Tag Archives: Fiction

Comprehension Questions – #4 Junie B. Jones and Some Sneaky Peeky Spying

Junie B. Jones and Some Sneaky Peeky Spying

By Barbara Park

Grades 1-5; Genre – Fiction; GRL M; AR pts: 1.0

Junie B. Jones takes up “sneaky peeky spying” and lands herself in trouble. Hiding in a hamper, she frightens her grandfather and makes him drop his dentures. Barred from further espionage by her mother, Junie continues her secret activities sub rosa, and this time she apparently catches one of her teacher snaffling grapes in the grocery store.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe Junie B.’s teacher Mrs.  Brown hair; long skirts of wool; smile a lot p.2
  2. What does the word “spying” mean? When you are very quietly watching someone through a hole or crack p.2
  3. Tell me about Junie B. spying on her Grandpa? What happened? She hid in his laundry hamper and when he came into the bathroom, she lifted up the lid and peeked his eyes at him He took out his dentures and she popped out of the hamper and yelled at him.  He screamed and ran out of the bathroom p.3

Chapter 2

  1. How does Junie B. behave when she wants to answer a question from her teacher? She shouts it out and doesn’t raise her hand p.14
  2. How did Junie B.’s teacher get her to sit down? She had to hold her hand and walk her to her table p.18

Chapter 3

  1. Why does Junie B. think Mrs. is a “secret mystery guy”? because she wouldn’t answer any of Junie B.’s questions p.19
  2. Would you call Junie B. a good friend? ask for a couple of examples of why your child thinks she is or isn’t a good friend p.20
  3. What type of figurative language is “curiosity killed the cat”? an idiom p.21   What does it mean? It’s a warning of the dangers of unnecessary investigation

Chapter 4

  1. Tell me three of the rules Junie B. has at the grocery store? No yelling the words “I want ice cream!”; not calling her mom “a big meanie”; not opening food and eating it p.25
  2. When Junie B. was sitting down waiting for her stomach to feel better, who did she see come into the store? Her teacher, Mrs. p.33

Chapter 5

  1. What is the real name of the vegetable Junie B. called Sue Keeny? Zucchini p.36
  2. What did Junie B. see Mrs. and the man do that made her cover her eyes? They kissed p.37
  3. Why was Junie B. so upset when she saw Mrs. eat some grapes in the store? Because she hadn’t paid for them yet; that was stealing p.37

Chapter 6

  1. Tell me another idiom used at the beginning of this chapter? Cat got your tongue p.42  What do you think it means? It’s used to try and get someone to speak when they’ve been very quiet
  2. What did Lucille’s brother say would happen if you kept a secret? Pressure would build in your head and it would blow up p.44
  3. Who did Junie B. finally tell her secret to? The principal p.48

Chapter 7

  1. What was Junie B.’s emotion when she talked to Mrs. about what she saw? She was sad and crying p.53
  2. Why did Mrs. eat the grapes at the store? To see if they were sour. The ones she had purchased the week before were too sour and no one in her family would eat them p.55
  3. Was it ok then for Mrs. to test the grapes? No p.55

Chapter 8

  1. Why didn’t Junie B.’s mother want her spying on other people? It can cause trouble and hurt feelings p.59
  2. What did Junie B.’s class do for Grandparents Day? The kids told the grandparents what they do in class; then they had refreshments p.63
  3. What does “being polite” mean? To have manners; be kind; use words like please and thank you p.66

Comprehension Questions- Ruby Holler

Ruby Holler

by Sharon Creech

Grades 6-8; Genre - Fiction; GRL V ; AR pts: 6.0

"Trouble Twins" Dallas and Florida are orphans who have given up believing there is such a thing as a loving home. Tiller and Sairy are an eccentric older couple who live in the beautiful, mysterious Ruby Holler, but they're restless for one more big adventure. When they invite the twins to join them on their journeys, they first linger in the Holler to prepare for their adventures, and the magic of the place takes over. Two pairs of lives grow closer, and are changed forever.

Vocabulary Words- Ruby Holler

Comprehension Questions

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What did the silver bird that Dallas
    saw out the window represent? A good luck
    charm p.1

Chapter 2

  1. Tell me about the city of
    Boxton.   Tired town; neglected; old homes and shacks clustered around stores and
    buildings p.4
  2. Describe Dallas and Florida. They’re twins; oldest children in the
    children’s home; tall; dark haired; dark-eyed; sturdy frames and looked rough
    and unkempt  p. 5
  3. Find a simile in this chapter.  Mr.
    and Mrs. Trepid were middle-aged, cranky and tired, and growing stiff and cold
    as winter-bound trees p. 5; Mr. Putrid walks like a crab scuttling across the
    ocean floor; the main building pgs.4-11
  4. What was the Boxton Creek Home for
    Children? An orphanage p. 8
  5. What did Dallas and Florida plan to
    do one night to escape? Jump on a freight
    train and ride out of town p.11

Chapter 3

  1. What do you think of the small gray
    bird that landed on the railing listening to the couple talk about moving?  It
    looked as if it were listening; it was the same silver bird Dallas saw out the
    window p.13

Chapter 4

  1. Why was Florida getting in trouble
    while eating dinner? She was talking;
    waving; being sassy p.15
  2. Why does Florida get upset when she
    thinks about the Hoppers? She felt that
    she and Dallas had been very bad at their home and would never be in a real
    family p.19
  3. How did Dallas comfort Florida from
    her bad dreams? Talked to her about the
    beautiful place they would go. P.20

Chapter 5

  1. Why did Dallas dream of beautiful
    green and sunny places? To comfort
    himself from bad memories p.22
  2. Why did Florida call the woman
    walking by the children’s home, “mother”? the
    woman had hair like Florida’s p.23

Chapter 6

  1. Why didn’t Florida want to go to a
    “foster place”? because they’d had bad
    experiences and were always brought back p.26
  2. What’s the opportunity Mr. and Mrs. T
    want to give the twins? One would go to
    Kangadoon and one would go to Rutabago and split up for three months to be a
    companion for an older couple p.29

Chapter 7

  1. Why was Florida hesitant to go on
    vacation to Rutabago? She felt like this
    couple would be just like every other couple and she didn’t want to be
    separated from Dallas p.33

Chapter 8

  1. How did Dallas feel about Ruby
    Holler? So excited; thought it was amazing
    p.36
  2. Why was Sairy apologetic about the
    sleeping arrangements? Because Dallas and
    Florida would have to sleep in the same room/loft p.37
  3. Tell me about Florida’s reaction to
    the Morey’s and her experience so far at their home? She keeps expecting the worst; being locked in a cupboard, having to
    dig a well, etc.  p.39

Chapter 9

  1. Why did Tiller want to send the twins
    back to the children’s home? Because he
    thought Sairy and he should go on each other’s vacations instead of have the
    kids go with them p.42

Chapter 10

  1. Why did Florida feel uneasy when
    Dallas asked her questions about who they were or about their future? She felt as if they had no control over who
    they were or their future p.44
  2. What happened to the tiny blue egg
    Florida found outside? She held it too
    tight and it cracked p.45

Chapter 11

  1. Why was Sairy so full of energy? She was happy to have the kids around p. 49
  2. Why was Tiller grumpy? He hadn’t found a way to tell Sairy he
    wanted her to come on the trip with him p. 49

Chapter 12

  1. Why was Florida ready to work on the
    boat day and night to fix it? Tiller was
    going to pay her $5 an hour p.52
  2. What was Dallas so excited about when
    he and Sairy started to plan their trip? They
    were going to buy new stuff p.53

Chapter 13

  1. How did Tiller help Florida feel
    better about the mistakes she’d made the day before with the varnish? He told her about the day he got red paint
    on the cat, chicken and pig p.59
  2. How did Florida continue to make
    Tiller think he’d been tricked? She made
    him talk about old stuff p.61
  3. Name some of the creative meals the
    Morey’s made to help them get used to their kids being gone. Getting-over-kid -stew; beat-the-blues
    broccoli; anti cranky crumpets p.66

Chapter 14

  1. How did Sairy react when Dallas and
    Florida broke the wooden bird and wooden boat? She said they would fix them later p.70
  2. What does Sairy mean, when said, “we
    find those just about everywhere. We pick the ones that speak to us”? She and Tiller choose to whittle something
    out of a stick by just knowing something can be made with it p.71

Chapter 15

  1. Who do you think the man with the
    gold tooth is that met another man behind the Boxton Creek Home?  Whatever
    ideas your child comes up with P.74
  2. Who told Sairy that the Trepids call
    Dallas and Florida trouble twins? A lady
    named Grace p.76
  3. Why is the valley they’re in called
    Ruby Holler? In the fall the maple tree
    leaves turn a scarlet red p.78

Chapter 16

  1. What does it mean to “lose your
    marbles”? not be thinking straight; going
    crazy p.81
  2. What two things did Dallas and
    Florida do that tested Sairy and Tiller’s patience? Chopped down Tiller’s favorite maple tree and chopped a hole in the
    barn wall p.83
  3. How did Sairy respond to Florida when
    she said she and Dallas were going to go? 
    She said they were just surprised
    and that it had been a long time since someone had done something so thoughtful
    p.85

Chapter 17

  1. What piece of furniture had Florida
    never seen before? A rocking chair p.87

Chapter 18

  1. How did the baby respond to Mrs.
    Trepid? The baby stiffened and stared
    wide eyed at her p.92
  2. What did Dallas do for Joey when he
    was sick? Put a cool clothe on his
    forehead; watched over him; spoke to him; breathed into Joey’s mouth p.94
  3. What had happened to Joey? He died 
    p.94

Chapter 19

  1. Where do Sairy and Tiller keep their
    money? They’ve buried them in holes in
    the ground p.98
  2. After Tiller and Sairy leave to go to
    their “private banks”, what do Florida and Dallas want to do? Follow them p.100

Chapter 20

  1. When had Tiller and Sairy finally shared
    with each other where their hiding places for their “banks” were? on their 60th birthdays. P.102

Chapter 21

  1. What did Tiller and Sairy do while
    they waited for Dallas and Florida to come back? Whittled p. 103
  2. Why didn’t Tiller want Sairy talking
    about their understone funds? It was too
    much temptation for kids who had so little p.109
  3. Why did Florida change her mind and
    not want to know where the money is? She
    remembered her experience at the Hoppers and that money is trouble p.110
  4. What did Dallas want to do with their
    money? Bury it as well p.111

Chapter 22

  1. How did the twins feel when Sairy
    said she needed to go to the children’s home to talk to the Trepids? they didn’t want to go back and were worried
    about getting thrown into a cobwebby room p.114
  2. What did Dallas and Florida tell Mr.
    Trepid that they probably should have? They
    told him about the understone funds p.116
  3. What is a passport? A document that lets you travel out of your
    country     p.118

Chapter 23

  1. When Dallas and Florida were getting
    ready to catch the train, why did they want to leave money for the Morey’s? because they bought them new things p.121
  2. Why was Sairy concerned about the
    passport? The birthday didn’t match the
    day Dallas said his birthday was p.123
  3. What do you think “hit the grit”
    means? Left them; hit the road p.125

Chapter 24

  1. Where did Sairy go to college? New York City p.130
  2. What made Sairy move back to Ruby
    Holler when she was in New York City? Tiller
    wrote a postcard to her every week about the holler and she missed it p. 131
  3. What does Sairy wonder as she looks
    at a photo of her younger self? Who are
    you? p.132

Chapter 25

  1. Why do you think the holler felt so
    dark to Dallas and Florida? They had
    never been in the holler at night before alone; they also had only been in the
    city with lights around them at night p.133
  2. Why did Florida and Dallas decide to
    stop and pull out their sleeping bags and sleep for a few hours? They wanted to wait until there was a tiny
    bit of light from the sun to help them know where they were. P.138
  3. What nickname does Florida call
    Dallas all of the time?  Mr. Boss p.142
  4. Why did Dallas and Florida put ants,
    snakes, spiders and a frog into the Burgerton boys’ beds? Because they were getting blamed for things they hadn’t done and they
    might as well do something to get blamed p.144

Chapter 26

  1. Who is Z? Someone who worked for Mr. Trepid wanted p.145
  2. What’s the first part of the project
    Mr. Trepid needed Z to do in the holler? Find
    out when the Morey’s are leaving p.146

Chapter 27

  1. When Florida and Dallas climbed out
    of the sleeping bags, what did they smell? Bacon
    p.149
  2. Why do you think Sairy and Tiller
    were out cooking bacon over a fire in the morning? They found Florida and Dallas sleeping out trying to run away and came
    to them with the compliment of what a good idea it was to try out the equipment
    before their trips. P.151
  3. What was Tiller worried the kids had
    snuck out to get? Their money p.155

Chapter 28

  1. When the twins were babies, why were
    they never placed in a home? Mrs. Trepid
    would always keep them hidden and when someone saw them, she told them they
    were already taken, because she wanted them for herself p.158
  2. What made Mrs. Trepid change her mind
    about the twins? They would howl and
    squirm; she didn’t have patience for them p. 159
  3. How was Mrs. Trepid feeling about
    children now? She didn’t know she could
    live through more children p.160

Chapter 29

  1. What’s the promise Dallas and Florida
    made to each other? To never split up
    p.163

Chapter 30

  1. What was this chapter about? The nightmares Dallas, Florida, Tiller and
    Sairy had about their trips p.168

Chapter 31

  1. What was Sairy’s bad-dream medicine? Homemade peach ice cream on waffles p.169
  2. What is a rehearsal? To practice something to make sure you get
    it right p.170

Chapter 32

  1. Why is the river called Hidden River?
    It’s not on any maps p.173
  2. Why are there no mosquitos in the
    holler? The bats eat them p.175
  3. Did Dallas or Sairy know if they were
    different without Florida or Tiller? Not
    yet p.178

Chapter 33

  1. What does Mr. Trepid want Z to find? Any special stones p.180
  2. Why was Mrs. Trepid so happy to get
    away from children’s home? She’s tired of
    children p.183

Chapter 34

  1. How did Sairy respond to the way Mr.
    Dreep treated Dallas and Florida? She
    said it was criminal p.185

Chapter 35

  1. How is Tiller different from Dallas? Tiller complains a lot like Florida p.189
  2. What were Tiller and Sairy both
    starting to talk to the kids about as they were on their trips? The different families they were with and
    how they treated them. P.191

Chapter 36

  1. What do you think, would it be harder
    to miss a mother you had loved, or miss a mother you had never known? Listen to your child’s ideas P.194

Chapter 37

  1. Why do you think it is good that
    Dallas is dreamy? He can dream up a
    really nice future for them and helps make things positive when they’re scary
    and dark p.196

Chapter 38

  1. Why do you think Z wanted to stall Trepid?
    He didn’t want to hurt the Morey’s p.197

Chapter 39

  1. Tell me the times Dallas had cried. After Joey died; sometimes at night at the
    home p.200
  2. Tell me the story of the piece of
    wood that Sairy and Tiller both grabbed at the same time. Sairy wanted it but let Tiller have it. He put it on their dresser
    since he couldn’t decide what to make with it. 
    He gave her permission to use it but couldn’t get herself to whittle
    with it. It’s still there now P.201
  3. Why did Sairy and Dallas call
    themselves worrywarts? They were worrying
    Tiller and Florida miss them p.205

Chapter 40

  1. How did Florida and Dallas get their
    names? The box they were in on the porch
    of the orphanage had travel pamphlets in it and Florida was on one that said
    “Fly to Florida” and Dallas was on the one that said “Destination: Dallas”
    p.210
  2. What helped Florida be able to
    whittle? Not paying any attention to what
    she was whittling p.211

Chapter 41

  1. Explain what putting something on
    layaway means. Have the store hold it for
    you, then you pay a little each month until it’s all paid for, then you get to
    take it home. P.214
  2. Why do you think Mr. Trepid was in
    the dealership looking at cars? He wanted
    to buy one  P.217
  3. What was this chapter about? Mr. and 
    Mrs. Trepid thinking about the investments Mr. Trepid was going to
    receive and what they could do with the money. P.217

Chapter 42

  1. Why was Dallas mad if the Trepids
    didn’t tell him when his real birthday was? A
    person should know when their birthday was p.219

Chapter 43

  1. Why doesn’t Tiller get mad when
    Florida goofs up? He’s too old to get mad
    or what she considers goofs aren’t what he considers goofs p.222
  2. What do you think Tiller meant when
    he said it was interesting having Dallas and Florida in Ruby Holler?  Good or
    bad- let your child give their opinion. P.223

Chapter 44

  1. Was Mr. Trepid happy with the report
    Z gave him? No, because Z said he wasn’t
    done yet p.225

Chapter 45

  1. Tell me what happened when the boat
    hit the rock? It tipped over and Tiller
    and Florida went in the water and got pushed under. P.228

Chapter 46

  1. What did Z put into his sack? Sairy’s bank box p.230
  2. If he can also find Tiller’s box,
    what do you think he’s going to do with them? Listen to your child’s ideas P.230

Chapter 47

  1. How did Dallas know that Florida was
    in trouble? He had a bad feeling inside
    p.231

Chapter 48

  1. What were the Trepids doing in the
    jewelry store? Looking at a necklace and
    watch they would like p.232

Chapter 49

  1. Why was Tiller regretting that he and
    Florida weren’t wearing their life jackets? She
    couldn’t swim and they would have been keeping them afloat at that time instead
    of being pushed under the water. P.239

Chapter 50

  1. Who helped Sairy and Dallas find
    their way out of the woods? Two boys
    hunting a deer p.245
  2. Do you think it was a good idea for
    Sairy and Dallas to leave their backpacks with the two boys? No, they might steal their stuff p.246

Chapter 51

  1. Who lived in the cabin at the far
    side of the holler? Z p.247
  2. What two confessions did he need to
    make to Sairy? He was the one who got
    Dallas’s passport & that the twins could be his kids p.249
  3. What was the form Z read that told
    him the twins could be his? Hospital
    record p.249

Chapter 52

  1. What happened to Florida in this
    chapter? She found a log and was able to
    stay afloat as she called out for Tiller p.252

Chapter 53

  1. When Sairy and Dallas couldn’t find
    the diner the boys pointed them to, what did they realize and do? They realized the boys lied and stole their
    packs and decided to keep hiking to find a town p.253
  2. What did Dallas finally spot? A farm p.256

Chapter 54

  1. Why was Tiller holding his chest? It felt tight p.256
  2. What did Tiller think about as he was
    underwater? Rose his daughter and Sairy
    p.258

Chapter 55

  1. What did Z end up doing with the
    understone funds? He kept them for safe
    keeping p.261
  2. What did the person who went to
    Kangadoon get? Malaria p.263

Chapter 56

  1. Why do you think Florida was mad at
    Tiller for not saving her from the river? Because
    he was supposed to protect her and keep her safe p.265
  2. How did Florida save Tiller? Tied a rope to a tree and held on to it as
    she walked out to where he was p.265
  3. What does Florida mean instead of
    “artificial perspiration”? Artificial
    Respiration p.266
  4. What do you think Tiller means when
    he says he has a “soggy heart”? He’s
    having a heart attack p.267

Chapter 57

  1. Why did Z feel when Dallas asked him
    when the doctors were going to tell them about Tiller? Responsible, important p.269

Chapter 58

  1. Who do you think the
    be-nice-to-orphans brownies are for? Mr.
    Trepid p.272
  2. What was Mr. Trepid going to do with
    the Ruby Holler treasure map? Try and
    find Sairy and Tiller’s understone funds p.274

Chapter 59

  1. How did Mrs. Trepid feel about Mr.
    Trepid leaving her alone with the kids for the day?  Unhappy;
    mad; p.275

Chapter 60

  1. What did Sairy and Tiller discuss in
    this chapter? Boxton Creek Home; all of
    the families Dallas and Florida went to; what Z wanted to talk to Tiller about;
    the Trepid’s coming p.278

Chapter 61

  1. What did Mr. Trepid take with him to
    Ruby Holler? Shovel, trowel, sack, map
    p.283
  2. What are some things Mr. Trepid found
    while digging? Brownies; lizards; mash
    blackberries; stinging nettles; mousetrap; leaves & berries; etc. p.284

Chapter 62

  1. Where was Mr. Trepid going to take
    the gems to be appraised? The jeweler he
    went to look at the watch p.289

Chapter 63

  1. What does it mean to get pictures
    developed? Get them printed so you have
    the actual picture p.292
  2. How much did the jewels cost that Mr.
    Trepid found? $1.99 p.292
  3. What was Florida worried about at the
    end of the chapter? That Sairy and Tiller
    were going to get rid of them p.293

Chapter 64

  1. Where did Mr. Trepid test drive the
    new Cadillac to? The jewelry store p.295
  2. How did the salesman react toward Mr.
    Trepid when he saw the fake gems on the counter? Polite; stared at them and cleared his throat; asked if he could talk
    to his manager; chewed on his lip p.297

Chapter 65

  1. Why did Dallas begin packing up his
    things? He thought Sairy and Tiller were
    going to take them back to the home p.300
  2. How did Florida feel about leaving
    now? She didn’t want to; she wanted to
    say good-bye p.301
  3. Why was Sairy hesitant to keep the
    twins? She didn’t know if staying in the
    holler was the best thing for them p.303

Chapter 66

  1. Why didn’t Florida want to leave Ruby
    Holler? She liked it there; The Morey’s
    were the nicest couple so far; who would help out with things around the farm
    while Tiller was getting back his strength. P.307
  2. What were Dallas and Florida hoping
    would happen when they fell asleep in the fort made by trees? That Sairy and Tiller would find them like
    last time. P.309
  3. How did Dallas and Florida know that
    Sairy and Tiller found them? When they
    woke up, they smelled bacon p.310

Comprehension Questions- The Tiger Rising

The Tiger Rising

by Kate DiCamillo

Grades 5-7; Genre - Fiction; GRL T; AR pts: 3.0

Walking through the misty Florida woods one morning, twelve-year-old Rob Horton is stunned to encounter a tiger — a real-life, very large tiger — pacing back and forth in a cage. What's more, on the same extraordinary day, he meets Sistine Bailey, a girl who shows her feelings as readily as Rob hides his. As they learn to trust each other, and ultimately, to be friends, Rob and Sistine prove that some things — like memories, and heartaches, and tigers — can't be locked up forever.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. How did Rob's dad rip his clothes?  slapping Rob to make him stop crying  p.3
  2. Name two of Rob's "not-thoughts".  his mom's death, rash, the Threemonger brothers) p.3

Chapter 2

  1. Describe Billy and Norton.  boys who ride the bus with Rob; they were bullies to Rob; had bad breath;  p.5
  2. What does Mr. Nelson, the bus driver, do as Billy and Norton bully Rob?  nothing; whistles a tuneless song ignoring the situation p.6
  3. What gives Rob the strength to not-cry when the boys bully him on the bus? He had the extra power of the tiger with him  p.6

Chapter 3

  1. What did Rob think of Sistine?  she's strange p.8
  2. Where did the name "Sistine" come from? a chapel  p.9
  3. Describe Sistine.  wore pink lacy dress; gravelly, deep, clipped, sharp voice; sharp nose and chin; black black eyes; didn't seem bothered by the boys; confident  p.9

Chapter 4

  1. Why does Rob want to whittle the tiger? his mother taught him how to whittle and it makes stuff come alive  p.12
  2. What is Sistine's attitude toward Robert? hate's him p.12

Chapter 5

  1. Why is Mr. Phelmer, the principal, worried about Rob's legs?  parents of the other students think his rash might be contagious  p. 15
  2. Why is Rob's heart singing when the principal tells him he should stay home for a few days for the medicine to work?  he doesn't have to go to school; he can see the tiger; he can begin to whittle the tiger into wood  p.17

Chapter 6

  1. Why didn't Rob yell at Sistine to run when kids were throwing objects at her?  he knew if he did he would get bullied as well  p.19
  2. Why did Rob feel a thrill when the children were chasing him after he stopped them from ganging up on Sistine? he was saving Sistine p.21

Chapter 7

  1. What type of figurative language is this an example of? "He opened his mouth and the words fell out, one on top of the other, like gold coins."  simile  p.23
  2. Why did Sistine put her hand on Rob's leg, then rub her hand up and down her own legs?  so she would get the rash and not have to go to school  p.24

Chapter 8

  1. Will anyone catch Rob's sickness?  no p.26
  2. What will Rob do when he is out of school? work with his dad p.27
  3. How did Rob's dad feel about him missing school?  he was ok with it; thought a break from the bullies would do him good; thought it would be good to have Rob help him around the motel  p.27

Chapter 9

  1. Why does Rob not like sunshine? it reminds him of his mom's funeral p.33

Chapter 10

  1. What did Willie May say to Rob that would help him be cured of his rashes?  let the sadness from his mom's death rise up to his heart, not go down to his legs  p.37
  2. What certificate does Rob's principal not have? sense certificate  p.37

Chapter 11

  1. When Sistine had brought Rob his homework the first time, why were her clothes dirty and her knuckles bloody?  she'd been fighting at school  p.40
  2. When Rob told Sistine about the tiger, how did he know he told the right person? The only question she asked was, "where?"  p.41

Chapter 12

  1. Who was the sculptor that painted the Sistine Chapel?  Michelangelo  p.43
  2. How did Rob feel when Sistine called him an artist?  joyful and embarrassed p.43

Chapter 13

  1. How does Sistine get Rob to tell her about his mother? starts to leave and walks away from him p.48

Chapter 14

  1. Why is Sistine upset about the tiger being caged in Florida? it was not running free  p.50-51
  2. Why didn't Rob want to do what Sistine wanted to do and let the tiger free?  It wasn't his tiger to let go p.51
  3. What emotion did Rob feel when he grabbed Sistine's hand and ran away from the car approaching them and the tiger?  happiness  p.52
  4. Why had Rob started to feel happiness again?  he had a friend  p.52

Chapter 15

  1. Why was Rob scolding himself for leaving open his "suitcase"?  now his words, feelings and emotions were out   p.55

Chapter 16

  1. How did Sistine's parents meet?  they were both looking up at the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and ran into each other.  p.57
  2. Why doesn't Sistine listen to, or respect her mother? she feels like she's a liar  p.60

Chapter 17

  1. What is Willie May's opinion on caged animals?  she wants to let them go p.64
  2. Tell me about the parakeet Willie May got for her birthday.  called him Cricket because he sang all the time; could feel his heart beating in her hand when she held him; let him go since she couldn't stand him being locked up; her dad beat her  p.62

Chapter 18

  1. What special job does Beauchamp want to give Rob?  taking care of the tiger  p.67
  2. What do you think the bloody meat in Beachamp's jeep is for?  to feed the tiger p.68

Chapter 19

  1. How did Beauchamp come into possession of the tiger? a fellow owed him some money and paid him with a tiger  p.70
  2. Why did Beauchamp give the entire set of keys to the tiger cage to Rob? Beauchamp trusted him not to open the door  p.71
  3. What does Rob have that will set the tiger free?  the keys p.73

Chapter 20

  1. When Sistine presses Rob into letting the tiger go, why does he resist? the tiger won't be safe  p.76
  2. Why does Sistine break down crying when Rob won't let the tiger go?  she wants to go live with her dad; she hates it in Florida; she wants to let the tiger go  p.77
  3. How does Rob comfort Sistine when she breaks down crying? put his hand on her neck like his mother used to do to him; told her to cry and that he had a good hold on her p.77

Chapter 21

  1. What does Willie May compare Sistine's anger to?  lightning that was snapping out of her  p.81
  2. What was the advice that Willie May gave to Sistine? no one was going to rescue her; she had to rescue herself  p.82

Chapter 22

  1. When Rob's dad found the rotten meat under his bed, what's a word that would describe how his dad felt? inadequate; frustrated; angry p.83
  2. Why did Rob's father stare at the gun and crack his knuckles after finding the meat?  he was thinking about using it on Beauchamp p.84
  3. What did Rob carve? Willie May's bird, Cricket  p.85

Chapter 23

  1. When Rob put the wooden carving into Willie May's hand, what was her response?  she didn't want to open her eyes for fear she would frighten the wooden bird away; she knew what it was with her eyes closed; soothed her heart  p.88
  2. Why doesn't Willie May have to dream of Cricket anymore?  now she had Rob's carving of her Cricket  p.88

Chapter 24

  1. Why does Rob like Sistine so much?  her voice changes when she sees something beautiful  p.92
  2. When Rob and Sistine first told Willie May about the tiger, what was her reaction?  surprised; shocked; wanted to see the tiger  p.93

Chapter 25

  1. What does Sistine always say when she gets sad, frustrated or doesn't get her way?  she can't wait until her father comes to get her and that he'll set the tiger free; puts the blame on other people by calling them liars  p.95
  2. After Willie May told Rob that she would like to see the tiger "rise on up out of his cage", Rob realized what he had to do.  What do you predict he'll do?  p.97

Chapter 26

  1. When Beauchamp drives up in his jeep toward Sistine and Rob, what does Sistine do that surprises Rob?  smile and sweetly say "Sissy" to Beauchamp  p.100
  2. What is the truth that Rob and Sistine learn about Beauchamp and the tiger?  Beauchamp is scared of the tiger  p.101

Chapter 27

  1. When Rob unlocks the tiger cage, why do they rock it?  so the tiger will leave  p.103
  2. What did the author compare the tiger running away from Rob and Sistine to? he looked like the sun, rising, setting again and again

Chapter 28

  1. What happens to the tiger after the kids let him go?  Rob's dad shoots it p.106
  2. What was a positive outcome to Rob's dad shooting the tiger?  Rob was able to finally tell his father how he feels about his mother being gone and they could talk and cry together  p.106
  3. Why do you think it was important to touch the tiger after Rob's dad had shot it?  helps you mourn, say good-bye and accept what has happened  p.109

Chapter 29

  1. What attended both Rob's mother's and the tiger's funeral?  the sun  p.111
  2. On the way back to the motel after the funeral, Rob felt lighter, as if he had put something heavy down and walked away from it.  Why?  he and his dad had talked; he was able to cry; he felt good about his decision to let the tiger go  p.112

Chapter 30

  1. Why does Rob feel all right about going to school now? Sistine is there p.114
  2. What will Rob carve for Sistine? a tiger  p.116

Comprehension Questions – The Bailey School Kids Christmas Special Mrs. Claus Doesn’t Climb Telephone Poles

Mrs. Claus Doesn’t Climb Telephone Poles

By Marcia Thornton Jones & Debbie Dadey

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

There are some pretty weird grown-ups living in Bailey City. But why is Mrs. Claus repairing telephone and cable wires in Bailey City after a big blizzard? And could Santa be so worried about her that he'd forget all about Christmas? The Bailey School Kids are going to find out.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What’s causing the internet to be down and the school to be closed until after Christmas? snow storm  p. 1
  2. How was snow stopping the kids from going to school and from playing video games or using the internet? The power was out  p.3
  3. Who did the children see up on the telephone pole? A woman  p.3

Chapter 2

  1. Describe the woman who was working on the telephone pole. Grandma; said “Ho! Ho! Ho!” into the receiver; friendly; wore red; name is Joy;  p.3-6,8
  2. What made Liza try sledding down the hill? It looked like more fun than standing and watching p. 11
  3. How did Liza feel about sledding after she zoomed down the hill for the first time? It was exciting, but she didn’t want to do it again  p.16

Chapter 3

  1. What is “fruitcake”? a rich cake containing dried or candied fruit, nuts, etc.  p.17
  2. How did Eddie cheat when racing Melody to the Burger Doodle Restaurant? Cut in front of her, forcing her into a snowdrift, then threw a snowball at her p.18
  3. What is the definition of “bickering”? to argue  p.21
  4. Why was Joy unhappy? She doesn’t feel appreciated by S.C. p.23

Chapter 4

  1. Why did Liza scream when she heard the name “Eli”? she recognized Eli was the same man talking to the janitor who turned out to be Santa Claus  p.28
  2. What does “abominable” mean? Very unpleasant; disagreeable p.28
  3. How did Joy respond when Liza said that “Santa can do anything, can’t he?” she cleared her throat, lost her sparkle, ran out of the restaurant  p.33

Chapter 5

  1. What is a “microscope”? an instrument with a  magnifying lens, used to inspect objects too small to be seen p.34
  2. When the children went to the bakery to pick up a cake for Melody’s aunt, what did they overhear Joy saying behind the counter? Telling the baker how to make cookies  p.37
  3. What does Joy compare her husband’s red nose to? a cherry gum drop  p.40

Chapter 6

  1. Where did the children follow Joy to? A small cottage  p.42
  2. List 2 ways to describe the cottage. Looks like the house from Hansel and Gretal; lots of Christmas lights; snowman on the roof; spruce trees with lights; candy canes lining the brick sidewalk  p.44

Chapter 7

  1. What does “bragging” mean? To boast; acting arrogant; to speak of one’s own achievements p.47
  2. When the children were going to sledding the second time, why did their breath make little white clouds? The warm air from their mouths mixed with the cold air outside   p.49
  3. What happened to Eddie’s sled after it slid down the hill without him? Broke into 3 pieces  p.50
  4. What did Joy do for Eddie’s sled? Fix it  p.52

Chapter 8

  1. How did Joy want Eddie to thank her for fixing his sled? Be more careful; think how his family would feel if he got hurt  p.55
  2. What did Joy do to help make sledding easier for Liza? Went down the hill with her p.57
  3. Who does Liza think Joy is? Mrs. Claus  p. 60

Chapter 9

  1. A simile is a figure of speech in which two unlike things are compared using like or as. Give me an example of a simile on page 64.  Eddie tossed snowballs like a catapult
  2. How would you describe Eddie during the snowball fight? Mean; bullyish; crazy  p.66
  3. Why do you think Joy calling Eli at the end of this chapter? To tell Eli that Eddie is being naughty  p.67

Chapter 10

  1. What’s the definition of “romantic”? displaying or expressing love p.69
  2. Who is Cupid? A winged, infant boy with a bow and arrow that symbolizes love  p.70
  3. Why do the friends feel like they need to help Joy and her husband? Christmas will be ruined if they don’t  p.72

Chapter 11

  1. How did Liza trick Joy? When Liza spoke about what friends do when they have disagreements, Joy joined in explaining that friendship isn’t easy but worth saving.  Joy realized she needed to work it out with her husband  p.76-77

Chapter 12

  1. Why was Eddie acting so calm and unlike himself? He got the present he wanted from Joy p.81
  2. Why did it bother Eddie he got a present from Joy? He didn’t really believe until then that Joy was Mrs. Claus  p.81

Comprehension Questions- Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery

Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery

By: Deborah and James Howe

Grades 3-5; Genre - Fiction; GRL Q; AR pts: 2.0

When the Monroe family brings home a small black-and-white bunny they find in the movie theater after seeing Dracula, Chester the cat and Harold the dog are instantly suspicious. After all the vegetables in the Monroe kitchen start turning white, Chester and Harold are certain that Bunnicula is a vegetarian vampire. Continue reading →

Comprehension Questions – Flat Stanley

Flat Stanley

by Jeff Brown

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

A bulletin board fell on top of Stanley Lambchop and he's become only a half inch thick.  Now that Stanley's flat he can do all sorts of things, like be rolled up, being flown like a kite and is able to be mailed to California to see his cousin.  He gets an extra fun adventure when he helps the museum director catch two dangerous art thieves.  Continue reading →

Comprehension Questions – Calvin Coconut #5 Hero of Hawaii

Hero of Hawaii

By: Graham Salisbury

Grades 1-4; Genre - Fiction; Lexile 460L; AR pts: 2.0

Hawaii boy Calvin Coconut has come up with the best idea ever for his sister Darci's birthday party. But a huge tropical storm hits the islands and threatens everything! The river next to Calvin's house rises high, and when Calvin's friend Willy falls into the raging water, Calvin grabs his skiff to save him. As Willy is swept into the bay, Calvin struggles in the wild waves. What happens next shows Calvin what heroes are made of! Continue reading →

Comprehension Questions- Calvin Coconuts #1 Trouble Magnet

Trouble Magnet

By: Graham Salisbury

Grades 3-5; Genre - Fiction; GRL 410L; AR pts: 2.0

Nine-year-old Calvin catches the attention of the school bully on the day before he starts fourth grade, while at home, the unfriendly fifteen-year-old daughter of his mother's best friend has taken over his room. Continue reading →

Comprehension Questions- Hank Zipzer #7 Help! Somebody Get Me Out of the Fourth Grade!

Help! Somebody Get Me Out of the Fourth Grade!

by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver

Grades 3-5; Genre - Fiction; GRL R; AR pts: 4.0

Hank Zipzer is in the fourth grade and has just had parent teacher conferences and is getting terrible grades.  He is faced with the fear that maybe he won't pass the fourth grade and will be stuck in the fourth grade while all of his classmates move on to fifth grade.  Continue reading →

Comprehension Questions – The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (Classic Starts)

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (Classic Starts)

Retold from the Mark Twain original

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

This is a classic story adapted from the full account of Tom Sawyer written by Mark Twain.  In this simplified version children are swept away to the 1800's and the adventures of a young boy about 12 years old.  Even though he's always causing trouble for his aunt and finding some mischief to get into, he ends up being a hero to all. Continue reading →