Tag Archives: GRL M

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 – 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 – Magic Tree House Merlin Missions #21 Stallion by Starlight

Stallion by Starlight

By Mary Pope Osborne

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

Time-traveling brother-and-sister team Jack and Annie must find four secrets of greatness for Merlin the magician. To start, they travel back in time to meet Alexander the Great. He should know all about greatness, right? But young Alexander is bossy, vain, and not great at all! How can they learn from him? It’s going to take a wild black stallion, magic from Merlin, and a lot of bravery to succeed. Are Jack and Annie clever and bold enough to complete their mission?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. In the first chapter, how did Jack and Annie know the tree house was back?  Penny was standing on the sidewalk  p.5
  2. Who did Jack and Annie find in the tree house when they first climbed in?  Merlin p.6
  3. What question did Merlin struggle to find an answer to? What makes a person great  p.9
  4. What three objects did Merlin give Jack and Annie to help them on their next four missions?  The Ring of Truth, magical silver mist in a tiny glass bottle, research book on Macedonia p.10-12

Chapter 2

  1. How did King Phillip II get his army to become the best fighting machine in the world? He drilled his men night and day p.18
  2. Why did the boys scowl at Annie when she asked them if King Phillip and Alexander the Great live up on the hill? They’re a fierce and warlike people/not friendly  p.20
  3. Why did the blacksmiths glare and follow Jack and Annie when they tried to sneak away? They thought they were stealing military secrets when they saw Jack writing down what they were doing p. 21

Chapter 3

  1. How did Annie “defy” the teacher that was teaching about the universe? She went against what he was saying p.24-25
  2. What was the teacher’s name? Aristotle p.26
  3. Why is Aristotle in Macedonia? To tutor the prince, Alexander, when he turns 13 p.31
  4. Why did Jack and Annie wait outside while Aristotle went into the Royal House? Aristotle needed to get permission for his guests, Jack and Annie to enter into the House with him p. 34

Chapter 4

  1. What is a mural?  A large picture painted or affixed onto a wall or ceiling  p.36
  2. Describe Prince Alexander’s appearance and behavior when he first arrived and entered the hall everyone was gathered and eating in.  fair haired, muscular, purple cloak over his tunic, strode to the center of the room, tossed back his cloak, bowed p.39
  3. What is a word that describes Alexander? Pompous, arrogant, egotistical, full of himself, stuck-up p. 41

Chapter 5

  1. Why was Jack nervous to go alone with Alexander? He was worried Alexander would challenge him to mounting a moving chariot, hunt a lion p.46
  2. What did Alexander want Jack to write about, when he took him and Annie to the covered porch behind the house?  Alexander  p.47
  3. Instead of writing down what Alexander was saying about himself, what did Jack write?  Alexander is a raving nut, a show off, could never have friends, he should be locked up  p.48-50
  4. Why didn’t Jack use Merlin’s magic to become the greatest athlete in the world to beat Alexander? Jack didn’t want to waste it on an arrogant bully  p.55

Chapter 6

  1. Why does Alexander want to make others look like fools? Because he so greatly fears looking like a fool himself/ he wants to equal his father’s power and strength p.58
  2. What is the definition of “haggle”?  to try make a deal  p.60
  3. When Bucephalus neighed and bucked wildly, who felt they could tame him?  Alexander p.64
  4. Why did Annie want to restart their friendship with Alexander? She felt sorry for him, his dad’s mean to him, they showed off to the king and his men, they were mean to him p.66

Chapter 7

  1. When Jack and Annie sniffed the magic mist to become great horse trainers, what were they able to do with the Bucephalus?  Listen to his thoughts/understand him and have him understand them p.78
  2. What nickname did Annie call Bucephalus?  Buddy p.76
  3. After explaining what had happened to his master, what helped Buddy feel better? That whatever happened to his master wasn’t his fault  p.80

Chapter 8

  1. What does “balk” mean?    to stop short and refuse to go on  P.81
  2. What are some examples from the book to describe how Jack felt when they were riding the horse? Like they were dancing together and they had become one with the horse  p.83
  3. What helped Buddy let other riders ride him? He knows he doesn’t have to wait for his master anymore p.87

Chapter 9

  1. What was the secret of greatness Merlin wanted them to discover on this mission? Humility p.94
  2. What is the definition of humility?  put others before yourself; have a modest opinion about yourself P.94
  3. When Alexander truly listened to Buddy, what did the horse tell him? He was scared of the shadows p.97
  4. What helped Alexander look and act like a different person? Thinking about the horse instead of himself p.97

Chapter 10

  1. Who wanted Jack and Annie to stay and help with Alexander’s education? Aristotle p.101
  2. How did Alexander’s father feel about him after seeing him ride Bucephalus? Happy; proud of him; The king told Alexander he had better find a larger kingdom, since the king’s kingdom was not big enough for him p.104
  3. Explain the Ring of Truth.  It was given to Jack and Annie from Merlin to wear on their journeys. It will glow when they discover a true secret of greatness  p.10
  4. What does dappled mean?  having spots of a different shade, tone, or color from the background p.108

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- The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids #16 Dracula Doesn’t Drink Lemonade

 Dracula Doesn’t Drink Lemonade

By Debbie Dadey and Marcia Thornton Jones

Grades 2-4; Genre - Fantasy; GRL M; AR pts: 1.0

Bailey School Kids are nervous when the new school counselor seems very similar to Count Dracula.  He even lives in the basement of Mrs. Jeepers home with the long wooden box, but Mr. Drake drinks lemonade instead of blood. Continue reading →

Comprehension Questions- The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids #4 Leprechauns Don’t Play Basketball

Leprechauns Don’t Play Basketball

By Debbie Dadey and Marcia Thornton Jones

Grades 2-4; Genre - Fantasy; GRL M; AR pts: 1.0

Bailey School kids get stuck in the middle of a feud between a leprechaun and Mrs. Jeepers.  Mr. O'Grady visits Bailey School to supposedly teach the kids how to do Irish folk dancing, but Mrs. Jeepers begins to behave strangely and the kids learn of an old legend of why vampires don't like leprechauns. Continue reading →

Comprehension Questions- The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids #8 Genies Don’t Ride Bicycles

Genies Don’t Ride Bicycles

By Debbie Dadey and Marcia Thornton Jones

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

The Bailey School Kids are surprised and thrilled when they find a strange bottle and meet a strange man who seems to hear all of the wishes they make.  As each wish comes true, the kids realize they don't like the things they wished for and would rather have things normal again. Continue reading →

Comprehension Questions- Horrid Henry and the Zombie Vampire

Horrid Henry and the Zombie Vampire

By Francesca Simon

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

In story 1, Henry copies Peter’s story during school and ends up having to read it to the kindergarteners.  In Story 2, Mr. Nudie Foodie comes to Henry’s school to teach them how to eat more nutritiously.  Story three is about Henry tricking Peter out of all his money and candy and in story four Peter and Henry get to sleep over at the museum with their classes. Continue reading →

Comprehension Questions- Horrid Henry and the Scary Sitter

Horrid Henry and the Scary Sitter

By Francesca Simon

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

Henry's at it again when he realizes Peter's going to have to go Trick or Treating with him on Halloween.  In the second story, Henry gets stuck with Rebecca as a babysitter.  In story three, Henry and Margaret raid each other's secret clubs.  In story four Henry gets to go to his new baby cousin's christening. Continue reading →

Comprehension Questions- Horrid Henry and the Mega-Mean Time Machine

Horrid Henry and the Mega-Mean Time Machine

By Francesca Simon

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

Horrid Henry hates going on walks and figures how to turn his family’s hike into a mess.   He also tricks Perfect Peter into thinking his washing machine box is a real time machine.  In the third story Peter gets fed up with Horrid Henry’s horridness and tries to get revenge. In the last story Aunt Ruby takes Henry’s family out to a fancy French restaurant for Henry’s mom’s birthday. Continue reading →