Horrible Harry and the Purple People Reading Comprehension Questions
by Suzy Kline
Part of the Horrible Harry series · Book 1 of 9
Book Summary
Horrible Harry, with his wild imagination, becomes convinced that a new, quiet student named Nancy is a "purple person" from outer space. His best friend, Doug, narrates as Harry tries to prove his theory, creating a "purple people eater" and observing Nancy's every move. Eventually, their teacher, Miss Mackle, helps Harry understand that Nancy is simply shy and new, not an alien, leading to a lesson about acceptance and making new friends.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 14 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about Horrible Harry and the Purple People.
1.What did Harry start talking about at the beginning of the story that confused Doug?
2.Who was the new student who joined Miss Mackle's class?
3.What did Harry make out of a paper bag to 'catch' the purple people?
4.Why do you think Nancy was so quiet on her first day of school?
5.Why did Harry believe Nancy was a 'purple person'?
6.How do you think Doug felt when Harry first started talking about 'purple people' and making strange noises?
7.What lesson did Harry learn about new people by the end of the story?
8.What is the main message the author wants readers to understand about differences?
9.How did Harry's feelings about Nancy change from the beginning to the end of the story?
10.Harry was acting very 'mysterious,' talking about purple people but not explaining why. What does the word 'mysterious' mean in this sentence?
11.In the story, Nancy was very 'shy' when she first came to class. What does it mean to be shy?
12.Harry was 'convinced' that Nancy was a purple person from outer space. What does 'convinced' mean?
13.What would you do to help a new student feel welcome in your class?
14.Have you ever made a quick judgment about someone before you got to know them, like Harry did with Nancy? What happened?
Key Vocabulary
Important words from Horrible Harry and the Purple People to discuss with your child.
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading Horrible Harry and the Purple People with children.
What was your favorite part of Horrible Harry and the Purple People? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from Horrible Harry and the Purple People, who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did Horrible Harry and the Purple People make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend Horrible Harry and the Purple People to a friend? What would you tell them about it?
What lesson or message do you think Suzy Kline wanted young readers to learn from this story?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What reading level is Horrible Harry and the Purple People?
Horrible Harry and the Purple People by Suzy Kline is recommended for grades K-2 readers with an AR level of 3.2. It's an excellent choice for building reading comprehension skills at this level.
What are good comprehension questions for Horrible Harry and the Purple People?
ReadBuddy provides 14 carefully crafted comprehension questions for Horrible Harry and the Purple People, covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use Horrible Harry and the Purple People 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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