Each Tiny Spark Reading Comprehension Questions
by Pablo Cartaya
Book Summary
Emilia, a Cuban-American girl, navigates her parents' separation and her father's PTSD after his return from war. Her Abuela (grandmother) moves in, sharing stories of Cuban heritage and the stars, which helps Emilia find solace and understand her family's changes. Emilia learns to look for 'tiny sparks' of hope and connection amidst difficulties, ultimately helping her family begin to heal.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 14 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about Each Tiny Spark.
1.What big change was happening in Emilia's family at the beginning of the story?
2.Who came to live with Emilia's family and shared stories about stars and Cuba?
3.What kind of school project did Emilia have that helped her learn about her family's history?
4.Why do you think Papi was different and sometimes quiet or angry after coming home?
5.How did Abuela's stories about stars make Emilia feel about her family's connections?
6.What can you guess about why Emilia chose to do her school project on stars after talking to Abuela?
7.What is one important lesson Abuela teaches Emilia about finding hope when things are hard?
8.What is a main idea the story teaches about families, even when they go through tough changes?
9.How can you tell that Emilia's family started to heal by the end of the story?
10.In the story, when Emilia felt "confused" about her family, what does "confused" mean?
11.What does the word "struggling" mean when the story says Papi was "struggling" with big feelings?
12.Abuela taught Emilia to look for "tiny sparks." What does "sparks" mean in this part of the story?
13.If you were Emilia, how would you feel when your dad (Papi) came home but was very different and quiet? What would you do to try and understand?
14.Abuela tells Emilia to look for "tiny sparks" of hope and connection. What are some "tiny sparks" you have noticed in your own family or with your friends when things were difficult?
Key Vocabulary
Important words from Each Tiny Spark to discuss with your child.
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading Each Tiny Spark with children.
What was your favorite part of Each Tiny Spark? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from Each Tiny Spark, who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did Each Tiny Spark make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend Each Tiny Spark to a friend? What would you tell them about it?
What lesson or message do you think Pablo Cartaya wanted young readers to learn from this story?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What reading level is Each Tiny Spark?
Each Tiny Spark by Pablo Cartaya is recommended for grades 1-3 readers with an AR level of 3.8. It's an excellent choice for building reading comprehension skills at this level.
What are good comprehension questions for Each Tiny Spark?
ReadBuddy provides 14 carefully crafted comprehension questions for Each Tiny Spark, covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use Each Tiny Spark 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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