Tag Archives: Liesl Shurtliff

Comprehension Questions – (Fairly) True Tales Series Grump The (Fairly) True Tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves

Grump

The (Fairly) True Tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves

by Liesl Shurtliff

Grades 3-7; Genre - Fables/Fairy Tales; GRL O; AR pts. 10.0

Ever since he was a dwarfling, Borlen (nicknamed "Grump") has dreamed of visiting The Surface, so when opportunity knocks, he leaves his cavern home behind.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe Borlen and his background. A dwarf; born underground, but close to The Surface; ate common rocks and minerals instead of gems; named Borlen after the rocks surrounding the area he was born; fearful of going deeper underground and desires to go to The Surface, but his parents don’t want him to p.1

Chapter 2

  1. Summarize this chapter. Borlen’s mother took him to the nursery mines and asked other dwarflings to play with him; one crew did, but they bossed him around; Borlen found a baby bat and took care of it; they explored the caverns looking for a tunnel to the surface; Borlen’s parents signed him up for a crew because he kept trying to escape to The Surface p.10

Chapter 3

  1. Describe the ceremony Borlen and the other dwarflings went through in this chapter. They lined up, received an axe, used the axe to mine their Fate Stone and were given a crew to work with

Chapter 4

  1. How did Rudger treat Borlen and Gilpin? He was mean and teased them p.45

Chapter 5

  1. How is Gilpin a good friend to Borlen? He made him a bed, smiled at him p.56

Chapter 6

  1. Summarize how Borlen made it to The Surface? The crew found they were digging close to The Surface; Borlen suggested he continue digging there while the rest of them dug deeper; Borlen secretly dug upward until he broke through p.63

Chapter 7

  1. Describe how Borlen got in trouble in this chapter. He enjoyed being on The Surface and ran and fell, causing two human children to see him, they chased him, and he got away, the queen came in a carriage and was wearing a ruby on her forehead, Borlen followed the queen into the castle p.73

Chapter 8

  1. Summarize this chapter. Borlen watches as the queen and her advisor talk about the kingdom and her plans; she finds out her advisor betrays her so she turns him into a weasel; she looks into her mirror and sees Borlen p.78

Chapter 9

  1. Using descriptive words, compare the queen in chapters 8 and 9. 8: mean, harsh, impatient.

9: kind, warm, friendly p.85

Chapter 10

  1. How did the queen convince Borlen to stay above ground? He’s not happy underground and he’s valued on The Surface p.102

Chapter 11

  1. How did the queen trick Borlen? She cried and acted sad until he offered to let her use his mirror p.109

Chapter 12

  1. Is the queen a good person? Why, or why not? No, she throws innocent girls into the dungeons and planted a poisonous apple tree; she’s manipulative p.115

Chapter 13

  1. Summarize what happened at the ball. Borlen sat next to the queen in Snow White’s seat; Borlen received rubies as gifts and ate them all feeling euphoric; he sang then started to tell the queen about humans who grab dwarves by the beard; he spies on Snow White; Borlen told the queen Snow White is the prettiest human he’d ever seen p.120

Chapter 14

  1. Why is Borlen horrified at the end of this chapter? The queen grabbed him by the beard and now he’s bound to do everything she commands p.135

Chapter 15

  1. Why is Borlen nervous Snow White is in the tunnel?  A human inside the dwarf caverns will make the other dwarves unhappy and scared p.146

Chapter 16

  1. Summarize this chapter. Snow White wanders to the dwarves sleeping quarters and Borlen follows; he looks in the mirror and sees the huntsman giving the queen the boar heart; Snow White and Borlen fall asleep p.147

Chapter 17

  1. How did the dwarves find themselves on The Surface? Snow hit the ceiling of the cave with the axe and it was starting to collapse, so they escaped to The Surface p.159

Chapter 18

  1. Why did the dwarves decide to let Snow and Borlen stay with them? They had compassion on Snow; didn’t know how to get back into the caverns and now Snow knew where the caverns were p.169

Chapter 19

  1. Describe the evening with Snow White. She was bossy regarding the cottage and food; she didn’t like food that was prepared so Borlen went to find her some; she still didn’t like the food; she took their beds, and they slept on the floor p.173

Chapter 20

  1. Why didn’t Borlen want the ruby Snow White offered him? The queen had used rubies to get him to do what she wanted, and he didn’t want to be manipulated again p.196

Chapter 21

  1. Describe how Snow White is a good friend. She’s kind; likes Borlen for who he is; a good listener; ready to give her life for Borlen; is humble p.202

Chapter 22

  1. Was it wise for Borlen to not tell the prince or Snow White about each other? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer p.211
  2. Predict what you think will happen now that the queen sees Borlen in the mirror. Listen to your child’s answer p.219

Chapter 23

  1. Summarize this chapter. Borlen’s stone showed the queen where Snow was; Snow was sick and Borlen tried to help her feel better; they played a game and the queen disguised as an old woman arrived at the cottage p.30

Chapter 24

  1. Explain why Borlen’s heart was “in the deepest depths of despair“. He felt at fault for killing Snow White p.232
  2. Do you agree with him? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 25

  1. Summarize this chapter. Borlen lived in a cavern by himself during the winter; taking care of Leaf kept Borlen alive; someone left gems for Borlen; the trolls escaped the queen and found him, bringing him his fate stone p.234

Chapter 26

  1. Predict Borlen’s plan. Listen to your child’s answer; ask about the queen and what new beginnings might happen for Borlen p.249

Chapter 27

  1. How did Borlen find the prince and convince him to help him? A young maiden grabbed him by the beard and commanded her take a message to Florian; people then told him where to find him; Borlen told Florian someone brave and strong needed to help Snow White and that she spoke highly of him p.256

Chapter 28

  1. Describe Florian. He’s a prince, is a good friend to Snow White, wants to be brave and courageous, but is afraid; his father banished him from home since he’s not very brave; is a worrier
  2. Do you think Snow will wake up now that Florian kissed her? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 29

  1. Why is Florian surprised when Snow woke up? She was grumpy and hungry; she didn’t seem pleased at all p.272

Chapter 30

  1. How did Borlen save Snow White? The ruby he threw at the apple is what kept her alive when she bit into the apple; it was his idea to make the queen turn herself into a rat p.284

Epilogue

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

Comprehension Questions – (Fairly) True Tales Series Red The (Fairly) True Tale of Red Riding Hood

Red

The (Fairly) True Tale of Red Riding Hood

by Liesl Shurtliff

Grades 6-8; Genre - Fable/Fairy Tales; GRL W; AR pts. 8.0

Followed by a wolf, a huntsman, and a porridge-sampling nuisance called Goldie, Red embarks on a quest to find a magical cure for her ailing grandmother.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe Red’s background. She has a grandma who’s a witch; her granny tried to teach her magic, but Red permanently hurt her granny so she never wanted to do magic again p.1

Chapter 2

  1. Summarize this chapter. Red went to her granny’s house, and on the way, she saw a wolf; a huntsman shot at the wolf and scared him away; when Red arrived at her granny’s, the wolf was there dressed up as her p.9

Chapter 3

  1. Why is granny dressed up as a wolf? To scare people away from the cottage p.16
  2. Why is Red concerned at the end of this chapter? Her granny is sick and that is unusual p.22

Chapter 4

  1. Why is Red hesitant to make the Curious Cure-All recipe? She doesn’t want to gather the ingredients; Pixie venom, tree-nymph wings, wolf hairs p.24
  2. Explain how Red came upon her red cloak? Her Granny gave it to her; she wore it when she was a young girl p.26

Chapter 5

  1. How many ingredients did Red find in this chapter? One, Pixie venom p.31

Chapter 6

  1. Describe Goldie. She’s nosy and gets into other people’s business; has golden hair; the same age as Red; new to The Mountain p.35
  2. What fairytale is she from? The three bears 

Chapter 7

  1. Summarize this chapter. Red tried to get rid of Goldie, but couldn’t; Red looked for a gnome to send a message to her parents; Goldie thought she found a gnome, but it was a dwarf p.46

Chapter 8

  1. What advice did Goldie give Red and how did she respond to it? She needed to practice her magic to get better at it; Red was angry p.63

Chapter 9

  1. Do you think the wolf will be a friend or foe to Red? Why? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 10

  1. What did Red learn about Goldie in this chapter? Her mom doesn’t love her anymore since there’s no gold in The Mountain p.78

Chapter 11

  1. Describe how Red and Goldie are becoming friends? They help each other; laugh together; have fun together; protect each other p.80
  2. Name a friend you have and describe your friendship. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 12

  1. Why didn’t Red want Goldie to drink the wine? She’d lose her memories p.93

Chapter 13

  1. Explain what it means to get a dose of your own medicine? To receive treatment for how you treated someone p.98
  2. How was Red a good friend to Goldie? Goldie lost her memories and Red stayed with her, trying to help her p.98

Chapter 14

  1. Why is Red so worried that Goldie let a Sprite take her hand? She would be dragged to the bottom of the river and die p.110

Chapter 15

  1. What was strange about Horst’s behavior? He pushed a tall tree over to cross the river p.119

Chapter 16

  1. How did Red hide Wolf from the huntsman? Put clothes on him and said he was her Granny p.121

Chapter 17

  1. Describe Borlen. Dwarf; Grumpy; loves rubies; Main character in the book, Grump p.132

List two magical properties the cloak has. Completely protects from the elements, protects from feeling things fall on her, protects from the sprites 

Chapter 18

  1. List what happens in this chapter that reminds you of The Three Bears story. Goldie tries all the food and eats the one she likes best, she sits in all the chairs and lays in all the beds to find the one she likes best p.144

Chapter 19

  1. Summarize this chapter. Borlen took Red, Goldie and Wolf to the castle with the roses, Red found the red roses and picked one; the gargoyles came to life and attacked; a beast captured Red and Goldie p.152

Chapter 20

  1. Describe the castle. Magical, does everything and provides everything the Beast needs p.169

Chapter 21

  1. How is the castle pranking the girls? It made completing the tasks the beast wanted difficult p.177

Chapter 22

  1. Why is Red bothered in this chapter? Her granny is the enchantress that turned the princess into the beast p.192

Chapter 23

  1. What has Red been running away from and finally learned in this chapter? Red can’t stop Granny from dying; she needs to stop fearing p.198

Chapter 23

  1. Why is Horst trying to kill the girls at the end of this chapter? Red wouldn’t let him have Wolf p.212

Chapter 24

  1. Read the last sentence in this chapter out loud. What does it mean? Horst sought a heart to give him life, but Red was filled with magic which protected her and destroyed him p.222

Chapter 25

  1. What did Red learn in this chapter? She can do magic correctly; she created her own path in the forest; fear made her path dim, fear is what interferes with magic p.232

Epilogue 

  1. What did you enjoy about this story? Listen to your child’s answer

Comprehension Questions – (Fairly) True Tales Series Jack The (Fairly) True Tale of Jack and the Beanstalk

Jack

The (Fairly) True Tale of Jack and the Beanstalk

by Liesl Shurtliff

Grades 3-5; Genre - Fables/Fairy Tales; GRL S; AR pts. 10.0

This tale relates the story of Jack, who, after trading his mother's milk cow for magic beans, climbs a beanstalk to search for his missing father in the land of giants.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe Jack. He’s 12 years old, constantly gets into trouble, wants adventure instead of working on the farm, named after his 7-greats-grandfather who, as legend says, was a giant killer p.1
  2. Why is it significant that dirt fell in Jack’s eyes? It supported what Jaber said, if it starts raining dirt, Jack should run because the giants are coming into Jack’s world p.12

Chapter 2

  1. Summarize this chapter. Giants came down from the sky and ravaged the farm, taking whatever they wanted; they also took Jack’s dad p.14

Chapter 3

  1. Describe the sight Jack saw in town. The town was gone, desolate; the giants tore up the buildings and took everything and everyone p.28

Chapter 4

  1. Compare the events in this chapter to the real fairy tale. Are they similar? Jack sold the cow to a peddler for magic beans; yes p.37

Chapter 5

  1. What did the author mean on page 46, “The seed has been planted and the idea was growing in her.”? Jack’s mother was getting used to the idea that there may really be giants p.46

Chapter 6

  1. Why do you think the plants are all dying? Listen to your child’s answer p.58

Chapter 7

  1. List the dangers Jack needed to watch for in this chapter? Wood with splinters and nails, hot wax, a cat, giant p.64

Chapter 8

  1. Describe Mum Martha. Giantess who is kind and loving; has another little boy named Tom Thumb; treats the boys as her own; is happy to have them since her son grew up and moved away; is a cook for the king; works all day p.69
  2. Were you correct in your assumption of why the plants are dying? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer; there’s a famine in the land p.74

Chapter 9

  1. What world is Jack in and how do you know? Red’s, Grump’s and Rump’s; the king has the same name, there are pixies and messenger gnomes p.85
  2. Describe Tom. Fun; same age as Jack; likes the same things as Jack p.87

Chapter 10

  1. What did Jack learn in this chapter? The queen’s brothers come down to his world to steal food, animals, people and buildings; Jack’s father might be with them p.95

Chapter 11

  1. Describe Bruno. Giant; Sir Bluberys is teaching him how to be brave; one of the giants that goes to Jack’s world; Bruno doesn’t like stealing food from the elves; afraid of pixies; has a big brother whose mean to him p.106

Chapter 12

  1. What did Jack learn in this chapter? His father is alive and just left in a shoe to the castle p.125

Chapter 13

  1. How did the cobbler’s elves treat Jack? Why? Like a prisoner; they wouldn’t let him leave the table; they feared he would die p.130

Chapter 14

  1. Summarize this chapter. Jack found that Annabella climbed the bean stalk; he agreed that she could stay in the giant world; as they made their way up the road toward the castle a giant toad caught her with its tongue and carried her off p.137

Chapter 15

  1. How did Jack and Annabella escape the toad? The toad jumped after a fish and Bells jumped into the water; Jack grabbed her skirt and pulled her to him; they covered themselves with leaves and dead grass until the toad left p.153

Chapter 16

  1. Describe Annabella. She’s 4 years younger than Jack; friendly and helpful; knows how to take care of Jack; smart and wise; thinks quickly in difficult situations p.158

Chapter 17

  1. How did Jack get into the castle? He hopped onto a wagon wheel that took him to the castle; he hopped onto Bruno and Frederick’s wagon that took him inside p.174

Chapter 18

  1. Why did Tom get upset when Jack accused him of not caring about his dad? He did care; Tom hasn’t talked about his dad; we’re not sure what happened to him p.193

Chapter 19

  1. What convinced Queen Opal to help the elves? She told them her story and she felt bad they had lost their father p.202

Chapter 20

  1. Define kindling. Small sticks or twigs used for starting a fire p.218
  2. How is the king going to punish Tom and Jack? Use them as kindling p.218

Chapter 21

  1. Summarize this chapter. Jack and Tom were thrown into the dungeon to smash the gold eggs and make them into coins; when the king lifted up the coins, he threw down food and Jack found his father by fighting over an apple p.219

Chapter 22

  1. Describe King Barf. His full name is King Bartholomew Archibald Reginald Fife; very selfish, very greedy, only cares about gold, doesn’t care about his queen or child, mean, angry p.236

Chapter 23

  1. How is Jack like his grandpa in this chapter? He noticed the small things, the seeds; he figured out the yolks in the golden eggs were seeds p.244

Chapter 24

  1. Why didn’t anyone believe Sir Bluberys? The things he said weren’t always believable p.250
  2. Predict Jack’s plan to save the two worlds. Listen to your child’s answer. p.260

Chapter 25

  1. Were you correct in your prediction? What did Jack do? Stole the chicken, but now he needs to deal with King Barf p.270

Chapter 26

  1. How did Jack defeat King Barf? Encouraged him to eat the golden eggs; because of the seeds in the golden eggs, plants grew inside and out of him 277

Chapter 27

  1. Summarize this chapter. Tommy is reunited with his father, Jaber p.285

Epilogue 

  1. How did Jack grow in this story? Listen to your child’s answer; matured, realized that his family was important to him, realized that his sister has specific strengths that he doesn’t have

Comprehension Questions – (Fairly) True Tales Series Rump The (Fairly) True Tale of Rumpelstiltskin

Rump

The (Fairly) True Story of Rumpelstiltskin

by Liesl Shurtliff

Grades 3-7; Genre - Fantasy; GRL S; AR pts. 9.0

This story relates the tale of Rumpelstiltskin's childhood and youth, explaining why his name is so important, how he is able to spin straw into gold, and why a firstborn child is his reward for helping the miller's daughter-turned-queen.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Summarize the introduction of this story. On The Mountain; Rump is the main character; his mom died when he was born and wasn’t able to tell his Gran what his full name is; Rump feels like his name is why he’s short, can’t find gold, and isn’t respected by the people in the village; the village mines for gold and receives extra rations when they give gold to the king p.1

Chapter 2

  1. Why is Rump so concerned about only having half his name? He thinks it limits him; a name is special and is your destiny p.10
  2. Why did the pixies behavior confuse Rump? They acted like they wanted him to use the spinning wheel; he’d heard pixies were only good for finding gold p.15

Chapter 3

  1. Why did Red ask if Rump was made of gold? The pixies swarm and bite him; they won’t leave him alone p.23

Chapter 4

  1. Why were Red’s granny’s words important to Rump? He learned he had to find his destiny to learn his entire name p.28

Chapter 5

  1. What warning do you think of at the end of this chapter that Red’s granny gave Rump? He needed to watch his step and he would cause trouble p.35

Chapter 6

  1. Summarize this chapter. The pixies wake up Rump and he turns straw to gold with the spinning wheel; Rump takes all of the straw out of his mattress and makes gold; morning comes, and he sees Frederick and Bruno looking in the window; he’s worried they saw the gold p.36

Chapter 7

  1. Why is Red nervous about the gold yarn? Magic has consequences; Frederick and Bruno saw it p.46

Chapter 8

  1. What do you think Rump’s dream meant? His mother was at first happy to be able to spin gold, but then it caused so much trouble she was in over her head p.51

Chapter 9

  1. What do you think Gran meant when she said the gold was inside Rump? Listen to your child’s answer; who Rump is inside in the real treasure p.61

Chapter 10

  1. Why was Rump’s house torn apart when he got home from Gran’s funeral? Someone had torn it apart looking for the gold p.68

Chapter 11

  1. Why did the king visit The Mountain? He found out someone in The Village was spinning gold and didn’t share with him p.68
  2. What gave Rump away? The pixies p.72

Chapter 12

  1. Why did Rump think the miller was mad at him? The miller lied for Rump saying it was his daughter who could spin gold; now the miller’s daughter is being taken to the castle to spin for the king; if she doesn’t spin gold she’ll die or go to the dungeon p.76

Chapter 13

  1. What consequence does Rump have if he uses magic? He loses control, his will p.87

Chapter 14

  1. Why did Rump feel like he needed to help Opal? Because he is good and kind and felt like it was his fault she was taken away p.92

Chapter 15

  1. Why did Rump hate gold? He was a prisoner to it and the greed of the king p.110

Chapter 16

  1. Choose a word to describe Opal. Explain why you chose that word. Listen to your child’s answer; selfish, she’s willing to give up her first-born baby to become queen p.113

Chapter 17

  1. Describe Martha. Kind, round woman, fed and took care of Rump after he fell out of the tower p.120

Chapter 18

  1. Summarize this chapter. Rump left the city and headed to Yonder to learn about his mother; he received a message from Red; he was captured by trolls p.130

Chapter 19

  1. Describe the evening Rump had with the trolls. They fed him dinner; told him stories; wrestled and uncovered a hole with objects including a magical harp p.140

Chapter 20

  1. Do you think Rump should have eaten the apple? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 21

  1. Why did trump think he could find answers with the witches? They were magic like his mom and could spin wool into silk and grass into silver; because they had this is common, he hoped they knew of her p.163

Chapter 22

  1. How are Rump and his mom similar? They both can spin gold out of straw; they both lost their power due to the magic; they both were taken advantage of; they both wanted to escape p.173

Chapter 23

  1. What did Rump learn in this chapter? Hi mom got caught in a rumpel; his mom might have named him after the rumpel; her story sounded like his; a rumpel is deep magic p.180

Chapter 24

  1. Summarize Rump and Hadel’s interaction. She asked him to help move the Pixie nests; the pixies covered him; he told Hadel his name is Rump; she said only the entangler can get it untangled p.191

Chapter 25

  1. Explain what’s happening on The Mountain and why Rump feels he’s been selfish and should leave his aunts. They’re hungrier than ever because the king is withholding food, he wants more gold; the miller is looking for Rump; Rump is worried he will lead the miller to his aunts p.199

Chapter 26

  1. Summarize this chapter. The miller’s sons captured Rump; a gnome delivered the message that the queen had her baby; Rump was magically pulled to the kingdom to collect his bargain p.203

Chapter 27

  1. What did Rump learn in this chapter and do you think he’ll spin gold again? Why, or why not? The miller is the merchant who betrayed his mother; listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 28

  1. Why did Rump tell Opal that if she learned his name, it would break their bargain and she could keep her baby? it stopped her from crying p.227

Chapter 29

  1. Predict why Rump wants to take the miller’s sons to a “pile of gold”. The trolls will help Rump p.233

Chapter 30

  1. Why did Rump feel strong and powerful at the end of this chapter? He found his name; he had the power to untangle the rumpel p.243

Chapter 31

  1. Why couldn’t the miller touch the gold? He hadn’t kept his end of the bargain; he hurt Red and he said he said no harm would come to her p.249

Chapter 32

  1. What could Rump now control? The magic p.256
  2. What character development did Rump experience in this story? He found himself and his own power; he wasn’t a prisoner to magic any more

Epilogue

  1. Why was it so important to Rump that the Mountain have a name? Because names are powerful
  2. How did this story differ from the original fairy tale? Rump didn’t want the child; Rump went to the castle to help Opal; he was looking for his name; he only told Opal to guess his name to stop her from crying