The Wish Giver by Bill Brittain Comprehension Questions

magic

the huge, twisted tree down at the crossroads where groups of witches used to meet

about being able to give people exactly what they asked for

<p>Polly, Rowena, and Adam</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Stew Meat, the owner of Coven Tree General Store</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It is a yearly event where locals run booths, and 'outsiders' can set up booths for a fee</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>He offers wishes for 50 cents and claims he can grant any wish</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Polly Kemp, Rowena Jervis, and Adam Fiske</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>She is known for her brutal honesty</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>She is infatuated with a salesman</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>He is struggling due to a lack of rain on his family's farm</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They express skepticism and impatience</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>He insists that he can grant any wish</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It sets up the potential consequences of having wishes granted by Blinn</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To set the stage for the unfolding story</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It raises questions about the potential outcomes of the wishes he promises to grant</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Polly Kemp</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>threw mud at her</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>a crow with a broken wing</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>their knowledge of the area and their close bond</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>with pranks</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Polly’s talkativeness</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>left out</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>the Church Social</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>teasing, pranks, and a strong bond</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>not afraid to stand up for each other</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>friendship and the adventures shared between Polly, Leland, and Lenora</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>the strong bond and shared adventures</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Not having money to spend and her simple attire</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Agatha and Eunice</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>She tears it after church</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>She humiliates and rejects Polly</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To be liked by people and for Agatha to invite her for tea</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Her longing for acceptance and belief in the power of the card to change her circumstances</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To fit in and be accepted by those she admires</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The complexities and the yearning for validation and inclusion</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The vulnerability and longing of a young girl who desires acceptance and friendship</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Rejected and unwanted</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A card that promises to grant her wishes</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>She is hopeful that the card will make her wish come true</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A wish for fifty cents each</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A red spot</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A single wish</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Cheated and skeptical</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Respect and recognition</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To be careful with their wishes</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Believes in it</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>In a cash register</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A crafty humbug</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Return to the same place</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Only one wish per card</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Still doubts the validity of the wish cards</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Polly was in the middle of complaining to her mother about burned toast during breakfast when her voice suddenly returned and the croaking disappeared.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Leland Wickstaff led Polly to a corner of the school yard and advised her to give her voice a rest.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Miss Morasco appreciated the way Polly had been polite all morning and had never seen her like this before.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Arithmetic class was scheduled after lunch.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Leland promises to teach Polly how to throw a baseball so it curves right in midair. Polly thinks it's something fun to know.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Agatha and Eunice react with horror and disgust at the idea of tickling a trout. Polly, on the other hand, finds it fun and is interested in learning how to do it.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>According to Agatha, a real lady does not catch fish. She expresses her opinion about catching fish by stating it positively as something a real lady does not do.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Agatha and Eunice</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Stew Meat’s store</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Agatha’s invitation</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Friendly to everyone</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Her unusually kind and considerate behavior</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The dynamics with her classmates</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Agatha and Eunice</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Unexpected joy</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Her newfound kindness</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Stew Meat’s store</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Agatha Benthorn</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Apologize to break a magic spell</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Polly corrects Agatha's math mistake in class and is insulted by Agatha, leading to a confrontation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Polly's mother gives her strong tea to cure her croaking.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Wickstaff twins warn Polly about Agatha and Eunice's plot against her.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Leland and Lenora hint at other strange occurrences in Coven Tree, causing Polly to worry about the possibility of the croaking returning.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Polly decides to greet everyone to reassure herself she can still talk.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Polly's determination is to find the reason behind the croaking and solve it.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Polly hears thousands of frogs outside her window at night, causing her to wake up deeply scared of the croaking.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Miss Morasco sends Polly home from school.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Leland and Lenora hint at other strange occurrences in Coven Tree, causing Polly to worry about the possibility of the croaking returning.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Polly's determination is to find the reason behind the croaking and solve it.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Polly worries about the possibility of the croaking returning.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Polly's mother gives her strong tea to cure her croaking.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Polly's croaking is triggered when she starts giving someone a hard time.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Polly realizes that her croaking might be linked to a wish she made on a red spot, which has partly come true.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Polly worries about the consequences of her wish and the possibility of being stuck in a situation where she can only say nice things or croak.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Charlie and Alfred taunt Polly about her croaking, leading to a confrontation on the playground.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Her teacher and classmates are concerned after Polly inadvertently croaks in front of the whole school.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Miss Morasco tests Polly's ability to speak and lets her return to her seat.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Polly reflects on the mess she created with her wish after she returns to her seat.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Polly is the center of attention at school due to her croaking ability, but the novelty wears off quickly.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Lenora and Leland describe seeing Rowena talking to trees, which seems odd to Polly.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Polly's croaking ability leads to her being the center of attention at school.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Polly inadvertently croaks in front of the whole school, leading to concern from her teacher and classmates.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Polly reflects on the mess she created with her wish after Miss Morasco allows her to return to her seat.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Mrs. Benthorn</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Polly apologizes sincerely, surprising Mrs. Benthorn with her politeness</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Polly responds gracefully</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Polly talks about her simple activities</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Lenora Wickstaff</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Agatha and Eunice are surprised by Polly's interests</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Polly's unexpected politeness and interests challenge Agatha and Eunice's assumptions</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Polly usually plays down by Spider Crick after school and enjoys watching tadpoles turn into frogs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Eunice expresses her disdain by mentioning that they have their flowers sent in from a florist and by stating her refined pursuits like needlepoint, practicing languages, and looking at magazines for the latest fashions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Agatha and Eunice usually do needlepoint, practice languages, and look at magazines to see the latest fashions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Polly mentions jack-in-the-pulpit and Queen Anne’s lace along the crick, and Eunice responds by mentioning that they have their flowers sent in from a florist.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Rowena feels upset and overwhelmed by Henry's orders and wonders about Sam's reaction, while also feeling guilty and wanting to explain the situation to Sam.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The dialogue and interaction reveal tension and frustration between Rowena and Henry, as well as a sense of guilt and concern in Rowena's interaction with Sam, suggesting complex interpersonal dynamics.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The physical reactions, such as Henry feeling tickling in his shoe and expressing pain, and the emotional reactions of feeling upset, guilty, and wanting to explain, contribute to the tension and dynamics of the scene, highlighting the characters' internal and external conflicts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>the situation of being stuck in the grove</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>a smelly blanket</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>a branch</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>looking after him until he gets free</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>acting strangely at school</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>bend his knees or speak properly</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>her behavior and inquires about the school</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>still stuck in the grove</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Thaddeus Blinn's sign</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>a red-spotted card</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>a supernatural force</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>potentially sinister force</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>sense of uncertainty and tension</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>for him to stay longer</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

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

<p>Henry's voice and him stuck to the ground</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>no trap</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>the arrival of Henry Piper</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>the hired boy, Sam</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>tall, gangly, and somewhat rude</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Henry Piper's impending visit and her desire for him to stay at their house</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>expresses skepticism and rejects the idea</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>that he only visits twice a year</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>her teenage infatuation with Henry Piper and her desire for a romantic connection with him</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>the complexities of teenage emotions and family relationships</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>the tension between Rowena's yearning for romance and her mother's protective instincts</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>storms off to her room</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>feels upset and embarrassed</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Henry Piper's impending visit and her desire for him to stay at their house</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>tickling trout and learning to throw a baseball</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>a hollow tree</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Thaddeus Blinn for granting her a wish</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The story of Rowena Jervis</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Her struggle with societal expectations and her desire for genuine connections and personal freedom</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Her journey toward self-discovery, independence, and the pursuit of genuine connections</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Polly's desire for authenticity and her rejection of societal norms</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Genuine connections with others</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A possible plan to address her situation</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The story of Rowena Jervis talking to trees</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The notion of being a 'proper lady'</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It leads her to seek a more fulfilling and genuine life</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Uncle Poot is a character in the text who claims to have the dowsing gift, the ability to find water underground using a forked stick.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Adam looks curiously at the branch in Uncle Poot’s hands and expresses disbelief, stating that it doesn't seem possible to find water under the ground with just an old stick.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Uncle Poot describes the dowsing gift as a rare ability, stating that only one person in a thousand, or maybe two thousand, has it the way he does.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Uncle Poot implies that the dowsing gift is not hard for those who have it, suggesting that it is a natural and innate ability.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Henry is turning into a tree, and the characters are feeling desperate and uncertain about what to do to help him.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The characters are torn between seeking help from others, such as Thaddeus Blinn or Henry's parents, and keeping Henry's condition a secret to avoid unwanted attention and ineffective advice.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Sam is more cautious and skeptical, believing that seeking help from others may not be effective due to the nature of the magical situation. Rowena, on the other hand, is more optimistic and willing to seek help from Thaddeus Blinn or Henry's parents.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The characters' struggle with Henry's condition highlights their limited understanding of magic and their reliance on each other for support and decision-making during difficult times.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Uncle Poot</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>spills due to a mishap</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>a story involving waiting, hardship, and the search for water</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Polly Kemp</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>getting water from Mr. Jenks's farm</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>her 'feet stuck'</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>the necessity of the water</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>fetch water from Spider Crick</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>self-reliance</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

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

<p>spells or legends to reverse Henry's transformation</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>the Neverfail Company</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>a few days</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Henry's condition</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>She realizes the support she receives from Sam and plans to express her gratitude</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>people turning into plants, but nothing useful</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>turn Henry back into a human</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

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

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

<p>falling for Henry Piper's stories about his travels</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>He has never been to any of the places he talks about</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Magazines containing stories about the places he claimed to have visited</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Betrayed and foolish for believing Henry's lies</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Tells her that Henry is paying a price for his lies</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Find a way to undo the spell that turned Henry into a tree</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Realizing she knows how to turn Henry back into a man</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Carry out her plan to turn Henry back into a man</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Smiles at Rowena as she leaves</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>With the implication that Rowena will try to use her wish to turn Henry back into a man</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Rowena wishes for Henry to dry up and blow away, and she laments missing the party to Sam.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Sam offers to stay with Henry while Rowena attends the party, warning that he will silence Henry if he complains too much.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Henry reveals that he didn't mean the nice things he said to Rowena and that he only said them to sell machinery to her father.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Rowena's mother questions her about spending time in the grove of trees and reminds her about the Haskills' party that evening.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Sam advises Rowena to focus on finding a way to remove the spell to get rid of Henry.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Rowena worries that she might have to spend the rest of her life caring for Henry, who is now rooted in her backyard.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Sam finds a leather case in the weeds which Henry warns him not to open.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Sam sprinkles tree-growing powder around Henry's feet and pours water over his shoes to make him feel better. He also advises Rowena to focus on finding a way to remove the spell to get rid of Henry.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Rowena starts pulling the weeds around Henry, who starts giving her orders and criticizing her efforts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Rowena is told that she made a wish on a card taken from Thaddeus Blinn, and now she must find a way to release Henry from the spell.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Rowena's mother reminds her about the Haskills' party that evening, and she is concerned about missing the event.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Rowena feels guilty for leaving Sam to take her place with Henry, and she eavesdrops on a conversation about Adam Fiske.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Pa plans to jab more holes to water all the crops because the water from the initial holes kept spouting and filled all the tubs and pots on the place.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>All the crops were given a good drink and every tub and pot on the place was filled with water. The runoff from the gutters filled the big iron cistern in the cellar, and the water kept gushing forth as strong as ever, providing a continuous supply.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Pa found the sound of the water better than the sweetest music and planned on sleeping like a log that night, while Adam smiled a sleepy smile, feeling content with the situation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Adam had a dream that night, but the text does not specify the content of the dream.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The 'JUG-A-RUM' and the red spot on the card are important elements in the story as they are linked to the ability to make wishes and have them granted.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The narrator wishes for all three young characters' wishes to be canceled out. This wish has a significant impact because it challenges the power and consequences of the wishes previously made.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The use of the card and the act of making a wish contribute to the development of the plot by creating tension and revealing the characters' desires and intentions. The wishes drive the characters' actions and interactions, leading to unexpected consequences.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The makeshift raft is made from wooden beams, barrels, cords, baling wire, and ropes. Its purpose is to rescue the Fiskes' belongings from the rising water.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Adam confesses to Pa that he made a wish at the Church Social, leading to the magical events. Pa responds calmly, acknowledging the magic and expressing disbelief at the situation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The story revolves around a flood, the Fiskes' effort to save their belongings, and Adam's confession about a magical wish.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The villagers offer help and food, but the Fiskes choose to camp out at the edge of the lake.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Adam and his family face challenges such as a leaking roof, flooded barn, damaged crops, potential loss of crops, concern for safety, and exhaustion for Adam's father.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The community shows concern and curiosity, with people from town coming to see the situation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The family may have to leave the farm if the water doesn't recede.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Adam's father tries to stay optimistic, but the situation continues to worsen, causing worry and exhaustion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The flooding presents a serious threat to the family's livelihood and safety.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Adam and his father work to save dry grain and move tools to higher ground in the barn.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The situation is causing worry and exhaustion for Adam's father, indicating the impact on the family.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Adam's father worries that the farm may end up submerged in water, expressing concern for the farm's safety.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Adam wakes up to find his room soaked due to a leaking roof.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The aftermath of heavy rain includes a flooded barn and damaged crops, affecting the farm's infrastructure.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Adam and his father are working to save dry grain, move tools to higher ground in the barn, and trying to stay optimistic despite the challenges.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The family's observations and concerns convey the severity of the flooding situation, including potential loss of crops and the prospect of leaving their farm.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Sven Hensen</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>He gets lifted into the air by the force of the water, showing the spouts' uncontrollable nature</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Impending loss of their farm</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Cooking breakfast</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A sense of urgency and possibly a plan to deal with the situation</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>His wish for water all over the farm</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>His mother</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Bring water closer to their home</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Surrounded by water, the barn is flooded, and the roof is leaking</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Move out</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Her stubbornness, as she insists on cooking breakfast despite the worsening conditions</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It leads to the impending loss of their farm</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Polly is unable to speak harshly without experiencing physical discomfort, Rowena sees the face of a terrified man in a tree, and Adam's family is left homeless due to flooding.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The three characters seek help from Stew Meat, the storyteller. Stew Meat realizes that the Wish Giver, Thaddeus Blinn, has the power to make dreams come true, but on his own terms, and regrets not taking Blinn seriously earlier.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The three characters urge Stew Meat to use the card with the red spot, given to him by Thaddeus Blinn, to reverse the unintended consequences of their wishes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Rowena asks Stew Meat to wish for Henry Piper to become a man again, while Adam wants the pond on his farm to disappear, and Polly expresses frustration at Rowena's request.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Stew Meat realizes that he is the only way for the three characters to escape the troubles caused by their wishes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The epilogue ends with the characters seeking Stew Meat's help and Stew Meat contemplating the power of the Wish Giver and the consequences of making wishes.</p> Signup and view all the answers