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Comprehension Question – Fablehaven

Fablehaven

by Brandon Mull

Grades 3-8; Genre - Fantasy; GRL V; AR pts: 11.0

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Why are Kendra and Seth staying at their grandparents? Their parents are going on a cruise p.2
  2. What was the consequence the kids would receive if they went into the woods or barn? They’d be grounded to their room the rest of their stay p.13
  3. How long were Kendra and Seth going to be staying at their grandparents? 2 ½ weeks p.5

Chapter 2

  1. How did the insects respond to the mirror Kendra took out to the pool? they came to it; they liked it p.24
  2. After swimming, where did Seth disappear to? The woods p.26
  3. What’s Dale’s secret? He puts milk out for the insects p.31

Chapter 3

  1. Describe who Seth ran into while exploring in the woods? A woman he thought was a witch p.36
  2. Why did Seth get frightened while running out of the woods? He felt he was being pursued p.42
  3. What was Kendra doing when Seth came in from the woods? Trying to find what the last key went to p.43

Chapter 4

  1. Why did Kendra and Seth go into the woods? Seth wanted to show Kendra a beautiful park with a pond p.53
  2. Why did their grandpa tell them not to go into the forest? there’s a lot of dangerous animals p.61
  3. What’s their consequence for not following the rules? They’ll have to stay in their room for the entire next day and they’ll be completely grounded if they break the rules again p.63

Chapter 5

  1. Who did Kendra use as a guinea pig to test the milk? Seth p.71
  2. What happened to Seth and Kendra when they drank the milk? They could see magical creatures instead of normal insects p.72
  3. Why did Grandpa bring the kids into the study? To explain Fablehaven to them p.75

Chapter 6

  1. Who’s Lena? The naiad Patton loved p. 88
  2. Who is Maddox? A fairy hunter/trader p.95
  3. After dinner, what did Maddox show the kids? Different fairies he’d caught to sell p.99

Chapter 7

  1. How did Seth catch the fairy? He tricked her by putting a mirror into a jar, then when she went in to admire herself, he put the lid on it p.117
  2. What were the fairies doing to the bubbles Grandpa blew? Changing them into different colors, shapes and things p.118
  3. Where did Seth hide his captured fairy? In his dresser drawer p.120

Chapter 8

  1. What did the fairy turn into that Seth caught and why? An imp; from being indoors from sunset to sunrise p.133
  2. How did the other fairies get revenge on Seth? Turned him into a misshapen whale p.131
  3. How did Seth get turned back into a human? Grandpa had to undo one of the witch’s knots and she healed him p.140

Chapter 9

  1. How does Lena feel about death and dying? Fearful p.147
  2. Why do the kids need to wear ear plugs and stay in bed during Midsummer Eve? Nightmares take shape and prowl the yard and terrible sounds will be heard in the night p.149
  3. What type of creature did Seth get to meet? A golem p.153

Chapter 10

  1. Why did Grandpa want the kids to sleep in the attic? It’s the safest place in the house if children occupy it p.162
  2. Why did Seth open the window? He saw a crying baby and wanted to help it p.172
  3. What protected the kids from the monsters that came into the room? The salt that was around their beds p.174
  4. Why did the kids suspect that their grandpa, Dale, and Lena might be dead? They didn’t come and get them for breakfast p.177

Chapter 11

  1. What did the kids find when they left their bedroom that morning? Their grandpa and Lena were gone, Dale was a statue lying outside on the grass; they were all alone p.182
  2. Why did the kids follow the tracks into the woods? They hoped it would lead to their grandpa p.190
  3. Who saved the kids from the ogress? A satyr p.199

Chapter 12

  1. What creature did the kids find in the barn? A giant cow p.211
  2. Why was the cow bellowing? It hadn’t been milked that morning p.211
  3. How did the kids help the cow? They milked her p.215

Chapter 13

  1. What gave the kids a clue that Goldilocks was their grandma? The chicken had spelled out I M GRAM on the floor and bobbed her head when Kendra asked if she was her grandma p.221
  2. Why did Grandma want the kids to take her to Muriel? For healing p.236
  3. What happened when the last knot to Muriel’s rope was undone? She was freed p.234

Chapter 14

  1. Why did Grandma and the kids need to visit Nero? They needed information on their grandpa, and he could give it to them p.242
  2. Why was it better for Seth to climb up to Nero’s ledge than his grandma? There were 20 upright logs, three feet apart that were easier for Seth to scale than Grandma p.245
  3. What did Nero trade Grandpa’s location for? A 90 minute massage p.255

Chapter 15

  1. Who regularly milks Viola the cow? Hugo the golem p.261
  2. Where did Grandma and the kids go to talk privately? In the secret room on the other side of the attic p.268
  3. Why did Grandma arrange photographs on the kitchen floor? So the brownies could fix the house up using the pictures as a guide p.265
  4. What will happen to Grandma if she kills Muriel? She’d have to banish herself from the preserve p.276

Chapter 16

  1. Which imp caught Seth? The same one he had captured p.291
  2. Why couldn’t the imps catch Kendra? She hadn’t used magic, inflicted harm or caused any mischief, so they can’t touch her p.292
  3. What did Grandpa tell Kendra to do? Run, get off the property, and ram the gate with his truck p.292

Chapter 17

  1. This chapter is titled, “The Desperate Gamble.” What was Kendra’s gamble? She needed to choose between going to the house and getting a weapon, or asking the Fairy Queen for help p.299
  2. What was the Fairy Queen’s answer to Kendra’s plea? She said she’d help her and gave her 3 ingredients to gather p.311
  3. What were the ingredients? Blood, tears, and milk p.312
  4. How did Kendra get rid of Mendigo? She unhooked his arms and threw them in the water. When he went to get them, the naiads pulled him into the water p.314

Chapter 18

  1. What happened to the fairies when they drank the elixir Kendra had made? It enlarged each fairy to become a fairy army p.323
  2. How did Seth become free and his normal self again? The fairy he had captured freed him p.330
  3. How did the fairies defeat Bahumat and Muriel? They used ropes to tie them up; they tore off Bahumat’s horns; Muriel shriveled with age; they threw them back into the alcove p.332
  4. How did the fairies heal the imps? Kissed them on the mouth p.327

Chapter 19

  1. How did Kendra give the silver bowl back to the Fairy Queen? She threw it into the water p.342
  2. Describe Kendra’s interaction with Lena? Lena wasn’t the same and wanted to grab Kendra and bring her into the water p.343
  3. Why is Dale upset? He feels bad that his brother Warren wasn’t present when the fairies were curing everybody p.347
  4. Why did Kendra decide to take her painting home? She realized she would feel pain with or without the painting, so she might as well take it home p.350

Comprehension Questions – Young Cam Jansen and the Ice Skating Mystery

Young Cam Jansen and the Ice Skating Mystery

by David A. Adler

Grades K-2; Genre - Fiction; GRL J; AR pts: 0.5

Cam Jansen and her friend Eric are going ice skating! They put their shoes in a locker, and Eric puts the key in a pocket. "I won't lose it", he tells his father. But he does. Can Cam use her amazing memory to find the lost locker key?

Comprehension Questions (by Steve)

Chapter 1

  1. What did Cam tell Eric about skates? They should be snug. Pg. 5.
  2. What did they do with their shoes? Put them in their locker. Pg. 6.
  3. What did Cam remember when she came in? The sign to rent a locker for 25 cents. Pg. 7.
  4. Where did Eric put the key? In his jacket pocket. Pg. 10.

Chapter 2

  1. How did Eric want to skate? Faster. Pg. 11.
  2. What was in Eric’s way? A large group of skaters. Pg. 12.
  3. Why did Eric fall? He skated into the rail. Pg. 13.
  4. What was the announcement from the loudspeaker? Three minutes left. Pg. 16.

Chapter 3

  1. Why did Cam think the key wasn’t in Eric’s pocket? It had a hole. Pg.17.
  2. How did Cam know where Eric fell? At the letters M L on the rail. Pg. 18.
  3. Who told them to leave? The man in the green jacket. Pg. 19.

Chapter 4

  1. What did Eric and Cam find? A red mitten and blue scarf. Pg 21.
  2. Where were items returned? To the office. Pg. 22.
  3. What did Mr. Shelton want to do? Go home for pizza. Pg. 23.
  4. How did Eric try to delay leaving? He asked for hot chocolate. Pg. 24.

Chapter 5

  1. What did Cam make Eric do? Sit next to her and look for the key in his pocket. Pg. 26
  2. Where did Eric really put the key? In Cam’s pocket. Pg. 28.
  3. Did Mr. Shelton know Eric lost the key? No. Pg. 30.
  4. What did Eric say he proved? He wasn’t a baby. Pg. 31.

Vocabulary

Rink (15, 16, 21) – a closed area for skating

Announcement (20, 21) - a public statement

Comprehension Questions Young Cam Jansen and the Lost Tooth

Young Cam Jansen and the Lost Tooth

by David A. Adler

Grades 1-2; Genre - Fiction; GRL J; AR pts: 0.5

Annie has lost her tooth during art class, and she cannot find it anywhere. Cam Jansen says she has a memory like a camera. Will Cam have the picture she needs to find the missing tooth?

Vocabulary

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Who are Cam’s friends? Annie, Eric, and Robert. Pg.5.
  2. Why does Cam close her eyes and go “Click”? She has an amazing memory; remembers everything. Pg. 7.
  3. What is Cam’s real name and why is she called Cam? Jennifer and her name is short for Camera. Pg. 9.
  4. What happened when Annie bit the apple? She lost a tooth. Pg. 10.

Chapter 2

  1. What did Robert tell Annie happens when you lose a tooth? You get money under your pillow. Pg. 12.
  2. Why did Mr. Fay ring the bell? It was cleanup time. Pg. 13.
  3. What did Mr. Fay say about the Turkey-stick puppets? They looked almost real. Pg. 15.
  4. Why did they look in the bead box for Annie’s tooth? It looked like a white bead. Pg. 16.

Chapter 3

  1. Why did Annie not want to leave the art room? Because she didn’t have her tooth. Pg. 18.
  2. When Cam said “Click”, what did she have? A picture in her head. Pg. 20.
  3. What did she find in the pocket of her smock? Two beads and a feather. Pg. 21.

Chapter 4

  1. Did Robert believe Cam could remember everything in her mind? No. Pg. 22.
  2. Why did Cam have to whisper “Click”? The teacher was having quiet reading time. Pg. 23.
  3. What did Eric think when Cam had her eyes closed? She was sleeping. Pg. 24.
  4. What did Eric say that made her remember where Annie’s tooth was? Lunch boxes. Pg. 25.

Chapter 5

  1. Why did Cam, Annie and Eric go back to the art room? To find the garbage cans. Pg. 28.
  2. Where did Cam find the tooth? In the apple in the garbage. Pg. 29.
  3. What made Cam think that the tooth was in the garbage? Lunch boxes -> eating -> apple. Pg. 30.
  4. Who made sure the bus didn’t leave? Robert. Pg. 31.

Comprehension Questions – The Original Adventures of Hank the CowDog #1

The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog

by John R. Erickson

Grades 3-5; Genre - Fiction; GRL Q; AR pts: 3.0

Hank has been accused of murder! In a fit of despair, Hank resigns his position as Head of Ranch Security and decides to join the outlaw coyotes. There he's known as Hunk (that's Hank in coyote language). Hank meets Missy Coyote, sister to Scraunch — the meanest, roughest, toughest, most notorious coyote in the whole country. If Scraunch found Hank with his sister... Well, look out for trouble.

Vocabulary (by Steve)

Comprehension Questions (by Steve)

Chapter 1

  1. What was Hank’s job? Head of Ranch Security Pg. 1.
  2. Why did Loper shoot off the gun? Hank was barking at the coyotes. Pg. 3
  3. Who was Beulah? The neighbor’s collie that Hank liked. Pg. 4.
  4. What did Hank and Drover think killed the chicken? A coyote or a coon. Pg. 8.

Chapter 2

  1. Where did the porcupine stick Hank? In the face, nose, and paws. Pg. 12.
  2. What did Pete, the barn cat,  do to Hank? Flicked his tail on his nose. Pg. 14.
  3. How did Loper feel about Hank’s quills? It was Hanks fault for messing with a porcupine. Pg. 15.
  4. Why did Loper throw the pliers at Hank? He wet on his pants. Pg. 17.

Chapter 3

  1. What did Loper feel about Hank and the dead chicken? He barked all night and was expensive to feed. Pg. 19.
  2. Why did Hank tell Drover he was useless? He was playing with a frog. Pg. 22.
  3. What did Drover find in the night? A big monster with horns. Pg. 25.
  4. What did Hank actually attack? The milk cow.  Pg. 28.

Chapter 4

  1. Why was Slim nice to Hank? He wanted to wipe the dip stick on his ear. Pg. 31.
  2. How did Hank feel about Drover’s help the night before? He was not happy he didn’t give any . Pg. 33.
  3. Why was Drover not afraid to pee on the Boxer’s truck? He was chained up. Pg. 35.
  4. Why did Bruno get in trouble? The men thought the other dogs were asleep. Pg. 39.

Chapter 5

  1. What did Hank decide to do instead of guarding the chicken house? A steak-out. Pg. 44.
  2. Why did Hank fall asleep? Because he dreamt he was awake. Pg. 45.
  3. Who found Hank with the dead chicken? Sally May. Pg. 48.
  4. What did Loper do to punish Hank? Made him wear the dead chicken head. Pg. 50.
  5. What did Hank decide to do because he was punished? Leave and become an Outlaw. Pg. 53.

Chapter 6

  1. What did Hank think Loper and Sally Mae would feel about him being gone? They’d miss him. Do anything if he’d come home.  Pg. 57.
  2. How did Hank feel about the spring pool? A sewer is better. Pg. 58.
  3. What did Junior think about Hank? Thought he was d-d-d-dead. Pg. 59.
  4. What gave the signals that something was dead? The chicken head around hank’s neck. Pg. 62.

Chapter 7

  1. Why did the dog look headless? A Hawaiian Punch can was stuck on its head. Pg. 67.
  2. Why couldn’t the coyote understand hank? It didn’t speak Doglish. Pg. 69.
  3. Did Hank like the coyote’s name? No. Girl-Who-Drink-Blood. Pg. 72.
  4. Who was the coyote’s brother? Scraunch. Pg. 73.

Chapter 8

  1. Who is Chief Gut? The coyote father of Missy and Scraunch. Pg. 75.
  2. What did the coyotes call cowboys and guns? Big-hat and boom-boom. Pg. 76.
  3. What did the coyotes call Hank that upset him? Chicken dog. Pg. 77.
  4. Why didn’t the coyotes attack Hank? They were going to make him part of the tribe. Pg. 84.

Chapter 9

  1. Why did Hank’s secret work? Coyotes are superstitious. Pg. 85.
  2. What Did Hank’s mom say about coyotes? They were lazy, sneaky, undisciplined. Pg. 87.
  3. What did Rip and Snort want to do? Go carousing in the silage pit. Pg. 88.
  4. What is silage? Grass that ferments and turns into alcohol. Pg. 88.
  5. What did Drover think about Hank with the coyotes? He was a traitor. 95.

Chapter 10

  1. What did the coyote pups do to hank? Bit his tail. Pg. 99.
  2. How did Hank feel about coyote life? Told Missy too much noise. Pg. 102.
  3. What was the mutton feast? A piece of aged meat that was green with maggots on it. Pg. 103.
  4. What did Missy’s mom think made Hank sick? Brackish water. Pg. 105.

Chapter 11

  1. What did the coyotes like to eat and why? Juicy chicken because they are easy. Pg. 107.
  2. Who made the speech to the village? Scraunch and then led the raid. Pg.107.
  3. Where did Hank hope Drover was? Hiding in a corner of the shed. Pg. 109.
  4. What did Scraunch want Hank to do? Kill Drover, but he tried to save him. Pg. 114.
  5. When Hank “heard Saint Peter blow” what did he think? He was going to die. Pg. 116.

Chapter 12

  1. What did Loper do and why to Hank? He smiled; glad he was back. Pg. 119.
  2. What did everyone think happened to Drover? He was dead. Pg. 120.
  3. What did Hank tell Drover he was doing with the coyotes? He was undercover. Pg. 122.
  4. What did the Badger tracks turn out to be? Skunk tracks. Pg. 125.
  5. What did Hank do to Sally May? Run in to her clean laundry with skunk smell. Pg. 127.

Comprehension Questions – A to Z Mysteries The Runaway Racehorse

The Runaway Racehorse

by Ron Roy

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

And they're off! Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose are excited to see Uncle Warren's new racehorse, Whirlaway, in action. But the night before the big race, the horse disappears! He shows up just in time to lose the race. Why is Whirlaway suddenly so slow? Can the kids figure it out- or is Whirlaway out of the winner's circle for good?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Where are Dink, Josh and Ruth Rose going? To Larchmont, New York to see a racehorse p.1
  2. How did they travel to get there? By train p.1
  3. What was missing when the kids went to see Whirlaway? Whirlaway p.11

Chapter 2

  1. Where does Forest think Whirlaway has disappeared to? Over to visit his mother p.13
  2. Why did Ruth Rose and Josh have so much fun in the back of the pickup? The road was bumpy p.15
  3. Was Whirlaway visiting his mom? No p.19

Chapter 3

  1. What did Whirlaway look like when he returned to the barn? Muddy p.26
  2. What did the kids find on Whirlaway when they were washing him? A mark like a stamp p.28

Chapter 4

  1. Why did Whirlaway refuse to go with Ruth Rose? He was spooked from being out in the storm and coming home to strangers p.31
  2. Who else was Whirlaway scared of? Sunny p.32
  3. What did Ruth Rose observe about Sunny after reading her book about horses? Sunny and she doesn’t have Whirlaway’s trust and scares him p.36

Chapter 5

  1. Where did the kids and adults travel to and why? Saratoga Springs; a horse race p.39
  2. Why does Sunny wear goggles during the race? The horses in front kick up mud, so it protects her eyes p.44
  3. How did Whirlaway react to Sunny when Ruth Rose wanted a picture? Scared; upset p.44

Chapter 6

  1. Where did the kids get to sit during the horse races? Forest’s private box p.45
  2. Who won the first horse race? Merry Mary p.49
  3. Why did Forest conclude that something was wrong with Whirlaway after the race? He had never run so badly before p.53

Chapter 7

  1. What did Sunny say about Whirlaway’s performance? She said he ran like a different horse p.55
  2. What can make a horse run slower? Their jockey p.56
  3. Who did Ruth Rose take a picture of? Josh, Dink and Dancer p.58

Chapter 8

  1. What did Josh find on his collar? A dark smudge p.62
  2. Why did Ruth Rose want to get her film developed so quickly? So she could see if the man in the cowboy hat was Mr. Bunks p.63
  3. If it is Mr. Bunks, what’s the problem? He said he wasn’t into racing horses anymore; he lied p.64

Chapter 9

  1. What was on Josh’s collar? Shoe polish p.69
  2. How did the shoe polish get there? From Dancer, the horse who nudged him from behind, it had shoe polish on its forehead covering up the white mark p.71
  3. How was Josh going to prove their horse wasn’t Whirlaway? Offer it a sugar cube, if the horse eats it, it’s not Whirlaway p.73

Chapter 10

  1. What was on Josh’s fingers after touching Dancer’s forehead? Shoe polish p.77
  2. Who’s responsible for trading the horses? Mr. Bunks p.78
  3. Why did it take Sunny so long to get home from the race? She stopped at the vet p.84

Comprehension Questions – A to Z Mysteries The Panda Puzzle

The Panda Puzzle

by Ron Roy

Grades 2-5; Genre - Fiction; GRL N; AR pts: 1.0

There's pandemonium in Green Lawn! The town is building a new park for a panda and her baby. But as soon as the pandas arrive, the baby is stolen! All the panda-nappers want in return is a million dollars...Can Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose collar the culprits before Green Lawn has to cough up the cash?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What did the kids come to the petting zoo to see? A mama panda and her baby p.1
  2. What strange behavior did Ping show while the crowd was outside her cage? She ran into the fence p.6
  3. What’s missing from the panda cave? The baby panda, Winnie p.8

Chapter 2

  1. What did the kidnappers want in exchange for Winnie? A million dollars p.11
  2. What did Pal find the in the bamboo forest? a fishing knife p.13
  3. Why would the kidnapper have a knife? To cut down bamboo stalks to feed Winnie p.14

Chapter 3

  1. Why do the kids watch Ruth Rose’s video at the petting zoo? It might give them ideas who stole the panda p.19
  2. Who does Ruth Rose think suspects are? Irene Napper, Flip Frances, or Tom Steele; the people standing by the microphone p.21

Chapter 4

  1. Why did the three kids want to interview each of the three people that stood by the microphone? To try and get some answers p.23
  2. What was Irene doing when the kids found her in the park? Feeding the ducks p.24
  3. Who has a key to Ping’s gate? Only Irene p.28

Chapter 5

  1. Why does Josh think Irene kidnapped Winnie? She has large hands p.31
  2. Why does Josh think Tom Steele did it? He has a cut on his hand that could have been from Winnie and has a fishing pole p.37 & 38
  3. What was another clue Ruth Rose saw on Tom’s desk? There were newspapers all cut up; the ransom note was put together from newspaper clippings p.38

Chapter 6

  1. Where did the kids find Flip? At the fitness center p.40
  2. What made Josh think the kidnapper was Flip? He was great at doing flips; he would have easily been able to get over the fence of the panda enclosure p.45
  3. What’s another clue Flip could have kidnapped Winnie? He fishes p.46

Chapter 7

  1. What piece was missing when the twins were completing a puzzle together? The baby grizzly bear’s face p.50
  2. What did Ruth Rose realize they should be looking for? Winnie, not the person who took her p.51
  3. Why did the kids think the fitness center would be a good hiding place for Winnie? It’s smelly and loud p.53

Chapter 8

  1. What did the kids find when they slipped into the unmarked door? A wooden staircase p.60
  2. What explained the sounds of thunder they heard? The bowling alley was on the other side of the wall p.62
  3. What did the kids find under the mat they were sitting on? A trap door p.64

Chapter 9

  1. Who was in the room under the trap door? Winnie p.66
  2. How did the kids get locked in that room? Someone shut the door and locked it p.66
  3. What did the kids find that may help them get out of the coal room? A coal chute that leads to the outside p.71

Chapter 10

  1. How did the kids break the wood that blocked the chute? Dink found a shovel p.72
  2. Why did the boys choose Ruth Rose to go get the police? she was the smallest to fit in the chute p.76
  3. How did the boys find Winnie? She crawled up into Josh’s lap p.78

Chapter 11

  1. What is Flip’s consequence for kidnapping Winnie? Community service p.83
  2. What did the kids suggest could be Flip’s community service? Free gymnastics lessons for kids; do exercises with the old people in the senior center p.83
  3. How did Officer Fallon treat the kids for solving the mystery? He bought them ice cream cones p.85

Comprehension Questions – Calendar Mysteries New Year’s Eve Thieves

New Year's Eve Thieves

by Ron Roy

Grades 1-4; Genre - Fiction; GRL M; AR pts: 1.0

Bradley, Brian, Nate, and Lucy are looking forward to a New Year's Eve party. But someone is leaving clues that there might be more to this celebration than confetti and noisemakers. The year ends with a surprise in this exciting conclusion to the Calendar Mysteries series.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Why did the kids want to buy Socks a toy? So he could have something of his own to play with p.2
  2. What happened to Mrs. Wong’s house while she was on vacation? It was burglarized p.4
  3. Why is Lucy sad? It’s her birthday the next day on January 1st and her parents are going to miss it p.9

Chapter 2

  1. What were the man and woman wearing that was suspicious? A ski mask and red bandana and cowboy hat p.12
  2. What did the man and woman do while inside Ellie’s diner? Get hot tea to go p.19
  3. Why do you think the man and woman took pictures of the shops as they walked by? Listen to your child’s answers p.20

Chapter 3

  1. What did the kids think was on the note the woman dropped? A burglar code p.24
  2. Why can’t the kids tell the police about the strange couple? Because they aren’t doing anything illegal or wrong p.28
  3. What did the thieves do while inside the elderly-housing building? Changed their disguises so they looked like elderly people p.29

Chapter 4

  1. What information did Mr. Linkletter give the kids about the couple? They’re from Florida and come up to Green Lawn every Christmas to visit his sister p.35
  2. What did the strange couple do in the elderly housing building? Giggled like children, asked for the back door, then left p.39
  3. Why did the kids think the couple was headed to their New Year’s Eve party? The code gave directions to their homes and the receptionist overheard the couple talking p.43

Chapter 5

  1. What was going on inside Brian and Bradley’s house? everyone was setting up for the party p.48
  2. How did the kids’ parents react when they found out the kids were following thieves around town? Upset p.50
  3. Who disappeared while the kids were playing Scrabble? The parents, older kids and Pal; everyone p.52

Chapter 6

  1. What did the kids see in the barn? A light moving around p.55
  2. What did the kids find outside the barn door? The ski mask the woman was wearing earlier p.58
  3. What do you think is in the tall present? Listen to your child’s answers p.63

Chapter 7

  1. Who surprised Lucy for her birthday? Her parents p.66
  2. Why did Lucy’s mom take pictures of the buildings around town? To make a scrapbook for Lucy p.69
  3. Why did Lucy’s parents disguise themselves and lead the kids around town? They wanted to have some fun with them p.70

Comprehension Questions – Calendar Mysteries January Joker

January Joker

by Ron Roy

Grades 2-3; Genre - Fiction; GRL N; AR pts: 1.0

In the first book of the Calendar Mysteries — an early chapter book mystery series featuring the younger siblings of the A to Z Mysteries detectives — Green Lawn has a problem! When Bradley Pinto wakes up in the night to strange lights in his backyard, he wonders if there are aliens in town. When he sees three-toed tracks in the snow, he's sure of it. His twin, Brian, and friends Lucy and Nate aren't so certain. But then Lucy's cousin Dink, the twins' brother Josh, and Nate's sister Ruth Rose all disappear. Are there "really "aliens in Green Lawn? And where could they be taking Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What’s the setting of this story? In Brian and Bradley’s bedroom in the middle of the night p.1
  2. Who did the kids see outside by the barn? Two aliens p.4
  3. Why did the kids think Nate was playing a trick on them? Nate likes to do practical jokes on people; they knew it couldn’t be aliens p.6

Chapter 2

  1. Who was babysitting the four friends? Their older siblings and cousin; Dink, Ruth Rose & Josh p.9
  2. What did the kids have to do before they could ride Polly? Clean up breakfast p.10
  3. What did the kids see in the snow that was proof Bradley saw a spaceship? A big circle p.13

Chapter 3

  1. Why did Bradley think Josh, Ruth Rose and Dink had been taken by aliens? They couldn’t find them anywhere p.17
  2. What did the kids find on Josh’s printer? A newspaper article about aliens taking children and animals back to their planet; it described a circle and funny footprints p.19
  3. What does Bradley think happened to Polly? She was taken by the aliens p.20

Chapter 4

  1. What did Ruth Rose and Josh tell the kids when they talked to them on the phone? That aliens kidnapped them and they’re in a spaceship p.21
  2. Where do you think Pal was? Listen to your child’s answer p.24

Chapter 5

  1. Why did Lucy want to write down the clues they’ve found? To organize her thoughts and help figure out the mystery p.26
  2. What peered at the kids through the window? A green face with big teeth and a yellow face with big eyes staring at them p.28
  3. Where did the kids hide? Under the stairs in a closet p.30

Chapter 6

  1. What did the kids do to secure the house and make sure aliens wouldn’t come in? lock the doors and close the shades p.33
  2. What funny prints did Lucy find in the alien book? The same ones they saw outside p.34
  3. How was Lucy planning to capture the aliens? Make them lunch; give them food p.36

Chapter 7

  1. What food did Lucy use as bait? Grapes p.40
  2. Where were the kids hoping to catch the aliens? In the closet under the stairs p.40

Chapter 8

  1. Who was in the closet and why? Brian; he said the aliens put him there p.44
  2. Why did Bradley pinch Brian? To show him he wasn’t dreaming p.46
  3. Why did Bradley write a note to his friends instead of just talking to them? he thought the aliens were listening to them p.48

Chapter 9

  1. What makes Bradley think the aliens are hiding in the attic? They found Pal’s rubber toy on the bed and they think it must have dropped from the heat vent in the attic p.49
  2. Why haven’t the kids turned on the TV to see what was going on with the aliens? They’ve been busy; haven’t thought of it p.53

Chapter 10

  1. How did the kids get the note up to the attic? They stuck it to the mop stick and put it through the heat vent p.55
  2. What did the aliens do that made Lucy mad? They tore up her note and dropped the pieces back through the vent p.58

Chapter 11

  1. Why did Officer Fallon come to the house? Bradley called him p.60
  2. Why did the police tell the kids to keep the door to the attic locked? To keep whoever was hiding there wouldn’t escape; to keep the kids safe p.60
  3. Why was the twins’ mom upset? Policemen and firemen had come to the house p.65

Chapter 12

  1. What did the police find in the attic? Two stuffed aliens and Dink, Ruth Rose and Josh p.68
  2. Why did the older kids pull this prank on the first graders? Because Nate had played a practical joke on them and they wanted to get him back p.70
  3. Why did the older kids plan the joke for that day? They knew the parents would be out at breakfast together p.72

Chapter 13

  1. Who got to decide the punishment for the older kids? The younger kids p.73
  2. What punishment did the younger kids agree on? The older kids had to sit in Ellie’s diner dressed up as aliens, and they couldn’t talk p.74
  3. When Officer Fallon asked for an autograph what was Josh’s response? He wanted ice cream, so if Officer Fallon bought it for him, then he’d sign anything p.77

Comprehension Questions – Magic Tree House Merlin Missions #27 Night of the Ninth Dragon

Night of the Ninth Dragon

by Mary Pope Osborne

Grades ; Genre - Fantasy; GRL N; AR pts: 2.0

The magic tree house whisks Jack and Annie through space and time to find that the castle of Camelot has been attacked and King Arthur has been gravely wounded. To save the kingdom—and the king—Jack and Annie have only one day to solve a riddle that will help them find a missing dragon!

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Why did Jack and Annie go into the Frog Creek woods? Oki ran in, so they chased after him p.5
  2. Where did they find Oki? At the bottom of a tree looking at the magic tree house p.6
  3. What’s going to be the setting of this book? Camelot p.10

Chapter 2

  1. Who sent the tree house for Jack and Annie? Queen Guinevere p.16
  2. Why did the guard aim a crossbow at Jack and Annie as they approached Camelot? They’re under attack and didn’t know if the kids were friends or enemies p.20
  3. Where did the queen lead Jack and Annie? Morgan le Fay’s secret garden p.23

Chapter 3

  1. What were the statues of in the garden? Dragons p.25
  2. What’s been stolen out of the garden? The gold dragon; the ninth dragon p.32
  3. Why do the kids need to help find the ninth dragon? To get Merlin, Morgan, Teddy and Kathleen back from Avalon and to send King Arthur there to heal from his wound p.33

Chapter 4

  1. Why were the Jack, Annie, the king and queen going to Cafelle’s? She can prophesy and tell them where the ninth dragon is p.37
  2. Why were they traveling in a hay cart? No one will suspect the king riding in a hay cart p.39
  3. Why was Jack nervous when he found out the knights weren’t coming with them? he knew they could be attacked by invaders and they wouldn’t have the protection of the knights p.45

Chapter 5

  1. Describe Cafelle. She’s an old woman who’s blind, but could describe Jack and Annie perfectly, she’s kind and has a dog that cannot hear p.51
  2. What is Cafelle’s special ability? The leaves and wind speak to her and tell her what she desires to know p.56

Chapter 6

  1. When did the ninth dragon need to be returned to the garden? Dawn the next day p.59
  2. What did the seer give to both Jack and Annie? Red stones from the mountains of fire before time p.61
  3. Why was Jack frustrated about the stones? He didn’t know how to use them p.66

Chapter 7

  1. How did Annie help get rid of the invaders that questioned them? she put yellow spots on her face with a highlighter and said she had yellow fever p.72
  2. Why was Jack freezing as they traveled in the rain? He’d given his cloak to the king p.78
  3. What did Guinevere tell the kids about as they traveled? The Isle of Avalon p.78

Chapter 8

  1. Why did the kids send the oxen back to Camelot? The rope that connected the oxen to the cart had torn and they weren’t of use anymore p.83
  2. How did Jack, Annie and Guinevere get the cart to Munith Mor without the oxen? They pushed and pulled p.85
  3. What represented the curtain in the riddle? A waterfall p.88

Chapter 9

  1. What did Jack and Annie find in the cave behind the waterfall? The dragon statue p.96
  2. Why was the queen giving up? The healing water was gone, Arthur was dying, they heard the robbers coming on horses p.98
  3. What happened when Jack and Annie used their stones? A giant red dragon rose out of the erupting mountain above them p.101

Chapter 10

  1. Where did the portal take Jack, Annie, Guinevere and Arthur? To Avalon p.103
  2. How did Merlin, Morgan, Teddy and Kathleen respond when they first saw Jack and Annie in Avalon? Bewildered, amazed, surprised, astonished p.106
  3. Why did Jack and Annie need to return the dragon statue to Camelot before dawn? If it’s not returned by dawn, it’s power will be lost forever and those in Avalon will never return p.109

Chapter 11

  1. Where did Jack and Annie leave their magic stones? By the dragon statue in the garden p.115
  2. What message did Jack and Annie give the knights? That the kind and queen are healing in Avalon and will be back to restore order to the kingdom p.118

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

The Sea of Monsters

by Rick Riordan

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

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

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

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

Chapter 2

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

Chapter 3

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

Chapter 4

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

Chapter 5

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

Chapter 6

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

Chapter 7

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

Chapter 8

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

Chapter 9

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

Chapter 10

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

Chapter 11

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

Chapter 12

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

Chapter 13

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

Chapter 14

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

Chapter 15

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

Chapter 16

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

Chapter 17

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

Chapter 18

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

Chapter 19

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

Chapter 20

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