Tag Archives: AR

Comprehension Questions – Princess Academy

Princess Academy

by Shannon Hale

Grades 4-7; Genre - Fantasy; GRL V; AR pts. 10.0

While attending a strict academy for potential princesses with the other girls from her mountain village, fourteen-year-old Miri discovers unexpected talents and connections to her homeland.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What’s the setting of this story? High in the mountains; Mount Eskel; at a rock quarry; in autumn p.14
  2. What message did the king’s messenger give the village? The next princess is to come from Mount Eskel and the prince will come and choose a bride; a princess academy will be created to prepare all girls ages 12-17 p.22

Chapter 2

  1. Why did the announcement upset the village? Work in the quarry will be limited with the girls gone; the mood is heavy at the thought of sending their girls p.25

Chapter 3

  1. Why does Miri wonder if her papa misses her? He doesn’t use words to express himself; he allowed her to go to the princess academy and didn’t fight to keep her home p.47
  2. Why are the girls nervous to speak during dinner? Olana might punish them p.47

Chapter 4

  1. What changed Miri’s attitude about the academy and why did she want to be the academy princess? The silver dress; She was tired of being belittled and wanted to prove that she was just as good as any lowlander p.61

Chapter 5

  1. Why do the other girls hate Miri? She was sassy to Olana and made everyone miss the last opportunity to go home before winter; she has risen to the top of the class and the girls are jealous p.67

Chapter 6

  1. How did Gerti know Miri was in the closet? The communication of quarry-speech; Miri sang a quarry song p.76

Chapter 7

  1. What did Miri work on in this chapter? Quarry-speech p.75
  2. Describe Britta’s reaction when Miri asked her to go for a walk? Surprised, thankful, happy p.83
  3. What incentive did Olana give the girls to work harder? She showed them a picture of a beautiful home the family of the princess would move into p.87

Chapter 8

  1. What did Miri learn in this chapter? That one block of linder, only found on her mountain, was worth 1 gold; now when the village traded, they’d know how much to trade for p.102

Chapter 9

  1. What did Miri realize she needed to do with the other girls? Find common ground to build friendships p.111
  2. What was quarry-speech built on? Memories p.112
  3. Why would these two things go hand in hand? As you build friendships, you make memories p.112

Chapter 10

  1. What was the outcome of the test? Everyone failed but Miri and Katar p.115
  2. Then why were all the girls walking home for the spring festival? Miri used quarry-speech to tell all the girls to get up and run out p.118

Chapter 11

  1. What are the poems at the beginning of each chapter? Quarry-speech phrases p.123
  2. Why were the villagers uncertain about Miri’s idea? It was new to them; they didn’t have a knowledge about trading gold and silver p.139

Chapter 12

  1. Predict what Olana will do when the girls return to the academy. Listen to your child’s answer
  2. Predict what Miri will do to help her sister. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 13

  1. Were you correct in your prediction? How did the girls get Olana to take them back? They used the rules of Diplomacy p.153

Chapter 14

  1. Summarize how Miri’s mother died and how learning this helped her. She was pregnant with Miri and was breaking a stone in the quarry; the stone slipped and knocked her down a steep side of the mountain; Miri was born that night, but her mother wouldn’t stop bleeding and died; she understood why her father wouldn’t let her in to the quarry; she now knew that her father thought of her mother every time he looked at her p.174

Chapter 15

  1. How had the academy changed the entire village? With the knowledge of the value of linder blocks, they now had gold; they were able to purchase more food and other necessities; other traders came to the village p.180

Chapter 16

  1. Do you think it was right for Miri and the other girls to quarry-speech the answers to each other? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer p.187
  2. Who won the academy princess title? Miri p.193
  3. What did Miri learn about Katar? She also felt alone and unloved; doesn’t like herself; they’re very similar p.195

Chapter 17

  1. What idea did Esa have? That everyone be happy for whoever is chosen by the prince p.202
  2. Why wasn’t Britta at the ball? She came down with an illness p.202
  3. Describe the interaction between the prince and Miri. They danced and later he asked her to walk with him; she asked him why he was there; he relaxed and told her that he felt a lot of pressure; they joked with each other and laughed; he complimented her p.217

Chapter 19

  1. Why did Pedar turn and run home?  He was angry at Miri for wanting to be chosen as the princess p.228
  2. Predict why Esa spoke with quarry-speech and told Miri to run. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 20

  1. Summarize this chapter. Bandits captured the girls, Olana and Knut; they were asking who the new princess is and they all said they had been chosen; the bandits were perplexed and decided to take them all for ransom p.231

Chapter 21

  1. Do you think Peder got the message? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 22

  1. Did Miri’s plan to escape work? No, as the girls ran to the villagers outside the building, the bandits captured them p.265

Chapter 23

  1. How did Miri escape Dan the bandit? She used quarry-speech to communicate with Peder to veer Dan toward the cliff; she used the hawk in her pocket to stab Dan’s hand and he let her go; she dropped off the cliff and landed on the ledge, but Dan grabbed her foot; Miri’s dad hit Dan in the head with his mallet, making him let go and fall to his death p.275

Chapter 24

  1. What would you choose if you were Miri? Becoming a princess or staying in the village? Why? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 25

  1. Summarize the conclusion of this story. Britta was chosen by the Prince, they were childhood friends and loved each other; Miri purchased some books from Olana and was given the painting of the cottage; Peder and Miri walked home holding hands p.294
  2. What did you enjoy about this book? Listen to your child’s answer

Comprehension Questions – Little House on the Prairie #1 Little House in the Big Woods

Little House in the Big Woods

by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Grades 2-3; Genre - Historical Fiction; GRL Q; AR pts. 5.0

The Ingalls family is snug in their Wisconsin house in spite of blizzards, wolves, and the lonely forest.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe the setting in this story. 1800’s; Wisconsin when only a few settlers had begun to develop the land
  2. Who’s the main character and her family? Laura, her older sister Mary, Carrie her younger sister, and her Ma and Pa p.2

Chapter 2

  1. List and describe the chore/day you would enjoy the best. Listen to your child’s answer p.29
  2. What’s comforting to Laura during the long cold winter? Safely being inside the cozy cabin with the fire p.38

Chapter 3

  1. Summarize this chapter. Laura and Mary helped Pa clean and load his gun; Pa told a story when he was young about how he should have listened to his father and being alone in the woods in the dark p.45

Chapter 4

  1. Compare how traveling was back in the early settler days to our day today. Early days, they traveled in sleds pulled by horses all covered in blankets and bundled up; today, we can jump in a vehicle, train, or plane and have a heater to keep us warm p.64
  2. Describe how the children made “pictures”. They’d fall from a stump and land in the snow, trying not to touch and make other prints in the snow p.65
  3. Summarize the story Uncle Peter shared and why it was so scary. Aunt Eliza wanted to go to the spring, but the dog wouldn’t let her; later they found a panther had been in the tree above the spring; the dog saved her from the panther p.68

Chapter 5

  1. Describe a Sunday for Mary and Laura and compare it to your Sunday. Mary and Laura’s-take bath Saturday night; sit quietly all day; couldn’t play with toys or each other; couldn’t sew; could look at pictures in the Bible or animal book; listen to your child’s answer p.84

Chapter 6

  1. Tell me the stories of the two bears in this chapter. 1st bear: It was dark, and Laura went to help her mother milk the cow; they thought the cow had gotten out of the barn; there was a gate, but mother couldn’t open it all the way to get to the cow, so she slapped the cow and realized it was a large bear; she and Laura hurried to the house and made it safely in; 2nd bear: Pa was coming home from town in the dark and saw a bear standing in his way off the road; Pa didn’t have his gun, so he picked up a branch and ran at the bear; when he hit the bear he realized it was just a large stump p.104

Chapter 7

  1. Explain sugar snow. It’s a spring snow that keeps the trees just cold enough to extend the the maple syrup harvest p.127

Chapter 8

  1. Was this a fun chapter to read? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 9

  1. Why hadn’t Laura known the sky was so large? She and her family lived in the woods with trees all around them, they couldn’t see the vastness of the sky p.164

Chapter 9

  1. Why is Laura jealous of Mary? Mary has golden hair, she looked good and sweet, the storekeeper commented how pretty she was, she kept her dress clean and minded her manners, her candy had a poem on it p.175

Chapter 10

  1. How did Pa get honey in this chapter? He found a bear eating honey from a tree; he chased the bear away, cut down the tree and filled all the containers he brought from home p.195

Chapter 11

  1. Can you answer Laura’s question? How is Charlie a liar? He cried out like he was in trouble three times and there wasn’t anything wrong p.211
  2. Does this remind you of another story? The boy who cried wolf

Chapter 12

  1. Summarize this chapter. Ma and Laura made hats out of straw; It was time to harvest the garden and grain; Pa convinced his neighbor to hire a threshing machine to come and separate the wheat; it took all day and the girls helped their Ma prepare dinner p.221

Chapter 13

  1. Why didn’t Pa shoot any animals when he went hunting? He was too curious watching them p.232
  2. Tell me a part of this story you really enjoyed. Why? Listen to your child’s answer 

Comprehension Questions – The Westing Game

The Westing Game

by Ellen Raskin

Grades 6-8; Genre - Fiction; GRL V; AR pts. 8.0

Sixteen game players, heirs to Sam Westing's fabulous fortune, are all suspected of his murder. This book is part mystery story, part play-along game, and part do-it-yourself puzzle.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Summarize the introduction to this story. A mysterious salesman rented six apartments to previously chosen tenants in one day on Lake Michigan; some tenants were honest working people and others were fit for prison and one was a mistake p.1

Chapter 2

  1. What deal did Turtle make? Do you think it was a mistake? $2 for each minute she stayed in the Westing house; listen to your child’s answer; two high school boys went in and ran out; one ran off a cliff and died and the other had warm blood on his hands and is in the insane asylum p.8
  2. Describe Chris. He has an ailment; sits and looks out the window; observant; smart; waiting for his brother, Theo, to bring him food from the cafe they own; close to his brother and trusts him p.8

Chapter 3

  1. What did most everyone notice in this chapter? Smoke coming out of the Westing house chimney p.10
  2. List a character and why they’re intriguing. Turtle Wexler, Flora Baumbach, Doug Hoo, Sandy McSouthers, Judge Ford, Chris or Theo, Sydelle Pulaski; Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 4

  1. Summarize this chapter. Turtle went into the Westing house and lasted 12 minutes; she saw a dead body and read in the paper that it was Samuel Westing; the beneficiaries to the Westing estate p.16

Chapter 5

  1. What did everyone gather for in this chapter? The meeting to go over Westing’s will p.22

Chapter 6

  1. Summarize what the will said. Sam Westing was murdered, and he knows who it is; the other heirs need to figure out who it is so Sam can rest in peace p.28

Chapter 7

  1. Who would you want to be paired with if you were playing? Why? Listen to your child’s answer 

Chapter 8

  1. Why was someone after Sydelle’s short hand notes? She took them at the meeting; they will know what was said p.52

Chapter 9

  1. Why was Turtle’s mom nice to her? So she’d share her clues p.56
  2. Why did Mr. Hoo decide to go to the party? People may share their clues p.57

Chapter 10

  1. Why is Angela so upset in this chapter? She’s tired of being what everyone else wants her to be; she isn’t able to be herself p.59

Chapter 11

  1. What did the characters learn in this chapter? Turtle’s real name; why her mother nicknamed her Turtle; Sydelle’s shorthand notes are written in Polish p.64

Chapter 12

  1. Why are people’s prized possessions missing? There’s a burglar in the building p.70
  2. Why would Westing include a burglar in the game? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 13

  1. Define what a bookie is. A bookie, short or slang for “bookmaker,” is someone who facilitates gambling, most commonly on sporting events. A bookie sets odds, accepts and places bets, and pays out winnings on behalf of other people.
  2. Who do you think is planting the bombs? Why?  Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 14

  1. Do you know where the phrase, “may God thy gold refine” comes from? Listen to your child’s answer p.86

Chapter 15

  1. Why did Turtle always have a radio playing and an ear plug in? To listen to the stocks
  2. Why did she care so much about the stock market? She thought that’s what Samuel Westing wanted them to do with the money he gave them p.88
  3. Who is George Theodorakis? Theo and Chris’s father; he loved Violet Westing, but she couldn’t marry him p.94

Chapter 16

  1. Why did Angela think Turtle was lucky? She could do and be whoever she wanted p.96
  2. What observation did Chris make that connects Otis to the Westings? He limps p.99
  3. Do you think Angela was the bomber? Listen to your child’s answer
  4. What incriminating evidence do you think Turtle took from Angela’s bag? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 17

  1. Who do people think could be the murderer? Why? Otis; their questions lead back to him p.103

Chapter 18

  1. Explain what happened to Flora’s daughter. She has disabilities and died of pneumonia at 19 years old p.106
  2. What’s happening to each pair as they work together? They’re starting to become friends and help each other p.113

Chapter 19

  1. What mistake did Westing make? Explain. At the beginning of the story one person was invited to live at the tower but they were a mistake. Westing invited Sydelle Pulaski instead of Sybil p.119

Chapter 20

  1. What philosophy about this game do the judge and Sandy have? Westing’s out to punish one of the heirs p.123
  2. What do they know about Mrs. Westing? Not much, but that she was forcing her daughter to marry a crooked politician and decided to kill herself p.124

Chapter 21

  1. What’s the judge’s connection to Sam Westing? Her parents worked for him and she grew up in the Westing house; she played chess with Westing and he insulted her; he paid for her education and she never repaid him back p.127
  2. What has Sydelle figured out at the end of the chapter? What the clues mean; the clues are the song America, the Beautiful p.133

Chapter 22

  1. Who is the burglar? Why? Madame Hoo; to get money to go back to China p.134
  2. Why is Crow scared to go to the meeting at the Westing house? She knows she’s in danger p.141
  3. Who does Sandy and the judge think Crow is? Mrs. Westing p.141
  4. Who do they think Otis is? Do you think they’re correct? Sam Westing; listen to your child’s answer p.141

Chapter 23

  1. Why do you think Sandy glared at Crow in this chapter? Listen to your child’s answer p.148
  2. Who gave herself up as the murderer? Crow p.155

Chapter 24

  1. Do you think Sandy is really dead? Listen to your child’s answer
  2. Predict what’s going to happen. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 26

  1. Predict who the fourth person is Sam Westing impersonated. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 27

  1. What did Turtle need to do to win? Show up at the fourth persons home, Dr. Eastman; all of Westing’s pretend names included a direction p.174

Chapter 28

  1. Who got married in this chapter? Crow and Otis p.176
  2. Which character is getting help from the judge paying for their education? Chris p.177

Chapter 29

  1. Summarize this chapter. The heirs all arrive at a party to honor Doug who won an Olympic gold medal. There were updates given for each character p.179

Chapter 30

  1. What’s the conclusion of this story? Turtle never told anyone she won the prize and who Julian Eastman really was; she married Theo, they didn’t have children due to the possibility of passing on what Chris has; Julian, or Sandy, dies of old age and Turtle hurries home from the funeral to spend time with her niece Alice p.182

Comprehension Questions – The Never Girls #12 In the Game

In the Game

by Kiki Thorpe

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

Kate loves to fly in Never Land and play soccer in the human world. She accidentally takes a flying leap during soccer practice and is tempted to use fairy dust in her everyday life with the help of mischievous fast-flyer Vidia.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What character will be the main focus of this story? How do you know? Kate; the author is telling the story from her perspective; she’s on the front picture of the book p.1

Chapter 2

  1. Why is Kate hesitant about playing keeper during the game? She still had fairy dust on her when she made the save and knows she can’t fly up again like that p.15
  2. Is it cheating if Kate uses fairy dust during her soccer game? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 3

  1. Why isn’t Kate friendly to Vidia? Vidia is selfish and isn’t a good friend p.27

Chapter 4

  1. Summarize this chapter. Lainey is dog sitting and the dog ran away; Kate found him on a roof; His bark is silent and he started floating when he jumped off the roof p.30

Chapter 5

  1. Should Kate go get more fairy dust? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 6

  1. Explain how Kate was able to get fairy dust. Vidia came through the portal and made a deal with her, she'll give her fairy dust if she races her p.56

Chapter 7

  1. How did Kate feel when she realized she was thinking about cheating? It explained why she’d been feeling bad all morning and she felt better now that she had told her friends p.72

Chapter 8

  1. Summarize this chapter. Vidia was mad Kate didn’t race her; she went to find Kate and came upon the other girls and Rascal; Rascal saw her and chased her p.80

Chapter 9

  1. What decision did Kate make in this chapter? To use her fairy dust to catch Rascal instead of the soccer ball p.96

Chapter 10

  1. What did Vidia learn in this story? She was better off in Pixie Hollow where things are slow and she can be fast p.102

Comprehension Questions – #11 Into the Waves

Into the Waves

by Kiki Thorpe

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

Lainey's fondest dream has come true. Her parents finally let her get a pet, a goldfish. But bringing her new little friend to Never Land might turn out to be a big mistake.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Summarize the introduction of this story. Lainey saved her money and bought a goldfish; she took her fish to Pixie Hollow so Fawn could find out what makes him happy p.1

Chapter 2

  1. What happened in this chapter? Rani, a water-talent fairy saw Sunny and let him free p.23

Chapter 3

  1. What plan did the girls come up with to find Sunny? Fawn will talk to other fish, Rani will swim trying to find him, the girls will be in the raft looking for him p.28

Chapter 4

  1. Why is it going to be challenging finding Sunny in the Wough River? It’s so big and splits into two different rivers p.44

Chapter 5

  1. Why is the Sunken Forest dangerous? The creatures are not friendly, its dismal, can lose sense of direction p.50

Chapter 6

  1. Do you recognize the crocodile? It’s the crocodile that swallowed the clock in Peter Pan p.62
  2. How did Mia scare it away? She hit it with her paddle p.65

Chapter 7

  1. Summarize this chapter. The girls made it out of the swamp, Gabby brought cookies to eat for dinner; they tried to sleep; Peter came to visit and made a fire; he told them stories and in the morning their cookies were gone but Peter left coconuts and fairy dust for them p.67

Chapter 8

  1. Why didn’t Gabby fly when the raft went over the waterfall? She was scared stiff p.94
  2. Have you ever been so scared that you were frozen stiff? Explain. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 9

  1. What happened to Gabby? When everyone jumped out of the raft, it floated in the air because of the fairy dust; she was ok p.96
  2. Predict how Sunny got to be so large. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 10

  1. How did Sunny get so big? Was your prediction correct? He had eaten lots of food; magic p.105
  2. Why did Lainey ask the mermaid to take care of Sunny? Sunny was too big to take home p.107

Comprehension Questions – The Never Girls #10 On the Trail

On the Trail

by Kiki Thorpe

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

The four best friends travel to Never Land, where they find adventure, friendship, and mystery. When the girls realize that animal-talent fairy Beck is missing, the search is on.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Name a good deed Mia did in this chapter? She found a fairy to help a rabbit get a thorn out of its paw p.9
  2. What pinch of magic do you think Mia’s going to add to the cake? Listen to your child’s answer p.7

Chapter 2

  1. Why are the characters worried at the end of this chapter? Beck is missing p.26
  2. Where do you think she’s gone to? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 3

  1. Why does Myka have a hard time in Elixa’s workshop? All of the smells give her a headache p.32
  2. What clue did Elixa give Myka? Beck might have gone to find marigolds in the field p.35

Chapter 4

  1. What clues did they find in this chapter? Beck’s satchel; animal prints in the mud p.45

Chapter 5

  1. Predict why the feather is a clue. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 6

  1. Why does Myka think they should check out Skull Rock? She feels like Beck could be there p.68

Chapter 7

  1. What’s crying in this chapter? The Never bird p.76
  2. Why is Myka in danger? Never birds eat fairies, and one is coming after her p.76

Chapter 8

  1. Name a good reason Myka decided to let the girls come along with her? Mia saved her from the Never bird p.77

Chapter 9

  1. Summarize how the fawn made its way to Skull Island. It was stuck in the bog; the Never bird pulled it out but scared the fawn to the water and it swam to the island; then it was too tired to swim back p.95

Chapter 10

  1. Summarize the conclusion of this story. Mia made another cake and threw another tea party; however, she hid the dishes and made a treasure hunt for the fairies to find them p.102

Comprehension Questions – The Never Girls #9 Before the Bell

Before the Bell

Kiki Thorpe

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

It is the first day of school, and Gabby can't wait to tell the fairies about it. She even met a new friend who loves fairies as much as she does. But then a fairy goes missing in Gabby's new classroom.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What’s special about a story-talent fairy? When they tell a story, the listeners feel like they are actually in it p.12
  2. Why is Gabby excited to start school? It’s new and exciting for her p.13

Chapter 2

  1. Why did Gabby think first grade was off to a good start? Spinner the story-talent sparrow snuck into her backpack and Gabby found him p.24

Chapter 3

  1. Describe the things Spinner experienced in school that first day. Classroom, teacher, students, bookcases of books, using a crayon and pencil p.26

Chapter 4

  1. Why did Gabby regret telling Lizzie about Spinner? Lizzie was selfish and wanted to keep holding him; Lizzie spoke loudly about him and Gabby was worried the secret would be out p.42

Chapter 5

  1. Why did Spinner want to get to the bookcase? He loved stories; he’s a story-telling talent and wants more stories to tell p.46

Chapter 6

  1. Summarize this chapter. Spinner pulls books off the shelves and reads them; he senses danger but doesn’t listen and is smashed in a book when someone closes it p.53

Chapter 7

  1. Why weren’t the girls able to find Spinner and why do you think Glorinda is in Gabby’s backpack? He’s been taken; listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 8

  1. How could Spinner grant Lizzie’s wish to become a fairy? Tell her a story and through his magic, she’ll be the one in the story p.87

Chapter 9

  1. How did Spinner teach Lizzie that taking him was wrong? Through the story he told; she could feel what Spinner felt p.101

Chapter 10

  1. Do you agree that Gabby should be friends with Lizzie after what happened? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer

Comprehension Questions – The Never Girls #8 Far from Shore

Far from Shore

by Kiki Thorpe

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

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

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

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

Chapter 2

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

Chapter 3

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

Chapter 4

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

Chapter 5

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

Chapter 6

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

Chapter 7

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

Chapter 8

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

Chapter 9

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

Chapter 10

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

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

A Pinch of Magic

by Kiki Thorpe

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

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

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

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

Chapter 2

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

Chapter 3

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

Chapter 4

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

Chapter 5

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

Chapter 6

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

Chapter 7

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

Chapter 8

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

Chapter 9

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

Chapter 10

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

Comprehension Questions – Ella Enchanted

Ella Enchanted

by Gail Carson Levine

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

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

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

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

Chapter 2

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

Chapter 3

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

Chapter 4

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

Chapter 5

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

Chapter 6

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

Chapter 7

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

Chapter 8

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

Chapter 9

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

Chapter 10

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

Chapter 11

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

Chapter 12

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

Chapter 13

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

Chapter 14

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

Chapter 15

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

Chapter 16

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

Chapter 17

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

Chapter 18

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

Chapter 19

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

Chapter 20

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

Chapter 21

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

Chapter 22

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

Chapter 23

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

Chapter 24

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

Chapter 25

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

Chapter 26

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

Chapter 27

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

Chapter 28

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

Chapter 29

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

Epilogue 

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