Tag Archives: AR

Comprehension Questions – The Littles Have a Wedding

The Littles Have a Wedding

by John Peterson

Grades 2-5; Genre - Fiction; GRL M; AR pts: 1.0

Meet the Littles, a family like any other but with a few tiny differences! They live in the walls of the Bigg family house where they get everything they need. In return they make sure the Bigg house is always in good repair. When Dinky comes home from his latest adventure, he's not alone. Della came back with him and they're going to be married! But a tiny person wedding takes a huge amount of preparation. The Littles need to get everything ready and travel to a neighboring house by the next day. Will they be ready in time?

Comprehension Questions (by Steve)

Chapter 1

  1. What were the Littles pulling onto the roof? A pair of black binoculars.  Pg 6.
  2. Who were they looking for? Cousin Dinky. Pg. 8.
  3. What was the smoke from? The Fine’s house was on fire. Pg 11.
  4. What happened after the Fines were rescued? The glider caught on fire and crashed. Pg 14.

Chapter 2

  1. Why did Uncle Pete think Dinky didn’t have a girl friend? Too busy adventuring. Pg 17.
  2. What was the only thing wrong with the Fine’s apartment? Smelled of smoke. Pg21.
  3. How did Dinky tell the great news? By a song on his guitar. Pg. 23.
  4. Did Della want Dinky to stop flying? No, she loved adventure. Pg. 26.

Chapter 3

  1. What was Tom and Lucy looking for in the jewelry box? An old watch. Pg. 29.
  2. Why did they want the watch? There were 21 rubies inside for a ring. Pg. 30.
  3. What was good about the rubies? They are hard, last forever. Pg. 31.

Chapter 4

  1. What was Granny Little making for Della? Her wedding dress. Pg. 33.
  2. What were the 2 kinds of weddings that tiny people had? Church and house wedding. Pg. 34.
  3. Why were weddings important to tiny people? They met new people. Pg. 35.

Chapter 5

  1. What caused Dinky to crash when coming back to the Littles? Henry’s balloons. Pg. 39.
  2. Where did he crash? Into a lilac bush. Pg. 40.
  3. What was Dinky’s good news? He found a place for the wedding. Pg. 41.

Chapter 6

  1. What did Mrs. Bigg have for dinner? Chinese food. Pg. 42.
  2. What was the problem with the wedding? Too soon; they had to leave right away. Pg. 43.
  3. Why did Uncle Pete think the Fortune Cooky was a sign? It said don’t rush! Pg. 47.

Chapter 7

  1. Why were the men worried about Granny going to the wedding? Unable to walk. Pg. 49.
  2. What was Tom’s idea? Tie a chair to Henry’s balloon for Granny. Pg. 49.
  3. How did Granny fix Lucy’s dress? With a blue ribbon. Pg. 51.
  4. What did Uncle Pete give Della for a present? A stamp of George Washington. Pg. 52.

Chapter 8

  1. What did they use for weights in the baskets? Henry’s marbles. Pg. 53.
  2. What was Lucy’s weapon? A pepper shaker. Pg. 56.
  3. Why didn’t Granny carry a weapon? Just extra weight; never used one. Pg. 56.
  4. What made them sneeze? The pollen from the hollyhock. Pg. 57.

Chapter 9

  1. Where were the cats when they got to the Long’s house? In front of the secret door. Pg. 59.
  2. Why would the balloon not float away? It was tied to a bush. Pg. 61.
  3. What did they bop the cats with? Marbles. Pg. 65.
  4. What happened to the string? The string broke. Pg. 66.

Chapter 10

  1. What did Mr. Button do when his wife talked? He never let her finish. Pg. 70.
  2. What did the Buttons think of baby Betsy? She was adorable. Pg. 72.
  3. Who saved Tom and Dinky? Hildy, the cat. Pg. 74.

Chapter 11

  1. Where were Della and Dinky to stand? Close to the big people getting married. Pg. 76.
  2. Why were they supposed to be close? Custom and to hear the minister’s words. Pg. 77.

Chapter 12

  1. What was in the doors and windows of the clock-house? Wooden dolls. Pg. 81.
  2. How did Mr. Button know they wouldn’t be noticed in the clock? He had done it before. Pg. 82.
  3. What did the minister do to the clock? Touch the statues. Pg. 86.

Chapter 13

  1. What did Tom use to stick on the ruby? White glue. Pg. 88.

Chapter 14

  1. Where was Tom and Lucy when the wedding started? Fixing the ruby wedding ring. Pg. 92.
  2. What did the tiny people do when the big people got married?  The same things. Pg. 93.
  3. What happened as the minister finished the ceremony? The clock bells rang. Pg. 94.

Comprehension Questions – Magic Tree House Merlin Missions #26 Balto of the Blue Dawn

Balto of the Blue Dawn

by Mary Pope Osborne

Grades 2-4; Genre - Fiction with Fantastical Elements; GRL N; AR pts: 2.0

Jack and Annie always go on important missions, but this time they must save an entire town! The town is Nome, Alaska, and the year is 1925. Many children and grown-ups are sick and dying. The medicine that will save them is coming from Anchorage, a thousand miles away. Its being carried by a relay of dogsleds and dogs, but a huge blizzard is coming through. It's up to Jack and Annie to find a lost team led by the famous sled dog, Balto.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What did Annie see above the woods? A bright flash of light p.4
  2. Where are Jack and Annie needed in this adventure? A seaside town below the Arctic; Alaska p.6
  3. What will the enchanted gold dust help Jack and Annie do and how long does it last? Receive a skill that will only help them when they are saving the lives of others; 12 hours p.7
  4. Why did Teddy give the kids stardust? It will make people forget; Merlin didn’t want Jack and Annie to be remembered by anyone on their mission p.9

Chapter 2

  1. Where did Jack and Annie travel to? Nome, Alaska p.17
  2. What does “quarantine” mean? To be isolated if you’re sick with a deadly illness, so you won’t spread it p.21
  3. What’s the sickness that’s going around the town that requires medicine? Diphtheria p.22
  4. Why did the Board of Health order Gunnar Kaasen to stay in Solomon and not continue to Nome? A huge blizzard was expected to come through the area, and they didn’t want to lose the medicine p.23

Chapter 3

  1. What was the only form of transportation to and from Nome during the winter? Dogsled p.29
  2. What was Oki going to do? Go by dogsled himself to get the medicine from Gunnar Kaasen p.29
  3. What was the radio bulletin Jack and Annie heard while waiting for Oki to talk to his uncle? That 5 people had died in Nome, Alaska from the outbreak of Diphtheria, and the best mushers and dogs were trying to get the medicine to Nome before anyone else dies, but there’s a big blizzard coming from the Arctic and the mushers may not be able to continue to Nome p.34
  4. Why is getting the medicine a race against death? If the medicine doesn’t arrive in time, Oki’s mom, sister and others will die p.38

Chapter 4

  1. If Oki stays in Nome, how are Jack and Annie going to know where to go? Uncle Joe’s sled dogs know the way p.43
  2. What was Oki’s resolve when Jack and Annie told him he had to stay in Nome? He accepted it, but was disappointed p.46
  3. How do Jack and Annie always treat dogs? By being firm, fair and giving kindness and respect p.27
  4. What did Oki give Jack and Annie for food to give to the dogs? Dried fish p.49

Chapter 5

  1. What was Jack an expert of as they travelled through the night? a musher; knowing what a musher does and giving commands to the dogs p.51
  2. Why did the huskies come to a halt and start barking? Jack tumbled off the sled from a sharp curve p.56
  3. Why did Jack fall behind Annie when he was running with the sled? As they were running on ice he broke through and got stuck in the ice p.58
  4. Why did Jack need to get out of his wet boots? It was so cold he could get severe frost bite p.59

Chapter 6

  1. How did Ed help Jack and Annie? He gave them shelter and a warm place to be. He knew what to do for Jack’s feet; he fed them; he also unhitched the dogs so they wouldn’t freeze out in the cold and let them come inside p.62
  2. What did Ed and Annie do to help the dogs feel better? Gave them water and massaged each foot p.64
  3. How did Ed react when Jack and Annie told him they needed to go back into the storm? he thought they were crazy p.69
  4. What did Ed do to stop Jack and Annie from going back into the blizzard? Fed them and was firm on not letting them p.71

Chapter 7

  1. Who is Balto? Gunnar Kaasen’s dog; he’s one of the best lead dogs in Alaska; loves to run a trail; great strength and courage; big shaggy black dog p.74
  2. Why are Alaskans grateful for the animals that live there? The people couldn’t live without them; they get their clothing, food and other necessities from them p.75
  3. What happened when Annie used the stardust in Ed’s home? It made everything look like they were never there p.80
  4. What did the jingling bells mean? Another dogsled was near p.84

Chapter 8

  1. Who did Jack and Annie find? Gunnar Kaasen and his dogsled p.86
  2. What fell off the sled into the snow? The medicine p.88
  3. Why did Annie unhook Balto? So he could help them find the medicine p.88
  4. What influence did Balto have on the other huskies? They were livelier and stronger than before p.94

Chapter 9

  1. Why was Oki excited the newspaper reporters were in town? He wanted the whole world to hear their story and that Jack and Annie saved the day p.98
  2. Why did Jack and Annie throw the stardust into the air? So everyone who saw them on their mission would forget them p.99
  3. Who did Mr. Kaasen say he owed the success of his part of the relay? His dog, Balto p.101
  4. Who bounded after Jack and Annie as they headed for the tree house? Balto p.102

Chapter 10

  1. What did Annie think was the best part of their mission? The dogs p.108
  2. What did Annie find in the greenery? A puppy p.110
  3. Why would the puppy be a gift to Jack and Annie? For always being willing to serve and help Merlin and Morgan p.111
  4. What did they name the puppy? Oki p.114

Comprehension Questions – Wonder

Wonder

by R.J. Palacio

Grades 5-7; Genre - Fiction; GRL V; AR pts: 11.0

August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial difference that prevented him from going to a main-stream school - until now. He's about to enter fifth grade at Beecher Prep, and if you've ever been the new kid, you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, despite appearances?

Comprehension Questions

Part 1 August

Pages 3-16 (Ordinary-Paging Mr. Tushman)

  1. Describe the main character. His name is August (Auggie), he’s ten years old, his face is different than everybody else, has a family with a mom, dad and sister named Via, is homeschooled, has had 27 surgeries since his birth, has friends named Christopher, Alex and Zach p.3
  2. Describe the night Auggie was born. His mom and dad knew there were some problems with Auggie’s face before he was born, but when he was born the doctor fainted and the nice nurse carried August out quickly. Auggie’s dad ran after her dropping and breaking the video camera and the farting nurse held Auggie’s mom down and tried to wake the doctor; the farting nurse was also a nice nurse and she stayed with his mom; the doctors didn’t think Auggie would make it through the night, but he did; when his mom first saw him she thought he had pretty eyes p.6
  3. Why is Auggie worried about going to school? Everyone will stare at him p.10
  4. What did Auggie’s dad do that helped convince him to go to school? He made fun of the principal’s name p.12

Pages 17-34 (Nice Mrs. Garcia-The Performance Space)

  1. What did Mrs. Garcia’s shiny smile mean to Auggie? She was fake, nervous and uncomfortable p.17
  2. What did Mr. Tushman have the three students do? Give Auggie a tour of the school p.22
  3. How did Auggie’s mom act as he left with the kids for the tour? Nervous p.22
  4. How was Julian rude to Auggie? He asked him questions about his face; mocked him for being home schooled; cut in front of him and made him stumble backwards p.28

Pages 35-50 (The Deal-Choose King)

  1. Why was Auggie’s mom now saying he couldn’t go to school? She felt sad Julian was mean and didn’t want him to be exposed to other mean kids; she wanted to protect him from bullies p.35
  2. Why did Henry put his backpack on his desk like a wall? To separate himself from Auggie p.39
  3. How would you feel if someone did that to you? listen to your child’s answers p.39
  4. Explain what Julian meant when he asked Auggie liked Darth Sidious. Julian was making fun of Auggie’s face since Darth Sidious has a face that gets deformed and looks like it’s melting p.44

Pages 50-80 (Lunch-Names)

  1. How did Summer help Auggie feel accepted? She sat by him during lunch and talked to him about their names and who could sit at their summer table p.51
  2. Why did Auggie cry when his mom was reading The Hobbit to him? He was sad he was so ugly p.60
  3. Why does Auggie consider himself the old moldy cheese? No one will touch him and if they do, they hurry and wash their hands p.72
  4. What did Jack say to Julian on Halloween that upset Auggie? He made it sound like he couldn’t stand August and was forced to be his friend p.77

Part 2 Via

Pages 82-102 (A Tour of the Galaxy-Breakfast)

  1. Whose point of view are we hearing in the story now and describe them. Via’s or Olivia’s; August’s sister who’s in high school; she loves and defends August and never complains since his life is so much harder p.82
  2. Why does Via think Auggie needs to grow up? He’s 10 and shouldn’t be treated like a baby; he needs to learn to talk about things p.90
  3. Why was Via upset about her friends, Miranda and Ella? They were leaving her out p.94
  4. Why did Via want to ride the subway home instead of getting a ride? She wanted to be independent and do her own thing p.101

Pages 103-117 (Genetics 101-Time to Think)

  1. Who did Olivia begin to hang out with? Eleanor and her friends p.107
  2. Why didn’t August want to go trick or treating, or to the Halloween Parade? His mom would have made him go to school the next day since he was feeling better p.113
  3. How did Via help Auggie realize it was important to go to school and that everyone had bad days? She helped him understand that it was normal to hate school and to have bad days and that if he wanted to feel normal too, he needed to keep going and not give up p.115

Part 3 Summer

Pages 119-132 (Weird Kids-The Egyptian Tomb)

  1. What’s the Plague? Julian started it by saying if anyone touched Auggie they had to wash their hands within 30 seconds, or they would get the Plague p.120
  2. What did Savannah say to Summer at the party? She invited Summer to be in the popular group and that Julian liked her, but she couldn’t be August’s friend too. Summer had to decide between August and Julian p.122
  3. What did Summer do to get out of the party and who did she choose? She went to the bathroom and called her mom to pick her up and she left; August p.123
  4. How did Summer keep her promise to August and still help Jack know why he was mad at him? She gave Jack the clue, Bleeding Scream; it’s what August dressed up as for Halloween when he overheard Jack talking to Julian about him p.132

Part 4 Jack

Pages 134-157 (The Call-Detention)

  1. When did Jack first see August? On a bench in the street eating ice cream with his babysitter and little brother p.136
  2. Why did Jack agree to be August’s welcome buddy? He felt bad and knew August didn’t stand a chance at middle school p.141
  3. Why couldn’t Jack write about meeting Auggie for the English assignment? Jack was worried Mr. Browne would make them read them out loud or put them up on a bulletin board, and he didn’t want Auggie to see it p.148
  4. Why was Jack in detention? He hit Julian for saying mean things about August p.154

Pages 158-185 (Season’s Greetings-The Boyfriend)

  1. How did Jack get a hold of August and apologize to him? Facebook p.164
  2. What did Will find challenging as he went back to school after being hitting Julian? His friends wouldn’t talk to him and they all ditched him p.168
  3. Why is Julian’s mom trying to get August’s school application reviewed? She doesn’t want him in the school and is trying to get him kicked out p.171
  4. Describe the war going on between Jack and the other boys in fifth grade. Julian’s convinced the other boys that August is bringing down Jack and so they have stopped talking to him as well as hanging out with him. They’re hoping to wake him up and to get him to stop hanging out with August p.172

Part 5 Justin

Pages 187-204 (Olivia’s Brother-The Universe)

  1. Compare Justin’s parents to Olivia’s parents. Justin’s parents don’t pay attention or talk to him, they got divorced and hate each other. Olivia’s parents pay attention, talk and laugh to their children and to each other p.191
  2. What wish do you think Olivia wished for on the ladybug? Listen to your child’s answers p.195
  3. What did Justin do for Jack when he saw Miles, Henry and Julian in the subway station? He scrunched up his face, looked mean as he held his violin case threateningly and told them in a Clint Eastwood voice to leave Jack alone p.199
  4. What metaphor does Justin use to describe Olivia on page 203? He compares her to a bird: how her feathers get ruffled when she’s mad, and when she’s fragile she’s a little lost bird looking for its nest. So he'll provide her a wing to hide under p.203

Part 6 August

Pages 206-219 (North Pole-My Cave)

  1. How did Jack and August respond to the notes Julian left in their lockers? They wrote loves notes from a pretend girl named Beulah and left them in Julian’s locker p.208
  2. Why didn’t August want to wear hearing aids? He was already nervous about his ears and felt self-conscious p.211
  3. Why didn’t Olivia want to invite her family to her play? She didn’t want August to go since the kids at her new school don’t know about him p.218

Pages 220-234 (Goodbye-The Ending)

  1. What happened to Daisy? She was sick and died p.220
  2. What did August wonder about heaven? What it would be like to not have his face matter anymore p.227
  3. How did August feel about the play as it began? He liked it since it made him feel grown up p.230
  4. Why was it good that Olivia’s family came to see her? She ended up being the lead since Miranda got sick p.230

Part 7 Miranda

Pages 236-248 (Camp Lies-After the Show)

  1. Describe what Miranda did at camp that made her self-conscious to call Olivia? She smoked, snuck up to the boys camps and hung out with them; she’d lied to everyone about having a little brother (August) who was deformed; her parents being in Europe, living in a huge townhouse and having a dog named Daisy; she changed her hair and makeup and changed her t-shirts into halter tops p.237
  2. Why did the drama teacher switch from doing the play Elephant Man to doing Our Town? Miranda lied to him, telling him that her little brother was deformed, and that Elephant Man would hit too close to home p.240
  3. Why did Miranda lie to the drama teacher about being sick and not being able to go on stage? She realized no one was at the play to see her and saw Olivia’s family in the audience and knew Olivia should perform p.244

Part 8 August

Pages 250-275 (The Fifth-Grade Nature Retreat-Aftermath)

  1. What made August feel comfortable about leaving Baboo home when he went to the retreat? He knew Daisy was with him wherever he went p.256
  2. Name 3 things August and his classmates did during the retreat? They went on a two-hour guided nature tour in the woods, hung out in the rec room playing ping-pong and arcade games, had a campfire cookout, rode horses, rappelled up trees, went to an outdoor movie night p.257
  3. Who came to help Jack and August, during the movie night, when they went into the woods for a bathroom break? Amos, Miles and Henry p.267
  4. What did Amos, Henry, Miles and Jack become after that incident? August’s emperor guard p.272
  5. What positive consequence resulted from Eddie and his friends bullying August and Jack in the woods? August showed courage; Amos, Henry and Miles hadn’t been nice to August all year and came to defend him and became his friends; they spread what happened and the girls asked if he was all right and everyone really seemed to care about August p.274

Pages 276-310 (Home-The Walk Home)

  1. What surprise did Via and August’s dad bring home? A puppy p.280
  2. What was found in Eddie’s locker? Auggie’s hearing aid headband p.284
  3. What happened to Auggie’s astronaut helmet? His dad threw it out since he missed seeing Auggie’s face p.290
  4. Name one characteristic that August demonstrated that helped him earn the Henry Ward Beecher Award? Give an example of why you chose that characteristic. Have your child list one of the following characteristics and an example of how August showed it during the story: Courage, kindness, friendship, character p.304

Comprehension Questions – #20 Junie B., First Grader: Toothless Wonder

Junie B., First Grader: Toothless Wonder

by Barbara Park

Grades 1-4; Genre - Fiction; GRL M; AR pts: 1.0

One of Junie B. Jones's top front teeth is loose! Only Junie B. is not that thrilled about this development. Because what if she looks like toothless Uncle Lou? And even worse...what's all this tooth fairy business? Like, who is this woman, really? And what does she do with all those used teeth? So many questions, so little time.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Why doesn’t Junie B. want to write in her journal? She has a loose tooth and it’s driving her crazy p.2
  2. Why does Mr. Scary think losing a top tooth is better than losing a bottom tooth? Having a missing top tooth makes a cute smile and when your tooth grows in you’ll look like a big kid p.6
  3. What did Mr. Scary give Junie B. for being the first one in the class to lose a top tooth? He drew a star on shiny silver paper, cut it out and pinned it on her shirt p.10

Chapter 2

  1. What did Junie B.’s classmates want to see at recess? Her loose tooth p.14
  2. Why was Junie B. upset on the bus ride home from school? Sheldon told her about his uncle who lost all his teeth but one from not brushing or flossing, and that really bothered her p.16
  3. How did Junie B. react when Herb mentioned the tooth fairy? She got chills and butterflies in her stomach p.18

Chapter 3

  1. What did Junie B. do to try to calm Ollie? Hold him, pat his back, hum softly in his ear and put him the closet p.22
  2. What’s Junie B. going to do so she doesn’t lose her tooth? Stop wiggling it p.23
  3. What happened after Grandpa Miller wiggled Junie B.’s tooth? She snapped her mouth closed on his finger and It fell out p.25

Chapter 4

  1. What color was the water Junie B. spit out when her grandpa told her to rinse and spit and why? Pink; because there was a little bit of blood in her spit p.28
  2. How did Junie B. feel about herself when Grandpa Miller lifted her up to the mirror the first time? She hated herself p.30
  3. How did Junie B. feel when she looked in the mirror again? She thought she looked fascinating and looked in the mirror until her mother came home p.33

Chapter 5

  1. What did Junie B. want to take for show and tell at school? Her tooth; the spit cup p.35
  2. Who did Junie B. think the Tooth Fairy was? Teensy little tooth witch p.41
  3. What did Junie B.’s mom do after Junie B. told her about the tooth witch? She ran out of the bathroom p.43

Chapter 6

  1. Why does Junie B. think the tooth witch makes more sense than the tooth fairy? The tooth witch chomps the teeth, but the tooth fairy doesn’t do anything with them p.45
  2. What did her mom suggest that was disgusting? The tooth fairy makes jewelry with the teeth p.48
  3. Why didn’t Junie B. put her tooth under her pillow? The tooth fairy didn’t make sense to her p.49

Chapter 7

  1. What did Herb say when Junie B. showed him her mouth and smile? Wow p.51
  2. Why didn’t Junie B. want to answer Herb when he asked her how much money she got from the tooth fairy? She hasn’t put her tooth under her pillow and she doesn’t want to p.53
  3. What did Junie B. ask that stumped Herb? What does the tooth fairy do with all the teeth? p.56

Chapter 8

  1. How did Room One treat Junie B. when they saw her new smile? They clapped, cheered, gave her a high five; they were happy for her p.58
  2. What was May’s answer when Junie B. asked what the tooth fairy does with the teeth? Nothing; she got up to get a drink p.63
  3. What finally made sense to Junie B.? that the tooth fairy could collect all the teeth p.66

Chapter 9

  1. What did Junie B. get under her pillow that night? Cash p.72
  2. Why was Ollie so happy that morning? He finally got his first tooth p.75
  3. What does Junie B. think the tooth fairy did with her tooth? she recycled it and gave it to Ollie p.77

Comprehension Questions – #11 Junie B. Jones is a Beauty Shop Guy

Junie B. Jones is a Beauty Shop Guy

by Barbara Park

Grades 1-3; Genre - Fiction; GRL M; AR pts: 1.0

What's the bestest job ever? A beauty shop guy, that's what! And Junie B. Jones is going to be one when she grows up. But first she needs a little practice. And a few volunteers. Like her bunny slippers and her dog. And maybe ever...herself? Is Junie B. on her way to a great new career? Or is she about to have the worst hair day ever?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What’s Junie B.’s new name? Pinkie Gladys Gutzman p.2
  2. How did Junie B. decide on that name? pinkie is her favorite color and Gladys Gutzman is the snack lady at school and she loves her p.3
  3. Where was Junie B. going with her dad? To the barber shop p.6

Chapter 2

  1. What’s one difference between a barber shop and a beauty shop? A barber shop only cuts men’s hair and a beauty shop does both men’s and women’s hair; a beauty shop also focuses on nails and skin p.9
  2. How did Junie B. get to be Maxine’s helper? She had a name tag p.12
  3. What did Junie B. do to help her? She held the towel and swept the floor p.14

Chapter 3

  1. How long does it take to work in a beauty shop? Years and years and years p.19
  2. Why was Junie B.’s mom suspicious of her when she wanted to take a nap? Junie B. hates naps p.21
  3. What did Junie B. want to do while she was “napping”? practice cutting hair p.22

Chapter 4

  1. What did Junie B. first practice cutting hair on? Her bunny slippers p.25
  2. What did the slippers look like when Junie B. was finished? Bald p.26
  3. How did Junie B. feel at this end of chapter and after having her first experience cutting hair? Deflated or discouraged; She realized it would take more practice than she thought p.28

Chapter 5

  1. What does Grace get to help with in her Aunt’s beauty shop? Shampooing client’s hair p.30
  2. Why did Junie B. feel like she wasn’t a good shampoo girl after trying to shampoo her teddy bear? The teddy bear didn’t look very good and was all soggy p.34
  3. Why did Junie B. feel confident in trimming her dog’s fur? It would grow back and it was all matted and tangled p.36

Chapter 6

  1. What did Junie B. do to hide Tickle’s hair cut? Put a sweater and hat on him p.38
  2. What was Junie B.’s punishment for cutting his hair? Her scissors were taken away and after dinner she had to bath and go right to bed p.41
  3. At the end of this chapter, Junie B. thinks she’s made progress. How? She thinks she’s getting better at cutting hair p.42

Chapter 7

  1. How did Junie B. get another pair of scissors? She kept an extra pair in her desk drawer p.44
  2. What made Junie B. frustrated while she cut her hair? No matter how much she trimmed it continued to be uneven p.45
  3. Why did Junie B. cry after she cut her hair? She had sprigs of hair sticking out all over p.46

Chapter 8

  1. Why did Junie B. decide to wear three hats to school? If someone on the playground pulled off one and two, she would still have one on underneath p.50
  2. What did Junie B. lie about to her grandpa? That it was crazy hat day and her teacher said she could wear as many hats she wanted p.53
  3. How did Mrs. respond when Junie B. told her “The Story of the Hats”? she had compassion and gave her some tissues p.58

Chapter 9

  1. What did Mrs. tell the class to help Junie B. out? That Junie B. had the sniffles, that she was giving her permission to wear her one hat and no one was to touch it p.59
  2. Where did Junie B.’s dad take her after school? To the beauty shop p.63
  3. What was the lesson Junie B. learned in this story? Not to practice cutting hair until she was older p.67

Comprehension Questions – The Outsiders

The Outsiders

by S.E. Hinton

(Contains gang violence and some swearing)

Grades 7-12; Genre - Fiction; GRL Z; AR pts: 7.0

Ponyboy can count on his brothers and on his friends. But not on much else besides trouble with the Socs, a vicious gang of rich kids whose idea of a good time is beating up "greasers" like Ponyboy. At least he knows what to expect - until the night someone takes things too far.

Chapter 1

  1. Describe the main character. His name is Ponyboy and he’s 14 years old; in a gang called the Greasers; parents were killed in a car accident; has two older brothers he lives with; Likes to watch movies alone and read books; has longer light brown reddish hair with greenish-gray eyes p.1
  2. How did Ponyboy get out of his tough situation with the Socials? He yelled and fought; Darry heard him and ran over p.6
  3. Why do you think Darry only gets after Ponyboy and has high expectations for him? Because Ponyboy is smart and can make something of himself; he has school smarts, but not street smarts p.13
  4. What did Soda say that Pony had a hard time believing? That Darry loved him p.18

Chapter 2

  1. Why did the girls invite Johnny and Pony to sit with them at the drive-in? they didn’t talk dirty and stood up to Dally p.26
  2. Why are the girls alone at the drive-in? their boyfriends brought beer with them and the girls didn’t want to have any part of it, so the boys left angry and the girls decided to stay and watch the movie p.27
  3. What did Cherry notice about Johnny? That he’d been hurt and scared by others p.31
  4. What did Cherry say about the Socs after Pony told her Johnny’s story? That not all Socs are like the ones that jumped Johnny and they have it rough too p.34

Chapter 3

  1. Why did Cherry and Pony feel comfortable talking about personal things? They could trust each other; they connected with each other p.38
  2. Who was in the blue mustang that drove by the kids as they talked? Socs Randy and Bob; Cherry and Marcia’s boyfriends; the guys who beat up Johnny p.41
  3. Why did Pony want to live in the country? There weren’t gangs and different social statuses to get stuck in p.48
  4. What made Pony decide to run-away? Darry hit him p.50

Chapter 4

  1. Who pulled up to the park while Johnny and Pony were hanging out? The blue mustang full of Socs p.54
  2. Why did Johnny kill Randy? They were drowning Pony and were going to beat Johnny up p.57
  3. What did Dally get for the boys to help them get out of town? $50 and a loaded gun p.60
  4. Where did the boys take cover and hide? In a church at Jay Mountain p.65

Chapter 5

  1. How did the boys disguise themselves? They cut each other’s hair and Pony put peroxide in his hair so he’d look blond p.72
  2. Why was Johnny upset when Pony talked about the previous night? Because he’d killed a guy and didn’t want to think about it p.74
  3. How did Johnny and Pony pass the time in the church? Reading Gone with the Wind, playing poker, talking p.75
  4. What are the two pieces of news Dally told the boys? There was going to be a war between the Socs and the Greasers, and Cherry is their spy p.83

Chapter 6

  1. Why was Johnny thinking about turning himself in? he doesn’t have a record and he killed the guy in self-defense p.87
  2. How did Dally feel about the boys turning themselves in? he was upset; he didn’t want Johnny to spend time in prison since it would change and harden him p.89
  3. Why was Johnny happy when they were saving the kids from the fire? He had purpose; he liked to do good and had an opportunity p.92
  4. What did Pony’s metaphor mean, “I had taken the long way around, but I was finally home. To stay.”? He had finally understood his brother and knew he accepted and loved him p.99

Chapter 7

  1. Why was Pony so upset about Johnny’s condition? Johnny might be paralyzed, and his family wouldn’t be good to him, and they wouldn’t be able to hang out like they used to p.102
  2. What made Pony worried that he and Soda might go to a boys’ home? The newspaper had talked about how the boys worked so hard to stay together p.108
  3. Why did Pony feel like he needed to clean his house? He wanted it to look like their family was put together, so he and Soda wouldn’t need to go to a boys’ home p.113
  4. What did Randy tell Ponyboy when he wanted to talk? That he wasn’t going to the rumble that night and that he was sick of things p.116

Chapter 8

  1.  Why did Johnny change and not want to die anymore? Now that dying was close, he realized he was too young and still had things he wanted to do p.121
  2. Why didn’t Johnny want to see his mom when she came to visit him in the hospital? She always made him feel bad and rejected p.123
  3. Why couldn’t Cherry go see Johnny in the hospital? She couldn’t look at the person who killed her boyfriend p.128

Chapter 9

  1. Why didn’t Darry want Pony to fight in the rumble? He’d lost weight, wasn’t in shape and didn’t look very good p.134
  2. Why did Pony think Darry wouldn’t be a hood all his life? Because Darry wanted to make something of himself p.138
  3. Why was it such a big deal that Paul spoke up to fight Darry? They used to be buddies on the football team and in high school. Now they hated each other p.142
  4. What was Johnny referring to when he told Pony to stay golden? It was a reference to when they talked about gold in the sunset and in the poem p.148

Chapter 10

  1. Why had Dallas robbed a grocery store? He was upset Johnny had died and he wanted to die too p.153
  2. How had Pony been feeling all night and what finally happened to him? Sick; went unconscious for 3 days p.157
  3. Why was it bothering Pony that he might not have asked for Darry while he was sick? He didn’t want Darry to feel bad; he realizes he’s uncomfortable being alone with him p.158

Chapter 11

  1. Who did Ponyboy see in the yearbook and what did he think about? Bob, the Soc who Johnny killed; he thought about what he was like and that he was a real person p.161
  2. What did Randy say during his visit? He mentioned they were going to see the judge the next day and talked about how his dad wanted Randy to tell the truth p.164
  3. What did Pony say when Randy brought up Johnny? That he killed Bob and that Johnny wasn’t dead p.165

Chapter 12

  1. What was the result of the hearing? Pony was acquitted and the case was closed p.168
  2. How did Pony’s attitude change about fighting from the beginning of the story to when the Socs drove up to him at the grocery store? He used to not like fighting, he didn’t want to mess with the Socs; now he wasn’t scared of them and was ready to fight, he was tough and knew he had to be tough to not get hurt p.171
  3. What two things was Soda upset about? A letter he’d sent to Sandy came back unopened and he didn’t like to hear his brothers fight p.174
  4. What did Johnny explain being gold was? You’re gold when you’re a kid and everything’s new, like the dawn p.178
  5. How did Pony begin his theme paper? The same way this story began p.180

Comprehension Questions – #9 Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook

Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook

by Barbara Park

Grades 1-4; Genre - Fiction; GRL M; AR pts: 1.0

A terrible thing happened to Junie B. Jones! And it's called - someone took her new black furry mittens! And they kept them! They didn't even put them in the Lost and Found at school. So when Junie B. finds a wonderful pen, she should be allowed to keep it, too. Right? That's fair. Right? Right?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What did Grandpa Miller buy Junie B.? A pair of black furry mittens p.1
  2. What did Junie B. do at recess? Show her new mittens to everyone p.3
  3. How did Lucille react to Junie B.’s new mittens? She wasn’t impressed, she said her whole family owned fur clothing items p.6

Chapter 2

  1. Why did Mrs. suggest Junie B. put her mittens in her coat pocket? So Junie B. wouldn’t lose them p.8
  2. Who was Junie B. bothering during this chapter with her mittens? Lucille, Williams and Ricardo p.9
  3. Why did Mrs. take Junie B.’s mittens? Junie B. was out of her seat and bothering everyone p.12

Chapter 3

  1. When was Junie B. able to get her mittens back from her teacher? At recess p.15
  2. What was Grace’s idea when the girls were playing horses? Lucille and Junie B. trade horses so Junie B.’s horse can match her black mittens p.17
  3. What was missing when Mrs. blew the whistle at the end of recess? Junie B.’s mittens p.21

Chapter 4

  1. Why did Mrs. want to take Junie B. to the office? To see if her stolen mittens were in the lost and found p.24
  2. What does it mean when someone steals something? To take something that belongs to someone else without their permission p.28
  3. Was Junie B.’s mittens in the lost and found? No p.31

Chapter 5

  1. What did Junie B. find at the drinking fountain? A pen that writes four different colors p.35
  2. What did Junie B. decide to do with the pen? Keep it p.38

Chapter 6

  1. What did Junie B. want her grandpa to do for her? Buy her new mittens p.41
  2. Why couldn’t Grandpa Miller buy Junie B. more furry mittens? He got the last pair p.45
  3. Tell me what happened to Grandpa Miller’s wallet. He lost it at the mall, and someone returned it by putting it in his mailbox; nothing was taken out of it p.46

Chapter 7

  1. Why was Junie B. looking for a kid with tattoos? The crooks she’d seen on tv had tattoos, so if a kid had a tattoo, they would have been a crook p.53
  2. Who had Junie B.’s mittens? A girl with a fluffy pink coat p.55
  3. What should the girl have done when she found the mittens in the grass? Taken them to the lost and found p.60

Chapter 8

  1. Why did Junie B. want the lost and found box? To turn in the pen she found at the drinking fountain p.64
  2. How did Junie B. feel about taking the pen to the lost and found? Happy p.66

Comprehension Questions – Cam Jansen and the Mystery Writer Mystery

Cam Jansen and the Mystery Writer Mystery

by David A. Adler

Grades K-2; Fiction; GRL N; AR pts: 1.0

There's a book fair at school. Cam Jansen and her friends are excited because the famous mystery writer Jim E. Winter will be there to sign books. When Danny's parents discover their car is missing during the signing, Jim E. Winter thinks he can solve the mystery. But will Cam-with her famous photographic memory-solve it first? Click! See if you can spot the clues.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Why was Cam and her mom driving to the school that night? To go to the book fair and see Cam’s favorite author p.1
  2. Describe what a book fair is? It’s a fair that comes into the school a couple of times a year and exhibits and sells lots of books p.7
  3. What did Cam think about Jim E. Winter when she saw him in person? She was surprised he looked much older than his picture, but she wanted to meet him anyway p.9

Chapter 2

  1. What did Danny want to do while they waited in line to see Jim E. Winter? Tell jokes from his new joke books p.12
  2. What does Barry Blake do each time after he solves a mystery? Goes home and helps his mom make dinner p.15
  3. What went missing at the end of this chapter? Danny’s dad’s car p.16

Chapter 3

  1. Why did Jim E. Winter think he was qualified to help solve the mystery of the missing car? He was once a police detective p.18
  2. Why did Jim E. Winter think Mr. Pace didn’t remember what parking space he parked the car in? because he couldn’t remember his license plate number, so how could he remember what number he’d parked in p.21
  3. How would clicking the remote button help Jim E. Winter find the car? When you push the button the lights flash and there’s a horn or beeping sound, so they could easily find the car in the parking lot p.22

Chapter 4

  1. What happened when Jim E. Winter push the remote button? Nothing, they couldn’t see the car p.25
  2. Where did Jim E. Winter go when he couldn’t find the car? Back to signing books p.27
  3. Did Jim E. Winter solve the mystery? No p.27

Chapter 5

  1. Why did Cam have to stay in the gym? The principal and her mother asked her to p.29
  2. Which police officer has been at the school before to help solve other mysteries? Officer Oppen p.30
  3. Who else’s car was stolen? Eric’s dad’s car p.32

Chapter 6

  1. What did Mrs. Jansen say when Cam asked her to help with the mysteries? Yes, but she wanted to come along to make sure she was safe and dry p.34
  2. How did Cam know the thief took the keys out of Mr. Pace’s pocket then returned them again? Mr. Pace is right-handed and puts his keys in his right pocket, but they were in his left pocket p.37
  3. What was missing on his keychain? The key to his car p.39

Chapter 7

  1. Why was Jim E. Winter writing down Cam’s explanation of how the thief stole the cars? He wanted to use it in a book p.41
  2. Why would the thief have parked the first car he stole close to the school? So he could get back to the school quickly and steal another car p.42
  3. Who does Cam think the thief is? The man they saw walking across the street as she and her mom drove up to the school p.44

Chapter 8

  1. Where were the cars being hidden? In a garage p.53
  2. What did the police officer ask Cam to do that made her mother nervous? Identify the man that walked across the street earlier p.54
  3. Why was Jim E. Winter going to put Cam Jansen’s name in a book? Because she helped him solve the mystery p.57

Comprehension Questions – Cam Jansen and the Wedding Cake Mystery

Cam Jansen and the Wedding Cake Mystery

by David A. Adler

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

Cam and her friends are having fun performing in a talent show at the senior center and enjoying cookies from Ken's Bake Shop. But when a wedding cake goes missing from Ken's truck, it's up to Cam to solve the tasty case. Click! along with Came and follow the clues to catch the cake thief!

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Where was Mr. Jansen taking Cam and her friends? To the senior center p.1
  2. Why were they going to the senior center? To help with the talent show p.2
  3. Why was Lucy Lane taking a picture of Bob? So Bob can send the picture with a card to his friends and family for the holidays p.3

Chapter 2

  1. What did Danny do for the talent show? Tell funny jokes p.10
  2. What did Cam do for the talent show? She did memory magic where she took a mental picture of people, then faced the wall and gave the details what she remembered p.12
  3. Where did Lucy Lane and Ken need to go? to a wedding p.14

Chapter 3

  1. Why couldn’t Lucy and Ken go to the wedding? Ken couldn’t find the keys to his truck p.16
  2. Where were Ken’s keys? In the back door of his truck p.19
  3. What’s missing now? The cookies, cake and pastries that were in the back of the truck p.20

Chapter 4

  1. How did the seniors at the center feel about the mystery? They were excited p.22
  2. What clue did Bob find on the ground near the truck? A shopping list with broken cookie and cookie crumbs p.25
  3. What police officers came to help solve the mystery? The same ones that came to school and helped solve the case of the missing computers: Officers Oppen & Davis p.26

Chapter 5

  1. Why did Danny think the thief was across the street? The house across the street has a large window the thief could have looked out and saw the opportunity to steal the desserts p.29
  2. Who lived in the house with the large window and what did they see? An elderly woman; she didn’t see anyone by the truck, but did say there were two trucks p.33
  3. Predict what clue Cam is missing. Listen to your child’s answers p.35

Chapter 6

  1. How did the young man in the bathrobe feel when he opened the door and saw the police officer? Worried that he was in trouble p.37
  2. What was the clue Cam, Eric and her dad were looking for on the ground near the truck? Cookie crumbs p.40
  3. Where did Cam find the cookie crumbs and where did they go? On the ground at the back of the truck; passed her car, passed the next car and on further down the road p.42

Chapter 7

  1. Who does Cam think stole the cake and other desserts? Mr. Fancy p.43
  2. Why does Cam think it was Mr. Fancy? He had a vehicle big enough to put a tall cake p.46
  3. What information did Cam remember from Mr. Fancy’s truck that will help the police find him? The name of his company, his phone number and email address p.49

Chapter 8

  1. What did everyone do while they waited for the police to find Mr. Fancy and call them? continue the talent show p.51
  2. What did Ken give to Cam as a reward for finding his cake and desserts? Lots of delicious muffins, cookies and breads at his bakery p.55
  3. How did Ken and the cake get to the wedding? He took it in Mr. Fancy’s truck and had a police escort p.57

Comprehension Questions – Cam Jansen and the Snowy Day Mystery

Cam Jansen and the Snowy Day Mystery

by David A. Adler

Grades 3-5; Genre - Fiction; GRL M; AR pts: 1.0

It's a very snowy day outside and Cam and Eric's class head to the computer lab. Cam, Eric and Danny can't do any work because three computers are missing! There are only two clues: footprints in the snow outside, and a locked window. This mystery seems impossible to solve, but with Cam Jansen on the case, the thieves don't stand a chance!

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Why are so many parents taking their kids to school? It’s snowing p.1
  2. Why did the bus driver, Mrs. Lane, turn off the engine to the bus before they got to school? There’s a long line of cars, that aren’t moving, leading to the school p.3
  3. Why do people call Jennifer, Cam? It’s her nickname for her photographic memory p.5

Chapter 2

  1. How did Beth feel about Danny’s jokes? She didn’t like them p.10
  2. What was missing in the computer lab? 3 computers p.12

Chapter 3

  1. Why didn’t the thief take the new printer when he stole the computers? He couldn’t fit it through the window p.14
  2. Why did Beth write the clues on the chalkboard? To help them remember then and to help solve the mystery p.17
  3. Why was Eric so confident that Cam could solve this mystery? Because she’s solved other mysteries p.19

Chapter 4

  1. Why is Danny in the school office more than the secretary? Because he gets in trouble a lot p.23
  2. How does Danny think the thief stole the computers? Used a big magnet to unlock the window from the outside, climbed in, then took the windows out through the window p.24
  3. What’s Cam’s theory? That there are two thieves, one handing the computers to another outside p.25

Chapter 5

  1. How did Mrs. Bell feel about her computers being stolen? Upset; she didn’t care that kids were being loud p.30
  2. What two doors did Cam and Eric check to see if they could find where the thief entered the school? The gym doors and back door p.32
  3. Who’s also asking questions and trying to figure out the mystery? The two policemen p.33

Chapter 6

  1. Why did Eric want to go inside so badly? It was cold outside p.37
  2. Why was it easy for the thieves to get away? There were so many people at the school that morning p.37
  3. How did Mrs. Adams show kindness to Cam and Eric when they came back into the school? Let them warm up by her heater and gave them pretzels p.38

Chapter 7

  1. Who does Cam think stole the computers? A person in a blue car p.46
  2. How does she know? A blue car left from the back of the school during the morning drop off p.48

Chapter 8

  1. What did Beth say Danny was guilty of when the police came towards them? bad jokes p.54
  2. What’s the good news the police officers gave the kids? They found the car and computers were still in the trunk p.54
  3. What did Dr. Prell give to the class as a reward for finding the computers? Ice cream cups p.56