The Spiderwick Chronicles: The Field Guide Comprehension Questions

Mrs. Black and Mr. DiTerlizzi

A photocopy from an old book about faeries

How to identify faeries and how to protect themselves

To let people know about the information in the book and the potential dangers

Simon: veterinarian or lion tamer; Mallory: Olympic fencer or in jail for stabbing someone with a sword

He couldn't say what job he would grow up to have

Their mother

The dumbwaiter must have showed up, empty.

Click clack, watch your back.

It choked on wax and sputtered from his sudden movement, but it didn’t go out. It was later snuffed by running wax.

In bed, asleep.

They'd have to wait a while.

The new house is described as a Victorian pile of shacks with faded paint and an iron fence on the roof. The mother forces a smile, but the children are unimpressed with the house's condition and lack of furniture.

The family is staying at the house thanks to their great-aunt Lucinda's generosity, but the children are not grateful for the opportunity to start over.

There are rumors about their great-aunt's mental state and potential inheritance of the house. The children's negative attitudes toward the new home and its potential inheritance are highlighted.

The family is dealing with the aftermath of their father leaving, tensions among the siblings, and uncertainties about their future. The family is trying to adjust to a new beginning while facing various challenges and uncertainties about their future.

The text sets the stage for the family's struggle to adapt to their new surroundings through the children's bickering, reluctance, and negative attitudes toward the new home, as well as Jared's disorientation and unease about the new environment.

The family dynamics and tensions among the siblings are revealed through their interactions and discussions about their great-aunt, highlighting the children's resentment, negative attitudes, and reluctance regarding the new living situation.

Jared dismisses the possibility of a ghost and attributes a noise in the wall to a squirrel

Simon fills his side of the room with glass tanks housing various animals

They find a fencing medal hidden in the wall, leading to confusion about the squirrel's behavior

The excerpt sets the stage for the mysterious and fantastical events that unfold in the series, following the Grace siblings as they encounter magical creatures and a hidden world

Jared is hesitant to participate, finding the situation increasingly creepy

Mallory decides to remove the items from the wall in an attempt to keep the squirrel out

The children discovered a dumbwaiter in their new home.

Mallory sends Jared up the dumbwaiter to investigate.

Jared finds a mysterious note with a strange poem.

The children's mother interrupts their exploration.

The contents of the library and the note raise questions about the history of their new home.

The text sets the stage for a potential mystery or adventure involving the children and their new home.

possibility of a ghost

glass tanks housing various animals

Mallory

strange items, including a fencing medal

a rundown house with leaks and rotted floors

mysterious and fantastical events

Jared's sister whispered for him to get in the metal box to hide from the mysterious thing in the house.

Jared saw the message 'watch your back' written in the dust and Mallory initially dismisses it as something that could have been written there ages ago.

Jared found weird books in the secret library and felt that something in there had written in the dust, which left him feeling unsettled.

Jared initially thought the creak inside the wall was the thing, while Mallory dismissed it as something that could have been there ages ago.

Jared felt choked by the thick and heavy silence, and he felt relieved when he found the piece of paper with directions on it.

Jared immediately started speaking about the library and the message he saw in the dust, but Simon hushed him, warning that their mother might hear.

Jared initially feels guilty and tries to explain himself, but his mother interrupts him and sends him back to bed. This interaction shows the authority his mother holds and Jared's willingness to obey. It also hints at Jared's attempt to seek attention or approval through his actions.

The mess in the kitchen, caused by Jared's attempt to catch something, reflects his adventurous and curious nature. It also sets the stage for future events and emphasizes the family's adjustment to their new home. Additionally, it showcases the siblings' unity in dealing with unexpected situations.

Jared's behavior, including his attempt to catch something and the resulting mess, reflects his struggle to adapt to the new environment. The text portrays the family's disorientation and the siblings' shared experiences as they navigate unfamiliar surroundings. It also highlights the tension between Jared's curiosity and the need to respect his mother's authority.

The kitchen incident serves as a catalyst for the family's interactions, highlighting the siblings' ability to support each other and navigate challenges together. It also reveals the mother's assertiveness and the siblings' adjustment to her expectations. This event lays the foundation for the family's solidarity and mutual understanding.

Jared's reflection on the mess and his interrupted idea demonstrates his initial disappointment and later realization that his boggart idea might not have been well-received. This introspective moment sheds light on Jared's desire for recognition and his evolving understanding of family dynamics. It also hints at his growing awareness of the need to consider others' perspectives.

The chaotic state of the kitchen and the family's preparation to confront unexpected findings in the icebox symbolize their adaptability and resilience in the face of uncertainty. It sets the stage for their collective efforts to overcome obstacles and hints at the strength of their bond as they navigate unfamiliar and potentially mysterious circumstances.

brownies and pixies

trouble

flour

milk

conflicting emotions about trapping a creature he only recently believed in

Jared contemplating the boggart's potential feelings and his own moral dilemma

Jared finds a bright, small room with windows and a view of the surroundings.

Jared discovers moth-eaten clothes, a pocket watch, a cap, and a satchel of old pencils and charcoal.

Jared hesitates to open the trunk, fearing what he might find inside.

Jared contemplates the potential link between the contents of the trunk and the mysterious events in the house.

Jared decides to proceed with caution and examine the contents of the trunk further.

Jared and Simon suspect the 'thing in the walls' is responsible for Mallory's condition.

Jared finding the chest in the attic and discovering the false bottom leads to the mysterious book titled 'Arthur Spiderwick’s Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You.' This discovery introduces the theme of faeries and sets the stage for further exploration into the fantastical world.

The characters' differing beliefs about the existence of faeries create tension and skepticism, adding to the mysterious and suspenseful atmosphere as they navigate their differing perceptions of the fantastical world.

The family's dinner conversation and Mallory's dismissal of the book as 'baby stuff' reveal hints of tension between Jared and his family. Their differing beliefs contribute to skepticism and tension regarding the existence of faeries.

The mother's concern about the attic's safety and her questioning of Jared's findings contribute to the tense family dynamics and add to the mysterious atmosphere as the family grapples with safety concerns and the discovery of the mysterious book.

The watercolor sketches and notes about faeries in the book help develop the fantastical world by providing visual and descriptive details about the faeries, adding depth and richness to the exploration of the fantastical world.

The discovery of the book belonging to their relative, Arthur Spiderwick, creates a familial connection to the mysterious world of faeries, adding complexity to the family's exploration of the unknown and setting the stage for further discoveries and revelations.

Arthur Spiderwick’s Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You, and it contained information about faeries.

Spiderwick was the surname of their great-aunt Lucinda, and Arthur could have been one of her relatives.

Mallory found the field guide book about faeries in Jared's possession and initially dismissed it as 'baby stuff' or a storybook.

Jared's mother was suspicious and warned him against playing in the attic due to its unsafe condition.

Jared's mother suspected him of causing trouble, while Mallory doubted the involvement of faeries and suggested that their mother suspected Jared due to his recent behavior.

Simon was annoyed by Jared's interruption, and their dinner conversation focused on Simon's discovery of tadpoles and their progress into frogs.

The text creates an eerie atmosphere and sense of anticipation as Jared prepares to capture evidence of the boggart's presence by describing the late night setting, the quiet house, and the specific sounds such as the wind whistling and water gurgling. The author uses sensory details to engage the reader in Jared's suspenseful mission by vividly describing the darkness, the cool tile of the kitchen, and the scattering of flour on the floor to obtain footprints.

Jared's motivation stems from his desire to prove the existence of the boggart to his skeptical family members. His internal conflict arises from the need for validation and the longing for his family to believe him. This moment reveals Jared's determination to seek evidence and the familial dynamics at play, showcasing the tension between belief and skepticism within the family.

The book's suggestion about scattering sugar or flour to obtain footprints is significant in the context of Jared's quest to provide evidence of the boggart's presence as it represents a crucial attempt to validate his experiences. This detail contributes to the development of the plot by propelling Jared's mission to prove the existence of the boggart and also showcases Jared's resourcefulness and determination in the face of disbelief.

Jared's decision to sneak downstairs and scatter flour in the kitchen reflects his desperation and determination to convince his family of the boggart's existence. This action reveals his resourcefulness and rebellious nature, as well as his willingness to take risks to prove the truth. It showcases his boldness and willingness to defy authority in pursuit of his beliefs.

The tension and skepticism surrounding the existence of the boggart within the family dynamics contribute to the development of the mysterious and suspenseful atmosphere in the story by creating a sense of doubt and disbelief. This skepticism adds layers of uncertainty and unease, heightening the tension and mystery surrounding the supernatural occurrences.

The kitchen incident plays a pivotal role in shaping the family's dynamics and the siblings' relationships by illuminating the divide between belief and skepticism within the family. This event contributes to the portrayal of the Grace family's interactions and unity by highlighting the differing perspectives and the potential for conflict and resolution, ultimately shaping the family's journey to confront the unknown.

Jared faces the challenge of dealing with the boggart's mischief and attempts to resolve the situation by creating a new nest for the boggart with the help of his siblings, Mallory and Simon.

The family's interactions and discussions about the boggart reveal underlying tensions and dynamics, such as Mallory blaming Jared for the trouble, Simon showing interest in helping, and Jared using their mother's belongings to make the new house for the boggart.

The text foreshadows potential conflicts and resolutions in the story, such as the family's interactions revealing their dynamics and the challenges they are facing, and the implications of the boggart's presence on the family.

Jared's plan to create a new nest for the boggart leads to tensions and concerns within the family, such as Mallory blaming Jared for the trouble and Simon expressing concern about his mice.

The dumbwaiter is used by the characters to transport the new house for the boggart to the library, and it serves as a significant element in the plot's development.

The tiny slips of newspaper with strange words signify a mysterious element in the story, possibly related to the boggart or other fantastical occurrences.

Thimbletack, a small mannikin

Thimbletack mentions that those who kept the book have come to harm and that it contains too much information about the Fey for mortals to handle.

Thimbletack emphasizes the potential consequences of not heeding the warning about the book.

Jared and Mallory discover a secret room accessed through a dumbwaiter in their new home's library.

They find a hidden door behind a large oil painting and explore the room.

They leave a note for the boggart they believe inhabits the room, and when they return, they notice the note they left is missing.

The kitchen is left in a mess with broken porcelain, chocolate syrup on the walls, and raw eggs on the windowpanes.

The boggart's activities cause tension and conflict within the family, with Jared being unfairly blamed. The family's lack of understanding and belief in Jared's innocence adds to the complexity of the situation.

The discovery hints at a deeper connection to the creature and its actions, raising questions about its intentions and impact.

His family accuses him of making the footprints and causing the chaos, despite Jared's innocence. His mother dismisses the footprints and finds ways to blame Jared for other incidents.

The boggart's nature and motives remain a mystery, and Jared's attempts to catch it have unintended consequences. The family's lack of understanding and belief in Jared's innocence adds to the complexity of the situation.

The boggart's presence continues to disrupt the family's dynamics, causing tension and conflict, and raises questions about its intentions and impact, adding to the mysterious and suspenseful atmosphere of the story.

Simon, Jared, and Mallory discover the dumbwaiter in their new home.

Jared finds himself in a small library with peculiar books and items.

The children's mother interrupts their exploration.

The contents of the library and the note raise questions about the history of their new home.

The text sets the stage for a potential mystery or adventure involving the children and their new home.

The discovery of the dumbwaiter leads to an unexpected adventure.

Mallory asked to see the book and Jared nodded, as he had taken to keeping it with him wherever he went.

Mallory's voice was weird and she mentioned that she was just looking and that the book was big.

Jared suddenly understood that if looked at in a certain way, the book was absolutely huge and too large to even comprehend. This revelation indicated the overwhelming nature of the book and the daunting task ahead.

Mallory expressed astonishment at the amount of real entries in the book and emphasized that it was a lot of real things, indicating her surprise and perhaps apprehension about the contents of the book.

Jared realized that the book was a big, absolutely huge book, too large to even comprehend, and they were only at the beginning, indicating the enormity of the task ahead and the potential magnitude of the book's contents.

Mallory's quick flipping through the book's pages revealed her eagerness to explore its contents and the overwhelming nature of the information contained within.

the book

with him wherever he went

weird

about the size of a pencil

they were a lot of real and it was a big book

only at the beginning