Tag Archives: Magic

Comprehension Questions – Magic Tree House #33 Narwhal on a Sunny Night

Narwhal on a Sunny Night

by Mary Pope Osborne

Grades 1-4; Genre - Historical Fiction with Fantastical Elements; GRL M; AR pts. 1.0

The magic tree house whisks Jack and Annie to Greenland, where their mission is to save a narwhal.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What do you know about Greenland from this first chapter? It’s cold, by the Arctic Circle, can’t have a lot of grass and trees, icebergs and reindeer p.5

Chapter 2

  1. Name one fact you found interesting in this chapter. The earth is warming causing the polar caps to melt; 56,000 people live there with most of them Inuits; there are three kinds of seals and 15 kinds of whales that live there p.12

Chapter 3

  1. Why were Jack and Annie worried about the orcas swimming toward the narwhals? Orcas will kill and eat narwhals p.22

Chapter 4

  1. How did Annie convince the boy not to kill the narwhal for its horn? She told him they’re special and mysteries of nature; they know secrets humans will never know and hear things in ways we’ll never hear; they talk in a language we’ll never understand p.28

Chapter 5

  1. Describe how the kids free the narwhal? Leveraged a spear into the ice to break it p.34

Chapter 6

  1. Describe what you know about Erikson and his family. They’re seafarers; came from Iceland 8 years ago p.40

Chapter 7

  1. Describe the village Erikson lives in. His dad is the chief; long wooden house; thatched huts; barns; dogs; families live there: shocked to see Jack and Annie p.48

Chapter 8

  1. Why are Jack and Annie wanting to sneak away from Leif’s house? His family is under the impression they have a ship and want to take the entire village to see it in the morning p.62

Chapter 9

  1. What gift did Jack and Annie give Leif? Their map of Greenland p.69

Chapter 10

  1. Why do you think “thanks” is the special word Jack and Annie saw glow? Listen to your child’s answer p.79

Chapter 11

  1. Who can you thank? Make sure to write them a note or tell them! P.84

Comprehension Questions – #5 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

by J.K. Rowling

Grades 6-12; Genre - Fantasy; GRL W; AR pts. 44.0

Fifteen-year-old wizard Harry Potter struggles with a threatening teacher, a problematic house-elf, the dread of upcoming final exams, and haunting dreams that hint toward his mysterious past. The plot contains mild profanity and violence.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Why is Harry so anxious at the beginning of this story? Now that he knows that Voldemort is back, he’s waiting for something bad to happen p.10
  2. Who attacked Harry and Dudley? Two dementors p.16

Chapter 2

  1. Why did Uncle Vernon want Harry to leave and not come back? Voldemort is after him and Harry’s uncle doesn’t want his family to get hurt p.38
  2. Who changed Uncle Vernon’s mind to let Harry stay? Why? Aunt Petunia; She got a howler from an owl that made her feel like Harry should stay p.40

Chapter 3

  1. Who visited Harry at his aunt and uncle's house? Why? 8-9 wizards; to take Harry to safety p.56
  2. Where did they take him? London; the house where the Order of the Phoenix is meeting p.58

Chapter 4

  1. What’s the Order of the Phoenix? A secret society of wizards who previously fought against Voldemort p.67
  2. Why is a portrait of Sirius’ mother in the house? It’s the home Sirius’ grew up in p.78

Chapter 5

  1. What did Harry learn in this chapter? Harry thwarted Voldemort’s plans; Voldemort is secretly recruiting Death Eaters and working on a weapon; the Ministry doesn't believe that Voldemort is back p.92

Chapter 6

  1. Describe Sirius’ family? Share two examples. They’re Voldemort supporters; don’t like anyone who’s not a pureblood; Sirius’s brother was a Death Eater and Draco’s dad is married to Sirius’s cousin p.113
  2. What hearing is Harry worryied about and why? He’s on trial for using magic in the muggle world; he could be expelled from Hogwarts and be forced to return to live at the Dursley’s p.119

Chapter 7

  1. Summarize this chapter. Describes the Ministry of Magic building and Harry and Mr. Weasley's travels; the location and time of the hearing changed and Harry and Mr. Weasley run to get there p.121
  2. Why do you think the hearing was changed to the new location? Listen to your child's answer

Chapter 8

  1. How do we know Fudge didn’t expect Dumbledor at the hearing? He was surprised and flustered when Dumbledor arrived; didn’t set out a chair; changed the time and location of the hearing intentionally so Dumbledor wouldn’t be there p.139
  2. Who do you think told Dumbledor of the change? Listen to your child’s answer
  3. Why doesn’t Fudge want to believe dementors attacked Harry? It would prove that Voldemort is back p.148

Chapter 9

  1. What was Harry feeling when he didn’t make Prefect? Jealous and selfish p.166
  2. Why was Mrs. Weasley so upset when she saw the bogart? She’s scared someone in her family is going to die p.176

Chapter 10

  1. What did Draco Malfoy say to unnerve Harry in this chapter? Why? “I’ll be dogging your footsteps in case you step out of line"; Draco’s dad might have noticed Sirius dropping off Harry at the train station and know where he's hiding out p.194
  2. Why was Harry alarmed his friends couldn’t see the creatures pulling the carriages? He’s not been able to see them until now; Luna has been able to see them as well, which concerned him p.199

Chapter 11

  1. What did the Sorting Hat sing about? The different houses; warnings; advice p.207
  2. Why was that strange? The Hat hasn't given advice or warnings since Harry's been at Hogwarts p.207
  3. Why is Harry frustrated and grateful at the end of this chapter? Seamus’ mom doesn't believe Harry and Dumbledor and doesn't want him at the school; Neville believes Harry and stood up for him p.220

Chapter 12

  1. What’s Harry’s Divination class about? Predicting the future p.237
  2. Why isn’t Harry happy about keeping a dream journal? His dreams are about Voldemort and come true p.238
  3. Describe Professor Umbridge. Very short; sweet voice and but very strict; determined to put Harry’s accusations about Voldemort to rest and called them lies p.239

Chapter 13

  1. What pun did Professor Umbridge use on page 266? “Oh, as long as it takes the message to sink in” p.266
  2. Why is it a pun? When Harry used the quill, it actually carved the words into his flesh p.267
  3. Why doesn’t Harry want to talk to Dumbledor about his detention or his scar? Dumbledor hasn’t talked to him since the summer p.277

Chapter 14

  1. What concerns did Sirius calm when Harry spoke with him? Harry’s scar isn’t anything to worry about; Professor Umbridge isn’t a Death Eater; Hagrid's away on a mission and is fine p.302

Chapter 15

  1. Why did Hermione suggest Harry teach the Defense against the Dark Arts class? Why? Harry; he’s been successful in using the spells against Voldemort p.326
  2. What’s Harry’s reaction? He didn’t feel qualified p.328

Chapter 16

  1. Which houses are the students from who came to the Dark Arts meeting? Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Gryffondor p.338
  2. Why were the students hesitant to sign their names? They didn’t want to be found out p.346
  3. Why was Harry noticing how beautiful the village is now? Cho likes him p.349

Chapter 17

  1. Why did Professor Umbridge ban student organizations, societies, teams, groups and clubs? To prevent the secret Dark Arts class p.351
  2. Why are the teachers upset with Umbridge? She has the power to get rid of them, is questioning how they teach and putting them on probation p.364
  3. What caused Sirius to vanish? Umbridge came looking for him in the chimney floo p.372

Chapter 18

  1. Why weren’t the other elves picking up Hermione’s hats and socks? They were insulted p.385
  2. Describe the first lesson Harry taught. Harry was voted their leader; they call themselves the D.A., Dumbledor’s Army; they learned the Expelliarmus spell p.396

Chapter 19

  1. Describe the Quidditch match and what happened after. Ron missed three goals, Harry caught the snitch so they won; during the match Slytherin sang a mean song about Ron; Draco taunted Ron, Harry and George hit him; Umbridge banned Harry, George and Fred from playing Quidditch again; Ron left the field very discouraged p.406

Chapter 20

  1. Summarize this chapter. Harry and his friends went to see Hagrid; he told them how he went to the giants to gain their favor against Voldemort; the chief who liked them was killed and a new chief was put in, he was siding with the Death Eaters; Hagrid and Madame Maxine weren’t successful in convincing the other giants to join; Umbridge came to see Hagrid while the kids were there, but couldn’t see them due to the invisibility cloak; Hermione is worried Umbridge going to get rid of Hagrid p.424

Chapter 21

  1. Why was Harry so confused by Cho’s kiss? She cried about missing Cedric just before p.458
  2. What and who was Harry in his dream? A snake; Voldemort p.462

Chapter 22

  1. Why did Dumbledor remove Harry and the Weasley’s from Hogwarts? He didn’t want Umbridge to get involved; he wanted them to be able to see their father p.476
  2. Why didn’t Harry want to hear the conversation in the hospital room? He was disturbed Voldemort is possessing him p.491

Chapter 23

  1. Why was Harry so upset at the beginning of this chapter? He thought Voldemort was using him as a weapon p.493
  2. What helped Harry feel better? Talking to his friends; Ginny reminded him she’d been possessed by Voldemort too p.499
  3. Who did Harry and his friends see on the closed ward of the hospital? Why? Neville Longbottom; his mom and dad were cursed by Bellatrix Lestrange p.515

Chapter 24

  1. Why did Dumbledor want Harry to learn Occlumency? It would teach him to control and protect his mind from Voldemort p.518
  2. Why was Harry so sick at the end of this chapter? He’d had his first lesson with Snape and his mind was weakened and tired p.542

Chapter 25

  1. Why did Harry’s date with Cho go poorly? Harry didn’t want to talk about Cedric and then said he was meeting Hermione and that made Cho jealous p.562
  2. Why did Hermione want Harry to meet her? To tell Rita Skeeter the truth about Voldemort p.567
  3. How did Hermione convince Rita to do the story about Harry for free? She blackmailed Rita since she’s not a registered Animagus p.569

Chapter 26

  1. What was the reaction to the article written about Harry and Voldemort? Umbridge was angry and put up a new decree that students were forbidden to read it; the students believed Harry; Harry received lots of fan mail p.579
  2. How does Snape know that Harry dreamt of Voldemort? He can see Harry’s memories as they practice Occlumency p.593

Chapter 27

  1. Why was Harry taken to Dumbledor’s office? Umbridge caught him doing the D.A. Class p.611
  2. Why did Dumbledor take the blame for organizing the class? He didn’t want Harry to get expelled; he knew he could handle the consequences p.618
  3. What advice did Dumbledor give Harry before he left? To study Occlumency as hard as he could and close his mind p.623

Chapter 28

  1. Why was Snape so enraged to find Harry watching his memory? It was humiliating to him; it was about how Harry’s dad treated him when they were younger p.645
  2. Should Harry have looked into the Pensieve? Why, or why not? No; Snape’s memories were personal like a journal 

Chapter 29

  1. What did Sirius tell Harry about his father? That he was 15 years old and an idiot; that his father was a show off when Lily was around; he was his best friend and a good person p.671
  2. What diversion did Fred and George do so Harry to talk to Sirius? Made a swamp in the school p.675

Chapter 30

  1. What was Hagrid hiding in the Forbidden Forest? His brother, a giant p.690
  2. Why did Hagrid need Harry and his friends to visit his brother? He was worried Umbridge was going to fire him p.701
  3. Why did Harry and Hermione decide to wait to tell Ron about Hagrid's brother? Ron had just won the Quidditch Cup p.702

Chapter 31

  1. What event interrupted the astronomy test? Umbridge telling Hagrid to leave Hogwarts p.719
  2. Who was Voldemort torturing in Harry’s dream and why? Sirius; Voldemort wanted Sirius to fetch something p.728

Chapter 32

  1. Do you think Snape got Harry's message? Listen to your child’s answer p.745
  2. Predict the weapon Hermione and Harry are taking Umbridge to? Listen to your child’s answer p.748

Chapter 33

  1. How did Luna, Neville, Ginny and Ron escape? They used spells Harry taught them p.761
  2. Why were they so determined to go with Harry? They wanted to use the skills Harry taught them against Voldemort p.761

Chapter 34

  1. Why wasn’t Sirius where Harry saw him in his dream? It was a trap Voldemort planned to get Harry into the room with the orb p.780

Chapter 35

  1. Summarize this chapter. The kids were all fighting for their lives running from the Death Eaters when members of the Order of the Phoenix arrived to help them; Sirius fell through the veil and died p.781

Chapter 36

  1. What did Fudge finally admit? That Voldemort’s back p.817

Chapter 37

  1. Who took the blame for Sirius’s death? Why? Dumbledor; he should have told Harry everything long before p.826
  2. Who lied to Harry and betrayed the Order? Kreacher p.829
  3. Why did Dumbledor wait to tell Harry the prophecy? He would need to one day kill Voldemort or be killed by him p.844

Chapter 38

  1. What was Nicks response when Harry asked him about Sirius? Sirius moved on and wouldn’t come back as a ghost p.860
  2. What did Luna say that helped Harry feel better? That those who have died are just behind the veil, they’re not gone p.863
  3. Why was Harry confident going home with the Dursley’s? The Order stood up for him and told the Dursley’s they’d better be nice to Harry; Harry knew he had support from his friends p.870

Comprehension Questions – The Girl Who Drank the Moon

The Girl Who Drank the Moon

by Kelly Barnhill

Grades 6-9; Genre - Fantasy; GRL X; AR pts. 12.0

A witch, a swamp monster, and a perfectly tiny dragon raise a young girl named Luna, who must unlock the powerful magic buried deep inside her to save the people of the Protectorate.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1 

  1. Tell me what you know about the history of this village from this first chapter? There’s a witch in the woods; a child needs to be sacrificed so everyone else stays safe; an older brother was sacrificed p.1

Chapter 2

  1. Describe the Sisters of the Star guards. Ruthless; well trained; long braids wrapped around their waists; all females; years of training in the Tower p.9
  2. Tell me about the society in this story and how you feel about it. The Elders are in charge and have created the witch and the need to sacrifice a baby to control the people in the village p.12

Chapter 3

  1. Describe Xan. A true witch; kind; thoughtful; takes the babies to the Free Cities to be raised by a good family p.20
  2. Why was The Grand Elder confused to see six trees? Xan transformed herself into a tree p.21
  3. Why did she decide to keep Luna? She accidentally fed her moonlight and made her magic p.25

Chapter 4

  1. Who is speaking in this chapter? A mom who lost her baby to the Witch p.29

Chapter 5

  1. Why is Glerk resistant to loving Luna? He didn’t want to get attached to her; he thought keeping her was a bad idea p.37

Why are Glerk and Xan worried about Luna’s magic growing? She’ll be out of control p.38

Chapter 6

Why are the Elders unhappy with Antain? He’s not arrogant and pompous enough p.49

Chapter 7

  1. How did Luna’s magic manifest? In thought and deed; she wanted a hat, so the dough turned into a hat p.54
  2. Why did Xan think she was missing something? She couldn’t remember very well p.56

Chapter 8

  1. Do you see commonalities between what the narrator has told you about the story and what this mom is telling her child? Explain. The Wizard saving the town; the dragon going into the volcano; the witch flying the dragon p.58

Chapter 9

  1. What was happening to Xan? Her magic was going into Luna, so she was getting weaker p.66
  2. How did Xan stop Luna from using her magic? Sure wrapped her in a cocoon p.68

Chapter 10

  1. Why did Xan have difficulty remembering her memories? She buried them p.72

Chapter 11

  1. What’s the spell Xan came up with? To keep Luna’s magic inside until she turns 13 years old p.78
  2. What will be a consequence of doing this? Xan will be drained of her magic and will die p.79
  3. Do you agree with Xan’s reasoning to hold in Luna’s magic? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer 

Chapter 12

  1. Summarize this chapter. Tells of the creation of the world starting with the bog and a beast p.82
  2. Who do you think the beast is? Glerk

Chapter 13

  1. What did Antain find when he visited the prisoner? Birds made out of paper covering the room and “she is here” written on a paper p.95
  2. Define day of reckoning. A time when the consequences of a course of mistakes or misdeeds are felt 
  3. Who did the prisoner threaten? Antain’s uncle the Grand Elder p.98
  4. What happened to Antain at the end of this chapter? He was attacked by the paper birds p.99

Chapter 14

  1. Describe how Luna felt when she woke. She felt different; expected magic things to happen but didn’t know why; couldn’t hear, see or comprehend magic p.100
  2. What did Xan tell herself to prevent feeling sorrow? Luna’s a regular girl now and she was never magic p.110

Chapter 15

  1. Why was the Tower significant to Antain? He lived there when he was younger and was scarred by the paper birds here p.121
  2. How has Antain changed since his last visit to the Tower? He’s a carpenter and lives alone lost in his work; becoming comfortable with lying p.121
  3. Why did Antain feel like his heart was flying at the end of this chapter? He was so elated to see and help Ethyne p.126

Chapter 16

  1. What animal does the author frequently use to foster imagery in this story? Birds p.127
  2. Summarize who this chapter is about and describe what happens at the end of this chapter. It’s about the mom who has her baby ripped away from her at the beginning of the story; the scars on Antain’s face are a map; the madwoman has paper, quills and ink appear magically and is always drawing a map or writing “she is here”; she doesn’t feel sorrow anymore, she feels hope p.131

Chapter 17

  1. How was Luna “off”? A pain in her head was getting worse through the day; she could see the nut full of magic in her forehead and felt it pulsing like a clock ticking; she knew it was bringing her closer to something p.138
  2. Which family was Luna thinking about and how did she tell a lie? Her mother and father; she told Fyrian she was thinking about her family, but didn’t clarify that she wasn’t thinking about him, Glerk and Grandmama p.139

Chapter 18

  1. Describe the interaction between Xan and Antain? Xan was trying to protect the baby, so she threw him aside and turned into a large hawk to take the baby to safety; Antain was just trying to talk to the Witch, but she misunderstood him p.149

Chapter 19

  1. What did Luna become aware of in this chapter? That her grandmother never spoke of memories; that they’re keeping secrets from each other p.164

Chapter 20

  1. Who us telling this story in this chapter? How do you know? Luna; The chapter title; these are all things about Luna p.166

Chapter 21

  1. How did Fyrian return to Luna? How? By crying out her name; the spell Xan gave him must have transferred to Luna p.177
  2. Why did the smell of the boots give Luna a headache? They were magical p.179
  3. What did she forget at the end of this chapter? To ask Glerk about the boots p.180

Chapter 22

  1. What is this person’s perception of the boots? They’re old and magical; they can travel the world covering great distances faster than normal boots; the Witch put them on and was able to find more magic p.182

Chapter 23

  1. What is the second map Luna drew? The village she came from; the place she was laid to be eaten by wolves and the Tower with the words, “she is here” p.195

Chapter 24

  1. How are each sacrificial baby chosen? It’s the youngest baby at the time of the sacrifice p.201
  2. What’s Antain’s plan? To give up his baby, go to the Witch’s home and kill her p.205

Chapter 25

  1. What word did Luna learn in this chapter? Magic p.211
  2. Why is that important? She hasn’t been able to read, see or hear magic for the last 8 years
  3. How old is Luna? 13 years old

Chapter 26

  1. Who overheard the Grand Elder and Sister Ignatia talking? How? The madwoman; she’d turned herself into a beetle and traveled on a shoe to her office p.215
  2. What could Sister Ignatia smell? The madwoman and her magic p.216
  3. What plan were they coming up with? To kill Antain p.218

Chapter 27

  1. Why is Xan careful she doesn’t feel sorrow? To protect her from the Sorrow Eater p.223
  2. Who do you think the Sorrow Eater is? Sister Ignatia p.223

Chapter 28

  1. Who is traveling in this book and where are they going? Xan, Luna, Glerk, Fyrian, Sister Ignatia, Antain, the madwoman; Antain and the madwoman are traveling to the Witch’s home, Sister Ignatia is going after Antain to kill him, Xan to pick up the baby being sacrificed, Luna’s going after Xan and Glerk and Fyrian are going after Luna p.225

Chapter 29

  1. What had happened to this history? It has been changed, twisted to fit what Sister Ignatia and the Elders want the people of Protectorate to believe p.242

Chapter 30

  1. Summarize this chapter. Luna becomes lost, then fell into darkness as rocks gave way p.243

Chapter 31

  1. What’s does the madwoman find at the treehouse? No one is home; pictures that Luna drew; her daughter’s name is Luna p.252

Chapter 32

  1. What helped Xan remember who she was and what she was doing? Glerk and Fyrian p.258
  2. Where do you think the paper birds came from? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 33

  1. Who is the Witch in the history that traveled the world in the Seven League Boots? The Head Sister; Sister Ignatia p.258
  2. Which two peoples were blocking the Head Sister’s view? Xan and Luna p.267

Chapter 34

  1. Why is Ethyne’s home happy and bright? She has hope p.275
  2. Why do you think Ethyne has power over the Grand Elder? She has a strength inside of her and is not intimidated by him p.276
  3. Who created the birds that are protecting Luna? Her mother, the madwoman p.284

Chapter 35

  1. Who did Glerk smell? Sister Ignatia 288
  2. Where is Sister Ignatia’s home? The same place Xan and Luna live p.291

Chapter 36

  1. Who do you think was blocking the scrying device in this chapter? Listen to your child’s answer; Xan p.299

Chapter 37

  1. What was Xan hearing for the first time? Why the babies were left in the ring of trees p.303

Chapter 38

  1. Who is possibly telling the history of the world to their child? The madwoman or Ethyne; So many families lost children to the evilness of the Grand Elder and Head Sister, it represents what all parents could have told their children p.248/307
  2. What characteristic does Ethyne have that helped her find the truth? She was curious and asked questions; she desired to know the truth p.309
  3. Do you think the Grand Elder should be nervous? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 39

  1. What happens to Fyrian in this chapter? He begins to grow to an enormous size p.320
  2. Which Witch is Antain threatening to kill? Luna p.326

Chapter 40

  1. Predict how you think this story will conclude. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 41

  1. How does Luna, her mother and grandmother receive more and more strength? From the moon p.341

Chapter 42

  1. What color of magic does Xan shine? Licheny green p.341
  2. Who reached Luna just as she reached her grandmother and Antain? The madwoman/her mother p.342

Chapter 43

  1. What stopped Antain from attacking the Witch? The trauma of being attacked by the birds p.343
  2. What spell did Luna cast for the first time? Transformation; changed her grandmother back into a person p.348

Chapter 44

  1. What is happening to Xan in this chapter? She’s dying now that Luna’s magic is unlocked p.350

Chapter 45

  1. What made the Sorrow Eater’s magic disappear? Luna opened the woman’s heart and all the sorrow that was stored inside from her own memories spilled out; her magic came from sorrow p.366
  2. What does the phrase, “she is here, she is here, she is here” mean throughout this story? Luna is here; where Luna is on the map; Luna’s mother is here p.368

Chapter 46

  1. Why was Xan happy to hear the cries of joy when the Star Children returned? She had saved each one from death and was happy to hear them return to their original families p.379

Chapter 47

  1. What does Glerk do in this chapter? He takes Xan to the bog and leaves a poem for Luna p.383

Chapter 48

  1. How does this story end? Someone is telling what the village has become, who the Witch is and what will happen in the future p.385
  2. Did you enjoy reading this story? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answers

Comprehension Questions – The Never Girls #3 A Dandelion Wish

A Dandelion Wish

by Kiki Thorpe

Grades 1-4; Genre - Fantasy; GRL N; AR pts. 2.0

Mia and her friends have discovered a magical passageway to Never Land, but when her little sister, Gabby, goes to Never Land alone, the passageway closes up, with a fairy stuck on the Main Land side, too.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Why did Mia sulk in this chapter? She wanted to go to Pixie Hollow with her friends, but she had to babysit Gabby p.4
  2. Was it responsible of Mia to go to Pixie Hollow anyway? No, she should have stayed and watched her sister p.9

Chapter 2

  1. Was Mia being a good example and taking good care of her sister? Why or why not? No, because she was more worried about herself p.24
  2. Why was Mia worried at the end of this chapter? Gabby went through the fence and their father fixed it so Gabby couldn’t come home from Pixie Hollow p.30

Chapter 3

  1. Why was everyone so busy in Pixie Hollow? They were cleaning up the mess Bingo made p.32
  2. Do you think it will be easy for Iridessa to look after Gabby? Listen to your child’s answer p.41

Chapter 4

  1. Summarize this chapter. Rosetta fainted realizing she couldn’t go home; Mia called her friends over and they tried to find the right slat in the fence to Never Land, but they loosened the wrong one and Rosetta disappeared through it p.43

Chapter 5

  1. How did Gabby and Iridessa get lost in this chapter? Gabby ran ahead into some trees and Iridessa followed p.62

Chapter 6

  1. How did Rosetta serve Mia in this chapter? She fixed up her neighbor’s yard so Mia could go back through the fence p.76

Chapter 7

  1. How could Mia have prevented this whole mess? She should have just babysat Gabby and not gone to Never Land

Chapter 8

  1. Why wasn’t Gabby scared in this chapter? She had faith in fairy magic p.100

Chapter 9

  1. How did the dandelion wishes help Gabby? They helped her get back to Pixie Hollow and they created another passage to Never Land so she could go home p.102
  2. How did this situation change Mia’s heart toward her little sister? She realized she has messed up and just wanted her sister back p.108

Chapter 10

  1. What promise did the girls make to each other? They wouldn’t go to Never Land without the four of them together p. 116
  2. Why did Iridessa stay close to Gabby? She cared for her and was a good friend p.117
  3. Why was Tink going back to the mainland with the girls? To fix the lawn mower p.118

Comprehension Questions – The Never Girls #2 The Space Between

The Space Between

by Kiki Thorpe

Grades 1-4; Genre - Fantasy; GRL N; AR pts. 2.0

Just as they were settling in at Pixie Hollow, Kate, Mia, Lainey, and Gabby have to go home, but even when they leave Never Land, its magic seems to follow them.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. If you could be a talent Clumsy what would it be? 
  2. What talent did Lainey have? Animal-talent p.9

Chapter 2

  1. Why were the girls sad in this chapter? It was time to go home p.17
  2. What gift did the queen give them? Fairy dust to fly back to Never Land p.22
  3. Where do you think the dust disappeared to? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 3

  1. What happened to Fawn in this chapter? She’d traveled through the tree to the Clumsy world; was chased by a cat; then ended back up in Pixie Hollow as she squeezed through a fence p.35

Chapter 4

  1. Why was Lainey disappointed to be back in her world? She had lost so much in Pixie Hollow and was worried she wouldn’t be anyone special p.50
  2. How do you think the dairy mouse came to Lainey’s world? Listen to your child’s answer p.56

Chapter 5

  1. What caused mischief in Pixie Hollow? The cat p.65
  2. What stopped the cat from feasting on the fairies in the kitchen? Peppercorns p.66

Chapter 6

  1. Name two strange things in this chapter. Mia can’t find her cat and a flamingo appeared in her backyard p.76

Chapter 7

  1. What was Fawn’s plan to get the cat back to the mainland? Lure it to where it came to into Never Land p.90

Chapter 8

  1. Where did Milkweed disappear to? Back to Never Land p.93
  2. What do you think the flamingo was trying to tell Lainey? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 9

  1. Did Lainey’s plan work? Why or why not? No; she saw Milkweed at the tree and didn’t want to cat to eat the mouse p.104
  2. Where did the flamingo lead Lainey? Back to Never Land p.108

Chapter 10

  1. Who did the cat belong to that was running through Never Land? Mia p.114
  2. Why did Lainey realize at the end of the story? She’s special, she has a fairy for a friend p.120

Comprehension Questions – The Never Girls #1 In a Blink

In a Blink

by Kiki Thorpe

Grades 1-4; Genre - Fantasy; GRL N; AR pts. 1.0

In a blink of an eye, four best friends all get whisked off to Never Land, home to Tinker Bell and her fairy friends.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Where does this story gets its name? four friends were outside; one heard the ocean, one saw flamingos, one heard bells jingling and one saw a fairy; there was a great wind and at the end of the chapter, in a blink they weren’t in the backyard anymore p.11

Chapter 2

  1. Why did Prilla go see Tink? She accidentally brought the four girls to their land and needed help; everyone went to Tink with their problems p.15
  2. How would you feel if you were called to see the queen? Listen to your child’s answer p.23

Chapter 3

  1. Where did the girls blink to? Never Land p.30
  2. Why do the fairies keep calling the girls Clumsies? That’s what fairies call the humans from the mainland p.31

Chapter 4

  1. Define what a talent is. A natural aptitude or skill p.37
  2. Why do you think it bothered Kate that the other children who have come to Never Land go home and forget about it or stay forever? It wasn’t really a fair choice; she might have wondered who could forget about Never Land p.49

Chapter 5

  1. Describe where the girls slept that night in Never Land. A huge willow tree; hammocks with moss and silk sheets; lights that were fireflies; pillows stuffed with rose petals p.51
  2. Why didn’t the girls need to worry about time passing at home? They realized time passed differently in Never Land and hoped no time had passed at homep.59

Chapter 6

  1. What did the girls want to do for their last day in Never Land? Learn to fly p.71
  2. What do you think Kate’s plan is? Listen to your child’s answer p.72

Chapter 7

  1. What did Kate learn about flying? It was harder than it looks p.76
  2. Why didn’t Kate remember Prilla’s warning about Vidia? She stopped listening to Prilla because she was bored p.85

Chapter 8

  1. How did Vidia trick Kate? She taught her to fly, then took off with the pixie dust p.96

Chapter 9

  1. Why did Vidia need Kate to get the dust for her? The queen put a magic spell around the pumpkin so she couldn’t go near it p.99
  2. Who found Kate? Where? How? Gabby; tangled in the branches of a tree far from Pixie Hollow; she covered more distance than usual because of her belief in magic p.108

Chapter 10

  1. Did the girls make it home? No p.118
  2. How did the girls feel about being stuck in Never Land? They knew they’d get home someday but we’re glad for the extra time they could spend there p.118

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 – #3 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

J.K. Rowling

Grades 5-8; Genre - Fantasy; GRL V; AR pts: 18.0

When Harry and his best friends go back for their third year at Hogwarts, an escaped mass murderer is on the loose, and the sinister prison guards of Azkaban have been called in to guard the school. The plot contains profanity.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Why was Harry up in the middle of the
    night doing his homework? He wasn’t supposed to have his school books p.3
  2. Who did he receive birthday presents
    from? Ron, Hermione and Hagrid p.7
  3. Why were the Weasley’s in Egypt? Their
    father had won a grand prize and they wanted to visit their son Bill in Egypt
    p.8
  4. Why was Harry finally like everyone
    else? He was glad it was his birthday p.15

Chapter 2

  1. Describe the man who escaped and was
    on the news? His name is Sirius Black, he has long black hair, he’s a prisoner,
    armed and dangerous, gaunt face p.17
  2. Why did harry hide his presents and
    send Hedwig away? To look as normal as possible while Aunt Marge was in town
    so his uncle would sign his Hogsmeade permission form p.21
  3. Why was having Aunt Marge around so
    difficult for Harry? She was very rude to him all the time p.23
  4. What did Harry do to Aunt Marge when
    she spoke badly of his father? Made her blow up like a balloon p.29

Chapter 3

  1. Why was Harry worried that he might go
    to Azkaban? He’s broken laws, like blowing up his aunt p.40
  2. How did Harry travel to London after
    leaving the Dursleys? the Knight Bus p.34
  3. What was Aunt Marge’s outcome? She
    was deflated and her memory was altered p.44
  4. Why did Harry think his conversation
    with the Minister of Magic was strange? He didn’t get punished for what he’d
    done, the minister didn’t usually deal with underage magic, the minister made
    everything right with Aunt Marge p.45

Chapter 4

  1. What item did Harry want to spend his
    gold on, but knew he couldn’t? the Firebolt broomstick p.51
  2. How did Harry feel about staying at
    the Leaky Cauldron? Why? He enjoyed it; it was great not having anyone
    telling him what to do or when to do it; he could do his homework in the sunshine;
    he could explore the shops on Diagon Alley p.49
  3. What did Hermione end up buying with
    her birthday money? A very large ginger colored cat p.60
  4. Why does Mr. Weasley and the Ministry
    of Magic think Black is after Harry? Black would say “He’s at Hogwarts” in
    his sleep p.66

Chapter 5

  1. What did Mr. Weasley tell Harry when
    he was about to get on the Hogwarts Express? About Sirius Black p.72
  2. What saved Harry and his friends from
    getting in a brawl with Malfoy on the train? The kids had a professor of
    Hogwarts in their train car p.80
  3. What happened to Harry when he saw
    the dementor on the train? He heard screaming, got cold, saw white fog and
    fainted p.83
  4. Why was Hagrid crying after
    Dumbledore announced he was a new teacher? Hagrid was so happy p.93

Chapter 6

  1. Describe what Divinations is going to
    teach? Fortune telling p.103
  2. What types of things did Professor
    Trelawney say that made the students tense and tremble? Things about their futures,
    mostly bad p.103
  3. How did Professor McGonagall feel about
    Professor Trelawney’s prediction for Harry’s future? That it’s not going to
    happen; Professor Trelawney’s not reliable p.109
  4. Why did Hagrid think he was going to
    get fired? Malfoy got hurt during his class by a hippogriff because he
    insulted it p.120

Chapter 7

  1. Why was Professor Snape so upset when
    Hermione helped Neville with his potion? He had previously told her not to
    help him p.128
  2. What does “practical” mean in this
    sentence on page 130, “today’s will be a practical lesson”? learning by application
    or personal experience p.130
  3. Why was Harry deflated after leaving
    Professor Lupin’s class? He didn’t get to fight the boggart and felt
    Professor Lupin didn’t have faith in him p.140
  4. How did the rest of the class feel
    about Lupin’s lesson? They were excited; felt it was the best lesson they’d
    ever had in that class p.140

Chapter 8

  1. Why were Hermione and Ron not
    speaking to each other? Crookshanks tried to catch Scabbers p.147
  2. What did Professor Trelawney predict
    that happened on October 16th? Lavender got a letter saying her rabbit
    died p.148
  3. Why didn’t Professor McGonagall give
    permission to Harry to go to Hogsmeade? His parent or guardian didn’t sign
    the permission form p.150
  4. What was a positive outcome from
    Harry staying home from Hogsmeade? He got to talk to Professor Lupin and
    clear up what had been bothering him p.155

Chapter 9

  1. Why are all the students sleeping in the
    Great Hall on Halloween night? For safety; The fat lady in Gryffindor’s
    password portrait was missing and she wouldn’t let in Black, so the teachers looking
    for Black p.162
  2. What was Professor McGonagall going
    to do so Harry could still practice Quidditch with his team? Have Madam Hooch
    oversee the training sessions p.168
  3. How did Ron get detention? He spoke
    out of turn and was disrespectful to Snape p.172
  4. Why did Harry miss the snitch during
    the Quidditch match? He saw dementors on the field and fainted again p.179

Chapter 10

  1. Why do the dementors affect Harry so
    badly? He has horrors in his past that others don’t p.187
  2. How did Harry find his way to Hogsmeade?
    A magical map Fred and George gave him that has secret passages to Hogsmeade
    p.195
  3. Why was Hermione upset that Harry
    came to Hogsmeade? She was worried about his safety and about getting caught
    p.198
  4. Why were Ron and Hermione lost for
    words after the professors and minister of magic left the Three Broomsticks? They
    had overheard how Sirius Black betrayed Harry’s parents to the Dark Lord p.210

Chapter 11

  1. What did Harry want to do with Black?
    Kill him; go after him p.215
  2. Why was Hagrid so upset? His
    hippogriff was under trial and could be executed p.219
  3. What was Harry’s most exciting Christmas
    present and who gave it to him? The Firebolt; he doesn’t know who gave it to
    him p.223
  4. Who did Hermione think gave the broom
    to Harry? Black p.232

Chapter 12

  1.  What happy memory finally worked when Harry
    was practicing with Professor Lupin? When he learned he was leaving the Dursleys
    for Hogwarts p.241
  2. Who did Professor Lupin attend
    Hogwarts with as a child? Harry’s mom and dad p.243
  3. Why would Professor Lupin be
    suspicious of Harry when he gave him butterbeer? He wondered how Harry would
    get some when it’s only found in Hogsmeade, and he’s not supposed to go there
    p.246
  4. Did Mrs. McGonagall find any curses
    on the Firebolt? No p.248

Chapter 13

  1. What did Harry notice about Ravenclaw’s
    seeker before the Quidditch match? She’s really pretty p.259
  2. What did Harry do when he saw the
    three dementors below him? He pulled out his wand and cast the spell he’d been
    practicing with Professor Lupin p.262
  3. Why did Ron cry out in the night? He
    awoke to Black looming over him with a knife p.266
  4. Where did Black get Gryffindor’s
    passwords? Neville wrote them down and lost them p.268

Chapter 14

  1. What did Hagrid summon Ron and Harry?
    He wanted to tell them that Hermione is lonely and overwhelmed from school
    and needs a friend p.274
  2. Why did Harry have to race back to
    the castle from Hogsmeade? Draco and his friends saw him and were going to
    tell on him p.281
  3. What did Professor Lupin do for Harry
    in Snape’s office? Covered for him so he wouldn’t get in trouble p.290
  4. Why wasn’t Lupin going to cover for
    Harry again? Harry’s gambling his parents’ sacrifice for a bag of tricks and
    he’s not going to support him if he’s going to be foolish p.290

Chapter 15

  1. Why did Hermione punch Draco? He
    was mocking Hagrid p.293
  2. Why was the Gryffindor house so
    anxious for the Quidditch game? They knew they had to win by a certain amount
    to win the Cup p.301
  3. During the Quidditch match, what did Harry
    do to distract Draco from seeing the snitch? He knew Draco was following him,
    so he led him away from it p.308
  4. Who won the Quidditch Cup? Gryffindor
    p.313

Chapter 16

  1. Why was Cornelius Fudge at Hogwarts? Buckbeak’s
    appeal and execution and to check on the Black situation p.320
  2. What did Harry say he saw during his
    final in Divinations? A hippogriff flying away p.323
  3. What happened to Professor Trelawney
    during Harry’s final? She was possessed and spoke of a servant of the Dark
    Lord breaking free and joining the Dark Lord that night p.324
  4. Why didn’t Hagrid want the kids present
    during the execution? He didn’t want them to see it and he didn’t want them
    to get caught p.328

Chapter 17

  1. Where did the dog take Ron? Into the
    secret tunnel under the Whomping Willow p.335
  2. Where did the tunnel lead? Hogsmeade
    in the Shrieking Shack p.337
  3. What can Professor Lupin turn into? A
    werewolf p.345
  4. Who is Scabbers? Peter Pettigrew
    p.348

Chapter 18

  1. What were the precautions Dumbledore
    took so Professor Lupin could attend Hogwarts as a child? He had the
    Whomping Willow planted, the secret tunnel made, the Shrieking Shack made with
    the tunnel leading to it; all so Lupin could go there during the full moon
    p.353
  2. What did Lupin’s friends learn and
    why? How to shape shift; to help Lupin when he turned into a werewolf p.354
  3. Why doesn’t Snape trust Lupin? He knows
    what he is and thinks he was in on the joke that almost had him killed as a
    student at Hogwarts p.357
  4. How did Snape get Harry’s
    invisibility cloak? Harry and Hermione had thrown it off at the willow tree
    so they could chase Ron and he saw it when he followed them p.357

Chapter 19

  1. How did Lupin and Black prove Peter Pettigrew
    was Scabbers? They used a spell that turned him back into a human p.366
  2. How did Black survive and escape
    Azkaban? He knew he was innocent and would change into a dog so the
    dementors wouldn’t affect him as much; he escaped by turning into a dog and
    easily slipping passed the guards when they opened his p.371
  3. Why did Black expect Peter to have
    died rather than betray his friends? Because they would have died for him
    p.375
  4. Why did it offend Ron to know that Scabbers
    really was Peter Pettigrew? Peter had used Ron’s family to hear word of the Dark
    Lord and he betrayed Harry and his parents p.377

Chapter 20

  1. How did Harry feel about the prospect
    of living with Sirius instead of the Dursleys? He was thrilled and couldn’t
    wait p.379
  2. How did Pettigrew get away as the
    group headed to the castle? The full moon came out from behind the clouds,
    Lupin changed into a werewolf and Pettigrew turned back into a rat and
    scampered away p.381
  3. What saved Harry, Hermione and Black
    from the dementors? Someone else had cast the Expecto Patronum spell and
    protected them p.385

Chapter 21

  1. Why is Sirius going to be receiving
    the dementors Kiss? Snape has convinced Fudge that Sirius is guilty and that
    the children are delusional p.391
  2. What can the hourglass do on Hermione’s
    chain? time travel p.395
  3. What innocent lives did Harry and
    Hermione save? Buckbeak, Sirius Black, and their own p.396
  4. Who really saved Harry and his
    friends? Harry did when he went back in time p.411

Chapter 22

  1. Why was Fudge going to remove the
    dementors from Hogwarts? They almost killed Harry p.421
  2. Why did Lupin need to resign? Parents
    wouldn’t stand for a werewolf teaching their children; he knows he could have
    hurt Harry and his friends p.423
  3. Why was Harry so upset he stopped Black
    and Lupin from killing Pettigrew? He’s the Dark Lord’s servant and now the
    Dark Lord will come back again p.426
  4. What did Sirius give Harry permission
    to do the next year? Go to Hogsmeade p.433

Comprehension Questions – #2 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

by J.K. Rowling

Grades 5-8; Genre - Fantasy; GRL V; AR pts: 14.0

When Harry and his best friends go back for their third year at Hogwarts, an escaped mass murderer is on the loose, and the sinister prison guards of Azkaban have been called in to guard the school. The plot contains profanity.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Find the simile on page five that the author
    used to describe how the Dursleys treated Harry now that he’s back home with
    them again.  “back to being treated
    like a dog that had rolled in something smelly”
  2. How was Harry spending his birthday? Doing
    chores     and in his room, making no noise and pretending he doesn’t exist
    p.6
  3. How did Dudley get Harry in trouble? He
    taunted him about not getting any cards on his birthday and asked if he had any
    friends at his school p.9

Chapter 2

  1. Describe Dobby and the message he gave to
    Harry. Small creature with bat-like ears and bulging green eyes the size of
    tennis balls, a house elf; he warned Harry not to go back to Hogwarts because
    he’ll be in mortal danger p.12
  2. Why did Dobby come to warn him? Because Harry
    escaped Lord Voldemort twice, Dobby thinks Harry’s too great and too good to
    lose p.16
  3. What did Uncle Vernon do to punish Harry for
    ruining his deal and for not telling them that he couldn’t use magic outside of
    school? Put bars on his windows, locked him in his room, put food through a
    cat door, only let him out in the morning and evening for the bathroom, and
    told Harry he was never going back to school p.21

Chapter 3

  1. How did Harry become free from his room and the
    Durleys? Ron and his older twin brothers came to find out why Harry hadn’t
    written him all summer and broke him out of his room, ripping the bars from his
    window with their flying car p.25
  2. Why did they think Draco Malfoy could have sent
    the house elf to Harry? It wouldn’t surprise them if Draco wanted to stop
    Harry from going to school p.28
  3. What softened Mrs. Weasley’s anger when the boys
    arrived home with Harry? George told her the Dursleys were starving Harry
    p.34
  4. How did the boys get rid of the gnomes? They
    twirled them in the air to make them dizzy, then threw them over the wall p.37

Chapter 4

  1. Who was the author of the majority of the books
    Harry needed to purchase for his school year? Gilderoy Lockhart p.44
  2. Where did Harry land when using the Floo powder
    and who did he see? In a wizard’s shop on Knockturn Alley; Draco Malfoy and
    his father selling illegal items p.49
  3. Who did Harry see in Knockturn Alley? Hagrid
    p.54
  4. Who’s the new Defense Against the Dark Arts
    teacher at Hogwarts? Gilderoy Lockhart p.60

Chapter 5

  1. When Ron and Harry missed the train, how did
    they get to Hagwarts? Mr. Weasley’s flying car p.69
  2. What attacked the car after the boys crashed? The
    tree they hit into p.75
  3. What is Ron’s and Harry’s consequence for being
    seen in the flying car and crashing into the Whomping Willow? They had to
    miss the feast and detention p.81
  4. How did the other boys treat Ron and Harry after
    learning about the flying car? They cheered them on like they’d just won a marathon
    p.84

Chapter 6

  1. Explain what type of letter Ron received. It’s
    called a Howler and is a punishment letter; when you open it, the messenger is
    yelling at you and after the message is given, it burns up p.87
  2. What did Colin and Harry have in common? They
    both came from muggle homes and didn’t know how they could do the odd things
    they did. Hogwarts sent a letter to them both inviting them to wizardry school
    p.96
  3. What does Professor Lockhart think Harry’s doing
    when he arrives in a flying car and learns Colin wants a photo with him? Thinks
    he’s trying to publicize himself p.98
  4. What did Ron and Harry think about Professor
    Lockhart as he ran out of the room and left the three friends to take care of
    the pixies? That he doesn’t know what he’s doing p.103

Chapter 7

  1. Why was Wood so determined to win the Quidditch
    Cup this year? Because they lost it last year since Harry was in the
    hospital and they were short a player p.109
  2. Why did the kids go to Hagrid’s home? They
    needed help; because of Ron’s broken wand, he accidentally cast a slug spell on
    himself p.113
  3. Why were Hagrid’s pumpkins so large? He’d
    been putting an engorgement spell on them p.118
  4. What did Harry hear while in detention with
    Professor Lockhart and who do you think said it? “Come…come to me…Let me rip
    you…Let me tear you…Let me kill you…; listen to your child’s answers p.120

Chapter 8

  1. Why was Harry in Mr. Filch’s office and what did
    he read while waiting for Mr. Filch? He was in trouble for wearing his muddy
    and dripping wet robes into the building; a letter on Kwikspell to learn magic
    p.126
  2. Why does Hermione avoid the girls’ bathroom on
    the first floor? A ghost named Moaning Myrtle haunts one of the toilets,
    throws tantrums and causes the bathroom to flood p.132
  3. What did the kids find as Harry listened to the
    voice and climbed the stairs? Writing on the wall that said, “the Chamber of
    Secrets has been opened, enemies of the heir, beware,” and Mrs. Norris, the
    cat, looking dead, hanging by its tail p.138

Chapter 9

  1. After analyzing the cat, what conclusion did
    Dumbledore come to? It’s not dead, but is petrified p.142
  2. Explain what a Squib is. It’s a person born
    into a wizarding family, but they themselves don’t have any magic powers p.145
  3. How did Professor Binns feel about the
    Chamber of Secrets? That it’s a myth and that there’s no truth to it p.152
  4. What’s Hermione’s idea of getting into Slytherin
    to question Draco Malfoy? Use the Polyjuice Potion to change their
    appearance to look like Draco’s friends p.159

Chapter 10

  1. What was the problem with the Bludger during the
    Quidditch match? Instead of going toward all players, it only went after
    Harry p.168
  2. How did Harry win the game for Gryffindor? He
    got the snitch p.171
  3. Who made the Bludger focus on Harry during the
    match and why? Dobby; so Harry would get hurt and be sent home p.177
  4. What happened to Colin Creevey? He was
    petrified on his way to visit Harry p.179

Chapter 11

  1. Why did the students trade talismans,
    amulets, and other protective devices? To protect themselves from the
    creature in the Chamber of Secrets     p.185
  2. What distraction did Harry cause to help
    Hermione sneak into Snape’s office? Lit a firework to land in a cauldron; Snape
    had to help those that got hurt p.187
  3. What did Harry do to stop the snake from
    attacking Justin? Told the snake to “leave him alone” p.194
  4. What did Harry trip over in the dark passage? Justin
    and Nearly Headless Nick who were both petrified p.202

Chapter 12

  1. Why was Harry happy most people were leaving
    for the Christmas holiday? He was tired of people skirting around him in the
    corridors and from hearing their hissing, pointing, and muttering p.209
  2. How were Ron and Harry supposed to get a bit
    of Crabbe and Goyle, as well as keep them out of the way while they talked
    Malfoy? Hermione filled two chocolate cakes with a sleeping potion p.213
  3. What did the boys learn when they interrogated Malfoy?
    That Malfoy didn’t do it and where his father’s hidden chamber was p.222
  4. What happened to Hermione and why couldn’t she
    go with the boys to the Slytherin common room? Her potion turned her into a
    cat p.225

Chapter 13

  1. Why was Moaning Myrtle so upset when Harry
    and Ron came into talk to her? Someone had thrown a book at her p.230
  2. What was the book and who did it belong to? A
    journal; Tom M. Riddle p.231
  3. What was odd about the journal? There wasn’t
    any writing in it. When Harry wrote in it, the ink disappeared, but reappeared onto
    the pages as Tom wrote back to him p.239
  4. What did Harry learn after following Tom Riddle
    in the book? That Tom turned in Hagrid for opening the Chamber of Secrets 50
    years before p.245

Chapter 14

  1. Why doesn’t Harry want to report the stolen
    journal? He didn’t want to expose Hagrid being expelled as a youth p.254
  2. Why was Harry more worried about what the voice
    said this time? He was worried someone would die p.255
  3. Why was the Quidditch cup match cancelled? Two
    students had been petrified, one of them being Hermione p.257
  4. What message did Dumbledore and Hagrid give the
    boys before they were accompanied off the school property? That Hogwarts
    will help anyone who comes asking for it; to follow the spiders and to feed
    Fang p.264

Chapter 15

  1. What made Ernie apologize to Harry? He
    realized Harry would never hurt Hermione p.268
  2. Where did the spiders lead Harry and Ron? Into
    the Forbidden Forest, p,272
  3. What did Harry and Ron find in the forest that
    had been lost? Ron’s family’s car p.274
  4. What saved Harry, Ron and Fang after Aragog was
    finished talking to them? Ron’s car p.279

Chapter 16

  1. Why did Harry want to speak with Moaning Myrtle?
    She might be the child that was killed the first time the Chamber of Secrets
    was opened p.287
  2. What did Harry see in Hermione’s hand? A
    paper torn out of an old book about a basilisk p.290
  3. Why do you think it was good that Harry and Ron
    found the paper before going to talk to Moaning Myrtle? They now knew what
    the monster was and how to get to it p.292
  4. How did Harry get the sink to open? By saying
    “open up” in Parseltongue p.300

Chapter 17

  1. Who did Harry see in the Chamber of Secrets? Ginny
    and     Tom Riddle who is Lord Voldemort p.307
  2. Who opened the Chamber of Secrets and how? Ginny
    Weasley; Tom Riddle had her in his power p.310
  3. How did Fawkes and the Sorting Hat help Harry
    defeat the basilisk and Tom? The phoenix poked out the basilisk’s eyes, the Sorting
    Hat gave Harry a sword to pierce the basilisk, the phoenix healed Harry with his
    tears, Fawkes dropped the diary in Harry’s lap and healed Harry p.319
  4. How did the children and Lockhart get back up to
    the bathroom? They all held onto each other and Fawkes flew/lifted them
    p.325

Chapter 18

  1. Why did the phoenix come to help Harry? He
    showed loyalty to Dumbledore p.332
  2. Why can Harry speak Parseltongue? Voldemort
    transferred some of his own power into Harry the night he gave him the scar
    p.333
  3. What did Harry do to show he belongs in the
    Gryffindor House? He chose to be there and wielded the sword from Godric
    Gryffindor p.333
  4. How did Harry free Dobby? Harry put the diary
    in his sock and gave it to Lucius Malfoy, Malfoy threw the sock and Dobby
    caught it p.338

Comprehension Questions- Magic Tree House Merlin Missions #22 Hurry Up Houdini!

Hurry Up Houdini!

By Mary Pope Osborne

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

Jack and Annie continue their journey as they find the second key to greatness under the direction and assistance of Merlin,  They get to meet the Great Houdini at the amusement park on Coney Island and even get to perform on the same stage as the great illusionist.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What two things did Merlin give Jack and Annie to help them during their quest? A gold ring (Ring of Truth) and a tiny bottle of Merlin’s magic mist p.7
  2. Where did Merlin want them to go for this mission?  Coney Island, NY  p.8
  3. Who were Jack and Annie going to visit for this adventure? The Great Houdini p.8
  4. What do you know about the Great Houdini?  A magician, performer

Chapter 2

  1. After the tree house landed in New York, Annie thought they had arrived at the time of the Middle Ages.  What made her come to that conclusion?  She saw spires, towers, turrets, domes  p.10
  2. Back in 1908, how much was a penny worth if compared to a coin in our time?  A quarter p.11
  3. What ride did Jack and Annie go on before buying their tickets for Houdini’s show? A water roller coaster; Shoot the Chutes p.21
  4. Why do you think Jack wanted to buy the tickets to Houdini’s show before eating the hot dog, ice cream and going on Shoot the Chutes?  It might be sold out; they might miss it  p.22

Chapter 3

  1. How did Jack like the Shoot the Chutes ride he and Annie went on?  He didn’t like it; it made him queasy p.23
  2. What’s the definition of “coincidence”?   an occurrence of events happening by chance  p.27
  3. Give an example of onomatopoeia in this chapter.   Ah-OO-ga! Ah-OO-ga!  p.29
  4. Why was Mr. Dewey so upset when Jack and Annie tried to buy tickets for the Great Houdini’s show?  The opening act, the Bambini Brothers ran off stealing from the box office, now the Great Houdini’s show doesn’t have an opening act and it will start late  p.32

Chapter 4

  1. How did Jack and Annie help solve Mr. Dewey’s problem of not having an opening act for the Great Houdini?  Jack and Annie used the magic mist to become great performers and do the opening act p.36
  2. What was the name of Jack and Annie’s act for the performance? Jolly Jack and the Amazing Annie p.38
  3. How did Jack feel about performing in the opening act of the Great Houdini? He didn’t like it  p.39&44
  4. What’s the definition of a “horde”? a large group of people  p.40

Chapter 5

  1. Why did Jack turn around and go back to the theater, especially when he was so angry at Annie? She was going to use the magic mist to become a great performer, but he realized he had the mist p.46
  2. How did Jack sneak into the theater? He climbed onto a garbage can and crate to reach the window of Annie’s dressing room p.49-50
  3. How did Jack feel about performing after he inhaled the mist? The crowd wasn’t so scary, he couldn’t wait to get on stage and show them what he could do  p.54

Chapter 6

  1. What are illusionists?  Magicians  p.59
  2. Tell me three magic tricks Jack and Annie did during their act.  Pulled rabbits and doves from their hats, made cards appear from thin air, made wands appear, connecting three solid rings  p.62-67
  3. Tell me the definition of “flourish”. To make dramatic, sweeping gestures  p.69

Chapter 7

  1. Why did Jack and Annie go back on stage and perform a second time?  The Great Houdini hadn’t shown up to do the show  p.71
  2. Why did the audience “boo” Jack when the curtain lifted for the second performance? They wanted the Great Houdini p.76
  3. Why was the Great Houdini late for his performance?  He and Bess got trapped on the Trip to the Moon ride p.81

Chapter 8

  1. What was one of the Great Houdini’s nicknames? The Master of Escape  p.88
  2. Describe to me the Great Houdini’s most thrilling and dangerous escape he performed that night? He escaped a huge locked milk can full of water with three pairs of handcuffs around his wrists p.89
  3. What magic trick did the Great Houdini do that included his wife Bess? He tied her arms behind her back, she stepped into a large bag that Houdini tied at the top, she was placed in a trunk that was inside a cabinet, then the cabinet was locked with padlocks. She escaped and opened the trunk and bag and the Great Houdini jumped out p.94

Chapter 9

  1. How did Harry and Bess leave the theater after the show? Through a secret exit out of their dressing room p.97
  2. Where did Jack and Annie find Harry and Bess? On a bench eating ice cream cones p.101
  3. Why do Harry and Bess wear such big hats? So fans won’t recognize them p.101
  4. What did Bess say to Jack and Annie that made the Ring of Truth glow?  Anyone would have to work hard to be truly great at something p.105

Chapter 10

  1. Why did Jack and Annie want to walk with Harry and Bess to the Japanese Tea Garden? That’s where the magic tree house was p. 107
  2. When Jack and Annie were telling their new friends about the magic tree house, how did Harry and Bess respond? They didn’t believe them, they winked at each other, went along with Jack and Annie p.109
  3. Why did Jack and Annie tell Harry and Bess their secret about the tree house? Harry mentioned he would be happy to just once see a bit of magic he could never do or never explain p.107&112
  4. What was Jack and Annie’s new secret of greatness? Hard work  p.112