people; people only like the idea of fairies; they shouldn’t do big magic, it could have bad consequences; she’s of the Friends of Fairies line p.24
  2. Why is Ella and her father uncomfortable around each other? They don’t know each other very well; they haven’t spent a lot of time together p.30

Chapter 5

  1. What warning did Mandy give Ella in this chapter? To make sure her father never learns of the curse p.37

Chapter 6

  1. What danger is Ella and the little gnome in? The ogre commanded her to bring the child to him and he will hurt them p.44

Chapter 7

  1. How did Hattie figure out the curse on Ella? She and Olive were fighting over Ella’s necklace, and she saw Ella’s predicament of sharing it when she didn’t want to p.51

Chapter 8

  1. Describe the book Mandy gave Ella. It’s magic; shows scenes of what’s happening in real life; if someone else looks at it, it’s a boring book p.57

Chapter 9

  1. List three things that happened to Ella on her first day at finishing school. They arrived being chased by ogres; she hadn’t eaten for three days; the girls were all embroidering but Ella had never touched a needle; she met a friend named Areida and learned her language; the Sewing Mistress got angry at her for not sewing and sent her to her room without supper and breakfast the next morning p.60

Chapter 10

  1. Why did Ella thrive in each subject except penmanship? The mistresses of each subject would order her what to do except in penmanship p.72

Chapter 11

  1. What unfair command did Hattie give Ella? To end her friendship with Areida p.80
  2. Why is it unfair? Areida is Ella’s only real friend and comfort

Chapter 12

  1. What’s Hattie’s weakness? She wears a wig p.83
  2. What decision did Ella make that night? To leave finishing school and hopefully find Lucinda, the fairy who gave her the curse p.86

Chapter 13

  1. Who helped Ella in her journey? The elves p.90
  2. Describe Ella’s visit with the elves. They were kind to her and saw who she really was; she showed them her fairy book and they showed her some treasures; they gave her the wolf treasure, put her on a pony with food and sent her on her way p.91

Chapter 14

  1. How did Ella stop the ogres from eating her? She used their language on them and soothed them to sleep p.102

Chapter 15

  1. How did Ella and Char help each other in this chapter? He and his knights saved her from getting eaten by the ogres and she helped tame them so the soldiers wouldn’t get hurt p.103

Chapter 16

  1. Why is Ella excited to make it to the wedding on time? Lucinda will still be there to hopefully break her curse p.117

Chapter 17

  1. List two ways Ella knew she had seen Lucinda at the party. Her tiny feet; she bestowed a gift the giants didn’t look happy about; she disappeared and reappeared in front of people p.121

Chapter 18

  1. What command did Lucinda give to change Ella’s attitude? To be happy with her gift, so now she’s ecstatic to obey p.127
  2. What’s Ella’s father going to do with her? Marry her off so he can be rich again p.129

Chapter 19

  1. What snapped Ella out of being happy to obey? Mandy commanded her not to be p.140
  2. Why is Ella’s father marrying Dame Olga? The Earl lost much of his wealth in a fire so he is marrying Dame Olga for her money p.141

Chapter 20

  1. Do you agree or disagree that Lucinda’s gift was actually positive? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer p147

Chapter 21

  1. Summarize this chapter. Char and Ella spent the evening together exploring the castle, dancing and sliding down the stair rail p.148
  2. Why would Hattie make Ella pay? She’s jealous Ella spent time and had fun with the prince p.156

Chapter 22

  1. How did the fairy book help Ella? It showed a journal entry from Char so she knew what he was thinking p.160

Chapter 23

  1. List two ways this story parallels Cinderella? Ella was sent to her room so she couldn’t see the prince; she became a servant to her stepmother and sisters; she had to cook and scrub the floor

Chapter 24

  1. Why are Char and Ella writing to each other in this chapter? Char has gone to Ayorthaian to live for a year p.172
  2. What did Char tell Ella in his letters? His strengths, weaknesses, that he loves her and wants to marry her p.173

Chapter 25

  1. What helped Lucinda learn her gifts were horrible? Having to be obedient and be a squirrel p.193

Chapter 26

  1. Why couldn’t Lucinda take back Ella’s curse? She renounced big magic p.196
  2. How did Lucinda help Ella in this chapter? She provided a coach with footmen and horses to go to the ball; gave her a necklace and tiara p.203

Chapter 27

  1. What’s the purpose of Ella going to the balls? To see and hear Char p.207
  2. What did Ella do that caught his attention? She spoke in Ayorthaian and sang with him; she was familiar to him p.208

Chapter 28

  1. Why has Char promised to never marry? He was so hurt by Ella p.219

Chapter 29

  1. How did Ella break the curse? Her determination to protect Char and her country; she loved them enough p.228

Epilogue 

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

Comprehension Questions – The Never Girls #6 The Woods Beyond

The Woods Beyond

by Kiki Thorpe

Grades 1-4; Genre - Fantasy; GRL N; AR pts. 2.0

Lainey's bad day turns worse when Prilla the fairy calls her clumsy, but while walking in the woods of Never Land, Lainey discovers the hideout of the Lost Boys and makes some new friends.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Who is the main character is this story? Lainey p.1
  2. Describe her. Wears glasses; loves animals but isn’t allowed any of her own pets; leaves food out for the neighborhood dogs; takes swim lessons p.1

Chapter 2

  1. What’s similar about Prilla and Lainey’s day so far. They’re both having really bad days p.16
  2. How did Prilla hurt Lainey’s feelings? Yelled at her and called her a Clumsy p.30

Chapter 3

  1. Describe the home. In a tree, toad stool chairs; furniture made from tree roots; wash basin made from tortoise shell; hearth; spring water came in from a hole p.39
  2. Who lives in the home? The Lost Boys p.42

Chapter 4

  1. How did the boys respond to meeting Lainey? They had never seen a girl before; they were surprised p.47

Chapter 5

  1. What clue did Gabby find to help them know where Lainey is? Her deer harness is missing p.59

Chapter 6

  1. How did the boys and Lainey mislead each other in this chapter? She told them she could speak rhinoceros and they didn’t tell her they could fly with fairy dust p.67

Chapter 7

  1. Why did Lainey decide she wasn’t going back home? With the boys she was confident and felt good about herself p.84

Chapter 8

  1. Summarize this chapter. Lainey’s friends were looking for her in the woods; they were remembering the good things about Lainey and wished she was with them p.88

Chapter 9

  1. How did the friends find Lainey? They were traveling through the forest, Lainey and the boys thought the girls were pirates and jumped out to ambush them p.105

Chapter 10

  1. Why did Prilla visit the boy? To give him the best day ever p.116

Comprehension Questions – The Never Girls #5 Wedding Wings

Wedding Wings

by Kiki Thorpe

Grades 1-4; Genre - Fantasy; GRL N; AR pts. 2.0

The Never Girls are going to a wedding, and Gabby is the flower girl. When the fairies hear about it, they wish they could go, too. One little fairy hiding in Gabby's basket couldn't cause too much trouble, right?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What did Gabby want to tell her friends in Never Land? She’s the flower girl at a wedding p.3
  2. What rule did Gabby forget? She needs to wait for all her friends to go to Never Land p.10
  3. Should Gabby tell her friends she went to Never Land without them? Why, or why not? Yes, she needs to be honest so they can trust her p.12
  4. Have you been to a wedding? Explain. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 2

  1. Was Gabby honest in this chapter? Explain? She didn’t tell her friends she went to Never Land; she didn’t tell her sister a fairy was coming to the wedding p.22
  2. Is it a good idea for Bess to come to the wedding? Explain. Predict what you think will happen. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 3

  1. What trouble did Gabby find in this chapter? She tried on the veil when she wasn’t supposed to touch it; she used fairy dust on it to put it back on the hanger, but it instead flew out the window p.40

Chapter 4

  1. Summarize Bess’s adventure at the wedding. She went to explore and was interested in a place setting, saw two people that looked like fairies and realized she was standing on the cake, she made footprints in the frosting then fell off; she found the chocolate fountain and fell in; people saw her and thought she was a big brown bug p.44
  2. Why was she in danger? Humans don’t like bugs and may want to squish her p.54

Chapter 5

  1. Describe Gabby’s solution to getting the veil back. She used fairy dust to try and catch it p.63
  2. Was it wise? Explain. Listen to your child’s answer 

Chapter 6

  1. What similar choice did Gabby and Bess make? To not tell the entire truth p.71
  2. Who captured Bess? Daniel, the ring bearer p.68

Chapter 7

  1. Why do Mia and her friends need to climb a tree? To help Gabby get unstuck p.84

Chapter 8

  1. How did Gabby feel when she told her friends everything? Relieved p.90
  2. Have you ever felt this way? Explain. 
  3. What solution did Gabby think of so no one would see her in the air? Fly behind Daniel’s kite p.91

Chapter 9

  1. What was different about the veil? The fairies had cleaned it, repaired it, put drew drops on it; it looked more beautiful and had fairy dust still on it p.100
  2. Why did Gabby wear her wings to the wedding? Julia asked her too; wearing her wings and pretending to be a fairy is part of who Gabby is p.105

Chapter 10

  1. Why is Gabby comfortable showing Daniel her fairy friends? He could see them; she’d borrowed his kite; he’d seen Gabby flying p.111
  2. Were you correct in your earlier prediction? Listen to your child’s answer

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 – James and the Giant Peach

James and the Giant Peach

by Roald Dahl

Grades 4-5; Genre - Fantasy; GRL S; AR pts. 4.0

James Henry Trotter loses his parents and is forced to live with his evil aunts. Luckily, he is given magic crystals, which he accidentally spills on his aunts' decrepit peach tree. One of the peaches begins to grow, and grow, and grow. Finally, James climbs into the peach and it rolls away from his aunts' yard and his miserably lonely life. With the giant peach, he begins a new life, making friends along the way with hilarious characters like the Grasshopper and the Earthworm.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe James’s situation. He lived near the ocean with his parents until he was 4 years old; his parents were killed by a rhinoceros in London one day and he went to live with his two horrible aunts who wouldn’t allow him to leave the garden where they lived; a peach tree was in the garden, but it never bore fruit p.1

Chapter 2

  • Describe the main character’s aunts. Selfish, lazy, thought they were beautiful, mean to James; Aunt Sponge was fat and short with piggy shaped eyes and sunken mouth; Aunt Spiker was tall and lean, would spit when she talked p.5

Chapter 3

  1. Who approached James and what did he give him? An old man; magic crystals p.10

Chapter 4

  1. What instructions did the man give James and what did he promise him? Put them in a large jug of water with ten hairs from his head and drink; wonderful things will happen to him p.12

Chapter 5

  1. Where did the crystals disappear to? Why? James tripped and the crystals all disappeared into the ground near the peach tree p.13

Chapter 6

  1. What was peculiar about the peach tree? A peach was growing on it p.16

Chapter 7

  1. What did Aunt Spiker want to do with the peach? Make money by charging people to see it p.24

Chapter 8

  1. What did the aunts have James do that day? Stay in his room locked up and clean up the garbage after everyone left p.26

Chapter 9

  1. What did James feel in the moonlight? Something more peculiar was going to happen to him p.28

Chapter 10

  1. Summarize this chapter. James found a hole in the peach and climbed into it, crawling down a tunnel to the middle of the peach, through a doorway into the peach pit p.30

Chapter 11

  1. Why was James terrified in this chapter? He thought the human sized insects were going to eat him p.34

Chapter 12

  1. How did the insects get to be so large and human like? The magic crystals p.38

Chapter 13

  1. Describe how James felt about his new friends? He liked them, they were kind and helpful p.43

Chapter 14

  1. Where were the creatures and James going? They didn’t know, they just wanted to go somewhere to get away from James’s aunts and the hill they were on p.45

Chapter 15

  1. What happened to James’s aunts? The peach rolled over them and they were smashed p.48

Chapter 16

  1. What book, also written by Roald Dahl, was referenced in this chapter? Charlie and the Chocolate Factory p.50

Chapter 17

  1. Describe the journey James and the creatures had to the ocean? They were tossed around, hitting into each other until they landed on the water p.53

Chapter 18

  1. What good news did James have for the creatures in this chapter? They wouldn’t starve because they had the peach to eat p.60

Chapter 19

  1. What attacked the peach and why were the creatures worried? Sharks; with each bite from the sharks, the peach will be eaten away p.66

Chapter 20

  1. What was James’s plan to save them from the sharks? Take string from the spider and silk worm and tie it from the peach stem to seagulls to lift the peach out of the water p.70

Chapter 21

  1. Why did James become the captain of the peach ship? He took charge p.75

Chapter 22

  1. What word would you use to describe James in this chapter? Listen to your child’s answer; determined, hard worker, clever, smart p.75

Chapter 23

  1. Why do you think the peach wasn’t damaged by the sharks? Listen to your child’s answer; magic, the sharks couldn’t get their teeth into it p.83

Chapter 24

  1. List one thing James learned in this chapter? How grasshoppers play music; where their ears are; where crickets and katydids ears are p.87

Chapter 25

  1. Summarize what James learned in this chapter? How each of his insect friends help the world p.89

Chapter 26

  1. How did James help the centipede in this chapter? He saved him; the centipede fell over the edge of the peach into the water and James asked silk work to spin rope and went in after him p.95

Chapter 27

  1. What caused hail stones to hit the peach? The Cloud-Men because Centipede called them names p.104

Chapter 28

  1. What danger were the friends in this chapter? The Cloud-Men saw them and threw whatever they could at them p.112

Chapter 29

  1. Why is Centipede upset in this chapter? The Cloud-Men hit him with paint and he was stuck p.113

Chapter 30

  1. What freed Centipede? The Blood-Men dumped water on them and it washed the paint off p.118

Chapter 31

  1. What did the author say the weather is a result of? The Cloud-Men working their sinister magic upon the world below p.120

Chapter 32

  1. What’s James’s plan to get the peach down to the earth? Cut a few of the strings holding the peach p.122

Chapter 33

  1. What did the people in America think the peach was? A bomb p.123

Chapter 34

  1. Why did the friends think they were going to die? An airplane came through the air and sliced through every string holding the peach p.126

Chapter 35

  1. Summarize this chapter. People in the city thought they were going to die along with those in the peach p.127

Chapter 36

  1. What saved the peach? It fell onto the Empire State Building p.128

Chapter 37

  1. What helped the fire fighters and police officers not be afraid of the creatures in the peach? James spoke up for them p.134

Chapter 38

  1. Why was James so happy in this chapter? 10,000 Children asked if they could try the peach; he’d never seen so many children in his life p.141

Chapter 39

  1. Summarize the conclusion of this story. It describes what happens to each of the creatures and James; James was so happy to have so many children who wanted to meet him and hear his story p.145

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