Blubber Reading Comprehension Questions
by Judy Blume
Book Summary
Jill Brenner, a fifth-grader, initially participates in the bullying of a new, overweight girl named Linda Fischer, who is nicknamed 'Blubber.' As the bullying escalates and becomes more cruel, Jill starts to feel uncomfortable. When she tries to stand up for Linda or shows disapproval, Jill herself becomes the target of the bullying, experiencing what Linda went through. The story explores themes of peer pressure, conformity, and empathy as Jill learns a hard lesson about the impact of cruelty.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 14 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about Blubber.
1.Who was the first person to call Linda Fischer "Blubber" in Jill's class?
2.What did Wendy force Linda to do in the girls' bathroom as a punishment?
3.Why did Wendy and her friends eventually start bullying Jill Brenner?
4.How do you think Linda felt when Jill first joined in calling her "Blubber," even if Jill felt uncomfortable?
5.Why do you think Jill started to feel uncomfortable with Wendy's games, even before she spoke up?
6.What might have happened if Jill had never tried to be kinder to Linda or questioned Wendy's actions?
7.What important lesson does Jill learn about bullying by the end of the story?
8.What is one important message the author wants readers to understand about peer pressure?
9.How did Jill's feelings about the bullying change from the beginning of the story to the end?
10.In the story, Linda felt "humiliated" when she was forced to act like a whale. What does "humiliated" mean in this sentence?
11.When Jill didn't join in the bullying, she felt "ostracized" by Wendy's group. What does it mean to be "ostracized"?
12.Wendy was the main "instigator" of the bullying against Linda. What does the word "instigator" mean in this context?
13.If you were Jill, what would you do differently at the very beginning of the story when Wendy first started calling Linda names?
14.Why do you think it's hard for people to stand up to a bully, even when they know what's happening is wrong?
Key Vocabulary
Important words from Blubber to discuss with your child.
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading Blubber with children.
What was your favorite part of Blubber? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from Blubber, who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did Blubber make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend Blubber to a friend? What would you tell them about it?
What lesson or message do you think Judy Blume wanted young readers to learn from this story?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What reading level is Blubber?
Blubber by Judy Blume is recommended for grades 1-3 readers with an AR level of 4.0. It's an excellent choice for building reading comprehension skills at this level.
What are good comprehension questions for Blubber?
ReadBuddy provides 14 carefully crafted comprehension questions for Blubber, covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use Blubber for reading practice?
Read the book together or independently, then use ReadBuddy's comprehension questions to check understanding. Focus on vocabulary words, discuss character motivations, and encourage your child to make connections to their own experiences.
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