Tag Archives: Greek Mythology

Comprehension Questions – Tales from the Odyssey Book #4 The Gray-Eyed Goddess

The Gray-Eyed Goddess

by Mary Pope Osborne

Grades 3-7; Genre - Mythology; GRL P; AR pts. 1.0

For nearly twenty years, Odysseus has fought terrifying giants and monsters, weathered the loss of his men, and angered gods and goddesses. Now he is trapped on the island of the alluring sea goddess, Calypso. Back in Ithaca, his wife, Penelope, and their son, Telemachus, are desperately warding off the suitors who want to marry Penelope in order to take control of Odysseus's island. Then a visit from a mysterious stranger gives Telemachus the courage to confront the suitors, and to head off in search of his long-lost father. Could the stranger be the gray-eyed warrior goddess, Athena?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. How does this story begin? Odysseus has been captive on Calypso’s island for 7 years; the story turns to what’s happening at Odysseus’s home with his family p.13

Chapter 2

  1. Explain what Mentor commanded Telemachus to do? Get rid of the suitors, go in search of his father, make a name for himself, have strength and courage p.30

Chapter 3

  1. Why did Telemachus think Athena came to him? Mentor’s spear was like hers, his sandals were like hers, his gray eyes shone like her eyes, she had favored Odysseus before p.41

Chapter 4

  1. How did Athena help Telemachus in this chapter? Find a crew for the ship; put everyone to sleep at his home so they wouldn’t know what he was doing; sailed on the ship with him p.52

Chapter 5

  1. What’s causing Telemachus to look like a god? His presence and confidence p.67
  2. Why is Telemachus traveling to see King Menelaus? He was the last to arrive home after the Trojan War and might have seen or heard what happened to Odysseus p.64

Chapter 6

  1. What does it mean to “hold fast”? Hold on tight and not let go p.80
  2. Predict what Telemachus is going to do. Listen to your child’s answer p.81

Chapter 7

  1. How did Calypso help Odysseus prepare for his journey? She gave him a bronze ax; gave him linen cloth for a sail; gave food for the journey; told him what stars to follow; blew a fair warm breeze out to sea p.91

Chapter 8

  1. How did Odysseus survive swimming in the ocean for three days? He had a veil from the white goddess and Athens kept the winds calm p99
  2. How has Athena answered Odysseus’s prayer? She’s sending Telemachus to find him; she helped him get to shore, helped him sleep and took away his sorrow and pain p.103

Comprehension Questions – Tales from the Odyssey Book #3 Sirens and Sea Monsters

Sirens and Sea Monsters

by Mary Pope Osborne

Grades 3-7; Genre - Mythology; GRL P; AR pts. 1.0

Retells a part of the Odyssey in which Odysseus and his men, returning from the Land of the Dead determined to sail home to Ithaca, encounter Scylla, the six-headed monster, and Charybdis, the deadly whirlpool.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Summarize how this story begins. Odysseus and his men return to Circe’s island; she feeds them and they rest; Odysseus shares who he talked with at the Land of the Dead p.13

Chapter 2

  1. List the warnings Circe gave Odysseus. He was going to pass the sirens, he needed to make sure his men put beeswax in their ears or they will die; he is to pass the sea monster Scylla but not fight her, if he fights more men will die, only 6 men will die if they hurry past her; he’ll reach the sun god’s island and he is not to touch the animals or his men will die and he’ll have trouble when he arrives home p.23

Chapter 3

  1. Why did Odysseus want to tell his men about the dangerous voyage ahead of them? So, they could be prepared and know what to expect p.37
  2. Describe the experience Odysseus and his sailors had while passing the sirens. The wind stopped blowing; Odysseus prepared the beeswax and his men put it in their ears; they tied Odysseus to the mast; the men rowed past the island; the sirens sang and Odysseus desired to throw himself into the water, but his men wouldn’t untie him; they got past the island, and they were all safe p.39

Chapter 4

  1. What does it mean to defy something? openly resist or refuse to obey p.51
  2. Why did Odysseus defy Circe’s counsel? He didn’t want any of his men to die p.51

Chapter 5

  1. Why did Odysseus understand Circe’s words at the end of the chapter? He saw that there was no way he could fight Scylla and that the best thing he could do was to hurry past her p.56

Chapter 6

  1. Why was Odysseus worried about Eurylochus’s plan? He knew that this plan could still go wrong and that circumstances might make his men want to eat the sheep and cattle of the sun god p.63

Chapter 7

  1. How did the plan go wrong? Zeus caused a storm to rage on the island for so long that they ran out of provisions and found less and less to eat, so his men were hungry p.66

Chapter 8

  1. Summarize this chapter. The men killed the sun god’s animals; Odysseus was angered; they sailed away, and a horrible storm hit and all of the men but Odysseus were killed p.73

Chapter 9

  1. What word would you use to describe how Odysseus was feeling at the end of this chapter? Betrayed by his gods; alone; devastated 

Chapter 10

  1. Who did Odysseus meet and how did she help him? Calypso; she sang to him which helped him feel comforted and at peace p.89

Describe how Odysseus felt at the end of this story. He was broken (heart and body); worried about his family; but relieved to find peace and safety after all the troubles he and his men have been through p.91

Comprehension Questions – Tales from the Odyssey Book #2 The Land of the Dead

The Land of the Dead

by Mary Pope Osborne

Grades 3-7; Genre - Mythology; GRL P; AR pts. 1.0

A retelling of part of the Odyssey in which Odysseus and his fleet continue their journey and encounter giant cannibals, a beautiful witch, and the Land of the Dead.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What’s a vision? the act or power of seeing p.12
  2. What caused Odysseus to anchor his ship away from the others? He had a bad feeling p.14
  3. How did listening to his feelings save him? The other men were destroyed by the giants p.18

Chapter 2

  1. What gave Odysseus’s men hope in this chapter? The gods provided a large deer for food and Odysseus spoke encouraging to them p.25

Chapter 3

  1. What did Odysseus mean when he told his men to “harness their fears”? Control their fears and not panic p.29
  2. Why were the men following Eurylochus so anxious and frightened? They were terrified to come upon monsters p.30
  3. Describe Eurylochus’s adventure. He and his men came to a stone wall and went through the gate; they came upon wolves and lions that didn’t attack but were like pets; they came to the inner courtyard of a palace and heard a woman singing and saw her weaving at a loom in the window; she beckoned the men to come in and they all went in except for Eurylochus; she turned those men into pigs p.34

Chapter 4

  1. What responsibility did Odysseus feel toward the men that were pigs? They were his men, and he knew he needed to save them p.41
  2. Define courage. mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty p.43
  3. Describe the strange man and how he helped Odysseus. The god Hermes; he gave Odysseus an herb and told him how to protect himself from Circe the enchantress p.43

Chapter 5

  1. Why did Circe finally free Odysseus’s men? He demanded it p.53
  2. What softened Circe and persuaded her to host all of Odysseus’s men? The brotherly love the men had for him and each other p.54
  3. What did Odysseus decide at the end of this chapter? To linger with Circe until he and his men were strong enough to travel p.58

Chapter 6

  1. Why was Odysseus unhappy with Circe’s explanation of how to get home? He needed to go see Tiresias on the land of the dead p.62
  2. How did Circe assist Odysseus and his men at the end of this chapter? She filled the sails with wind and sent the boat flying over the waves p.67

Chapter 7

  1. Why was Odysseus horrified to see his mother in the land of the dead? If she was there, it meant she had died p.72

Chapter 8

  1. What instructions did Tiresias give to Odysseus? How to get home; they can’t touch any sheep or cattle as they come to an island, or they will perish p.76
  2. Describe Odysseus’s conversation with his mother? It was sad for him; he learned of her death from a broken heart and the status of his other family members p.81

Chapter 9

  1. Summarize what happens in this chapter? Odysseus allowed other spirits to drink from the trench and he saw and talked to great men of the past; then he went back to his ship and sailed for home p.83
  2. Describe two spirits Odysseus saw. Agamemnon-high king of the Greek forces during the Trojan war; Achilles-bravest of all Greeks; Tantalus-a king whose great pride shared the gods; Sisyphus-a cruel king whom the gods had condemned to forever roll a huge rock uphill; Heracles-a great warrior p.83
  3. Why was Odysseus grateful when he left the land of the dead? That he was still among the living p.92

Comprehension Questions – Percy Jackson and the Olympians #3 The Titan’s Curse

The Titan's Curse

by Rick Riordan

Grades 6-9; Genre - Fantasy; GRL W; AR pts: 10.0

When Percy Jackson receives an urgent distress call from his friend Grover, he immediately prepares for battle. He knows he'll need his powerful demigod allies, Annabeth and Thalia, at his side; his trusty bronze sword, Riptide; and ... a ride from his mom. The demigods race to the rescue, to find that Grover has made an important discovery: two new powerful half-bloods whose parentage is unknown. But that's not all that awaits them. The Titan lord, Kronos, has set up his most devious trap yet, and the young heroes have just fallen prey.
Hilarious and action-packed, this third adventure in the series that started with The Lightning Thief finds Percy faced with his most dangerous challenge so far: the chilling prophecy of the Titan's curse.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What is the setting in the first chapter? A school named Westover Hall in Bar Harbor, Maine just before Christmas break p.1
  2. Why did the friends go to the school? To help Grover save and recruit two half-bloods p.7
  3. Describe Thalia. She’s a daughter of Zeus and a leader; is made about her mom p.14

Chapter 2

  1. Why did Percy consider jumping into the ocean with the children? he could protect them due to his strength in the water p.19
  2. How did Annabeth help Percy and the children? She wore her invisible cap and knocked them to the ground p.21
  3. Why was Percy distraught at the end of the chapter? Annabeth had fallen over the cliff with the manticore and he couldn’t go after her p.27

Chapter 3

  1. Why is Annabeth’s disappearance Percy’s fault? He shouldn’t have gone after Dr. Thorn by himself p.33
  2. What opportunity did Artemis give Bianca? To join the Hunters p.40
  3. What oath must Bianca keep now that she swore her allegiance to Artemis? That she will never fall in love, never grow up, and be a maiden eternally p.41

Chapter 4

  1. Describe Apollo.  He’s Artemis’ brother, the Sun God, he can transport people traveling west, he’s a teenager that sees all and knows all p.48
  2. Why won’t Artemis let Zoe and the other Hunters go with her? It’s too dangerous p.39
  3. How did Thalia feel about driving the sun chariot? She was uncomfortable and didn’t want to p.52

Chapter 5

  1. Why was Thalia upset in this chapter? Annabeth was missing p.65
  2. Why did Poseidon put a water feature in Percy’s cabin? Percy could now contact his family p.66
  3. What gift does Percy have that gives him knowledge about his friends when they’re in trouble? Dreams/nightmares about them p.71

Chapter 6

  1. What was Percy’s dream connected to at the beginning of this chapter? Zoe’s dream p.77
  2. Why was Percy upset when he learned that the Hunters were trying to recruit Annabeth? Because he liked her and didn’t want her to become a Hunter p.78
  3. Why didn’t the Oracle communicate with Percy when he visited it, but yet turned to Zoe in the forest? The Oracle didn’t want to speak to him p.89

Chapter 7

  1. Why did Grover have hope that Pan had been awakened? If the manticore was correct, ancient powers will be waking up p.91
  2. Why didn’t Zoe choose Percy to go on the quest? He was a boy p.100
  3. Explain the dream Percy had at the end of the chapter? The General and Luke had Artemis and Annabeth as prisoners.  Annabeth had been holding up a large dark mass, and Artemis went and took her place.  Kronos wanted Luke to kill Annabeth, but Luke made an excuse to keep her alive p.106

Chapter 8

  1. Describe what Percy saved in this chapter. A baby sea cow; a cow half on the front and serpent bottom half; black fur, big brown eyes, white muzzle p.113
  2. Why isn’t Phoebe able to go on the mission? The Stoll brothers put Centaur’s blood on the inside of her t-shirt and now she’s bedridden with hives p.117
  3. What persuaded Percy to follow the quest? They lost Phoebe and needed 5 people p.119

Chapter 9

  1. Where did Zoe and the others drive to? Washington D.C. p.111
  2. Who did Percy follow in D.C.? Dr. Thorn p.130
  3. Why was Percy worried that the zombies tore off some of his t-shirt? He knew they would hunt him p.137

Chapter 10

  1. Why were the quest members in the Air and Space Museum? They were following Grover’s trail p.139
  2. Why did the freeze-dried space food kill the monster? It choked it p.144
  3. Why did Zoe let Percy be a part of the quest?  Percy proved himself p.147

Chapter 11

  1. How did Percy know that Apollo was the homeless guy who helped them? He said a haiku p.155
  2. Who do you think Percy was in his dream? Listen to your child’s answers p.156

Chapter 12

  1. Why did Bianca join the Hunters? She’s been taking care of Nico her entire life and wanted her own life and friends p.165
  2. Who helped the kids defeat the zombies? A large pig p.170
  3. Who did the kids feel in the air? The Lord of the Wild, Pan p.174

Chapter 13

  1. What did Bianca take from the junkyard and why? A mini statue that Nico didn’t have in his collection p.194
  2. How did Bianca defeat the monster? She went inside of it and made it attack itself and fall apart from the inside out p.197
  3. Why didn’t the companions search for Bianca more than they did? She fulfilled the prophecy by dying p.198

Chapter 14

  1. What was unique about Rachel Elizabeth Dare? She’s human but can see Percy’s sword, the lion coat and the skeletons chasing Percy p.213
  2. Who did Percy see in the elevator? Athena, Annabeth’s mom p.218
  3. How did the angels wake up to save the kids? They prayed to Zeus and Athena p.218

Chapter 15

  1. How did Percy find the Man of the Sea? Went to the docks and could smell the ocean when he passed him p.226
  2. Why is the Ophiotaurus running from the bad people? So he doesn’t get sacrificed p.230
  3. What did Percy learn about Mr. D in this chapter? That he secretly liked Percy because he helped Percy and called him by the right name p.239

Chapter 16

  1. How did the friends get to the Mountain of despair? Annabeth’s dad let them borrow his car p.245
  2. How diff Zoe get them past her sisters? She woke up the dragon p.256
  3. Who is the General? Atlas p.260

Chapter 17

  1. Who can defeat Atlas? Artemis p.268
  2. How did Artemis defeat Atlas? She flung him back to the sky and knocked Percy out of the way p.271
  3. What happened to Luke? He fell over the cliff and died p.272

Chapter 18

  1. Describe what happened to Zoe in this chapter? She died and became a constellation p.278
  2. Where are the friends traveling to? Mt. Olympus p.279
  3. What’s Annabeth’s conclusion of what happened to Luke? He’s not dead, he’s under Kronos’s spell p.282

Chapter 19

  1. Why didn’t the council destroy Percy and Annabeth? They had done well in their quest and their parents stood up for them p.294
  2. What is Percy’s weakness? Personal loyalty to his friends p.298

Chapter 20

  1. How did Nico respond when Percy told him about his sister Bianca? He was angry at Percy and said he hated him p.306
  2. Who is Nico’s and Bianca’s father? Hades p.309
  3. Why didn’t Percy want to tell Chiron that Hades was Nico’s dad? Chiron would need to tell the other gods on Mt. Olympus, and they would kill him p.310

Comprehension Questions – Percy Jackson and the Olympians #2 The Sea of Monsters

The Sea of Monsters

by Rick Riordan

Grades 7-9; Genre - Fantasy; GRL W; AR pts: 9.0

In this highly anticipated sequel to The Lightning Thief, a magical tree protecting the borders of Camp Half-Blood is poisoned. Thirteen-year-old Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase, and their new friend Tyson set out to find the one item that can save the camp. The trio must survive Cyclopes, man-eating sheep, Sirens, and giant cannibals for Camp Half-Blood to have any chance at a future.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What was Percy’s dream about? Grover in trouble and running away from a monster p.1
  2. Why did Percy keep Anaklusmos under his pillow while he slept? In case he needed it for protection during the night p.3
  3. What’s going on with Camp Half-Blood and how does it affect Percy? There’s been some problems and it’s not safe for Percy to be there p.6

Chapter 2

  1. Describe Tyson and how Percy’s a good friend to him.  He’s over 6 feet tall; has a misshapen and brutal looking face; homeless and abandoned by his parents; crooked teeth; talks funny and with a deep voice; the other kids pick on him and Percy stands up for him p.9
  2. What was unusual about Sloan’s friends? There were more of them than usual and they had strange names on their name tags p. 13
  3. How did Percy figure out he was playing dodge ball with monsters? They smelled funny, called him Perseus and were growing in size right in front of him p.16

Chapter 3

  1. How did the kids travel to Camp Half-Blood? A taxi driven by three witches that shared one eye p.29
  2. What made Tyson feel like he was going to throw up? Car sickness p.32
  3. What location did Percy receive from the sisters? Four numbers p.36

Chapter 4

  1. What did Percy, Annabeth and Tyson help defeat when they arrived to Camp Half-Blood? 2 bulls p.38
  2. What did Percy learn about Tyson? He’s a cyclops and is immune to fire p.45
  3. Why were the bulls able to enter Camp Half-Blood? Thalia’s tree has been poisoned that protects the border p.47

Chapter 5

  1. Why is Chiron leaving Camp Half-Blood? He’s been fired since Mr. D thinks he poisoned Thalia’s tree p.51
  2. What’s Tantalus’ curse? He can’t eat or drink p.59
  3. Who’s Tyson’s father? Poseidon p.64

Chapter 6

  1. How did Percy feel about Tyson now that he knew he was his brother? He was embarrassed and ashamed of him p.66
  2. Who did Percy build his chariot and race with? Tyson p.71
  3. Describe Percy’s dream. Grover used an empathy link to reach Percy and tell him he was in danger and needed to be saved from Polyphemus p.73
  4. How did Percy and Annabeth defeat the pigeons or Stymphalian birds? By playing Chiron’s music p.83

Chapter 7

  1. Why would saving Grover help Thalia’s tree? Grover found the Golden Fleece and that heals nature p.87
  2. Who did Tantalus choose as champion to go on the quest? Clarisse p.92
  3. Who’s the stranger that spoke with Percy on the beach and what did he want? Hermes; to encourage Percy to go on the quest even though he wasn’t chosen p.101
  4. What gifts did Hermes give Percy? A thermos that’s a compass and carries the wind from four corners of the earth; vitamins to help him feel better if he needs it p.103

Chapter 8

  1. How did Percy and his friends get to the cruise ship? His father sent Hippocampi p.109
  2. What was wrong with the tourists on board the ship? They were all in a trance p.119
  3. Why did Percy and Annabeth decide to stay on the ship? Luke was there and they knew they needed to figure out what he was up to p.120

Chapter 9

  1. How did Annabeth and Percy know what Luke and his friends were saying in the stateroom? Tyson could hear them and recount what they were saying in their voices p.123
  2. What was in the sarcophagus? Pieces of Kronos the titan lord p.130
  3. How did Percy and his friends escape Luke and his team of monsters? They attacked them, jumped into a lifeboat and dropped to the water below, using the cannister of wind to propel them away from the boat p.132

Chapter 10

  1. Why did Percy get weak when they entered fresh water? only salt-water gives him strength p.137
  2. Why was Annabeth worried about the donut shop? It was a monster donut shop in the middle of the wilderness p.141
  3. What attacked the friends and who saved them? a hydra; Clarisse p.143

Chapter 11

  1. What did Percy and his friends have to go through to get into the Sea of Monsters? An island with the monster Scylla and a storm called Charybdis; they’re sisters p.156
  2. How was Tyson able to help with the engine on the ship? He could handle heat p.160
  3. Where was Percy when the ship exploded? In the air falling after freeing himself from being taken away by Scylla p.163
  4. How did Percy feel about Tyson dying? Wished he could drown p.164

Chapter 12

  1. What’s the prophecy Chiron didn’t want Percy to know about? A half-blood child of the big 3 will be a dangerous weapon at the age of 16 and decide the fate of Olympus, whether it fall or be saved p.167
  2. How did C.C. trick Percy and what was the consequence? She made him feel like he wasn’t good enough, so she persuaded him to drink a shake and it turned him into a guinea pig p.175
  3. How did Hermes vitamins come in handy? They made Annabeth immune to C.C.’s magic and turned Percy back into a human p.182
  4. How did Percy and Annabeth get off the island? They took Blackbeard’s boat, Percy could magically command it p.184

Chapter 13

  1. How was Percy immune to the Sirens? He put candlewax in his ears p.192
  2. What scenario had Annabeth created when she was effected by the Sirens? Having a picnic with her dad, Athena and Luke at Central Park in NYC p.196
  3. How did Percy break the spell the Sirens had on Annabeth? Kept her underwater and created a bubble for her to breathe p.197
  4. What’s Annabeth’s fatal flow? Deadly pride; thinking you can do things better than anyone else p.199

Chapter 14

  1. What did Annabeth and Percy compare Polyphemus monster sheep to? Piranhas p.203
  2. Who told Polyphemus his bride was Grover? Clarisse p.206
  3. How did Percy and Annabeth get into the Cyclops’ cave? Annabeth wore her invisibility cap and Percy rode in hanging on to the bottom of the sheep p.210
  4. How did Annabeth get Polyphemus out of the cave? She treated him like Odysseus had and he chased her p.211

Chapter 15

  1. Why didn’t Percy kill Polyphemus? He had compassion on him since he was also a son of Poseidon p.219
  2. Who saved Percy from Polyphemus? Tyson p.220
  3. How did Annabeth heal so quickly from her wounds? Percy put the fleece on her p.222
  4.  What danger were the kids in as they swam for the ship? Polyphemus was in the water and coming toward them carrying boulders in each hand p.224

Chapter 16

  1. Who was Polyphemus call a traitor and why? Tyson; for helping humans p.225
  2. Why did the Queen Anne sink? Clarisse taunted Polyphemus and he through a boulder through the hull p.229
  3. Why was Percy indebted to the gods? He prayed for the fleece to heal Annabeth and it did p.231

Chapter 17

  1. Why did Percy send Clarisse to the airport with the fleece? So she could fulfill the prophecy; he was being nice to her p.235
  2. After Clarisse left, who captured Percy and his friends? Luke p.236
  3. Why did Luke need the fleece? To heal Kronos p.239
  4. How did Percy arrange for everyone at Camp Half-Blood to listen to Luke’s confession? He created an Iris-message p.240

Chapter 18

  1. Why did Percy challenge Luke to fight? To distract him so Clarisse could get away with the fleece p.242
  2. Who came to Percy’s rescue? Chiron and his centaur relatives p.245
  3. Why don’t Mr. D and others trust Chiron? His father is Kronos p.253

Chapter 19

  1. Why did Hermes visit Percy? To see if he’d talked some sense into Luke; to deliver a package p.257
  2. Predict what Poseidon meant in his letter to Percy? Listen to your child’s answers p.261
  3. Why did Tyson pray for Percy to come into his life? He was an orphan on the streets and would get beat up by monsters. He needed someone to take care of him p.263
  4. How did the watch Tyson made help Percy and Annabeth win the race? It turned into a large shield p.267

Chapter 20

  1. How did Chiron help Percy get out of trouble with the police? he used mist to convince the school that the furnace caused the explosion p.271
  2. Where was Tyson going for the rest of the summer? Underwater to learn how to work the Cyclopes forges p.273
  3. What did Poseidon mean when he told Percy to brace himself? Thalia had turned back into a human and woken up; it’s all part of Kronos’ plan hoping Thalia will be the one to fulfill the prophecy and destroy Olympus p.279

Comprehension Questions – Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1 The Lightning Thief

The Lightning Thief

By Rick Riordan

Grades 6-8; Genre – Fantasy; GRL W; AR pts: 13.0

Mythological monsters and the gods of Mount Olympus seem to be walking out of the pages of twelve-year-old Percy Jackson's textbooks and into his life. And worse, he's angered a few of them. Zeus's master lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect. Now, he and his friends have just ten days to find and return Zeus's stolen property and bring peace to a warring Mount Olympus.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe Percy Jackson. Percy’s 12 years old, in 6th grade, has a rough life, went to a boarding school in upstate New York, is a half-blood, always gets in trouble on field trips, smart, knows a lot about mythology, he has dyslexia and attention deficit disorder p.1
  2. Who's Percy's Latin teacher? Mr. Brunner p.2
  3. Who's Percy's best friend? Grover p.3
  4. Describe what happened when Mrs. Dodds took Percy into the museum alone. She told him to confess and he would suffer less pain, then she turned into a hag with bat wings, claws and a mouth full of yellow fangs. She attacked Percy, but he fought back and killed her with a pen that turned into a sword from Mr. Brunner p.12
  5. How did everyone react when Percy went out of the museum and asked where Mrs. Dodds was? They didn’t know who he was talking about and that there wasn’t a Mrs. Dodds at the school p.14

Chapter 2

  1. Why did Percy go down to Mr. Brunner’s office and what did he hear? He wanted help studying for the Latin test; Mr. Brunner and Grover talking about Percy, the incident at the museum and how Percy was in danger p.19
  2. Why did Percy think it was ironic when Grover said he had to protect him? All year long he’d been fighting bullies for Grover and here Grover was supposed to protect him p.24
  3. What did Grover think the snipping of the yarn meant? That Percy was going to die p.28

Chapter 3

  1. Describe Percy’s mom. Her name is Sally Jackson; her parents died when she was 5 years old; her uncle raised her; she saved money to go to a good writing program at college, but her uncle got sick and she had to quit work and high school take care of him; with no money left and no degree, she met Percy’s dad; they weren’t married, but he got lost at sea; she worked hard to get her high school diploma; worked at a candy shop in Grand Central station p.29
  2. What does Percy know about his father? Kind; tall, handsome, powerful and gentle; black hair like Percy’s p.38
  3. Why did Percy’s mom send him away for school? She thought it would be far enough away to keep him safe; he’s been in danger at every school he’s gone to p.40
  4. Why did Grover get after Percy’s mom at the cabin? She shouldn’t have taken Percy to the cabin, but didn’t know what had happened to Percy at school to know what danger he was in p.42

Chapter 4

  1. What type of creature is Grover? A satyr p.45
  2. Describe the creature after Percy? A Minotaur at least 7 feet tall; arms and legs were big with muscles; wore no clothes but white underwear; course brown hair started at his belly and got thicker as it reached his shoulders; his neck a mass of muscle with fur leading up to his enormous head; had a snout as long as Percy’s arm; snotty nostrils with a gleaming brass ring; cruel black eyes and sharp black and white horns p.50
  3. What happened to Percy’s mother as the Minotaur grabbed her? He squeezed her around her neck and she turned into a shimmering golden form and vanished in a flash of light p.53
  4. How did Percy defeat the monster? He jumped onto his head and held onto his horns; he pulled back on one of the horns and snapped it off; he was on the ground and as the Minotaur ran by Percy stabbed him in the side with the horn and the monster disintegrated like crumbling sand and blew away in the wind p.54

Chapter 5

  1. How long had Percy been unconscious from the fight with the Minotaur? 2 days p.59
  2. What did the drink with a straw and umbrella taste like and how did it make Percy feel? Percy’s mom’s chocolate chip cookies; like he could throw Nancy Bobofit 100 yards; he was full of energy p.60
  3. Why did Mr. Brunner or Chiron go to Yancy Academy? Grover had found Percy and thought he was special, so he went to see for himself and he taught him p.64
  4. What did Mr. D and Chiron explain to Percy while playing pinochle? The Greek Gods and everything in Greek mythology is real p.68
  5. What type of creature is Mr. Brunner? A centaur p.74

Chapter 6

  1. Why was Grover getting chewed out by Mr. D? He was supposed to be a protector, but Percy saved him from the Minotaur and it didn’t look like he had much courage p.76
  2. Describe Camp Half Blood. Large area with strawberry fields, a canoeing lake, stables, large barn, lots of cabins, javelin range, a sing-along amphitheater, archery range, and an arena where there are sword and spear fights p.79
  3. What did the twelve cabins represent? Each of the 12 gods p.80
  4. What was Annabeth’s explanation for Percy’s dyslexia and ADHD? He was meant to read Ancient Greek; he’s impulsive and wasn’t meant to sit for a long time because he has battlefield reflexes; his attention problems are because he sees too much, his senses are better than regular mortals p.88
  5. What did Percy do in response to Clarisse trying to shove his face into the toilet? He made the water shoot out of the toilets and showers and push her and her friends out of the bathroom p.91

Chapter 7

  1. Why do half-bloods live at the camp and how long do they stay? For safety, depending on their parent-god; monsters may chase and kill them; they stay depending on if it’s safe to out into the world p.96
  2. Where is Olympus located? Empire State Building on the 600th floor p.99
  3. Define the word prophecy and explain why Annabeth is so intent on finding “the one”. Prophecy: a prediction; Chiron was told by the Oracle that she wouldn’t be able to go on a quest until someone special came to the camp p.102
  4. Why did Percy change his drink to a blue cherry coke? In honor of his mother, since she made food blue for him p.104

Chapter 8

  1. How did Percy receive strength to knock the blade out of Luke’s hand? He poured water over his head; the water made him stronger and his senses keener p.110
  2. Tell Thalia’s story. She was a daughter of Zeus, but he’d broken an oath to not have any more children, but Hades found out and sent his worst monsters after her. She almost made it to the camp, but had her keeper take the other two half-bloods and save them while she tried to fight the monsters p.114
  3. Describe the interaction between Percy and Clarisse and her gang during Capture the Flag? They ganged up on Percy; she electrocuted him with her spear and one of her gang sliced his arm with their sword and pushed him into the water; Percy received strength and he defeated Clarisse and her house mates p.121
  4. Who is Percy’s father? Poseidon the Sea God p.126

Chapter 9

  1. Describe Percy’s dream and what type of figurative language is it an example of? He was running to stop two gods from fighting, but the wind kept pushing him back, there were palm trees and buildings different from New York, the ground shook and evil laughter coming from beneath the ground said “Come down, little hero. Come down.”, the ground split and Percy fell in; foreshadowing p.130
  2. What are Poseidon and Zeus fighting over? a lightning bolt; Zeus’ master bolt; Zeus is blaming Poseidon for stealing it p.135
  3. Why does Zeus think Poseidon had Percy steal his lightning bolt? Poseidon and Zeus were fighting at winter council and the places where the bolts are created is in the ocean; Poseidon just revealed that Percy was his son and Percy was in New York City during the winter solstice p.136
  4. What did the Oracle tell Percy? You shall go west and face the god who has turned; You shall find what was stole, and see it safely returned; You shall be betrayed by one who calls you friend; and you shall fail to save what matters most, in the end p.141
  5. How is Annabeth appearing out of thin air? She has a magic baseball cap she wears to make her invisible p.148

Chapter 10

  1. What was the gift Luke had given to Percy for his quest and why did he give them to Grover? Luke’s flying shoes from his dad; Percy shouldn’t take to the air since Zeus had control of the air p.151
  2. What gift did Mr. Brunner give to Percy and where had he gotten it from? The pen sword called Riptide; he got it from Poseidon to give to his child p.153
  3. Why did Percy’s mom marry and stay with Gabe? To protect Percy; Gabe smelled so human it covered up Percy’s half-blood smell and protected him from the monsters p.158
  4. Explain the interaction between Percy, Grover, Annabeth and the Furies on the bus. They were all on the bus, the furies started to go to the back of the bus, Percy put on Annabeth’s magic hat and crept up and hid in a seat while the Furies passed; Percy got to the front of the bus, but the Furies were after Annabeth and Grover since he’d disappeared; Percy grabbed the steering wheel and made the bus crash into a tree; he took of the hat and the Furies came after him; he pulled out Riptide and defeated two of them; Mrs. Dodds was left and the kids were able to get away with lightning striking the bus and the kids running into the woods p.163

Chapter 11

  1. What was the business the three characters came to as they exited the woods and how did Grover feel about it? Aunty Em’s Garden Gnome Emporium; a strange business that had a forest of statues on the front lawn; he thought it was strange and smelled monsters p.171
  2. Why wasn’t Percy anxious to leave the shop like Annabeth and Grover? His food had made him sleepy p.176
  3. What creature was Aunty Em and describe her? Medusa; she had a head of snakes and she turned people to stone when they look her in the eyes p.180
  4. What did Percy send to Olympus and why? Medusa’s head; because he was angry at them p.186

Chapter 12

  1. What did the Furies say that confused Grover and Annabeth? Instead of saying where is he, they said where is it? P.192
  2. What was Percy’s dream in this chapter? Percy stood in a dark cavern before a large pit; spirits of the dead tried to pull him back, but Percy felt compelled to walk to the very edge of the chasm; the pit was black and seemed bottomless, but Percy could feel something huge and evil trying to rise from the abyss; a voice spoke to him calling him a little hero and that he was too weak and young, but would do; it also said he’s been mislead and to barter with it and he would give Percy what he wanted and he saw his mother before she died; the voice told Percy to help him rise and to bring him the bolt to strike a blow against the gods; the spirits of the dead whispered around him to wake up; Percy felt the thing in the pit wasn’t trying to pull him down, but was using him to pull itself out p.194
  3. What did Grover find to help them travel west? A poodle they could return to its family to get the reward money to pay for train tickets p.195

Chapter 13

  1. Why did Annabeth run away from home? Her dad and stepmom treated her like a freak and wouldn’t let her play with their mortal children, if anything dangerous happened with monsters they would look at her like, “how dare you put our family to risk” p.201
  2. Describe a time Athena and Poseidon worked together? Athena invented chariots and Poseidon created horses out of the crest of waves p.202
  3. Describe the creature the chihuahua turned into. He turned into a Chimera: a rabid, fire-breathing, poisonous creature with a head of a lion and the body and hooves of a goat, a serpent for a tail with a ten-foot long diamondback growing out of its behind p.207
  4. Why did Percy jump from the arch into the river? To escape the Chimera; Echidna tempted him to do it; he was hoping the water would help him heal and that he would find his sword p.210

Chapter 14

  1. What did Percy realize as he was underwater in the river? He could breathe and he was dry p.213
  2. What did the messenger tell Percy? His dad wanted him to go to the beach in Santa Monica before going to the Underworld; to not trust the gifts; his father believes in him p.214
  3. Why is Percy wanted by the police and being talked about on the news? He is being accused of hurting his mom, hurting the three old women on the bus, and for causing the damage to the arch p.217

Chapter 15

  1. How did Annabeth call Half-Blood Hill from Denver? They created a rainbow and threw a Drachma in to the goddess of rainbows, who carries messages for the gods, and asked to be connected p.220
  2. Who came to eat dinner with Percy, Annabeth and Grover and why? Ares; he wanted Percy to get his shield at a waterpark p.227
  3. Why didn’t Ares want to retrieve his shield himself? It was a trap Hephaestus made to make Ares and Aphrodite look like fools p.236
  4. How did Percy and Annabeth survive the prank? Percy made water come through the pipes and take their boat on the ride; they then jumped to safety with Grover trying to slow their fall p.238

Chapter 16

  1. What information about Percy’s mother did Ares tell him? That she’s not dead, but being held hostage p.244
  2. How did Percy, Annabeth and Grover travel to Las Vegas? In a big semi with animals in the back p.245
  3. What did Percy dream of in this chapter? At first, he was in school in a straight jacket trying to take a test with Thalia next to him in the same situation. The straight jacket melted off Percy and he went to give Hades a piece of his mind. He found the same voice talking to someone else about him and the bolt. The voice realized Percy was there with them and gave him a dream of his quest and he saw his mother frozen in golden light and he was turning into a skeleton p.252
  4. What casino did the kids go in and what happened to them in there? The Lotus Hotel and Casino; they were given a room and card with unlimited money and then showered and ate; they enjoyed all of the cool things and perks of the casino and Percy started talking to people and realized they didn’t know how long they’d been there and wasted 5 days in there p.258

Chapter 17

  1. What was Annabeth’s piece of evidence that they were on the right track by going to the Underworld? Percy saw spirits of the dead in his dream p.269
  2. Who did Percy talk to in the sea at Santa Monica and what did she tell him? The same messenger he met in the Mississippi River, a Nereid; She told him that they’ve been watching him grow up with interest and that Poseidon can’t play favoritism to him so can’t help Percy directly; she gave him three pearls to use in times of great need and gave advice on how to beat Hades p.271
  3. What happened in Crusty’s Waterbed Palace? Crusty is the owner and put Annabeth and Grover on a bed. The bed had ropes come out and tie them down. Then more ropes came out grabbed them and began to stretch them out to fit 6 feet long. Percy distracted Crusty and tricked him into lying onto one of the beds and gave the word to make the ropes tie him up, then he loped off his head p.277
  4. How did Percy and his friends find the location of DOA Recording Studio? On a billboard coming out of the waterbed store p.282

Chapter 18

  1. How did the kids get past Charon? Percy bribed him with a lot of Drachmas p.286
  2. As the kids traveled in the elevator on the way to the Underworld, how did the spirits of the dead and Charon change? The spirits of the dead went from wearing normal clothes to gray hooded robes and Charon transitioned to wearing a black robe, his eye sockets were black empty sockets and the flesh of his face became transparent p.288
  3. Who is Cerberus and what was the “plan” to get past him? The creature/dog guarding the Underworld; to throw a stick and hope he plays fetch to leave the entrance p.293
  4. When the plan didn’t work what did Annabeth do? She found a red ball she’d gotten from the water park and told the creature to sit and threw it to him. Grover and Percy got through, then she threw it again and the three heads fought over it, so she could sneak through as well p.295
  5. Why did Annabeth shed tears? It reminded her of her own dog and taking him to obedience school; She was sad about Cerberus and that she couldn’t help him p.298

Chapter 19

  1. Describe the Field of Asphodel. A huge area with a million people whispering and milling around, standing on black grass with clumps of black poplars, a light moist swampy breeze p.300
  2. Why did Annabeth and Percy have to chase Grover? His shoes started flying on their own and he sped ahead of them p.303
  3. Where did the shoes lead them to? A huge dark cavern with a chasm that was in Percy’s dream p.304
  4. Why did Hades send the Furies after Percy? Hades thought Percy had stolen his magic helm p.312
  5. Why had Hades taken Percy’s mother? To barter with Percy to get his helm back p.315

Chapter 20 

  1. What god did the kids run into after arriving on the beach? Ares p.321
  2. Who stole the lightning bolt and helm and why? Ares; to start a war between the three gods p.322
  3. How did Percy win and what happened to Ares? Percy was able to stab Ares in the heal and make him bleed Ichor, his godly blood, an evil came and stopped Ares from killing Percy, then he disappeared in a flash p.330
  4. How did Percy get the helm to Hades like he promised? He gave it to Mrs. Dodds since she works for Hades p.331

Chapter 21

  1. How did Percy convince the guard at the Empire State Building to let him see Zeus? Showed him the lightning bolt p.336
  2. Who was sitting on their thrones as Percy reached Olympus? Poseidon and Zeus p.339
  3. Who’s in the pit that’s been in Percy’s dreams? Kronos p.344
  4. What was on Percy’s bed and what did he decide to do with it? Medusa’s head; leave it for his mom as a weapon to turn Gabe into a statue if needed p.350

Chapter 22

  1. What did the letter from Percy’s mom say? She made Gabe a statue and sold him to an art gallery; got a new apartment and is going to go to school the next semester; she had put a down payment down for a good private school in NYC if Percy wants to go p.355
  2. Where was Grover heading? On a quest to look for the god Pan p.357
  3. Who is the friend that has betrayed Percy? Luke p.365
  4. Where did Annabeth and Percy decide to live during the winter? At their homes with their families p.374

Comprehension Questions – Tales from the Odyssey Book #1 The One-Eyed Giant

The One-Eyed Giant

By Mary Pope Osborne

Grades 3-5; Genre – Mythology; GRL P; AR pts: 1.0

After a long war to rescue Helen from the city of Troy, Odysseus is anxious to return to his home of Ithaca. However, many obstacles block his route home, including the mysterious lotus-eaters and the monstrous one-eyed Polyphemus.

Vocabulary

Writing Prompts

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Who is the main character of the story and describe him in your own words?  The king of an island; married to Penelope and has a son named Telemachus; lived simply; enjoys taking care of his orchards and fields as well as working with his hands as a craftsman and carpenter p.11
  2. What did Odysseus do to help his country, Greece, when Helen was old enough to wed? made all of the princes and kings promise to defend Helen’s marriage whomever she decided to marry. He feared jealousy would bring their nation to ruin p.15
  3. When the messenger saw that Odysseus was acting mad, what did he do to prove that he wasn’t? Put Telemachus on the ground in front of the plow, to see if Odysseus would be sane enough to not run over his baby p.16

Chapter 2

  1. Describe Athena. Goddess of wisdom and war; daughter of Zeus; wore a shining helmet and carried a spear and shield; flashing gray eyes; gaze was fierce and kind p.20
  2. What was Athena’s plan to get into the city? Build a large wooden horse; hide a few men inside; The rest of the Greek army act like they are retreating in defeat; when the guards bring the horse into the city, the Greek army will return and Odysseus will open the gates for the Greek army p.21
  3. Who helped convince the Trojans they should take the horse into the city? A Greek prisoner who professed to be a traitor p.24

Chapter 3

  1. What did the sailors say caused the great storm at the beginning of this chapter? Some Greek warriors invaded Athena’s temple and were violent and weren’t respectful; they had offended the goddess who had helped them gain victory p.30
  2. Why did Odysseus not want to eat the flowers the islanders offered him? They made his men be in a trance p.34
  3. Why didn’t the three men want to get onboard the ship and return home with Odysseus? They wanted to stay on the island and eat lotus flowers p.36

Chapter 4

  1. What does it mean to be lawless? To not follow or have laws p.40
  2. Why did Odysseus take a goatskin of their sweetest wine onboard when he explored to see who lived on the other shore? He wanted to give it as a gift to anyone who welcomes into his home p.42
  3. Who did they find out lived in the cave? A monster p.44

Chapter 5

  1. What was the name of the monster? Polyphemus p.46
  2. Why did Polyphemus get angry at Odysseus when he mentioned Zeus? He is a son of Poseidon p.49
  3. Why didn’t Odysseus slay Polyphemus? They needed Polyphemus alive to roll the rock away from the opening of the cave or they would be trapped forever in the cave p.51

Chapter 6

  1. What did Polyphemus do in the morning after that first night? Took two more Greeks and had them for breakfast, then opened the cave, took his goats, and closed the cave again with the Greeks inside p.55
  2. What did Odysseus tell Polyphemus when the monster asked for his name? No One p.61
  3. What was the plan to escape Polyphemus’ cave? Odysseus gave Polyphemus wine and the giant lost his balance and fell, going to sleep. Odysseus and his men jabbed the sharpened stake into his eye and with Polyphemus’ cried the other giants came to help him, but they went away because Polyphemus said, “No One blinded me. No One tried to kill me.” Polyphemus rolled the stone away but sat in the opening to catch any that tried to escape p.62

Chapter 7

  1. What was the consequence of Odysseus jeering at Polyphemus as they made their way out to sea? Polyphemus through a huge boulder at them and caused a tidal wave to push them back to the beach; then he asked his father Poseidon to curse Odysseus p.72
  2. What was the curse? That Odysseus would never reach his home alive; that he would lose his way, his ships, his men; that he would only find sorrow and trouble on his journey p.75

Chapter 8

  1. Describe Aeolus. The wind god; has 6 sons and 6 daughters; friendly to Odysseus and enjoyed hearing his tales p.79
  2. What did Aeolus do to honor Odysseus? He bundled the world’s winds into a sack so none could hinder Odysseus on the way home; he left out the west wind to carry the ships to Ithaca p.82
  3. Why didn’t Aeolus help Odysseus put the winds in a bag again so they could get home? He had been cursed by the Cyclops and the gods were punishing him p.88

Comprehension Questions- Goddess Girls #1 Athena the Brain

Goddess Girls #1 Athena the Brain

by: Joan Holub & Suzanne Williams

Grades 3-5; Genre - Fantasy; GRL T; AR pts: 3.0

Athena has always been above average.  She's never quite fit in at Triton Junior Hight, but who would've guessed that Athena is actually a goddess?  Principal Zeus's daughter, to be exact.  When she's summoned to Mount Aolympus Academy, Athena thinks she might actually fit in for the first time in her life.  But in some ways, school on Mount Olympus is not that different from down on Earth, and Athena is going to have to deal with the baddest mean girl in history - Medusa!

Comprehension Questions

Chapter  1

  1. Who brought the scroll?  The Wind (p. 1)
  2. Who was Athena’s father?   Zeus (p. 2)
  3. How old is Athena?   12 (p. 3)
  4. Who is Athena’s best friend?  Pallas (p. 6)
  5. Who brings Athena to Mount Olympus Academy?   Hermes (p. 19)

Chapter 2.

  1. How many heads does the office lady have?  9 (p. 25)
  2. What is one of Athena’s classes?  Hero-ology, Spell-ology, Revenge-ology, Beast-ology, Beauty-ology (p. 27)
  3. What color was the Goddess Girl Guide?  Pale Pink with a sparkly silver ribbon (p. 28)
  4. Who is the first Godess Girl to talk to Athena?  Pandora (p. 32)
  5. What room number is Athena first class in?  208 (p. 38)

Chapter 3

  1. Who is the teacher of Hero-ology?  Mr. Cyclops (p. 40)
  2. How tall are the figures given to the class?  3 inches (p. 40)
  3. Who is Athena’s hero?  Odysseus (p. 43)
  4. What does Medusa call Aphrodite?  Bubbles (p. 44)
  5. What did Athena do when she was called to the office?  Blushed in embarrassment (p. 45)

Chapter 4

  1. What color is Zeus’s hair?  Red (p. 48)
  2. What is Zeus doing when Athena enters his office?  Chiseling a block of stone (p. 48)
  3. What who was Athena’s mom?  A fly (p. 54)
  4. What is the nickname Zeus calls Athena?  Theeny (p. 55)
  5. What sound does Poseidon make when he walks?  Squish Squish sounds (p. 60)

Chapter 5

  1. What did Athena order for lunch?  Big Celestial Salad (p. 64)
  2. Who did Athena sit by at lunch?  Medusa and her sisters (p. 64)
  3. What activity poster was Athena interested in?  Invention Fair (p. 69)
  4. What did Aphrodite invite Athena to join?  Goddess Girls Squad (p. 71)
  5. Who is the girl with 3 dogs?  Artemis (p. 72)

Chapter 6

  1. Who was Athena’s roommate?  Pandora (p. 75)
  2. What is one of Athena’s inventions? Rake, ship, olive (p. 78-79)
  3. What does Athena thinking about her inventions cause?  Brainstorm (p. 82)
  4. Who gets angry about the Brainstorm? Zeus (p. 85)
  5. What was in the box Pandora opened in 5th grade?  Disasters (p. 88)

Chapter 7

  1. What class was Athena late for?  Hero-ology (p. 91)
  2. Who did Aphrodite make her hero Paris fall in love with?  Helen (p. 92)
  3. Who did Athena almost drown?  Her hero, Odysseus (p. 95)
  4. What present did Athena give to the city of Troy?  Wooden horse, Woody  (p.  102)
  5. Who did Athena ask to trust her?  Medusa  (p. 103)

Chapter 8

  1. What was Pandora trying out for?  Flag Marching Team (p. 105)
  2. How many times did it take for Athena to get Shape-Shifting right?  3 (p. 111)
  3. Who is Medusa crushing on?  Poseidon (p. 113)
  4. Who was fighting in the Hero-ology class? Trojans and Greeks (p. 114)
  5. Who does Athena apologize to?  Aphrodite (p. 116)

Chapter 9

  1. What invention was Athena missing?  Snarkypoo (p. 119)
  2.  Who was the white statue?  Pandora (p. 124)
  3. Who else does Medusa turn to stone?  One of Artemis’s dogs (p. 129)
  4. Who turns Pandora back to flesh?  Athena (p. 136)
  5. When are the girls planning on turn Medusa back to flesh? After the Invention fair, tomorrow (p. 137)

Chapter 10

  1. What was the lame invention Athena first sees? Sackrofice (p. 139)
  2. What had happened to Persphone?  Aphrodite had used her Lucky-in-Love Lip Balm on her (p. 140)
  3. What did Poseidon invent?  Water park, Poseidon Water Waves (p. 142)
  4. What was the prize Athena choose?  Having Pallas come visit (p. 152)
  5. How as Athena feeling about MOA?  Happy to be there, it wasn’t that different from home (p. 159-160)