Tag Archives: AR Quizzes

Comprehension Questions Young Cam Jansen and the Lost Tooth

Young Cam Jansen and the Lost Tooth

by David A. Adler

Grades 1-2; Genre - Fiction; GRL J; AR pts: 0.5

Annie has lost her tooth during art class, and she cannot find it anywhere. Cam Jansen says she has a memory like a camera. Will Cam have the picture she needs to find the missing tooth?

Vocabulary

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Who are Cam’s friends? Annie, Eric, and
    Robert. Pg.5.
  2. Why does Cam close her eyes and go “Click”? She
    has an amazing memory; remembers everything. Pg. 7.
  3. What is Cam’s real name and why is she called
    Cam? Jennifer and her name is short for Camera. Pg. 9.
  4. What happened when Annie bit the apple? She
    lost a tooth. Pg. 10.

Chapter 2

  1. What did Robert tell Annie happens when you lose
    a tooth? You get money under your pillow. Pg. 12.
  2. Why did Mr. Fay ring the bell? It was cleanup
    time. Pg. 13.
  3. What did Mr. Fay say about the Turkey-stick
    puppets? They looked almost real. Pg. 15.
  4. Why did they look in the bead box for Annie’s
    tooth? It looked like a white bead. Pg. 16.

Chapter 3

  1. Why did Annie not want to leave the art room? Because
    she didn’t have her tooth. Pg. 18.
  2. When Cam said “Click”, what did she have? A
    picture in her head. Pg. 20.
  3. What did she find in the pocket of her smock? Two
    beads and a feather. Pg. 21.

Chapter 4

  1. Did Robert believe Cam could remember everything
    in her mind? No. Pg. 22.
  2. Why did Cam have to whisper “Click”? The
    teacher was having quiet reading time. Pg. 23    .
  3. What did Eric think when Cam had her eyes
    closed? She was sleeping. Pg. 24.
  4. What did Eric say that made her remember where
    Annie’s tooth was? Lunch boxes. Pg. 25.

Chapter 5

  1. Why did Cam, Annie and Eric go back to the art
    room? To find the garbage cans. Pg. 28.
  2. Where did Cam find the tooth? In the apple in
    the garbage. Pg. 29.
  3. What made Cam think that the tooth was in the
    garbage? Lunch boxes -> eating -> apple. Pg. 30.
  4. Who made sure the bus didn’t leave? Robert.
    Pg. 31.

Comprehension Questions – The Original Adventures of Hank the CowDog #1

The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog

by John R. Erickson

Grades 3-5; Genre - Fiction; GRL Q; AR pts: 3.0

Hank has been accused of murder! In a fit of despair, Hank resigns his position as Head of Ranch Security and decides to join the outlaw coyotes. There he's known as Hunk (that's Hank in coyote language). Hank meets Missy Coyote, sister to Scraunch — the meanest, roughest, toughest, most notorious coyote in the whole country. If Scraunch found Hank with his sister... Well, look out for trouble.

Vocabulary (by Steve)

Comprehension Questions (by Steve)

Chapter 1

  1. What was
    Hank’s job? Head of Ranch Security Pg. 1.
  2. Why did
    Loper shoot off the gun? Hank was barking at the coyotes. Pg. 3
  3. Who was
    Beulah? The neighbor’s collie that Hank liked. Pg. 4.
  4. What did
    Hank and Drover think killed the chicken? A coyote or a coon. Pg. 8.

Chapter 2

  1. Where
    did the porcupine stick Hank? In the face, nose, and paws. Pg. 12.
  2. What did
    Pete, the barn cat,  do to Hank? Flicked
    his tail on his nose. Pg. 14.
  3. How did
    Loper feel about Hank’s quills? It was Hanks fault for messing with a
    porcupine. Pg. 15.
  4. Why did
    Loper throw the pliers at Hank? He wet on his pants. Pg. 17.

Chapter 3

  1. What did
    Loper feel about Hank and the dead chicken? He barked all night and was expensive
    to feed. Pg. 19.
  2. Why did
    Hank tell Drover he was useless? He was playing with a frog. Pg. 22.
  3. What did
    Drover find in the night? A big monster with horns. Pg. 25.
  4. What did
    Hank actually attack? The milk cow. 
    Pg. 28.

Chapter 4

  1. Why was
    Slim nice to Hank? He wanted to wipe the dip stick on his ear. Pg. 31.
  2. How
    did Hank feel about Drover’s help the night before? He was not happy he
    didn’t give any . Pg. 33.
  3. Why was
    Drover not afraid to pee on the Boxer’s truck? He was chained up. Pg. 35.
  4. Why did
    Bruno get in trouble? The men thought the other dogs were asleep. Pg. 39.

Chapter 5

  1. What did
    Hank decide to do instead of guarding the chicken house? A steak-out. Pg.
    44.
  2. Why did
    Hank fall asleep? Because he dreamt he was awake. Pg. 45.
  3. Who
    found Hank with the dead chicken? Sally May. Pg. 48.
  4. What did
    Loper do to punish Hank? Made him wear the dead chicken head. Pg. 50.
  5. What did
    Hank decide to do because he was punished? Leave and become an Outlaw. Pg.
    53.

Chapter 6

  1. What
    did Hank think Loper and Sally Mae would feel about him being gone? They’d
    miss him. Do anything if he’d come home. 
    Pg. 57.
  2. How did
    Hank feel about the spring pool? A sewer is better. Pg. 58.
  3. What did
    Junior think about Hank? Thought he was d-d-d-dead. Pg. 59.
  4. What
    gave the signals that something was dead? The chicken head around hank’s
    neck. Pg. 62    .

Chapter 7

  1. Why did
    the dog look headless? A Hawaiian Punch can was stuck on its head. Pg. 67.
  2. Why
    couldn’t the coyote understand hank? It didn’t speak Doglish. Pg. 69.
  3. Did Hank
    like the coyote’s name? No. Girl-Who-Drink-Blood. Pg. 72.
  4. Who was
    the coyote’s brother? Scraunch. Pg. 73.

Chapter 8

  1. Who is
    Chief Gut? The coyote father of Missy and Scraunch. Pg. 75.
  2. What did
    the coyotes call cowboys and guns? Big-hat and boom-boom. Pg. 76.
  3. What did
    the coyotes call Hank that upset him? Chicken dog. Pg. 77.
  4. Why
    didn’t the coyotes attack Hank? They were going to make him part of the
    tribe. Pg. 84.

Chapter 9

  1. Why did
    Hank’s secret work? Coyotes are superstitious. Pg. 85.
  2. What Did
    Hank’s mom say about coyotes? They were lazy, sneaky, undisciplined. Pg. 87.
  3. What did
    Rip and Snort want to do? Go carousing in the silage pit. Pg. 88.
  4. What is
    silage? Grass that ferments and turns into alcohol. Pg. 88.
  5. What did
    Drover think about Hank with the coyotes? He was a traitor. 95.

Chapter 10

  1. What did
    the coyote pups do to hank? Bit his tail. Pg. 99.
  2. How did
    Hank feel about coyote life? Told Missy too much noise. Pg. 102.
  3. What was
    the mutton feast? A piece of aged meat that was green with maggots on it.
    Pg. 103    .
  4. What did
    Missy’s mom think made Hank sick? Brackish water. Pg. 105.

Chapter 11

  1. What did
    the coyotes like to eat and why? Juicy chicken because they are easy. Pg.
    107.
  2. Who made
    the speech to the village? Scraunch and then led the raid. Pg.107.
  3. Where
    did Hank hope Drover was? Hiding in a corner of the shed. Pg. 109.
  4. What did
    Scraunch want Hank to do? Kill Drover, but he tried to save him. Pg. 114.
  5. When
    Hank “heard Saint Peter blow” what did he think? He was going to die. Pg.
    116.

Chapter 12

  1. What did
    Loper do and why to Hank? He smiled; glad he was back. Pg. 119.
  2. What did
    everyone think happened to Drover? He was dead. Pg. 120.
  3. What did
    Hank tell Drover he was doing with the coyotes? He was undercover. Pg. 122.
  4. What
    did the Badger tracks turn out to be? Skunk tracks. Pg. 125.
  5. What did
    Hank do to Sally May? Run in to her clean laundry with skunk smell. Pg. 127.

Comprehension Questions – Bud, Not Buddy

Bud, Not Buddy

by Christopher Paul Curtis

Grades 3-7; Genre - Fiction; GRL U; AR pts: 8.0

It's 1936, in Flint, Michigan. Ten-year-old Bud may be a motherless boy on the run, but he's on a mission. His momma never told him who his father was, but she left a clue: posters of Herman E. Calloway and his famous band, the Dusky Devastators of the Depression! Bud's got an idea that those posters will lead to his father. Once he decides to hit the road and find this mystery man, nothing can stop him.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What’s the setting at the beginning of this story? In an orphanage during the depression in Flint, Michigan
  2. Describe Bud. 10 years old, living in an orphanage because his mom died, has lived in foster homes, but always comes back, can’t cry anymore, thinks his dad is a musician
  3. How was Bud a good friend to Jerry? He comforted him and helped him feel better about going to his foster home

Chapter 2

  1. What provoked Bud to punch Todd? Todd had woken him up in the night sticking a pencil up his nose
  2. Why is Todd’s mother calling Bud ungrateful and sending him back to the Home? It looked like he was picking on Todd
  3. What’s the name of the book Bud is writing? Bud Caldwell’s Rules and Things for Having a Funner Life and Making a Better Liar Out of Yourself

Chapter 3

  1. How did Bugs get his nickname? He’d gotten a bug stuck in his ear
  2. What was the “vampire bat” hanging on the ceiling of the shed? A hornet’s nest
  3. Why was Bud angry after he got out of the shed? He was angry at the Amos’s for treating him the way they had; and himself for believing Todd when he said there was a vampire bat in the shed; for being in a situation where there wasn’t anyone who cared what happened to him

Chapter 4

  1. Why didn’t Bud want to use the gun as revenge? Guns are too dangerous
  2. Where did Bud put the gun? Out on the porch
  3. How did Bud get his revenge with Todd? Made him wet the bed

Chapter 5

  1. After seeing he couldn’t sleep in the library basement, where did Bud find shelter? Under the Christmas trees by the library
  2. Why did his mom name him Bud and not Buddy? Buddy is a dog’s name; Bud is a flower-to-be, a flower-in-waiting, waiting for just the right warmth and care to open it up
  3. Why is this special to Bud? It means his mom knew with love he can open up and be beautiful like a flower
  4. What does the phrase mean, “when one door closes in life, another door opens”? When one opportunity ends, another one is offered to you

Chapter 6

  1. Why was Bud late for breakfast? He slept in
  2. Why was Bud able to eat? A man pretended Bud was his son
  3. Why did Bud’s pretend mom and dad keep hitting him on the head? To help others think he really was their child; to keep him in line

Chapter 7

  1. Find an example at the beginning of this chapter that tells you Bud loves the library. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath to smell the unique library smell
  2. What bad news did the librarian tell Bud? Miss Hill got married and moved away
  3. Why couldn’t Bud go back to the Home? It was getting crowded

Chapter 8

  1. Describe Bud’s experience in Hooverville. He got fed, kissed a girl and had a place to sleep with hope of
    going west
  2. Explain what happened when Bud and the others tried to catch the train. The police were there trying to stop them, but Bud and the others ran. Bugs made it on, but Bud slowed down to catch his blue flyer and missed the train. Bugs threw his suitcase off
  3. What did Bud and the others find when they went back to Hooverville? The police had gone in and were breaking it up by burning the buildings and ruining the pots and pans

Chapter 9

  1. What was the special something the librarian had for Bud? A large history book about the Civil War
  2. What does the main character compare the idea of his dad to? A seed growing into a maple tree
  3. Why did Bud think the things in his suitcase were his momma’s treasures? Why else would she keep them

Chapter 10

  1. Why was the man nervous when talking to Bud on the side of the road? The city they were outside of wasn’t very kind to people with darker skin
  2. What convinced Bud to go with the man? He had food and he would take him to Grand Rapids
  3. Why did Bud think the man was a vampire? Bud saw a box with the label, “Urgent, contains human blood”

Chapter 11

  1. How did Bud end up back in Flint? Mr. Lewis drove him there to drop off the blood
  2. Name three words that describe the Sleet family. Kind, generous, fun, warm, loving, accepting, giving, sharing
  3. Why did Bud have a hard time eating and talking with the Sleet’s during the breakfast? At the Home he had to be silent during meals and wasn't used to talking and responding to questions

Chapter 12

  1. Why was Bud worried when the policeman pulled them over? he thought the police were after him
  2. How is Lefty involved with the labor organizers? He’s helping deliver fliers to the railroad workers in Grand Rapids
  3. Why didn’t Bud want Lefty to go into the Log Cabin with him? Herman Calloway didn’t know who Bud was and Lefty would have found out the truth

Chapter 13

  1. What deal did Mr. Jimmy make to get Bud to tell him the truth? He promised him dinner at a restaurant
  2. Choose a word to describe Thug and explain why? Mean, untrustworthy; giving him advice that would get him in trouble
  3. Why did Bud like Steady Eddie? He watched out for him; was good to him

Chapter 14

  1. What did Bud compare Miss Thomas’s humming to?  Walking on a railway and feeling the train getting closer and closer under your feet
  2. Why did Bud start crying after dinner? He was so happy and felt like he was home
  3. Find a word that describes Miss Thomas. Kind, warm, friendly, loving, accepting

Chapter 15

  1. Why did Mr. Calloway lock the closets in the room Bud was sleeping in? to keep Bud from stealing anything and getting into it
  2. What helped Bud go to sleep? A blanket around his head, imaging his mom telling him stories
  3. Have you ever had a difficult time falling asleep? Explain. What did you do to help you fall asleep? Listen to your child's answer

Chapter 16

  1. What was Miss Thomas’ plan for Bud? If they got permission from the people in Flint, they were going to keep him
  2. Why did Steady Eddie give Bud a saxophone case? to carry his mother’s things in; his suitcase is too old and ratty to travel with the band
  3. What was Bud’s new name and how did he feel about it? Sleepy LaBone; he loved it

Chapter 17

  1. What was Bud pretending his mop and bucket were? Captain Nemo and the sea
  2. What did Miss Thomas’s singing and Steady Eddie’s saxophone sound like together? Like a conversation they were having with one another

Chapter 18

  1. How long has Bud been with the band at this point in the book? 7 days
  2. What was in Herman’s glovebox? Rocks with writing on them, just like Bud’s
  3. When Bud told Herman his mother’s name, why did Herman run into the house? Because it was his daughter’s name and he was surprised that Bud was his grandson

Chapter 19

  1. How did Buddy prove his mother was Herman’s daughter? He had a picture from when she was a young girl
  2. Why did Bud’s mother run away from home? Her father was really hard on her and wanted her to become a teacher, but she didn’t want to
  3. Why was Herman so upset? He had just found out his daughter died
  4. What gift did the band give Bud? An alto saxophone

Comprehension Questions – A to Z Mysteries The Runaway Racehorse

The Runaway Racehorse

by Ron Roy

Grades 3-5; Genre - Mystery; GRL N; AR pts: 1.0

And they're off! Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose are excited to see Uncle Warren's new racehorse, Whirlaway, in action. But the night before the big race, the horse disappears! He shows up just in time to lose the race. Why is Whirlaway suddenly so slow? Can the kids figure it out- or is Whirlaway out of the winner's circle for good?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Where are Dink, Josh and Ruth Rose going?
    To Larchmont, New York to see a racehorse p.1
  2. How did they travel to get there? By
    train p.1
  3. What was missing when the kids went
    to see Whirlaway? Whirlaway p.11

Chapter 2

  1. Where does Forest think Whirlaway has
    disappeared to? Over to visit his mother p.13
  2. Why did Ruth Rose and Josh have so
    much fun in the back of the pickup? The road was bumpy p.15
  3. Was Whirlaway visiting his mom? No
    p.19

Chapter 3

  1. What did Whirlaway look like when he
    returned to the barn? Muddy p.26
  2. What did the kids find on Whirlaway
    when they were washing him? A mark like a stamp p.28

Chapter 4

  1. Why did Whirlaway refuse to go with
    Ruth Rose? He was spooked from being out in the storm and coming home to
    strangers p.31
  2. Who else was Whirlaway scared of? Sunny
    p.32
  3. What did Ruth Rose observe about Sunny
    after reading her book about horses? Sunny and she doesn’t have Whirlaway’s
    trust and scares him p.36

Chapter 5

  1. Where did the kids and adults travel
    to and why? Saratoga Springs; a horse race p.39
  2. Why does Sunny wear goggles during
    the race? The horses in front kick up mud, so it protects her eyes p.44
  3. How did Whirlaway react to Sunny when
    Ruth Rose wanted a picture? Scared; upset p.44

Chapter 6

  1. Where did the kids get to sit during
    the horse races? Forest’s private box p.45
  2. Who won the first horse race? Merry
    Mary p.49
  3. Why did Forest conclude that
    something was wrong with Whirlaway after the race? He had never run so badly
    before p.53

Chapter 7

  1. What did Sunny say about Whirlaway’s
    performance? She said he ran like a different horse p.55
  2. What can make a horse run slower? Their
    jockey p.56
  3. Who did Ruth Rose take a picture of? Josh,
    Dink and Dancer p.58

Chapter 8

  1. What did Josh find on his collar? A
    dark smudge p.62
  2. Why did Ruth Rose want to get her film
    developed so quickly? So she could see if the man in the cowboy hat was Mr.
    Bunks p.63
  3. If it is Mr. Bunks, what’s the
    problem? He said he wasn’t into racing horses anymore; he lied p.64

Chapter 9

  1. What was on Josh’s collar? Shoe polish
    p.69
  2. How did the shoe polish get there? From
    Dancer, the horse who nudged him from behind, it had shoe polish on its forehead
    covering up the white mark p.71
  3. How was Josh going to prove their
    horse wasn’t Whirlaway? Offer it a sugar cube, if the horse eats it, it’s
    not Whirlaway p.73

Chapter 10

  1. What was on Josh’s fingers after
    touching Dancer’s forehead? Shoe polish p.77
  2. Who’s responsible for trading the
    horses? Mr. Bunks p.78
  3. Why did it take Sunny so long to get
    home from the race? She stopped at the vet p.84

Comprehension Questions – How to Eat Fried Worms

How to Eat Fried Worms

by Thomas Rockwell

Grades 3-7; Genre - Fiction; GRL R; AR pts: 2.0

Because of a bet, Billy is in the uncomfortable position of having to eat fifteen worms in fifteen days. The worms are supplied by his opponent, whose motto is "The bigger and juicier, the better!" At first Billy's problem is whether or not he can swallow the worm placed before him, even with a choice of condiments from peanut butter to horseradish. But later it looks as if Billy will win, and the challenge becomes getting to the worm to eat it.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What started the bet? Tom wouldn’t eat his dinner the night before p.1
  2. What was the bet? Billy would eat 15 worms for $50 p.5

Chapters 2 & 3

  1. Why didn’t Tom think it was fair for Alan and Joe to get the first worm out of the manure pile? It wasn’t fair to ask Billy to eat a worm with manure on it; it’s unsafe and disgusting p.6
  2. What type of worm did Alan and Joe choose as the first worm Billy should eat? A night crawler p.9

Chapter 4

  1. What’s Billy’s motivation for eating 15 worms? He wants to buy a minibike p.15
  2. Why did Billy pretend to be crazy after eating the first worm? To tease and scare his friends p.17
  3. Would you bet eating 15 worms if you could get $50? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapters 5-9

  1. Why doesn’t Billy like eating the worms? He doesn’t like the thought of them p.27
  2. Is Tom being a good friend to Billy? Listen to your child’s response p.28

Chapters 10-12

  1. Why did Tom think Joe was lying about his dad and mom? He saw they were laughing when they were trying to fake sneeze p.39
  2. Does Billy believe Tom? Sort of p.40
  3. Why didn’t Tom want to eat the worm Billy challenged him to eat? It’s yucky and gross p.44

Chapters 13-15

  1. Why is Alan concerned about losing the bet? He knew his dad wouldn’t let him get his money out of the bank p.49
  2. Why did Billy’s father think Billy’s stomach was upset? He ate too much ketchup and mustard p.57
  3. What conclusion can be drawn from Billy’s father calling Poison Control? Worms aren’t poisonous or harmful to eat p.58

Chapters 16-19

  1. Why doesn’t Billy have any problems eating worms now? He’s not scared they’re going to hurt him anymore p.62
  2. How did Alan and Joe try to cheat? Glued two worms together p.64

Chapters 20-21

  1. Why did Alan and Joe come to visit Billy’s mom? They wanted to let her know about the bet (hoping it would ruin it) and asked her to referee Billy while they were gone p.70
  2. How did Billy’s mom cook the worms? His dad suggested using a French cookbook and she made Alsatian Smothered Worm p.75
  3. Did Billy’s family react the way Alan and Joe hoped they would? No p.75

Chapters 22-27

  1. How did Alan and Joe distract Billy? Taking him to Shea Stadium and filling him up with all sorts of yummy junk food until almost midnight p.80
  2. Who reminded Billy of the bet? His mom p.83
  3. Who found the thirteenth worm? Pete, Tom’s little brother p.85

Chapters 28-31

  1. What was the consequence of Alan and Joe trying to trick and distract Billy? They had to go to each neighbor and apologize for Billy waking them up in the middle of the night with the siren; no television or dessert for a month; no allowance for two weeks p.91
  2. What did the dads do after the boys got in a fight? Sat them down, made them talk things out, then took them for ice cream p.96
  3. What was the letter that was sent to Mrs. Forrester? A letter from their doctor saying he’d read that eating
    worms was bad for you p.98

Chapters 32-41

  1. How did Mr. Forrester know the letter was a fake? Alan and Joe used words with the wrong definitions p.101
  2. How did Billy know the 15th worm Alan and Joe gave him was a fake? He burped up beans instead of worm p.105
  3. Who gave Billy the fifteenth worm? Tom’s little brother again, Pete p.115

Comprehension Questions – A to Z Mysteries The Panda Puzzle

The Panda Puzzle

by Ron Roy

Grades 2-5; Genre - Mystery; GRL N; AR pts: 1.0

There's pandemonium in Green Lawn! The town is building a new park for a panda and her baby. But as soon as the pandas arrive, the baby is stolen! All the panda-nappers want in return is a million dollars...Can Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose collar the culprits before Green Lawn has to cough up the cash?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What did the kids come to the petting
    zoo to see? A mama panda and her baby p.1
  2. What strange behavior did Ping show
    while the crowd was outside her cage? She ran into the fence p.6
  3. What’s missing from the panda cave? The
    baby panda, Winnie p.8

Chapter 2

  1. What did the kidnappers want in
    exchange for Winnie? A million dollars p.11
  2. What did Pal find the in the bamboo
    forest? a fishing knife p.13
  3. Why would the kidnapper have a knife?
    To cut down bamboo stalks to feed Winnie p.14

Chapter 3

  1. Why do the kids watch Ruth Rose’s
    video at the petting zoo? It might give them ideas who stole the panda p.19
  2. Who does Ruth Rose think suspects are?
    Irene Napper, Flip Frances, or Tom Steele; the people standing by the
    microphone p.21

Chapter 4

  1. Why did the three kids want to
    interview each of the three people that stood by the microphone? To try and
    get some answers p.23
  2. What was Irene doing when the kids found
    her in the park? Feeding the ducks p.24
  3. Who has a key to Ping’s gate? Only
    Irene p.28

Chapter 5

  1. Why does Josh think Irene kidnapped Winnie?
    She has large hands p.31
  2. Why does Josh think Tom Steele did
    it? He has a cut on his hand that could have been from Winnie and has a
    fishing pole p.37 & 38
  3. What was another clue Ruth Rose saw
    on Tom’s desk? There were newspapers all cut up; the ransom note was put
    together from newspaper clippings p.38

Chapter 6

  1. Where did the kids find Flip? At the
    fitness center p.40
  2. What made Josh think the kidnapper
    was Flip? He was great at doing flips; he would have easily been able to get
    over the fence of the panda enclosure p.45
  3. What’s another clue Flip could have kidnapped
    Winnie? He fishes p.46

Chapter 7

  1. What piece was missing when the twins
    were completing a puzzle together? The baby grizzly bear’s face p.50
  2. What did Ruth Rose realize they should
    be looking for? Winnie, not the person who took her p.51
  3. Why did the kids think the fitness
    center would be a good hiding place for Winnie? It’s smelly and loud p.53

Chapter 8

  1. What did the kids find when they
    slipped into the unmarked door? A wooden staircase p.60
  2. What explained the sounds of thunder
    they heard? The bowling alley was on the other side of the wall p.62
  3. What did the kids find under the mat
    they were sitting on? A trap door p.64

Chapter 9

  1. Who was in the room under the trap
    door? Winnie p.66
  2. How did the kids get locked in that
    room? Someone shut the door and locked it p.66
  3. What did the kids find that may help
    them get out of the coal room? A coal chute that leads to the outside p.71

Chapter 10

  1. How did the kids break the wood that
    blocked the chute? Dink found a shovel p.72
  2. Why did the boys choose Ruth Rose to
    go get the police? she was the smallest to fit in the chute p.76
  3. How did the boys find Winnie? She crawled
    up into Josh’s lap p.78

Chapter 11

  1. What is Flip’s consequence for kidnapping
    Winnie? Community service p.83
  2. What did the kids suggest could be
    Flip’s community service? Free gymnastics lessons for kids; do exercises with
    the old people in the senior center p.83
  3. How did Officer Fallon treat the kids
    for solving the mystery? He bought them ice cream cones p.85

Comprehension Questions – The Voyage of the Frog

The Voyage of the Frog

by Gary Paulsen

Grades 8-12; Genre - Fiction; GRL S; AR pts: 5.0

David thought he was alone, that the ocean around him was all there was of the world. The wind screamed, the waves towered, and his boat, the twenty-two foot fiberglass FROG, skidded and bucked and, each moment, filled deeper and grew heavier with sea water. But in fact, David wasn't alone at all. He'd had the FROG as a partner from the beginning. Plot contains sexual content.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe the main character. His name is David, his uncle has just died of cancer, 14 years old, only child in his family, close to his uncle, who taught him to sail p.1
  2. Who gave David the sailing boat the Frog and why didn’t he want it? His uncle; he’d rather have his uncle p.2
  3. What did David’s uncle’s request of him? To have David take his ashes in the Frog so far out in the ocean
    he couldn’t see land, then spread them in the water p.7

Chapter 2

  1. Why was David so eager to know all about the Frog? The memory of Owen his uncle p.12
  2. What was in the small box David brought with him onto the boat? His uncle’s ashes p.13
  3. Why did David decide to sail that night instead of the next morning? He thought they were perfect sailing
    conditions; it was his uncle’s favorite time to sail p.15

Chapter 3

  1. What simile does the author use to describe the swells of water on page 19? A hand cradling and holding the Frog p.19
  2. How long did David need to travel to meet his uncle’s wishes? All night long p.20
  3. What beautiful path was David going to follow into the night? The golden light of the sun reflecting on the sea as it went down p.21

Chapter 4

  1. What did Owen want to spend his time doing when he was alive? Studying p.24
  2. What created the lights David saw in the water? small marine animals p.26
  3. What word did the author use to describe David’s feelings of being out of sight of land on page 29?  What does it mean in this context? Sober; marked by sedate or gravely or earnestly thoughtful character or demeanor p.29

Chapter 5

  1. Why was David angry at the small box that held the ashes? It could hold his uncle p.33
  2. How did the thread hooked on the cabin save David’s life? Because of the thread he turned and saw the storm barreling in on him p.34
  3. What hit David in the head during the storm? the boom p.37

Chapter 6

  1. When David woke up what did he have to do to stop the boat from sinking? Close the hatch p.41
  2. Why did David have a hard time thinking clearly when he woke up in the night? He had a concussion p.42
  3. Describe how you would feel if you were injured, lost on the ocean, your boat’s heavy with water, and your all alone? Listen to your child’s thoughts p.48

Chapter 7

  1. Describe where the phrase “one hand for the sailor, one hand for the ship” came from and what it means. In the old sailing days when the sailors had to climb up high onto the wooden yard, they would be terrified to let go and take care of the sails. One hand is to take care of yourself and the other is to take care of the ship p.53
  2. Why did David tell himself, “one hand for the ship”? His life depended on the Frog and if he didn’t stop worrying about himself and take care of the ship, she would sink p.53
  3. How did David drain the water from the cabin? A water pump p.54

Chapter 8

  1. Explain why David felt some things were better not to know and to just let them be on page 58. Listen to your child’s answer p.58
  2. What woke David in the night?  A shark bumping and scraping against the boat p.60
  3. What did David have that helped him get through this situation? Knowledge p.65

Chapter 9

  1. Why was David surprised to see himself covered with so many cuts and bruises? He didn’t realize he’d been beaten up during the storm p.69
  2. Who could David relate to when he analyzed his hunger? A man in the store looking at the food on the shelves and not being able to eat it p.72
  3. How did David get the thoughts of hunger out of his mind? Distracted himself by getting to work p.73

Chapter 10

  1. Why did David call his boat the “rag boat”? Dishrags, cloth, cushions, drying sails, ropes, rags, and towels had been tied all over the boat to dry, and it reminded him of a Chinese boat in the harbor at Hong Kong with several families living on it doing laundry p.78
  2. Why did David decide to keep his trash instead of throwing it overboard? He realized it might come in handy p.79
  3. Why didn’t David want to keep reading the Frog’s log? It was a personal journal of his uncle and had
    intimate experiences in it. He felt like he was prying p.83

Chapter 11

  1.  What woke David in the night? A huge tanker plowing toward him p.86
  2. Why couldn’t anyone hear or see David as the tanker went by? The engines were too loud, and it was dark; no one was looking p.88
  3. How would you feel if you saw hope disappear like David did? Listen to your child’s thoughts p.91

Chapter 12

  1. What emotion was David feeling at the beginning of this chapter? Hate p.92
  2. What did he realize about that emotion? It didn’t help his situation, and it festered more hate p.95
  3. How did David know a change was coming? The swells were different p.97

Chapter 13

  1. What happened when David ate the other half of the canned stew? He got sick p.101
  2. Why did David call the wind “homewind” at the end of this chapter? This wind was taking him toward home p.106

Chapter 14

  1. What surrounded David as he sailed toward home? 4 killer whales p.108
  2. How did the whales show him they were friends? They didn’t hurt him, they stayed in a formation around his boat, like they were protecting him p.110
  3. Find a word or phrase to describe how David felt on page 111 when there was a good wind. Listen to your child’s answers p.111

Chapter 15

  1. What did David almost crash into while sailing in the dark? Land; a beach p.119
  2. How did he know it was land? He could hear the surf p.119
  3. How did he know it wasn’t California? There weren’t any city lights p.120

Chapter 16

  1. Why was David frustrated at finding land? The land he was expecting to find was California/home, this land was barren with no sign of life p.122
  2. Why did David feel safe in the bay? It was sheltered from the wind p.126

Chapter 17

  1. What woke up David as he slept in the bay? A strong stench from the whales blasting water out of their blowholes p.128
  2. Why couldn’t David stay in the bay after the whales left? He appreciated and enjoyed their company and didn’t want to be in the bay alone p.13
  3. When David realized the storm was coming, why didn’t he go back to the bay to ride it out? He didn’t know when the storm was coming, and he didn’t want to lose precious sailing time p.131

Chapter 18

  1. Why couldn’t David let the sea take the Frog again? The Frog was a part of who he was now, and he didn’t want to abandon her by going inside during the storm again p.134
  2. What did David see as the storm passed and what did it mean? Another boat coming his way; he knew he was saved and could go home p.136
  3. Why didn’t David let the researchers save him? The rescuers couldn’t take the Frog with them and he couldn’t leave the Frog behind after everything they had been through together; it had saved him p.139

Comprehension Questions – The Fudge Books Fudge-a-Mania

Fudge-a-Mania

by Judy Blume

Grades 3-7; Genre - Fiction; GRL Q; AR pts: 3.0

Peter Hatcher can't catch a break. His little brother, Fudge - the five-year-old human hurricane - has big plans to marry Peter's sworn enemy, Sheila Tubman. That alone would be enough to ruin Peter's summer, but now his parents have decided to rent a summer home next door to Sheila the Cootie Queen's house. Peter will be trapped with Fudge and Sheila for three whole weeks!

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What news did Fudge given Peter that
    made him pretend to faint? He announced he was going to marry Sheila Tubman
    p.3
  2. Where is Peter’s family going for vacation
    and with whom? In Maine; next door to the Tubmans p.5

Chapter 2

  1. Why is Peter dreading living next to
    Sheila for three weeks? He doesn’t like her; they’re enemies p.7
  2. Who did Peter’s mom say he could
    bring with him on vacation? A friend; Jimmy Fargo p.9
  3. Why did Jimmy only want to be in
    Maine for a week? He’s not used to bigger families since he’s the only child
    and it’s just his father and him p.12

Chapter 3

  1. Who served Peter’s family lemonade
    when they arrived at their destination? Sheila’s grandfather, Buzzy Senior
    p.16
  2. Why was Peter upset about the house
    they were staying in? It’s only separated from Sheila’s house by an inside
    door and he told Jimmy there was a forest between his and Sheila’s house p.20
  3. Why did Fudge and his dad run for the
    car when Turtle came running out of the woods? Turtle had been sprayed by a
    skunk and they wanted to escape the smell by going to the store p.21

Chapter 4

  1. Describe the portion of the house
    Peter and his family are staying in? there’s only three bedrooms and one
    bathroom; no kitchen or living room, they’ll share those with the Tubmans p.22
  2. Describe the area Peter’s staying
    with his family in Maine. There’s a bike shop, a library, a bookstore, the
    airport is nearby p.24

Chapter 5

  1. Why was Sheila opening all the
    windows in the house? she didn’t like the smell of Maine and wanted to air the
    house out p.29
  2. Why was Uncle Feather missing? Fudge
    let him out of his cage and Sheila had opened the windows p.29
  3. Where did they find Uncle Feather? Chasing
    Libby around the house p.39

Chapter 6

  1. Why was Sheila more prepared to
    babysit Fudge now than before? Fudge was older and she’d taken a babysitting
    course p.41
  2. Why was Peter so happy to be doing
    his own thing? He didn’t get alone time very often p.46
  3. What did Peter end up doing? Hanging
    out with Sheila and Fudge p.47

Chapter 7

  1. What good news did Mitzi give Peter? That
    her grandfather was one of his favorite baseball players and there’s a baseball
    game every Sunday p.52
  2. Why did Peter feel like he needed to
    lie to Jimmy? He was worried Jimmy wouldn’t come up and stay with him because
    of Sheila, so he concocted a story p.56

Chapter 8

  1. Why was Mitzi afraid to walk to the
    back of the house by herself? She was worried that there would be a monster
    and she forget her monster spray p.59
  2. What’s Fudge-a-mania? Being silly
    and crazy; ex. turning in circles p.62
  3. Explain why it isn’t easy being the
    first born. Listen to your child’s answers p.67

Chapter 9

  1. What book at the library did Fudge
    want? Tell me a Fudge p.73
  2. What did Fudge do when the library
    didn’t have it? He threw himself on the floor and threw a tantrum p.74
  3. What idea did Izzy give to Fudge
    since he didn’t have a book already written? Write one himself; or tell
    someone what he’d like to have written p.75
  4. Why was Peter disappointed when he awoke
    that morning? He wanted to dream about Isobel and instead dreamt about
    Sheila p.78

Chapter 10

  1. Why can’t Sheila’s friend come to
    Maine? She has the chickenpox p.79
  2. Why did Sheila feel like everyone was
    picking on her? Her friend couldn’t come, Tootsie flung oatmeal on her face
    and Peter burped, but thought he was laughing at her p.80
  3. Why does Fudge want to get married? So
    he won’t get monsters in his bed p.82
  4. What was the consequence of Peter
    telling the truth to Jimmy about the living arrangements? Jimmy was ok with
    it p.91

Chapter 11

  1. Why did Jimmy want to go to town? To
    see Isobel since she made Peter feel like he was floating p.98
  2. What does I.S.A.F. stand for? I
    swallowed a fly p.102
  3. Why did Peter pour his juice over
    Fudge’s head? Fudge wouldn’t stop talking about eating turtles and how he
    ate his turtle p.105

Chapter 12

  1. Why was Fudge all blue? He ate
    lots of blueberries p.108
  2. Why wasn’t Fudge going sailing? He
    was too sick p.112
  3. Why did Muriel take over when the group
    was on their way back to the dock? A storm came up and she knew how to handle
    the boat better than Peter’s dad p.116

Chapter 13

  1. What did Fudge oil his mitt with? Oil
    of Olay, a woman’s facial moisturizer p.122
  2. What was Peter so excited for that
    morning? It was Sunday and he was going to get to play baseball with Big Apfel
    the baseball player p.123
  3. Give examples of why Peter wasn’t happy
    with the baseball game? He wasn’t on Isobel’s team, Big was hitting for both
    teams, he didn’t catch a fly ball and threw way over the 1st baseman,
    he hit a pop fly and his grandma caught it, his team lost, Big encouraged
    Jimmy, but didn’t say anything to him p.127

Chapter 14

  1. Who’s getting married in Maine and how
    does the family feel about it? Peter’s grandma and Sheila’s grandpa; shocked;
    they haven’t known each other very long p.137
  2. Who all came to the wedding? All the
    family and everyone from town p.141
  3. What was the deal Sheila and Peter
    made after the wedding? That they’d always hate each other p.146

Comprehension Questions – Calendar Mysteries January Joker

January Joker

by Ron Roy

Grades 2-3; Genre - Fiction; GRL N; AR pts: 1.0

In the first book of the Calendar Mysteries — an early chapter book mystery series featuring the younger siblings of the A to Z Mysteries detectives — Green Lawn has a problem! When Bradley Pinto wakes up in the night to strange lights in his backyard, he wonders if there are aliens in town. When he sees three-toed tracks in the snow, he's sure of it. His twin, Brian, and friends Lucy and Nate aren't so certain. But then Lucy's cousin Dink, the twins' brother Josh, and Nate's sister Ruth Rose all disappear. Are there "really "aliens in Green Lawn? And where could they be taking Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What’s the setting of this story? In Brian and Bradley’s bedroom in the middle of the night p.1
  2. Who did the kids see outside by the barn? Two aliens p.4
  3. Why did the kids think Nate was playing a trick on them? Nate likes to do practical jokes on people; they
    knew it couldn’t be aliens p.6

Chapter 2

  1. Who was babysitting the four friends? Their older siblings and cousin; Dink, Ruth Rose & Josh p.9
  2. What did the kids have to do before they could ride Polly? Clean up breakfast p.10
  3. What did the kids see in the snow that was proof Bradley saw a spaceship? A big circle p.13

Chapter 3

  1. Why did Bradley think Josh, Ruth Rose and Dink had been taken by aliens? They couldn’t find them anywhere p.17
  2. What did the kids find on Josh’s printer? A newspaper article about aliens taking children and animals back to their planet; it described a circle and funny footprints p.19
  3. What does Bradley think happened to Polly? She was taken by the aliens p.20

Chapter 4

  1. What did Ruth Rose and Josh tell the kids when they talked to them on the phone? That aliens kidnapped them and they’re in a spaceship p.21
  2. Where do you think Pal was? Listen to your child’s answer p.24

Chapter 5

  1. Why did Lucy want to write down the clues they’ve found? To organize her thoughts and help figure out the mystery p.26
  2. What peered at the kids through the window? A green face with big teeth and a yellow face with big eyes staring at them p.28
  3. Where did the kids hide? Under the stairs in a closet p.30

Chapter 6

  1. What did the kids do to secure the house and make sure aliens wouldn’t come in? lock the doors and close the shades p.33
  2. What funny prints did Lucy find in the alien book? The same ones they saw outside p.34
  3. How was Lucy planning to capture the aliens? Make them lunch; give them food p.36

Chapter 7

  1. What food did Lucy use as bait? Grapes p.40
  2. Where were the kids hoping to catch the aliens? In the closet under the stairs p.40

Chapter 8

  1. Who was in the closet and why? Brian; he said the aliens put him there p.44
  2. Why did Bradley pinch Brian? To show him he wasn’t dreaming p.46
  3. Why did Bradley write a note to his friends instead of just talking to them? he thought the aliens were listening to them p.48

Chapter 9

  1. What makes Bradley think the aliens are hiding in the attic? They found Pal’s rubber toy on the bed and
    they think it must have dropped from the heat vent in the attic p.49
  2. Why haven’t the kids turned on the TV to see what was going on with the aliens? They’ve been busy; haven’t thought of it p.53

Chapter 10

  1. How did the kids get the note up to the attic? They stuck it to the mop stick and put it through the heat vent p.55
  2. What did the aliens do that made Lucy mad? They tore up her note and dropped the pieces back through the vent p.58

Chapter 11

  1. Why did Officer Fallon come to the house? Bradley called him p.60
  2. Why did the police tell the kids to keep the door to the attic locked? To keep whoever was hiding there wouldn’t escape; to keep the kids safe p.60
  3. Why was the twins’ mom upset? Policemen and firemen had come to the house p.65

Chapter 12

  1. What did the police find in the attic? Two stuffed aliens and Dink, Ruth Rose and Josh p.68
  2. Why did the older kids pull this prank on the first graders? Because Nate had played a practical joke on them and they wanted to get him back p.70
  3. Why did the older kids plan the joke for that day? They knew the parents would be out at breakfast together p.72

Chapter 13

  1. Who got to decide the punishment for the older kids? The younger kids p.73
  2. What punishment did the younger kids agree on? The older kids had to sit in Ellie’s diner dressed up as aliens, and they couldn’t talk p.74
  3. When Officer Fallon asked for an autograph what was Josh’s response? He wanted ice cream, so if Officer Fallon bought it for him, then he’d sign anything p.77

Comprehension Questions – Magic Tree House Merlin Missions #27 Night of the Ninth Dragon

Night of the Ninth Dragon

by Mary Pope Osborne

Grades ; Genre - Fantasy; GRL N; AR pts: 2.0

The magic tree house whisks Jack and Annie through space and time to find that the castle of Camelot has been attacked and King Arthur has been gravely wounded. To save the kingdom—and the king—Jack and Annie have only one day to solve a riddle that will help them find a missing dragon!

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Why did Jack and Annie go into the
    Frog Creek woods? Oki ran in, so they chased after him p.5
  2. Where did they find Oki? At the
    bottom of a tree looking at the magic tree house p.6
  3. What’s going to be the setting of
    this book? Camelot p.10

Chapter 2

  1. Who sent the tree house for Jack and
    Annie? Queen Guinevere p.16
  2. Why did the guard aim a crossbow at
    Jack and Annie as they approached Camelot? They’re under attack and didn’t
    know if the kids were friends or enemies p.20
  3. Where did the queen lead Jack and
    Annie? Morgan le Fay’s secret garden p.23

Chapter 3

  1. What were the statues of in the
    garden? Dragons p.25
  2. What’s been stolen out of the garden?
    The gold dragon; the ninth dragon p.32
  3. Why do the kids need to help find the
    ninth dragon? To get Merlin, Morgan, Teddy and Kathleen back from Avalon and
    to send King Arthur there to heal from his wound p.33

Chapter 4

  1. Why were the Jack, Annie, the king
    and queen going to Cafelle’s? She can prophesy and tell them where the ninth
    dragon is p.37
  2. Why were they traveling in a hay
    cart? No one will suspect the king riding in a hay cart p.39
  3. Why was Jack nervous when he found
    out the knights weren’t coming with them? he knew they could be attacked by
    invaders and they wouldn’t have the protection of the knights p.45

Chapter 5

  1. Describe Cafelle. She’s an old
    woman who’s blind, but could describe Jack and Annie perfectly, she’s kind and
    has a dog that cannot hear p.51
  2. What is Cafelle’s special ability? The
    leaves and wind speak to her and tell her what she desires to know p.56

Chapter 6

  1. When did the ninth dragon need to be
    returned to the garden? Dawn the next day p.59
  2. What did the seer give to both Jack
    and Annie? Red stones from the mountains of fire before time p.61
  3. Why was Jack frustrated about the
    stones? He didn’t know how to use them p.66

Chapter 7

  1. How did Annie help get rid of the
    invaders that questioned them? she put yellow spots on her face with a
    highlighter and said she had yellow fever p.72
  2. Why was Jack freezing as they
    traveled in the rain? He’d given his cloak to the king p.78
  3. What did Guinevere tell the kids
    about as they traveled? The Isle of Avalon p.78

Chapter 8

  1. Why did the kids send the oxen back
    to Camelot? The rope that connected the oxen to the cart had torn and they
    weren’t of use anymore p.83
  2. How did Jack, Annie and Guinevere get
    the cart to Munith Mor without the oxen? They pushed and pulled p.85
  3. What represented the curtain in the
    riddle? A waterfall p.88

Chapter 9

  1. What did Jack and Annie find in the
    cave behind the waterfall? The dragon statue p.96
  2. Why was the queen giving up? The
    healing water was gone, Arthur was dying, they heard the robbers coming on
    horses p.98
  3. What happened when Jack and Annie
    used their stones? A giant red dragon rose out of the erupting mountain
    above them p.101

Chapter 10

  1. Where did the portal take Jack,
    Annie, Guinevere and Arthur? To Avalon p.103
  2. How did Merlin, Morgan, Teddy and
    Kathleen respond when they first saw Jack and Annie in Avalon? Bewildered, amazed,
    surprised, astonished p.106
  3. Why did Jack and Annie need to return
    the dragon statue to Camelot before dawn? If it’s not returned by dawn, it’s
    power will be lost forever and those in Avalon will never return p.109

Chapter 11

  1. Where did Jack and Annie leave their
    magic stones? By the dragon statue in the garden p.115
  2. What message did Jack and Annie give
    the knights? That the kind and queen are healing in Avalon and will be back
    to restore order to the kingdom p.118