Willodeen by Katherine Applegate Comprehension Questions

The little creature appears late one afternoon on an old carousel in the village of Perchance.

The little creature has a maker, a boy with nimble fingers and a tender heart. She seems to be in fine condition, propped, dazed and damp as a newborn, on the saddle of a wooden unicorn.

The girl has sharp eyes and a stubborn soul. She understands things that others do not.

<p>The setting is a village called Perchance, and the tone of the story seems to be one of mystery and magic, as indicated by the mention of gentle magic and plentiful magic.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Perchance</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A fire</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A bounty has been placed on them</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>By naming and differentiating between them</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Decreasing from 87 to potentially just one</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Duuzuu</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Sir Zurt</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The impact on the screechers and the ecosystem</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The disappearance of the screechers</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Their deep connection to and understanding of nature</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Human actions, such as hunting and potential fire hazards, on the local ecosystem and wildlife</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Growing sense of isolation and concern for the natural world</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Birdie and Mae</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>a book about dragons</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Duuzuu</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>blue willow trees where they nest</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Autumn Faire</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>shimmering wings, sweet faces, and nests made of glistening bubbles that glow at night</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>mudslides, fires, and declining numbers of migrating hummingbears</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>he could not fly due to his singed wings</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>in a valley surrounded by wooded hills, with the River Essex running through it</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>the annual arrival of the hummingbears</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>solitude and nature</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>different and solitary, forever changed by the fire, and found comfort in each other's company</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Small, grumpy creatures with sharp teeth, dreadful claws, wild eyes, and a strong stench.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>While hunting for sunberries with her father at the age of six.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They were often persecuted by people who claimed they were harmful, although they mainly fed on insects and did not pose a threat to livestock.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>She knew what it felt like to be unlovable.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They observed them from a distance, appreciating the mother's gentleness.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>After failing to remove the stench from the encounter with the screechers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>She wished people didn't hate screechers, as they were there before humans.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They had a lighthearted approach to life, as seen when her brother humorously used porridge as a hat.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>She had a wild laugh and a humorous outlook on life, despite her occasional frustration.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Similar to how parents care for their children.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>She saw them as useless and cursed creatures.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The text captures Willodeen's early experiences and her deep connection to unlovable creatures, specifically the screechers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The protagonist is a girl who encounters the screecher, Sir Zurt, in the forest.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The old and injured creature is Sir Zurt, a screecher.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The hunters shoot arrows at the screecher, causing the protagonist to protect Sir Zurt and flee.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The hunters are Gray Beard and a shorter man.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The protagonist feels empathy for the screechers and refuses to hand over the arrow to the hunters.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The protagonist encounters a boy named Connor.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The protagonist confides in Connor about the hunters killing the old screecher and expresses her concern about the potential extinction of the screechers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The protagonist realizes that the next day is her birthday, which she had forgotten.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The narrative explores themes of empathy, compassion, and the impact of human actions on the natural world.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The encounter with Sir Zurt and the hunters triggers a sense of empathy and concern in the protagonist for the screechers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The encounter with the screecher and the hunters sets the stage for the protagonist's journey to protect and understand the screechers, as well as her own personal growth and self-discovery.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The text highlights the protagonist's isolation and lack of friends, as well as her deep connection to the forest and the screechers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Mae tells Willodeen not to stop being angry, as it is part of who she is and that she sees the world differently and cares, which is a gift.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Mae explains that everything is complicated because humans are notoriously difficult, including themselves.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Birdie says that grown-ups are just boring former children.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Mae threatens to make a wish for Willodeen if she doesn't make one herself.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Willodeen speaks out about the absence of screechers and the importance of nature.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Thaddeus attempts to maintain order during the meeting.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Willodeen expresses concern about the disappearance of hummingbears and the impact of human interference on nature.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>She continues to speak her mind.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>On the carousel.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Her coat and screecher.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Willodeen.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The screecher's perspective and sensing someone's presence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Connor, Mr. Burke, Miss Rossit</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The disappearance of hummingbears</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Thaddeus Vilner</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Lack of rain, fires, disrupted fishing, impact of the railway on the forest</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Raising the bounty on pests to provide income for the villagers</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The protagonist, a child</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The protagonist speaking out as a mere child in a gathering of adults</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The protagonist, a child</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Raising the bounty on pests</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Various village repairs and aid for families with failed crops</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Protagonist's father</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Courage and willingness to speak out</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Duuzuu</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Connor</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>exploring a blue willow grove</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Birdie</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>speaking</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>dynamics and tensions between the characters</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Connor</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>storytelling and sketching</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>emphasizes Willodeen's discomfort and reluctance to speak publicly</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>speaking in public</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Willodeen's discomfort and reluctance to speak publicly</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Willodeen</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>She is frustrated with the slow pace of change and questions the value of speaking up at council meetings.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They admit they don't attend council meetings due to feeling old, tired, and lazy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>She feels reluctant despite being urged by Mae and Birdie.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>She tries to use her birthday as an excuse to avoid attending.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>She leaves for the meeting with Connor.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They discuss their differences and the perception of being odd or different.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The interior of the hall is described as stuffy and crowded, with people sitting on benches and smoke filling the air.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Five men and one woman are seated at a long, low table in the front of the room.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Connor encourages Willodeen to join him inside, despite her apprehension.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Feeling anxious, she rushes up the stairs and into the meeting, leaving Connor behind.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>She is feeling anxious and reluctant.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They urge her to attend the meeting.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Birdie placed a saucer of water in front of the baby screecher to quench its thirst and make it feel comfortable in their home.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The protagonist hesitated before sharing the whole story with Mae and Birdie because they were probably the only people in the world they could tell without being laughed at or locked away.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The protagonist recounted what had happened, with some help from Connor, to share the whole story with Mae and Birdie, knowing they were the only people they could trust and that the baby screecher would be safe in their home.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Duuzuu seemed fascinated by the new addition and hopped over to Connor, fluttered up to his shoulder, and gazed down at the baby, cooing questions, showing curiosity and interest in the baby screecher.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The process of getting Quinby into the harness was a tall order. Her claws were already longer and sharper. It required multiple people working at once to slip the harness over Quinby’s head and ease her two front paws through the holes, with Connor eventually tying a rope to the harness.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Quinby roamed around the cottage like a tin soldier, with stiff legs, trying in vain to grab the rope with her harness on.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Gingerly, the narrator picked Quinby up by the scruff of her neck, the way a mother dog would hold a puppy. With Connor, Mae, and Birdie all working at once, they managed to slip the harness over Quinby’s head and ease her two front paws through the holes. Connor then tied a rope to the harness.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Mae and Birdie</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Quinby</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>a cozy nest made by Willodeen</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Mr. Burke</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>With Willodeen's encounter with Mr. Burke, leaving the story at a turning point</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>warm and windy</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>a concoction of mealworm, fern, sunberries, salt, and sugar</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>foraging for Quinby's food</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Quinby's refusal to eat</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Quinby</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>past experiences with screechers</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>go out looking for food for Quinby</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The protagonist worries about Quinby's future and if she is real.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The protagonist expresses gratitude towards Birdie and Mae for letting her stay.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The screecher's survival depends on the animals caring for her and providing the right food.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Chapter twenty-eight involves the protagonist and Connor's struggle to find peacock snails.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The protagonist and Connor devise a harness for Quinby to help with the snail search.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The chapter ends with the introduction of a harness for Quinby and the hope it brings.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Mr. Burke mentions the proposal to cut through Sutton’s Ridge to bring the railroad closer to the river and the mill.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They observe the impact of the Dragon Sighs, which are fierce that year.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Mr. Burke mentions that Connor's mother used to keep a notebook and studied birds before she died of the red fever.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Connor expresses concern for Quinby and offers to help find food for her.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The protagonist successfully feeds Quinby peacock snails, which she eagerly devours.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Mr. Williams had mentioned the railroad and the fires at a previous meeting.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The railroad has cleared brush near the tracks but owns the land. They discuss the planting of blue willows near the tracks and its impact on the environment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Mr. Burke emphasizes the concept of progress and its consequences.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Mr. Burke encourages the protagonist's interest in nature and change.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The protagonist encounters Mr. Burke and Connor in Perchance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They discuss the potential expansion of the rail route.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The protagonist observes the impact of the Dragon Sighs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Willodeen found the baby screecher after an emotional outburst, and the group believes that her 'angry tears' may have had some magical effect in attracting the screecher.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The group discusses various food options for the baby screecher, including worms, grubs, dilly bugs, and berries.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Connor shares that he has seen screechers digging through trash bins in the village and offers insights into their potential food sources.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The baby screecher surprises the group by displaying unexpected fierceness and biting Willodeen's finger.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The group plans to use a wooden crate in the kitchen as a bed for the baby screecher and prepares it with an old quilt for comfort.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Connor expresses his need to leave, but Mae assures him that they will take good care of the baby screecher.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The group discusses creating a recipe for the screecher's food, drawing from their past experiences with caring for other abandoned animals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The group believes that Willodeen's 'angry tears' may have had some magical effect in attracting the screecher.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The group plans to use a wooden crate in the kitchen as a bed for the baby screecher.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The baby screecher surprises the group by displaying unexpected fierceness and biting Willodeen's finger.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The group brainstorm various food options for the baby screecher, including worms, grubs, dilly bugs, and berries.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Connor offers insights into the screechers' potential food sources, based on his observations of them digging through trash bins in the village.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The protagonist and Connor are calm, watchful, and searching for different things during their walk in the forest.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Duuzuu makes a noise when the hummingbears are discovered.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The protagonist describes the silences in their conversations with Connor as comfortable as an old sweater.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The protagonist is searching for screechers, while Connor is searching for petals and stones, reeds, and cattails.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Willodeen contemplates the possibility of Quinby coming to life as a sculpture of a screecher.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Willodeen struggles to transport Quinby to the hidden grove and ties her to a blue willow tree.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Willodeen discovers seven hummingbears in bubble nests within the grove.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Willodeen observes Duuzuu creating bubbles and Quinby digging for peacock snails.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Willodeen ponders the differences in freedom and purpose between Duuzuu and Quinby.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Willodeen spends time counting, sorting, and sketching while contemplating the mysteries of nature.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The wind picks up while Quinby focuses her digging near the trees where the hummingbears are nesting.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Willodeen speculates on the reasons for the hummingbears choosing specific trees for nesting, considering the soil's porousness and proximity to water.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Willodeen encounters Miss Rossit and Mr. Burke before a fire breaks out.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The villagers display calm determination while battling the flames.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Quinby is missing and prompts Willodeen to resolve to find them.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Willodeen reunites with Mae and Birdie, who express concern for her safety.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Willodeen sets out to search for Connor and assist with the fire.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The smoke engulfs the village, making breathing difficult.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Willodeen searches for Connor at the riverfront and village hall but doesn't find him.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A bucket brigade forms near the carousel to combat the approaching fire.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The urgency and tension of the situation are palpable as Willodeen searches for her loved ones and aids in fighting the fire.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>She tends to chores and then heads to the village, feeling a sense of disappointment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>She discovers an abundance of snails and collects leaves from various trees, including the new grove of blue willows. She later lays out the collected leaves on the kitchen table at the cottage.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>She attempts to attach the bubble to the leaves and finds that it only sticks to leaves from a specific tree, the same type where hummingbear nests are located.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Excited by her discovery, she starts writing in her notebook, feeling a sense of purpose.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>After finishing her notes, she rushes back to the village to tell Connor about her findings.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>She draws parallels to her brother's childhood pickiness.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>She observes Connor sketching.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The bubbles only stick to leaves from a specific tree, the same type where hummingbear nests are located. This reveals a connection between the tree type and hummingbear nests.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>She collects leaves from various trees, including the new grove of blue willows that appear stunted and dry.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>She decides to dig for snails near the willow trees, discovering an abundance of them.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>She borrows a bubble from Duuzuu and attempts to attach it to the leaves.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>She feels a sense of disappointment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Willodeen experiences a recurring nightmare about a fire and questions why she survived when her family did not.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Mae and Birdie, her caretakers, comfort Willodeen and acknowledge the lack of answers to her painful questions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Willodeen seeks understanding and reassurance from the adults around her, wishing for a sense of security and certainty.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The story ends with a comforting image of embers glowing in the hearth, providing a sense of warmth and stability.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The text portrays the complex emotions and challenges faced by Willodeen, as well as the support she receives from those around her.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The encounter with Otwel Borwan adds a layer of tension and danger to the narrative, highlighting the risks Willodeen and her companions face.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Willodeen requests Connor to delay sharing news about the hummingbears, feeling a need to figure something out.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Willodeen and Connor narrowly escape the confrontation with Otwel Borwan and reflect on the risks they face.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Willodeen and Connor observe hummingbears nesting, marveling at their behavior and the strength of their bubble nests.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They wonder why the hummingbears have chosen this particular spot and speculate about possible reasons.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Otwel Borwan and his companions confront Willodeen, Connor, and Quinby, creating a tense and potentially dangerous situation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Despite the unanswered questions, Willodeen finds solace in the honesty of the adults and the potential for her own search for answers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The atmosphere in the village is tense and filled with smoke. The villagers are working hard to combat the fire's spread by forming a bucket brigade, digging trenches, and clearing brush.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Connor reacts with relief and joy when he sees Willodeen. She shares the news of Quinby's disappearance with him, causing his initial joy to turn into concern.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Willodeen is choking and coughing like everyone else, but she joins her neighbors in the fight against the fire by taking her buckets to the fountain and then heading to the end of the line to join in the battle.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Connor's reaction signifies his initial relief at seeing Willodeen but turns into concern when he learns about Quinby's disappearance. Willodeen handles the news by confirming the disappearance and choosing not to say more at that moment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Miss Rossit</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Pastries</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Birdie and Mae</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>At the Faire</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The fleeting nature of life and the magic of the earth</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The protagonist</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The familiar scents and sounds of the forest</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A moment of freedom</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Mr. Burke</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Connor's puzzlers</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The hidden grove</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A screecher returning to familiar surroundings</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Willodeen shares her theory with Connor that the hummingbears are nesting near trees where Quinby has been eating snails, suggesting a connection between the two.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To support her theory, Willodeen conducted an experiment with tree leaves and Duuzuu's bubbles, finding that bubbles only stuck to leaves from specific trees.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Willodeen concludes that the presence of too many snails may have altered the trees, making them attractive to the hummingbears.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Willodeen proposes luring screechers back to Perchance to control the snail population and potentially fix the situation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Upon returning to town, they find that the community is blaming the railroad for the fire, and a council meeting is scheduled to discuss the damage and future plans.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Willodeen and Connor visit the carousel, which is covered in ash, and reflect on the possibility of seeing Quinby again.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The chapter ends with Connor asking Willodeen if she wants an honest answer about seeing Quinby again.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Duuzuu, a hummingbear</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The decision is made not to hold a Faire that year</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Junior member</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Safely trap and bring screechers to Perchance</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They have hummingbear nests</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Faire continues and the village thrives with performers, full inns, and music</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Miss Rossit and Connor</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Wander in the woods</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A message of interconnectedness and the importance of nature's wisdom</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Peacock snails harming the willows</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Making complex decisions about the village's ecology</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The screechers</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Thaddeus Vilner</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The revelation about the hummingbear nests</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>James McLachlan</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Mae</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Different viewpoints and challenges faced by the villagers as they navigate their relationship with the natural world</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The interdependence of screechers, hummingbears, and blue willows</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The division and conflict within the village regarding the treatment of the creatures in the forest</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Potential shifts in attitudes and actions within the community</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Connor</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>James McLachlan</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The hidden grove, screechers, and hummingbear nests</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The village's unity during a recent crisis</p> Signup and view all the answers