Call it Courage
by Armstrong Sperry
Grades 5-7; Genre - Fiction; GRL X; AR pts. 3.0
A legendary adventure story of how Mafatu, the son of the Great Chief of Hikueru, a Polynesian race who worships courage, conquers his fear of the sea and proves he isn't a coward.
Comprehension Questions
Chapter 1
- How did the author begin this story? Giving the history and background of where this story came from p.1
- Do you think it was reasonable for Mafatu to be afraid of the sea? Why? Listen to your child’s answer p.3
- How were Mafatu and Kivi similar? They were both rejected by their peers and family p.8
- Why did Mafatu feel like he needed to leave the island? His people had rejected him; he wanted to learn how to have courage; the boys his age were going out to hunt sharks and swordfish the next day and he was the only one not going p.14
Chapter 2
- List 2 similes or metaphors in this chapter. “A monster livid and hungry p.24; empty as a shell p.25; as hard as the cut edge of a stone p.28
- Summarize this chapter. Mafatu was out at sea; a storm came and broke up his canoe and stole away his paddle and food; he saw land and reached it but his canoe broke into splinters; he and his dog drug themselves onto the beach to a fresh water p.17
Chapter 3
- What examples of personification does the author use in this chapter? The chuckle of the cascade p.36; coconuts and pandanus trooped in shining legions to the very edge of the sea p.38; it’s voice warm and soft and reassuring in his ear p.47; trees reached for him as he fled p.53
- How did Mafatu know he was not alone on the island? He saw that fruit has been cut from the trees recently; he saw a path only humans could make; he saw terraces built by men; p.48
- How did Mafatu know which island he was on? he saw bones that had recently been burned for sacrifice; he was on a eaters-of-men island p.50
- How did Mafatu show courage in this chapter? He took the spear from the altar and touched a bone p.54
- Why does Mafatu think about the things that would please his father? His father is ashamed of him; he’s thinking of ways he can show his father he has courage p.59
Chapter 4
- How did Mafatu prepare for this adventure before arriving on the island? His previous life was making the same tools he needs on this island p.64
- What motivated Mafatu to dive into the water and kill the hammerhead shark? His dog fell off the raft and the shark swam after him p.74
- Why was Mafatu so elated and proud of himself for killing a wild boar? He did it with a spear which takes a lot of courage; he had courage to face the boar; his grandfather had killed one and was respected; he wants to be respected too p.78
- Why was Mafatu feeling more comfortable in the ocean? He had lived near it and in it for weeks and grew confident in his ability p.85
- Why does Mafatu attribute his successes to Maui? Maui is his God, and he believes Maui is helping him p.93
- Why was Mafatu so excited to return home? He had found his courage and could now prove he wasn’t afraid any longer p.95
Chapter 5
- Summarize this chapter. Mafatu was being chased by the eaters-of-men into the ocean, but after a long chase gave up; Mafatu grew discouraged when he sat on the ocean for days, but finally made it to his home island; his father was proud to call him his son p.97
- How did the author conclude this story? He restated the first few lines that are at the very beginning of the book p.116
- Explain if you agree with this style of writing. Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer