Tag Archives: AR

Comprehension Questions Magic Tree House #36 Sunlight on the Snow Leopard

Sunlight on the Snow Leopard

by Mary Pope Osborne

Grades 1-4; Genre - Historical Fiction with Fantastical Elements; GRL N; AR pts. 1.0

Morgan le Fay tells Jack and Annie to seek out "The Gray Ghost" and listen to her story. They are whisked away to Nepal where they meet Tenzin, a climber, who takes them up the mountain to meet a snow leopard.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Summarize what this story is going to be about. Jack and Annie are going to Nepal to find a ghost in the mountains p.1

Chapter 2

  1. List an observation Jack and Annie made of the people in this area. They are hard workers p.19

Chapter 3

  1. How did Annie convince Tenzin to help them find the ghost? She read Morgan’s poem to him and told him they were serious about finding the ghost, not just curious p.25

Chapter 4

  1. What did you learn about Tenzin in this chapter? He’s sad because his wife and daughter died last winter p.34
  2. Predict how Jack and Annie will help him in this story. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 5

  1. Why did Jack agree to follow Tenzin? Tenzin quoted a phrase from the poem and confirmed that they were supposed to follow Tenzin p.42

Chapter 6

  1. How did Tenzin put Jack and Annie at risk? By taking them on treacherous steep ground and for hiking so high p.51

Chapter 7

  1. What is the great ghost and how did Jack and Annie find it? A snow leopard; they tried to find Tenzin and when they hiked up to him, the snow leopard was with him. She was difficult to see because she blended in with the rocks p.59

Chapter 8

  1. How do you think the snow leopard is wise and what secret does she have to tell? Listen to your child’s answer p.62

Chapter 9

  1. Why didn’t Jack want to tell Ama and the girls about the snow leopard. Tenzin has a special bond with the snow leopard, and they want him to be the one to talk about her if he wants to p.72
  2. Have you ever had a story that was your own that you haven’t wanted anyone else to share or talk about? Explain. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 10

  1. Were you correct in your assumption about what the poem means? Listen to your child’s answer
  2. If not, what is answer? The secret is love hides in plain sight, and we are never alone p.82
  3. What did you like about this story? Listen to your child’s answer

Comprehension Questions Little House on the Prairie #2 Farmer Boy

Farmer Boy

by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Grades 4-8; Genre - Historical Fiction; GRL P; AR pts. 9.0

Nine-year-old Almanzo lives with his family on a big farm in New York State at the end of the nineteenth century where he raises his own two calves, helps cut ice and shear sheep, and longs for the day he can have his own colt.

Comprehension Questions

School Days

  1. How does Almanzo’s school compare to the school you go to? The boys sit on one side of the schoolhouse and girls sit on the other; it has all ages in one classroom and isn’t split into separate classes; three children cannot talk or move; the girls went to recess first for 15 minutes, then the boys would go to recess 15 minutes; if they are late, they get whipped p.1

Winter Evening

  1. Give two examples in this chapter that show you that Almanzo loves and respects his parents. He listens and obeys his Dad about the horses and not taking a lantern into the haymows; pleased with himself that his father recognized he was a good milker and he knew he would milk the cows that are difficult to milk now; he knew his father was a good and honest man; he felt his mother was beautiful and listened and obeyed her as well p.17

Winter Night

  1. What part of this chapter did you enjoy? Listen to your child’s answer p.30

Surprise

  1. How did Mr. Corse defend himself and “best” the big boys of the class? One at a time, he used a whip to wrap around them; using the whip, he moved them to the door and threw them out; three of the boys saw they were going to get thrown out with the whip and they jumped out of the window; Almanzo’s dad gave Mr. Corse the whip p.44

Birthday

  1. What was special about Almanzo’s birthday? His father made him a yoke for his two calves and a sled; he didn’t have to go to school; he could eat all the treats he wanted; he went sledding and started to train his calves; he helped his dad make a shingle p.49

Filling the Ice-House

  1. What did Almanzo’s family use as a refrigerator in the summer? The ice-house
  2. How did Almanzo help with the ice-house? He and Royal put saw dust between each block of ice and covered the ice blocks with 3” of sawdust p.72
  3. What do you talk about with your siblings as you work together? Listen to your child’s answer

Saturday Night

  1. Describe the process Almanzo’s family used to take their baths on Saturday night. Almanzo and Royal hit icicles down from the kitchen eaves to fill the tub; Almanzo was the first to bath; Alice would empty his tub and fill her own; and each member of the family would take turns emptying the person’s tub that just bathed and then fill their own tub; this prevented the family from getting a cold p.82

Sunday

  1. Almanzo went to church in this chapter. Have you ever been to church? Describe your experience there. If not, then share what Almanzo did at his church. Almanzo sat and looked at the preacher during church; it was two hours long p.90

Breaking the Calves

  1. What lesson did Almanzo learn in this chapter? He needs to teach his calves how to follow commands while he is riding the sled p.105

Turn of the Year

  1. How did Almanzo’s family gather sugar for the year? They put taps on the trees and gathered sap; they boiled it to sugar; then they put it in buckets to harden p.110

Springtime

  1. List the vegetables Almanzo and his family planted in the spring? Potatoes, carrots, corn p.125
  2. Have you ever planted a seed? What type of plant was it? What did you need to do to help it grow? Water it and make sure it has sunlight. Listen to your child’s answer

Tin-Peddler

  1. What did Mother trade for the tin wear? Rags she made p.138
  2. Why didn’t Mr. Brown expect her to pay with money? Money was scarce in those days and goods were highly prized. Mother made the rags and they were important for Mr. Brown to have for his pans p.138

The Strange Dog

  1. Why do you think the dog stayed the night Father sold the horses? Listen to your child’s answer
  2. Why is it important the strange black dog came to Almanzo’s house? Whatever the reason, the dog stopped two men from robbing his family p.152

Sheep-Shearing

  1. How did Almanzo’s father give the sheep a bath? They put soap on the sheep and dragged it out into deep water and rubbed the wool of the sheep until the soap was rinsed out p.155
  2. What distracted Almanzo from his job and why was it a problem? He saw his cat run with a mouse in its mouth, and went to go see its new kittens; he got behind in his job p.158

Cold Snap

  1. Summarize this chapter. There was a cold snap the night before July 4th. Almanzo’s family had to take water and pour some over each corn plant to save it from the frost before the sun came up; once the sun hit the frozen plants, it would kill them, the water saved them; they only lost 1/4 acre and saved 2.75 acres p.163

Independence Day

  1. Define patriotism. The quality of being patriotic; devotion to and vigorous support for one's country.
  2. Why is patriotism important? 1) The country will benefit from the knowledge and skills of patriotic citizens as they show patriotism, hard work and loyalty. 2) The country will grow and succeed. 3) There will be peace and unity in the country.
  3. How did Almanzo’s family and town celebrate Independence Day? Dressed up in Sunday best; gathered in town; had a band that played and marched; said the pledge of allegiance; had political speakers; had a picnic together; American flags furling in the wind; lemonade stand; shot off cannons p.177
  4. How do you show patriotism for your country? Listen to your child’s answer.
  5. Why was it difficult for Almanzo to ask his father for a nickel? Respectable boys at that time didn’t ask their fathers for money p.182
  6. What did Almanzo learn in this chapter? Importance of earning money with hard work and how America was made p.177

Summer-Time

  1. What are two fond memories Almanzo made in this chapter? Going fishing with his father when it was raining and spending the day with his family berry picking p.195

Keeping House

  1. How was Eliza Jane a good sister in this chapter? She helped take care of the house with mother and father gone; she patched up the wallpaper when Almanzo made a black mark on the wall when he threw a paintbrush at her p.203

Early Harvest

  1. What does the word harvest mean?
  2. How did Almanzo help his family harvest their fields? He helped spread out hay and then stack it in the barn; helped bind oats and shock them (put stacks of grain around them to protect them from dew/rain); put rocks around the bean stakes and wrap bean stalks around them p.228

Late Harvest

  1. What’s the difference between the early harvest and late harvest? There was a rush to get everything into the barns so the frost wouldn’t ruin the crops; they harvested different crops; it was freezing cold while they worked p.240

County Fair

  1. When Almanzo won first prize for his pumpkin, why was he worried that he cheated? He had grown it with milk and realized that it may be against the rules p.273
  2. What gave Almanzo confidence that he hadn’t cheated? His father taught him how to grow the pumpkin, and his father wasn’t a cheater p.273
  3. Why did Almanzo grow tired of having a good time? He was used to working hard and accomplishing a lot throughout the day and he didn’t like that there wasn’t purpose to his days p.274
  4. Do you agree with Almanzo that three days at the fair was too much fun? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer

Fall of the Year

  1. How did Father know it was going to snow without a weather channel or app to tell him? He knew what the weather felt like; he had learned throughout his life what different weather and pressure in the air felt like, just like he knew the ground was going to freeze earlier in the book p.277
  2. Why was it important for Almanzo’s family to butcher the animals and make candles? To give them food and light throughout the winter and through to next fall p.284

Cobbler

  1. List two things from this chapter that we do not do anymore. Drink tea out of a saucer; have a cobbler come to our homes to make shoes; use a corn husker p.285

The Little Bobsled

  1. Why couldn’t Father and Almanzo work outside the next day? The storm would be too big p.304

Threshing

  1. Use a word to describe how Almanzo felt at the end of this chapter and explain why. Listen to your child’s answer p.311

Christmas

  1. Describe what your Christmas looks like and compare it to the one Almanzo celebrated in this chapter. What does Almanzo do differently? Listen to your child’s answer. Almanzo helped get everything ready on Christmas Eve; they went to bed and woke up really early (earlier than they were supposed to) and opened presents; they enjoyed their gifts and then got ready for family to come over; family came over and they had a big dinner; the cousins went out to play in the snow; they then came inside and had apple cider and ate apples; the cousins wrapped up and went home bundled up on their sleigh p.312

Wood-Hauling

  1. Summarize this chapter. Almanzo helped Father gather logs for firewood; he faced trials steering his calves, loading the logs and getting stuck in a snowdrift. His father gave him encouragement but let him figure out how to solve his predicaments. Share an experience where you learned something through sheer experience p.329

Mr. Thompson’s Pocketbook

  1. What good characteristic did Almanzo show in this chapter and how did it benefit him? He was honest with Mr. Thompson’s pocketbook; Mr. Paddock made sure that Mr. Thompson rewarded him with $200 p.354

Farmer Boy

  1. How did Almanzo tell Father that he wanted to be a farmer? He wanted to buy a colt and break it; this showed his father that he wanted to be on the farm just like him p.371
  2. What did you like about this story? Listen to your child’s answer.

Comprehension Questions – The Swindle Series #1 Swindle

Swindle

by Gordon Korman

Grades 3-7; Genre - Mystery; GRL T; AR pts. 5.0

After unscrupulous collector S. Wendell Palomino cons sixth-grader Griffin Bing out of a valuable baseball card, Griffin puts together a band of misfits to break into Palomino's heavily guarded store and steal the card back.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Summarize how this story begins? Two boys are in a condemned building sleeping over. They invited a whole crew of others and even gave them a plan of how to sneak out of their homes, but no one else showed. The boys talked about why no one else came and reviewed the stories they had heard of how the horse was haunted p.1

Chapter 2

  1. Describe Griffin and how he found the baseball card. A man with a plan; curly hair; determined to not be taken advantage of; stands up for what he believes in even if it’s misguided; comes from a home where parents are trying to make ends meet. He found the card by exploring the haunted home. It was in a locked drawer on a desk p.10

Chapter 3

  1. List two things you learn about Griffin in this chapter. He and Ben are in sixth grade; Griffin always sticks to the plan p.17

Chapter 4

  1. How is Griffin going to fight fire with fire? By stealing the card back from the man at the pawn shop p.40

Chapter 5

  1. Describe Ben and list a characteristic that Ben showed in this chapter. Griffin’s friend who follows him and always supports him; in the 6th grade; also stands up for what he believes in; he showed integrity in this chapter by standing up to Griffin and not wanting to rob the pawn shop p.41

Chapter 6

  1. What changed Ben’s mind about the heist? He saw that Griffin’s house was for sale and Griffin told him about his family’s financial situation p.56

Chapter 7

  1. What security fact did Griffin forget to put on his plan? The Doberman p.61

Chapter 8

  1. What two items of the plan were worked out in this chapter? Savannah is working to tame the Doberman, and Ben’s dad helped them figure out the alarm code p.69

Chapter 9

  1. What was Savannah’s reaction when the boys told her what they were up and what was the consequence? She was angry and yelled. The Doberman began to grovel and whimper at Savannah p.76

Chapter 10

  1. What could derail the heist at this point? Ben falling asleep and missing the next step p.87

Chapter 11

  1. Why do you think the safe and dog aren’t at the store? Listen to your child’s answer p.92

Chapter 12

  1. Find a simile on page 95. “Yet, deep down, it was like trying to enjoy great food while suffering from a gut-blaster stomachache.”
  2. What is Ben expressing in the last two sentences of page 95. Even though Griffin’s family is taking them to fun places, it’s hard to enjoy being there when you know Griffin is moving and there won’t be fun times anymore. Ben is thinking about the times they’ve spent together in the past, knowing there won’t be times together in the future p.95
  3. How did the boys find where the card is? They found the Doberman and realized the card and safe were taken to Swindle’s house p.98

Chapter 13

  1. Summarize this chapter. The boys went to Swindle’s house and found Luther and found he uses a high-tech security system. They also met Swindle’s neighbor and learned he is always outside observing the activities in the neighborhood. Their teacher helped them figure out where to go to see Swindle’s floor plan to get into his house p.100

Chapter 14

  1. Predict how the boys will get into the house via the bathroom skylight? Listen to your child’s answer p.116

Chapter 15

  1. Were you correct in your previous prediction? Listen to your child’s answer
  2. Griffin thinks the heist will be easy once each person’s job is broken down. What do you think might go wrong? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 16

  1. Why didn’t Griffin want Darren on the team? He’s a talker and might tell on them; they don’t trust him p.132

Chapter 17

  1. If you were a part of this heist, what responsibility would you want to have? Why? Listen to your child’s answer p.133

Chapter 18

  1. Does Griffin have a right to be nervous about the heist? What could go wrong? Listen to your child’s answer p.144
  2. Why do you think the card is cold? Listen to your child’s answer p.147

Chapter 19

  1. How was the heist going so far? Really well. The only hiccup they’ve had so far is Melissa intercepted an email to Palomino and the auction wanted to pick up the card early, but Griffin responded to them with the wrong address p.150

Chapter 20

  1. Choose a word to describe the team and how they worked together in this chapter. Explain. Flexible-Ben knew he couldn’t climb to the roof because of his narcolepsy and Melissa was happy to swap responsibilities. Encouraging-when Darren slipped on the roof, no one made fun of him, Pitch encouraged him and gave him clear instructions p.159

Chapter 21

  1. What went wrong with the heist? The vent pipe and Pitch fell into the house spraining her ankle; now the crew can’t exit the house that way
  2. What do you think Luther is trying to tell Savannah? Listen to your child’s answer p.171

Chapter 22

  1. What problems did the crew solve in this chapter? Melissa figured out the security system so they can get out of the house without triggering the alarm; Savannah found out why Luther was agitated, there’s a mean German shepherd in the basement. She shut the dog into the room, but it’s hitting the door trying to break it down p.172

Chapter 23

  1. What complicated the plan even further in this chapter? The man finally arrived to pick up the card; Ben fell asleep so he didn’t warn everyone; the card wasn’t in the safe p.180

Chapter 24

  1. Predict what Griffin is going to do to get the card out of the tree. Listen to your child’s answer p.193

Chapter 25

  1. Why did Griffin and his friends respect Griffin’s dad more in this chapter? They used his invention to get the card out of the tree and saw that it was a great invention p.199

Chapter 26

  1. Ben missed everything that happened inside the house. Pretend you are talking to him and tell him what happened from the time you climbed the roof to when he ran over to see what was going on. Listen to your child’s answer p.208
  2. Yikes! A police car is in front of Griffin’s house when he gets there. Why do you think they are there and predict what Griffin will do. Listen to your child’s answer p.208

Chapter 27

  1. Describe the sight Palomino probably saw when he arrived to his home. A broken window with glass all over the floor; dogs laying down in the kitchen; turkey skeleton on the floor of the kitchen; an empty plastic baggie that held the card p.214

Chapter 28

  1. What the heist crew did was a serious crime. Predict what will happen when the police arrive? Listen to your child’s answer p.223
  2. Use a word to describe how Griffin is feeling right now? Explain. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 29

  1. What consequence is Griffin feeling now that he hadn’t predicted? How this would affect his parents p.231

Chapter 30

  1. Find a metaphor on page 237 and explain what the author means by using it. Ex. “It was a glowing coal on an icy night, a tiny measure of justice.” Griffin was feeling satisfied that Palamino didn’t have many customers amidst the possibility of getting arrested p.237

Chapter 31

  1. Why did Officer Vizzini finally arrest Griffin? He had the card and now there was evidence to arrest him p.242
  2. Why is the officer going to release Griffin? Palomino isn’t pressing charges and the card is being sent to the last surviving member of the Rockford family p.245
  3. Why isn’t Griffin’s family moving anymore? The publicity from the card has generated interest from investors for the SmartPick p.247

Chapter 32

  1. What’s ironic with who ended up with the baseball card? It went to Darren, who tried to steal the card during the heist p.250
  2. What did the money go towards and why? The Cedarville Museum where the Rockford house used to be. Darren’s parents didn’t want to reward him for stealing the card p.250
  3. What did you enjoy about this story? Listen to your child’s answer

Comprehension Questions – A to Z Mysteries The Goose’s Gold

The Goose's Gold

by Ron Roy

There’s sunken treasure off the Florida coast! On the day after they arrive for vacation, Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose meet two men who are diving for gold from their boat, the Golden Goose. They promise to share with anyone who backs their plan. Is it too good to be true?

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

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe the setting in this story. Key West, Florida; beautiful warm weather, beaches, ocean p.1
  2. How did the author set up the mystery in this story? Dink overheard someone talking about dough and a goose in the telephone booth next to him; the man in the booth had tan hairy ankles and had an eagle head tattoo p.2

Chapter 2

  1. Who did the kids meet in this chapter and what do their new acquaintances do? Chip and Spike; they own a boat and dive for treasure p.16

Chapter 3

  1. Where did the kids explore in this chapter and what did they find? Mel Fisher’s Treasure Museum; gold necklace p.23
  2. Who is coming over to Grams? Spike and Chip p.27

Chapter 4

  1. Explain how Grams know Spike and Chip. The men came to the senior center and asked the people there to be investors p.28

Chapter 5

  1. Why was Dink bothered in this chapter? Something Spike whispered to Chip was very familiar to what he heard the man whisper in the telephone booth at the airport p.41

Chapter 6

  1. Do you think Dink has a reason to be suspicious? Explain. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 7

  1. What clue did the kids find when they were at the beach? Chip and Spike’s boat was called the Golden Goose p.52
  2. What is Dink’s backup plan to see if Spike has a tattoo? Create a tattoo contest p.54

Chapter 8

  1. Should the kids have gotten on the boat without Spike and Chip’s permission? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer p.61

Chapter 9

  1. What predicament did the kids find themselves in? Chip and Spike came back and took the boat out to the ocean; the kids hid and were trapped in a storage area under the floor of the boat p.66

Chapter 10

  1. Summarize this chapter. Spike and Chip took an ax and chopped up the boat to sink it. They took off in the dingy. The kids came out of the trap door and jumped into the ocean p.72

Chapter 11

  1. What was the conclusion to this story? The coast guard saved the kids; Chip and Spike were caught, and the money they stole was given back; the gold the men had at the beginning of the story was stolen from a museum and the reward money was going to the kids; Grams invited the kids back to visit next summer p.78

Comprehension Questions – A to Z Mysteries The Ninth Nugget

The Ninth Nugget

by Ron Roy

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

N is for Nugget . . . Howdy from Montana, pardners! Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose are spending a week at a dude ranch. When they pan for gold, Josh finds a huge nugget. But gold fever has struck, and soon the nugget is stolen. It’s up to the kids to round up the thief.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Summarize the premise of this story and who the characters are (you don’t need to include the main characters). The friends are in Wyoming at a ranch; they won this experience from helping the person who lost the lottery ticket; Ma and Pa own the ranch, Jud is their son, Lulu is the cook and Thumbs (but we’re not sure who he is yet) p.1

Chapter 2

  1. Summarize Thumb’s story around the campfire. A fire was started in the woods with lightning. A bear cub came running from the woods and was burned; they caught him and took him to the vet the next morning and when he was better, he was sent to a zoo. The mama bear came running through destroying everything, looking for her cub but couldn’t find it. The mama bear is still looking for her cub and comes through the camp 2-3 times each summer p.18

Chapter 3

  1. What do you think the noises on the porch were from? Listen to your child’s answer p.25

Chapter 4

  1. Choose a word to describe Josh and explain what his reward was. Determined; patient; he found a potato sized gold nugget p.34

Chapter 5

  1. Who are the other guests at the ranch? Fiona, Ed, the Clydes p.15
  2. Who stayed back at the ranch during the horse ride? Ed, Fiona, Thumbs p.42

Chapter 6

  1. Why do you think the dinner bell is ringing when it’s the afternoon? Listen to your child’s answer p.51

Chapter 7

  1. Were you correct in your prediction? Listen to your child’s answer
  2. What was the emergency? Someone had tied up Lulu, Fiona and Ed and the large nugget was missing from the safe p.52

Chapter 8

  1. Why do the friends suspect Thumbs? He was the only one who wasn’t on the ride the entire time. He could have tied everyone up, stole the gold and raced out to the meadow on his horse p.62

Chapter 9

  1. Do you agree that Josh lied to Ma to get out of playing cards? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer p.71

Chapter 10

  1. Why is it suspicious that Ed is pacing and getting ready to leave the ranch? If he were the robber, he’d want to get off the ranch as quickly as possible so he wouldn’t get caught p.79

Chapter 11

  1. Use another word to describe Josh in this chapter and explain why you chose it. Selfless, charitable; he donated his nugget to the ranch to save it p.86

Comprehension Questions – We Are Family

We Are Family

by LeBron James and Andrea Williams

Grades 4-7; Genre - Fiction; GRL not known; AR pts. 7.0

For each kid, Hoop Group was more than just a chance to ball; it was an escape, a dream, a family. Now their prospects seem all but impossible—but then the world hasn’t met Jayden, Tamika, Chris, Anthony, and Dex before. Determined to have their shot, the five new friends scrap, hustle, fight, and play hard to save their season to prove that sometimes a chance is all it takes. Some mature content.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe Jayden, his situation and his motivation. Jayden is beginning 7th grade, he and his mom live with his grandma, he sleeps in the bed and feels guilty while his mom sleeps on the couch, his mom works for an attorney and she is trying to make ends meet; he has a deal with his grandma that he can practice basketball in the morning if all of his homework is finished the night before; he is practicing basketball to be able to play professionally, to help his family get into a better living situation p.1

Chapter 2

  1. What lesson did Roddy teach Jayden that morning? It’s important to tackle challenges that get in the way of a goal
  2. On the bottom of page 18, Roddy uses the word “paint”. What does this word mean on the court? It is the rectangular area directly under the hoop, also known as the "key" or "free throw line"

Chapter 3

  1. Why does Jayden decide to keep the shoes? His mother got them for him and left a note saying she believed he could do anything he set his mind to and that the shoes are to be a reminder of that p.22
  2. Why did Anthony pick on Tyson the year before and why was he mad that Tyson handed everything over? He was hoping Tyson would put up a fuss to start a fight, but since Tyson didn’t, Anthony started the fight anyway p.25
  3. What does Anthony enjoy? Creative writing p.27

Chapter 4

  1. Explain why Coach Beck’s news was so devastating? Everyone knew Hoop Group was their only opportunity to get exposure to prep schools, which were the schools they wanted to go to p.35

Chapter 5

  1. Describe two emotions in this chapter and explain why the characters felt that way. Ex. Dejected-Tamika’s father didn’t choose her to be a captain and chose Jayden over her to run Hoop Group; Pride-Coach chose Jayden to be over Hoops Group and told him he was looking forward to coaching him the most out of anyone. He complimented Jayden and told him he has real potential and to stick with basketball p.47

Chapter 6

  1. Describe Chris’s father. His name is Cam and he’s not happy that Coach Beck retired. He is cooking up a scheme so Hoops Group can continue; his brother is basketball star, Kendrick King; served time in jail for a previous scheme involving his brother and now Kendrick isn’t talking to him; jealous of his brother and is always trying to prove himself p.50
  2. Describe Dex’s home situation. His mom is a single mom working full time at a diner; she’s also going to the community college to get her associate degree, so she doesn’t have a lot of time to spend with him; he cooks dinner every night and waits alone until she gets home at 8:00pm, his friends are not a good influence, so he has distanced himself from them; he watches a lot of YouTube p.54

Chapter 7

  1. Summarize this chapter. Jayden, Chris, Tamika, Dex and Anthony are the only ones who show up for Hoop Group; Tamika claimed the title of captain and the boys play two on two. Chris and Jayden start to fight and Anthony breaks it up. Chris and Jayden leave. p.60

Chapter 8

  1. Choose a character highlighted in this chapter and describe what struggle they are facing and their attitude as they deal with it.
  2. Jayden: Coach Beck stepping down from Hoop Group; he quit
  3. Tamika: discouraged since her father doesn’t believe in her; Hoop Group is going to win tournament
  4. Anthony: his mother and father are struggling with some things; this is still being developed in the story, but he copes with his struggles through poetry p.66

Chapter 9

  1. What Hoop Group progress did Tamika make in this chapter? She convinced principal Kim to be the chaperone so Hoop Group could continue p.81

Chapter 10

  1. After Anthony shares what is happening in his family, he is surprised to see Tamika’s response. On page 94, “Anthony is frozen, weighted by the gravity of Tamika’s judgement-free acceptance.” How is gravity used in this context? This is a heavy subject, and Tamika has chosen to accept Anthony and his struggles, and it really means a lot to him. He understands that her behavior is unusual and isn’t to be taken lightly p.94

Chapter 11

  1. Why is Tamika against asking her dad for help? He always discourages her and she feels rejected by him p.101

Chapter 12

  1. Describe Hoop Group practice in this chapter. Dex gets Chris to go by saying he’ll help him with his papers. Practice went well without any fighting. They realize Jayden isn’t playing in either group. Chris agrees that if they can convince Jayden to join Hoop Group, he’ll join too p.104

Chapter 13

  1. Why does the Ballers Group feel shady to Jayden? The star players were sitting on the bench most of the game; Cam might have just been telling Jayden what he wanted to hear to get him to join; they were charging money p.115

Chapter 14

  1. How is Tamika a good leader and coach in this chapter? She doesn’t worry that their team lost to 10-year-olds. She instead focuses on how they worked together and how each person has improved p.126

Chapter 15

  1. What is one characteristic that Dex showed in this chapter. Explain. Courage-to stand up for Anthony p.141

Chapter 16

  1. Why did Chris decide to attend Hoop Group at the end of the chapter? His dad said the Ballers didn’t need him and he felt let down, rejected p.152

Chapter 17

  1. Describe the game against Austinberg and the impact it has on Jayden. Hoop Group has only four players, but they kept fighting until the end even though they lost pretty significantly. Jayden was impressed with how the players on Hoop Group came together and played so well as a team. He realized how much he misses playing basketball p.156

Chapter 18

  1. What message does Roddy give Jayden in this chapter. To not lose sight of the future as he tries to figure out the present and that he needs to take care of himself before he can take care of others p.164

Chapter 19

  1. During Tamika’s conversation with her dad, he got upset at her. What reaction do you think she was looking for? She probably thought he would be proud of her for continuing Hoop Group and for what she has accomplished p.175
  2. Where did Tamika find support? Her mom encouraged her to keep fighting and to show her dad she can accomplish her goals p.178

Chapter 20

  1. Summarize this chapter. It’s the morning of the Shoot, Dunk and Spin Classic and Jayden is trying to distract himself by working on his English assignment. Grams reads it and encourages him to follow his dreams. Roddy calls and asks Jayden to fill in at a pizza booth at the Classic and he accepts p.179

Chapter 21

  1. How did Hoop Group do in the competition? Tamika and Dex took first place in their contests; Chris took third and Anthony was in the middle of the pack. They were getting ready to forfeit the last competition and go home, but Tamika saw Jayden running to the judges table to sign up and join their team p.186

Chapter 22

  1. Summarize how Jayden performs in his contest? He wins! It came close but he dug deep and came out victorious p.199

Chapter 23

  1. How has Hoop Group changed throughout the story? There are less people, but those that are there are dedicated and need it. Everyone’s skill has improved and they work well together p.216

Chapter 24

  1. Do you agree with Tamika’s words and actions towards her father? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer p.217

Chapter 25

  1. What influenced Tamika to change her mind so rashly about her future and basketball? Her dad’s fall and close encounter with death; she realized that what her dad thought was more important than her stubbornness p.224

Chapter 26

  1. What influenced Coach Beck’s change of heart and his new commitment to Tamika? He felt the presence of the Lord tell him to love Tamika better p.230
  2. Have you ever had an experience where you or someone you know has felt the presence of the Lord? Explain. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 27

  1. List two exciting things that happen in this chapter. Kendrick King has shown up to the game and agreed to coach the Hoop Group program; Hoop Group wins the tournament; Chris is humble and gives the play to Jayden p.233

Chapter 28

  1. At the end of this story, Jayden wanted to think about his win, his mom’s new job and the power of hope. What does the phrase “power of hope” mean to you? Listen to your child’s answer p.247
  2. What did you like about this story? Listen to your child’s answer

Comprehension Questions – Little House on the Prairie #4 On the Banks of Plum Creek

On the Banks of Plum Creek

by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Grades 4-7; Genre-Historical Fiction; GRL Q; AR pts. 8.0

After moving to Minnesota, the Ingalls family encounters a terrible blizzard and a grasshopper plague. The plot contains racial prejudice within historical context.

Comprehension Questions

The Door in the Ground

  1. How does this story begin? Laura’s family has traveled to Minnesota; they traded their horses, mule and wagon cover for a dugout and wheat fields p.1

The House in the Ground

  1. Describe the dugout. A little house dug out of the side of a hill; clean and small; whitewashed; willow branches and sod used for walls and roof p.10

Rushes and Flags

  1. Why does Ma say the girls will turn into “water bugs”? They are always playing in the water and come into the house all wet p.20

Deep Water

  1. Why don’t Ma and Pa want the girls to go upstream to the hole full of deep, dark water? They don’t want the girls to go by themselves in case they drown or get hurt p.23
  2. How did Pa teach Laura a lesson? When she continued to go out into the deep water after being told not to, Pa swam under and grabbed her foot, pulling her under the water p.24

Strange Animal

  1. What helped Laura stay safe and not go to the swimming hole? A badger p.30
  2. Why did Laura tell her Pa that she disobeyed him? She felt guilty and she knew she needed to p.33
  3. Have you been in a situation where you haven’t been honest and knew you needed to tell the truth? Explain. Listen to your child’s answer

Wreath of Roses

  1. Why is it exciting for Laura’s family to have a milk cow? They have been without milk and butter since they left Indian Territory p.40

Ox on the Roof

  1. How did the ox get on the roof? An ox got away from Laura and Jack as they tried to take him to the stable and he ran on their roof. One of his legs went through but out didn’t seem to do any harm; however, the next morning, the roof collapsed p.47

Straw Stack

  1. Why did the girls get in trouble for playing on the straw stack? As they jumped, slid and rolled down it, it spread the straw out; Pa needed the straw to be in a stack so he could feed it to the animals throughout the winter p.60

Grasshopper Weather

  1. Define grasshopper weather. Warm weather around Thanksgiving; nights are chilly, days are warm p.63

Cattle in the Hay

  1. Summarize this chapter. Ma, Pa, and Carrie went to town. Mary and Laura stayed home. Laura saw the cattle trampling and eating the hay. Jack helped them run at the cattle and finally got them to leave to the prairie. The cattle were there because Johnny had fallen asleep p.67

Runaway

  1. What scary event happened in this chapter? When the Ma and Pa were coming back from town, Bright couldn’t wait to eat at the stable and ran home without listening to Pa. Ma and Carrie almost fell to the riverbed in the wagon p.74

The Christmas Horses

  1. What is Ma’s explanation of Santa Claus? He is more than one person; he is everywhere and he is all the time. Whenever anyone was unselfish, that was Santa Claus p.85
  2. Do you agree or disagree with Ma? Listen to your child’s answer

A Merry Christmas

  1. What special gifts were given and received on Christmas? Mary and Laura made Carrie a beautiful button string and they all received candy in their stockings. They also received two beautiful horses and got to ride them down to the water p.93

Spring Freshet

  1. Laura was excited about the roaring creek. How would you have felt seeing and hearing so much water so close to your home? Listen to your child’s answer p.98

The Footbridge

  1. What sticky situation did Laura get herself into? She snuck outside and got into the roaring creek holding onto the footbridge. She could have drowned since the water was so strong, but she pulled herself out and was ok p.101

The Wonderful House

  1. If you previously read the book, Little House on the Prairie, compare the home Pa built in that story to the home he built in this book. In Indian territory, Pa built a home from logs he cut and stacked himself. This home is made from boards that were cut from a machine, there were lots of windows and a lean to attached. Pa also purchased a black stove p.107

Moving In

  1. List two things Laura found exciting as they moved into their new house. The new stove for Ma; there was so much light coming in from the windows; the curtains Ma had sewn; Laura and Mary’s new room with their own boxes; that she could hear the rain on the roof p.118

The Old Crab and the Bloodsuckers

  1. What did Mary and Laura find along the path Pa told them to take? Shallow water with minnows, a crawdad and leeches or bloodsuckers p.128
  2. Have you ever had leeches stuck to your skin? Explain. Listen to your child’s answer

The Fish-Trap

  1. Summarize how Pa helped Laura understand the importance of going to school. Not every child gets a chance to go; he promised her Ma their girls would go; that’s why they moved so close to a town with a school; her Ma used to be a teacher and understands the importance of book learning p.138

School

  1. Summarize Laura and Mary’s first day of school. They arrived and met a few other kids; the teacher rang the bell and they went inside; the teacher found out their names, ages, and their reading level; the teacher let them borrow her slate; at lunch, everyone else went home while Laura and Mary ate their lunch in the shade p.152

Nellie Olson

  1. Choose two words that describe Nellie Oleson. Give an example of each from this chapter. Example: Spoiled - Father gave her directions, but she didn’t listen and didn’t get in trouble when she should have; selfish - She has to have her way, playing Ring-around-a-rosy p.155&157

Town Party

  1. Did Laura enjoy the party? Why, or why not? Yes and no; yes because she got to play with new toys and beautiful books; no because Nellie yelled at her for almost touching her doll’s silky dress p.160

Country Party

  1. How did Laura get Nellie back? Guided her into the muddy water with the blood suckers p.174

Going to Church

  1. Pa is very kind and selfless. Give an example of a way he showed these characteristics in this chapter. Giving his hard-earned money to the church to put a bell in the belfry instead of buying himself new boots p.190

The Glittering Cloud

  1. Describe the devastation in this chapter. A giant grasshopper cloud came through the area and ate everything in sight. Because the wheat crop is eaten by the grasshoppers, Pa didn’t have wheat to sell and couldn’t pay off the house. Their friends had to move out east. p.192

Grasshopper Eggs

  1. Why did Pa leave? To go find work since the crop was eaten and the grasshoppers have laid eggs throughout the prairie. There won’t be a crop next year since there will be many more grasshoppers p.208

Rain

  1. Why was the rain such a blessing? It had been so dry that nothing new had grown since the grasshopper cloud ate everything. The cattle were starving and the water in the creek and spring was drying up p.213

The Letter

  1. What good news did Laura’s family receive? Pa was ok and found work. He walked 300 miles to find work and is getting paid a dollar a day and can buy new shoes. He also sent $5 home to them. P.226

The Darkest Hour is Just Before Dawn

  1. What does the title of this chapter mean? Things were bleak and difficult on the prairie without Pa. When things became the most difficult, Pa came home. The symbolism of this title is that at night, just before down, it feels so dark outside, but then morning comes and everything is a little better p.228

Going to Town

  1. Did Ma and Pa purchase the chalice and overcoat? No
  2. Why not? They both felt they needed to save that money since they aren’t sure what will happen next year p.243

Surprise

  1. For Christmas, everyone in town received gifts from Brother Alden’s Church members in the East. Have you ever given gifts to people you don’t know at Christmas time? How did it feel? Listen to your child’s answer

Grasshoppers Walking

  1. What strange behavior did the grasshoppers have? For three days, they started walking westward. By the fourth day, they spread their wings and flew west in the same type of cloud they arrived in. 262
  2. With your parent’s permission, do an internet search to find out if the grasshoppers’ behavior was common or was a phenomenon.

Wheels of Fire

  1. How did Mr. Nelson act like a good neighbor in this chapter? He saw the smoke and took the initiative to help put out the fire before it got to the Ingall’s home p.271

Marks on the Slate

  1. List two positives and two negatives of living on the prairie during the time Laura and her family lived. Positives: different type of freedom, simplistic life, learn to work hard, learn to be self-sufficient; negatives: Blizzards are scary; fire is a threat without fire stations; crops can be ruined due to drought and grasshoppers p.281

Keeping House

  1. Why did the girls bring in the entire wood pile? A blizzard hit and Ma and Pa were in town. The girls didn’t want to have to burn up the furniture or die from the cold p.286

Prairie Winter

  1. How did Laura’s family make it through these winter storms? There was a sunny day between each storm, so they learned to take advantage of the sunny weather and play outside, do laundry, check the traps, cut firewood, etc. p.296

The Long Blizzard

  1. What feeling do you think Ma has at the beginning of this chapter? Listen to your child’s answer
  2. What was the consequence for not listening to it? Pa is away from home when the storm comes in and they don’t know if he’s safe
  3. Have you ever had a feeling like that before? Listen to your child’s answer

The Day of Games

  1. Why did Ma play games instead of have the girls study? They were sad and worried about Pa, so she wanted to distract them p.316
  2. Why do the girls feel like they can’t cry? Back during this time in history, it isn’t appropriate for them to p.320

The Third Day

  1. Summarize this chapter. The storm went on fiercely; Ma did the chores and the girls tried to study but couldn’t; the day took a very long time to pass p.321

The Fourth Day

  1. Summarize Pa’s experience in the snow. He got lost in the storm on the way back from town and decided to keep walking since he would freeze to death if he didn’t. He fell into a hole and was protected from the storm. He fell asleep and woke up with snow over him, but he could breathe. He slept as much as he could, waiting for the storm to end. He had some crackers and Christmas candy that he ate. When he couldn’t hear the storm anymore, he crawled out of his den and saw the house not far away. It was a blessing he purchased the buffalo skin coat and wore two pairs of socks. p.326

Christmas Eve

  1. Why were Laura’s eyes shining? She was so happy she had tears in her eyes p.338

Comprehension Questions – A to Z Mysteries The Invisible Island

The Invisible Island

by Ron Roy

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

I is for Island . . . It’s picnic time! Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose pack up a basket and wade out to Squall Island. Right away, they find a hundred-dollar bill in the sand! But when they come back the next day, the entire island has mysteriously disappeared. What is the secret of Squall Island?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Where are the children exploring at the beginning of this story? Squaw Island p.1

Chapter 2

  1. Why should the children find the person who lost the $100 and give it back to him? It is the right thing to do p.14

Chapter 3

  1. Summarize this chapter. The children talk to Ron at the boat shop but still can’t figure out who the money could belong to. Ruth Rose writes a note to put on the bulletin board. They go get ice cream and then go see Officer Fallon. He puts the money in an envelope with Ruth Rose’s name on it and says that if no one claims the money in 30 days she can have it p.16

Chapter 4

  1. Why would someone put fake poison ivy on Squaw Island? To keep people away from it or to keep them from wandering around a certain part of the island p.34

Chapter 5

  1. Who do you think put the cement box and refrigerator on the island? Listen to your child’s answer p.40

Chapter 6

  1. Officer Fallon told the kids to stay away from the island. Would you have a hard time doing that? Why? Listen to your child’s answer p.48

Chapter 7

  1. Why does Ron make a good suspect? He owns boats; it’s easy for him to get to the island; he purchased calamine lotion at the store, so he probably has a rash from poison ivy; he had enough space at his shop to store a printing press

Chapter 8

  1. Summarize this chapter. The friends were spying on Ron and a man in a black car drove up and gave Ron a box that said Happy Heart Dog Food; Ron took the box into the shed then brought it back out and gave it back to the man in the black car p.56

Chapter 9

  1. What did the kids find in the Bent’s garage? Receipt for the calamine lotion, the Happy Heart Dog Food box, waders with boots, green paint p.67

Chapter 10

  1. Do you think the kids have enough evidence to catch the suspects? Listen to your child’s answer
  2. What will be the last piece of evidence? Catching the crook on Squaw Island where the counterfeit money is p.73

Chapter 11

  1. How did this mystery end? The Bents were captured and taken to prison and their dog was given to Josh; he was still thinking what name to call him p.78

Comprehension Questions – A to Z Mysteries The Deadly Dungeon

The Deadly Dungeon

by Ron Roy

Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose visit a castle in Maine and hear screams. They discover a hidden trap door leading to a secret tunnel and a dungeon, and must solve the mystery of who or what is making the noises, which might be a ghost.

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

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What is the setting of this story and why are the friends there? Belfast, Maine; visiting the author they helped save in The Absent Author p.1

Chapter 2

  1. Describe Emory Scott and why was it unsettling to hear his ghost scream? The man who built the castle in the 1930’s; he died suddenly in the castle; Wallis said she hears the ghost; the kids heard a scream as they were leaving for a picnic p.13

Chapter 3

  1. Summarize this chapter. The friends had a picnic; they took a walk and met Rip; they discussed the ghost of Emory Scott p.19

Chapter 4

  1. Where did the friends go that creeped them out? An old playhouse and a cave with bats on the beach p.25

Chapter 5

  1. Who do you think is out near the playhouse? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 6

  1. Do you think the light in the woods was a firefly? Why or why not? Listen to your child’s answer p.41

Chapter 7

  1. How many green feathers have appeared throughout the story so far? 3 p.53
  2. What do you think they mean? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 8

  1. Summarize what the children found in this chapter. A trapdoor in the playhouse with stone stairs leading downward into darkness p.57
  2. Would you be brave enough to go down those stairs after hearing that scream? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 9

  1. What is scary about the friends being stuck in the tunnel with the parrots? The tide is coming in and will flood the tunnel; they could drown p.64

Chapter 10

  1. Do you agree with Dink? Is the person hiding the parrots Walker? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer p.72

Chapter 11

  1. How is Ripley deceiving them all? He is driving Walker’s Jeep and leaving green feathers to make Walker look suspicious p.80

Chapter 12

  1. Why was Ripley’s boat always so clean? He never catches lobster; he acted like he did, but used his boat to pick up the parrots from other countries p.84
  2. What was the loud screech from the mudroom if the parrots had been taken by the police? Listen to your child’s answer p.86

Comprehension Questions – The Fort

The Fort

by Gordon Korman

Grades 5-8; Genre - Fiction; GRL W; AR pts. 9.0

The morning after Hurricane Leo rips through the town of Canaan, friends exploring the widespread destruction discover an underground bomb shelter. Text has violence, physical abuse, criminal activity, bullying & references to substance abuse. Themes include ableism.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe Evan Donnelly. He has an older brother and they live with his grandparents because their parents went to drug rehab; his brother has a friend who is not a good influence; Evan’s in 8th grade and his town was just hit with a hurricane; he and his friends are checking to see if the fort made it through the storm p.1
  2. Who’s Ricky? Another boy who’s house was hit with a tree during the storm and is staying at Evan’s for the day while it gets fixed.

Chapter 2

  1. Who is telling the story in this chapter? Mitchell Worth p.9
  2. How do you know? the chapter is named after him p.9
  3. Predict what Ricky and Evan found. Listen to your child’s answer p.15

Chapter 3

  1. What is clever about the author’s writing style? Each chapter is told through a different character’s eyes p.16
  2. Were you correct in your prediction from Chapter 2? Listen to your child’s answer
  3. Why do the boys feel they can claim the bomb shelter as their own? The guy who built it is dead; no one else knows about it p.23

Chapter 4

  1. Why does C.J. purposely crash and hurt himself on his bike? He needed a stunt to cover up how he really got hurt, which was on his skateboard on a railing at the library and crashing after trying not to hit an older woman p.28

Chapter 5

  1. How is Jason different from the other boys he is friends with? He has a girlfriend p.32
  2. Why is everyone worried to eat the food at the fort? It’s 40 years old p.38
  3. Would you eat it? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 6

  1. How was Ricky a good friend to Evan today? Evan’s brother Luke and his friend Jaeger wanted Evan to steal money from a business owner; as Evan got near the cash register, Ricky came in the door and gave Evan a reason to leave p.46
  2. Why is Evan worried about his brother? He makes bad choices when he’s around Jaeger and begins to act like their parents p.50

Chapter 7

  1. What does Ricky realize about his new friend group? They don’t need him to have fun or really care if he’s part of their group p.56

Chapter 8

  1. What did C.J. and Mitchell learn in this chapter? That the utensils from the fort are real silver p.63
  2. Why are the utensils black? As silver ages over time, it turns black p.63

Chapter 9

  1. How is Ricky proving himself to his new friends? He is quick to think, got them $85 for the fork at the pawn shop and helped Mitchell when he was in trouble; he is showing them that he is a good friend p.67

Chapter 10

  1. What heavy responsibility does Jason need to worry about that is too much for an eighth grader? His divorced parents put him in difficult situations where he has to explain his family situation to police p.74

Chapter 11

  1. Why doesn’t Marcus and C.J.’s mom want the police to be called? Marcus hurts C.J., that’s why C.J. is hurt all the time p.80

Chapter 12

  1. Do you agree with Ricky’s response to Luke and Jaeger’s question about the woods? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer p.89
  2. What should Ricky tell them about the Fort, the money and the snacks? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 13

  1. Explain why Evan covered for Jaeger when grandma asked about the broken ceramic doll? He didn’t know what Jaeger would do if Grandma called the police; he’s worried something bad will happen to her p.101

Chapter 14

  1. Describe what happened in this chapter. C.J. and his parents go to a hockey game. Marcus, his stepdad, gets angry and hurts his mom and C.J. They get in the car and Marcus is upset, ashamed and apologizes, promising to never do it again p.101
  2. Does C.J. believe Marcus’s promise? Why, or why not? No. Because this is a cycle that repeats itself because Marcus won’t get help p.108

Chapter 15

  1. How is Mitchell watering his ex-therapist’s herb garden and why? Peeing on it because he is angry at him. He can’t receive help because his mom lost their insurance when she was laid off p.117
  2. Do you agree that Mitchell should be doing this? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 16

  1. Why does C.J. feel stuck in his home situation? He can’t call the police because his mom will deny what Marcus is doing and she will defend him p.122
  2. Explain why this is unhealthy for her and C.J. to stay in this situation? It’s protecting a man who deserves to be in jail and shows her son that her abusing husband is more important than him and her p.122

Chapter 17

  1. Why does Luke think Jaeger is good for him to be around? Makes him tough and Luke thinks Jaeger has good ideas; he feels rejected by his grandma p.125
  2. How did Luke and Jaeger manipulate Mitchell and why? They told him they would tell the police how he peed on the therapist’s garden and that his mom would need to pay attorney fees to keep him out of juvenile detention; to get him to tell them where they are getting the money from p.129

Chapter 18

  1. Jason finds himself in real trouble with his girlfriend and possibly the police. Do you agree that he should talk? Listen to your child’s answer p.137

Chapter 19

  1. Name one characteristic C.J. showed in this chapter and explain. Courage for standing up to his mom; sadness because he misses her and he’s sad about the situation they’re in; determination to not put up with an unhealthy and abusive situation; irritation because Ricky is watching him very closely etc. p.138

Chapter 20

  1. What is Mitchell avoiding and why? His friends and the Fort; He doesn’t want to tell his friends that Luke and Jaeger are blackmailing him; he also doesn’t want the Luke and Jaeger to follow him to the Fort p.150

Chapter 21

  1. What is one of the perks to Janelle knowing about the Fort? She will help it get cleaned p.157

Chapter 22

  1. How did Ricky figure out what is happening with C.J.? He saw Marcus at Home Depot and how he behaved to an employee he supervised; he also connected the other details he’s observed about C.J.’s behavior p.160

Chapter 23

  1. How did the friends support C.J.? They believed Ricky when he told them his suspicions and they caught him staying at the Fort and didn’t let him be alone. They showed him know they were there for him p.173

Chapter 24

  1. Summarize this chapter. C.J.’s friends are helping him out and as he heads back to the Fort to sleep one night, he sees Luke and Jaeger; they follow him, but he loses them when he gets knocked down by a branch. He hears their car leave and he is able to go to the Fort p.175

Chapter 25

  1. How did Ricky help Mitchell feel better in this chapter? They helped him understand that Luke and Jaeger can’t black mail him because Jaeger won’t go to the police p.191

Chapter 26

  1. C.J.’s mom did a very courageous thing in this chapter. What is it and what could be the negative consequences of it. She packed her bag and decided to leave Marcus. Marcus could kill her and C.J. p.196

Chapter 27

  1. Explain Ricky’s status with the four friends and if he is being accepted by them. He’s able to hang around them since he found the Fort. It’s taken time, but he’s slowly gaining each person’s respect through his good ideas, his loyalty, and the initiative he’s shown p.203
  2. List one characteristic Ricky has shown to gain their respect. Ingenuity; courage; initiative; respectful; stands up for himself; confidence p.204

Chapter 28

  1. Have you been in a situation you didn’t want anyone to know about? Explain. Can you relate to Evan and C.J.? Listen to your child’s answer p.206

Chapter 29

  1. How does Janelle handle Luke and Jaeger? She threatens to call her dad who’s a policeman p.212
  2. Why does that stop the older boys? They don’t want to get any attention from a police officer because they are consistently breaking the law p.212

Chapter 30

  1. What is the consequence of C.J.’s mom not turning off the location finder on her phone? Marcus finds them in the bunker p.216
  2. Are you surprised that Marcus would lose his cool in front of C.J.’s friends? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 31

  1. Summarize this chapter. As Jason and Janelle get to the Fort the hatch is open; Luke and Jaeger pounce on them and go into the Fort with Jason; Janelle finds her phone and calls 9-1-1; Marcus grabs Jaeger by the throat and Jaeger pulls out his pocket knife and stabs Marcus; Marcus lets him go and drops to the ground but Jaeger won’t let anyone call an ambulance; the police arrive and arrest Jaeger and take Marcus to the hospital p.218

Chapter 32

  1. What does Mitchell come clean with in this chapter? That he peed on the herbs the spaghetti is made with p.231

Chapter 33

  1. Why is the white flower blooming in the cactus symbolic at the end of this story? It shows that hard things can be beautiful; these friends have struggled to accept each other, stand by each other and have grown together. What a beautiful way to end the story. As their friendship strengthens and blooms, so did this flower. It can also symbolize that times in life can be difficult, but by working together and supporting each other, they can be overcome  p.238
  2. What did you like about this story? Listen to your child’s answer