Reader's Log Instructions

RumbleFish Independent Reader's Log Assignment

You will be keeping a reader's log for your novel. Here are the guidelines. You will use a total of 12 starters, so there are more than enough choices.

Guidelines for Entries:
1. Do not use the same starter more than once.
2. Each entry must be 80 to 100 words in length.
3. Each entry must include the date, chapter, and number of words in the entry.
4. 12 entries, one for each chapter of the book
5. May be handwritten NEATLY or typed
6. Due December 1, 2008

Reader's Log Starters

When I started reading this book, I thought...
I changed my mind about...because...
My favorite part of the book was...because...
My favorite character was...because...
I was surprised when...
I predict that...
I liked the way the writer...
I didn't like...because...
This book reminded me of...
I would (wouldn't) recommend this book to a friend because...
This book made me feel...
This book made me think...
This book made me realize...
While I was reading I pictured...
The most important thing about this book is...
If I were (name of character), I would (wouldn't) have...
What happened in this book was very realistic (unrealistic) because...
My least favorite character was...because...
I admire (name of character) for...
One thing I've noticed about the author's style is...
If I could be any character in this book, I would be...because...
I agree (disagree) with the writer about...
I think the title is a good (strange/misleading) choice because...
A better title for this book would be...because...
In my opinion, the most important word (sentence/paragraph) in this book is...because...
(Name of character) reminds me of myself because...
(Name of character) reminds me of somebody I know because...
If I could talk to (name of character), I would say...
When I finished this book, I still wondered...
This book was similar to (different from) other books I've read because...
This book was similar to (different from) other books by this writer because it...
I think the main thing the writer was trying to say was...
(Event in book) reminded me of (something that happened to me) when...

The Cay, Chapters 11-19

Chapters 11 and 12

1. How was Phillip able to get around the island?

2. What did Timothy think about Stew Cat?

3. What happened to Timothy the morning after he and Phillip talked about voodoo?

4. What worried Phillip about Timothy’s behavior?

5. Why did Timothy put the raft in the ocean?

6. Why did Timothy wake up one morning with a fever?

7. How did Timothy act while he was sick?

8. What did Timothy do while he was sick?

9. How did Timothy feel after the fever broke?

Chapters 13 and 14

1. Why did Timothy teach Phillip how to fish?

2. What did Phillip use to catch a fish?

3. What was Timothy too old to do?

4. How did Phillip get to the reef to fish?

5. What sounds did the ocean make?

6. What did Timothy do with the rope as the hurricane was coming?

7. Why did Timothy and Phillip eat a large meal?

8. What did Phillip say to Timothy?

9. Before the storm came the ocean looked ______________ .

Chapters 15 - 16

1. When did the hurricane hit?

2. Why did Phillip and Timothy have to leave the hut?

3. How did Timothy protect Phillip from the storm?

4. How high did the ocean get?

5. What happened to Timothy during the storm?

6. What happened to Timothy after the storm?

7. What did Phillip find to eat?

8. Why did the bird attack Phillip?

The Cay Chapters 17 - 19

1. What did Phillip want to eat besides the coconuts he found?

2. How did Phillip catch the lobsters?

3. How did Phillip get hurt?

4. Why did the first plane not see Phillip’s signal fire?

5. What did Phillip decide to burn to make the smoke black?

6. On August 20, 1942 what loud sound did Phillip hear?

7. How did Phillip feel when the second plane passed Phillip by without stopping?

8. When Phillip was rescued what was the only item he wanted from the island?

9. How would Phillip "his" little island when he returned?

The Cay, Chapters 1-10

The Cay

Answer all questions in complete sentences.

Chapter 1

1. What arrived during the night?
2. Where does the story take place?
3. What did Phillip and Henrick like to play?
4. What kind of job did Phillip's dad have?
5. Where did Phillip's dad want Phillip and his mom to sleep?
6. How many submarines surrounded the island?
7. Where had Phillip lived before moving to the island?
8. What kind of weapons did the islanders have to fight the German submarines?

Chapter 2

1. What did Phillip put under his pillow for protection?
2. What did Phillip's mother want to do?
3. What supplies were getting low on the island?
4. What happened to the S. S. Empire Tern?
5. What did Phillip's mother convince his father to do?
6. Why did the S. S. Hato need to stop at Panama before going to the states?

Chapter 3

1. After leaving Panama, what happened to the S. S. Hato?
2. What happened to Phillip as he was being lowered in the life boat?
3. How was Phillip hurt?
4. When Phillip woke up who was with him?
5. Who else was with Phillip?
6. How did the black man protect them from the hot sun while in the raft?
7. What was the man's name?
8. How did Phillip fell about Timothy?
9. What did Phillip eat for supper?

Chapter 4

1. How did Phillip feel about Timothy?
2. Where was Timothy from?
3. What did Phillip and Timothy eat for breakfast?
4. How was Timothy kind to Phillip?
5. What was wrong with Phillip when he woke up?
6. How did Phillip react to being blind?

Chapters 5 and 6

1. What did Timothy and Phillip hear?
2. What did Timothy do to get the attention of the airplane?
3. What did Timothy warn Phillip to always be careful of?
4. What did Timothy say was bad luck?
5. How was Phillip able to "see"?
6. What happened when Phillip fell overboard?
7. How did Phillip get back on the raft?
8. What did Timothy see about 2 miles away?
9. What was on the island?

Chapters 7 and 8

1. What was Timothy going to do to try to rescue Phillip and himself?

2. Where was the island that Timothy found?

3. How did Phillip feel when Timothy went to explore the island?

4. How big was the island?

5. What bad news did Timothy tell Phillip?

6. What type of shelter did Timothy make?

7. How did Phillip react when Timothy left him alone?

8. What did Timothy catch for supper?

9. Why did Timothy want Phillip to spell the word H-E-L-P for him?

Chapters 9 and 10

1. What did Timothy do with the rope he made?

2. What work did Timothy want Phillip to do?

3. Why did Timothy hit Phillip?

4. Phillip began to change the day Timothy hit him. How did he change?

5. Why was Timothy and Phillip glad when it started raining?

6. What fun did Timothy have as a young man?

7. How did Phillip begin to feel about black people after his talk with Timothy?

8. What did Timothy and Phillip eat?

9. What food was on the island that Timothy and Phillip could not eat?

Tuck Everlasting, Chapters 13-25 & Epilogue

Chapter Thirteen

1. What happened to Tuck's horse?

2. Why had the Foster family not gone to bed despite the late hour?

3. What does the man tell Winnie's grandmother?

4. Who might the man in the yellow suit be?

Chapter Fourteen

1. Why did Winnie experience difficulty sleeping?

2. Explain how Winnie could be exhausted by the conversation in the rowboat.

3. Why is Winnie having doubts as to whether or not the Tucks are actually criminals?

4. What does Jesse suggest that Winnie Foster do and how does she react?

Chapter Fifteen

1. Describe the opening scene in this chapter.

2. What does the stranger demand in return for providing the Fosters with the location of their missing daughter Winnie?

3. How do you think you would have reacted to the stranger's demands if you were the Fosters?

Chapter Sixteen

1. How does the stranger justify his delay in reporting the crime to the constable?

2. Why does the constable express surprise when he learns that the Fosters have agreed to sell their land to the stranger?

3. How did the man in the yellow suit respond when the constable asked him what he intended to do with his newly acquired piece of property?

Chapter Seventeen

1. What does Miles invite Winnie to do?

2. Why was Winnie convinced that the Tucks would honor their promise to return her to her family?

3. Why didn't Miles take his own son and daughter to the spring to drink?

4. How does Miles respond to Winnie's reflection that it would be nice if nothing ever had to die.

5. What is the clincher that convinced Winnie that the Tucks were right about wanting to keep the spring a secret?

Chapter Eighteen

1. Why is Tuck concerned about taking Winnie home?

2. What wish does Winnie make for the first time since her capture?

3. Who does Winnie think may be the nicest family member of all?

4. How does the knock on the door create suspense?

Chapter Nineteen

1. Why was Winnie suspicious of the man in the yellow suit?

2. What connection is there between the Tuck family and the man in the yellow suit?

3. What tune did the man in the yellow suit hear near the Foster cottage that convinced him that he had finally stumbled onto the "family that didn't grow older"?

4. What caused Mae's face to drain of all color?

5. What did the man in the yellow suit claim he would do with the spring?

6. Describe the scene at the end of the chapter.

Chapter Twenty

1. What reason did Mae give for hitting the man?

2. Why might Tuck be envious of the man lying on the ground?

3. What did the constable warn would happen if the man succumbed to his injuries?

4. What serious dilemma will occur if Mae Tuck is either placed in jail or hanged?

Chapter Twenty-One

1. Why did Winnie like her rocking chair despite the fact she had outgrown it?

2. What defence did the Fosters offer for Winnie when they learn that she went to the Tuck house of her own volition?

3. What did the Fosters sense shortly after they had put Winnie to bed?

4. Despite their horror at recent events, what secret hope does Winnie's family foster?

5. Why does Winnie accept that the man in the yellow suit must die?

Chapter Twenty-Two

1. What affect did the warm metal bars of the fence have on Winnie's thoughts?

2. How does the grandmother react when Winnie tells her that she would like to give the toad a drink of water?

3. Who was Winnie surprised to see on the other side of the fence?

4. Outline Miles' plan?

5. Why does Jesse give to Winnie?

6. How does Winnie offer to help or in her own words, make a difference?

Chapter Twenty-Three

1. What does Winnie do with Jesse's present?

2. Why is Winnie so restless?

3. What is Winnie beginning to think is the real truth about the Tuck family?

4. Why did Winnie jerk awake sometime later in the night?

Chapter Twenty-Four

1. What realization did Winnie come to as she left the house?

2. Who was waiting for her at the gate?

3. What object, shaped like an upside down L, was located at the back of the jailhouse?

4. Locate the origin of the lines: "Stone walls do not a prison make, nor iron bars a cage".

5. Why does Miles pour oil onto the nails?

6. What is the significance of Jesse's one word, remember?

Chapter Twenty-Five

1. Explain what happened soon after Winnie made herself comfortable on the cot?

2. How did the constable react when he discovered what had happened?

3. Why did Winnie pour the bottle of water over the toad?

Epilogue

1. What evidence is there that a great deal of time has passed since the Tuck family made their last visit?

2. What happened to the Foster home?

3. How does Tuck react to the inscription on the tombstone?

6th grade Tuck Everlasting questions, Chapters 1-12

Tuck Everlasting

Answer all questions in sentence form.

Prologue

1. Who sets out at dawn?
2. Who was Winnie Foster?
3. Who appeared at Foster's gate at sunset?
4. Explain in your own words what the author meant when she described the woods as the centre of the wheel--the hub?
5. List some synonyms and antonyms for the word everlasting.

Chapter One

1. What does the iron fence "say"?
2. Who owned the touch-me-not cottage?
3. According to the author, why had Winnie never been curious about exploring the woods?
4. What is located near the giant ash tree?
5. Although we are not told, suggest reasons why it may have been a disaster if the spring had been discovered by people.

Chapter Two

1. Why did Mae's husband resent being awakened by his wife?
2. Why did Mae want to go to the woods?
3. What did Mae place into her pocket?
4. What strange thing is revealed at the end of this chapter?

Chapter Three

1. Why would Winnie like to have a sibling?
2. What promise does Winnie make to the toad?

Chapter Four

1. What is Winnie doing as the stranger approaches the Foster gate?
2. Why does Winnie's grandmother come down the path to the gate?
3. What suddenly distracts the older woman's attention as she talks to the stranger?
4. Winnie and her grandmother have different views about what is making the music. Explain.
5. Why does the stranger wear an expression of satisfaction at the end of the chapter?

Chapter Five

1. How was the real world different from stories according to Winnie?
2. What does Winnie hope to find in the woods?
3. Why is Winnie surprised when she finally enters the woods?
4. Describe the boy that Winnie sees sitting up against the back of the tree in the woods.
5. How old are Winnie and the young man?
6. What does the young boy tell Winnie when she asks if she can drink from the spring?

Chapter Six

1. Describe what is happening as the chapter begins.
2. Who did the group encounter during their flight into the woods?
3. What does Winnie plan to tell her grandmother when she returns home to her cottage?
4. What effect does the music box have on everyone?

Chapter Seven

1. What convinces Winnie that she is probably the first person to hear the Tuck's story?
2. When did the Tuck family first suspect that something was terribly wrong?
3. Why did Miles' wife decide to leave him?
4. Why had their cat died?
5. How did Angus Tuck test his theory about the spring?

Chapter Eight

1. Why is Winnie reluctant initially to believe their story?
2. Why does the author have the Tuck family speaking with such a peculiar dialect?
3. Why is Winnie feeling so good about her decision to strike out on her own?
4. Who has overheard the entire story of the spring yet goes unnoticed in the forest?

Chapter Nine

1. What was the oft-repeated question?
2. What did the two boys do as soon as they arrived home?
3. What did Angus Tuck mean when he asked his wife, "Does she know?"

Chapter Ten

1. What was the obvious difference that Winnie first noticed between her house and that of the Tuck's?
2. How does the author make the inanimate chairs appear almost human to us?
3. Why according to Mae, is it difficult for her and her sons to stay in one place too long?
4. Mae isn't certain whether or not the effects of the spring water on her family are a blessing or a curse. What do you think? Explain.

Chapter Eleven

1. What did Winnie find strange about the Tuck family's dining habits?
2. What did Mae want Winnie to promise before she took her home?
3. Why had Winnie begun to think of the man in the yellow suit as a savior?

Chapter Twelve

1. The author paints vivid descriptions of the sunset by comparing it to other things or objects. Give a couple of examples.
2. Why is this a good time for fishing?
3. Explain how Tuck uses the stuck rowboat to explain his family's situation.
4. What does Angus Tuck claim he would do if he had the opportunity?
5. What concerns does Tuck express to Winnie at the end of his talk?
6. Why did Miles call for his father to come back?

Pre-AP Questions for The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Chapter 1

1. Why did Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy leave London?

2. What is the setting of the story?

3. Describe the professor and the children’s reaction to him.

4. Why did Lucy go into the wardrobe?

5. What can you conclude about Lucy? What evidence supports what you think?

Chapter 2

1. What can you tell about Faun based on what he does in this chapter?

2. What words best describe how Lucy felt during her visit?

3. Why does Faun decide to let Lucy return? What influenced his decision?

Chapter 3

1. Use a Venn diagram to compare Lucy and Edmund’s experiences when they enter the wardrobe.

2. Why don’t the others believe Lucy when she tells them about what she found in the wardrobe?

3. Why didn’t Edmund see Lucy when he entered Narnia?

4. Describe the Queen of Narnia and Edmund’s impression of her.

5. On the sledge, why does the White Witch sit up higher?

6. Why is it significant that the sledge is pulled by reindeer?

Chapter 4

1. How did the Queen treat Edmund at first and how did her attitude change?

2. What did the Queen do to trick Edmund?

3. What type of information did Edmund share with the Queen?

4. Why directions did the Queen give Edmund?

5. How do Edmund and Lucy’s opinions of the Witch differ?

6. Why can’t Edmund get enough Turkish Delight?

Chapter 5

1. What words would you use to describe Edmund? Use evidence from the text to support your response.

2. Why are the children surprised by the professor’s reaction to their concern about Lucy?

3. Summarize the reasons the Professor says the children should believe Lucy.

4. How do all the children end up in the wardrobe?

Chapter 6

1. When did the children realize Edmund had been in the forest before?

2. Who leads the children and why?

3. Describe what the children found when they arrived at Mr. Tumnus’s cave?

4. How can you tell that Edmund had doubts about what the children were doing?

Chapter 7

1. What do the children do when they realize they are lost?

2. Why do the children decide to follow the beaver?

3. How did the children know that the Beaver and Mr. Tumnus were friends?

4. How did the Beaver feel about the dam? Use evidence from the text for support.

Chapter 8

1. What did Mr .Beaver think happened to Mr. Tumnus?

2. Why did Mr. Beaver not want the children to save Mr. Tumnus?

3. Who is Aslan?

4. How do the creatures in Narnia feel about humans?

5. Why did Mr. Beaver tell the children not to search for Edmund?

Chapter 9

1. Why did Edmund decide to leave the Beavers’ house?

2. How does Edmund justify going to the Witch’s castle?

3. Why is Edmund’s trip to the castle so difficult?

4. Describe what Edmund sees when he arrives at the castle.

5. Who or what is lying across the threshold?

Chapter 10

1. What disagreement do Mrs. Beaver and the others have?

2. Why doesn’t Lucy enjoy the journey?

3. Why does the narrator describe Peter’s voice as “pale”?

4. What does Father Christmas give the children and why does he say they are “tools, not toys”? How is this foreshadowing?

5. Why do the children feel “solemn” in the presence of Father Christmas?

Chapter 11

1. How is Edmund’s experience different from what he’d expected?

2. Why aren’t the wolves able to track the Beavers and the children?

3. Why is Edmund so miserable on the journey?

4. Describe the Queen’s meeting with the fox family, satyrs and the dwarf.

5. What changes does Edmund notice around him?

Chapter 12

1. What adjectives does the narrator use to describe the scene?

2. Why can’t the group continue to follow the river?

3. Why do the children need to go to the Stone Table?

4. What do the children see when they reach the top of the hill?

5. Why does Peter have to fight the wolves by himself?

6. What paradox is used in this chapter?

Chapter 13

1. What is Cair Paravel?

2. What conclusion does Edmund draw about what will happen to him?

3. How is Edmund rescued?

4. How do the Witch and the dwarf escape?

5. What do you think Aslan said to Edmund?

6. Why does the Witch think Edmund belongs to her?

Chapter 14

1. Why do you think Aslan can’t promise to help the children in the battle?

2. How does Aslan seem different in the night than he did during the day?

3. Describe the scene at the Stone Table.

4. Why doesn’t Aslan fight against the Witch?

5. What is the law about traitors according to the Deep Magic?

6. What would have happened if Aslan had not sacrificed himself?

Chapter 15

1. Why were the children in danger?

2. What things did the girls notice when they were trying to untie the lion?

3. How was Aslan able to come back to life?

4. Why do you think the children and Aslan go to the witch’s house?

Chapter 16

1. What does Aslan do to the statues?

2. How do they get out of the castle?

Chapter 17

1. What does Peter tell Aslan of the battle?

2. How is Edmund made better?

3. Where does Aslan go during the celebration?

4. What is special about the White Stag?

5. How do the children end up back at the Professor’s house?

6. What is the Professor’s reaction when the children tell him of their adventure?