Missing May Reading Comprehension Questions
by Cynthia Rylant
Book Summary
Missing May tells the poignant story of Summer, an orphaned girl who lives with her beloved Aunt May and Uncle Ob in rural West Virginia. When Aunt May, the heart of their small family, suddenly dies, Summer and Ob are left to navigate profound grief. Uncle Ob becomes consumed with the idea of contacting May's spirit, leading him and Summer on an unexpected journey with their eccentric friend Cletus. Through their quest, they learn to cope with loss, find healing, and discover that May's spirit lives on in their memories and the beauty she taught them to see in the world.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 19 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about Missing May.
1.What was Aunt May's special talent or quality that she shared with Summer?
2.What was Uncle Ob's primary reaction to Aunt May's death?
3.Why did Uncle Ob decide to attend a spiritualist convention?
4.What can you infer about Cletus's personality based on his actions in the story?
5.How does Summer's role change after Aunt May's death?
6.What does Uncle Ob's 'profound realization' at the spiritualist's grave suggest about his healing process?
7.What is a central theme explored in 'Missing May'?
8.How does the author use Aunt May's character, even after her death, to develop a key theme in the story?
9.Which of the following best represents the overall message or moral of the story?
10.Compare Summer's initial way of coping with grief to Uncle Ob's. What is a key difference?
11.How does Cletus's character contribute to the story's resolution and Uncle Ob's healing?
12.What evidence from the text shows that Uncle Ob begins to heal by the end of the story?
13.In the context of the story, what does the word 'dilapidated' mean when describing the trailer?
14.When the text says Aunt May was 'vibrant,' what does that tell us about her personality?
15.What does it mean that Uncle Ob 'retreats into a deep, silent grief'?
16.What does 'desperation' mean in the sentence: 'Summer observes Ob's increasing desperation to find May'?
17.If you were Summer, how might you have tried to help Uncle Ob cope with his grief before Cletus arrived?
18.The story shows different ways people grieve. What do you think is the most important thing for someone to remember when they are helping a friend or family member who is experiencing a loss?
19.Aunt May taught Summer to find beauty in simple things. How can carrying this lesson forward help Summer and Ob in their lives after May's death?
Key Vocabulary
Important words from Missing May to discuss with your child.
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading Missing May with children.
What was your favorite part of Missing May? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from Missing May, who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did Missing May make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend Missing May to a friend? What would you tell them about it?
What lesson or message do you think Cynthia Rylant wanted young readers to learn from this story?
Frequently Asked Questions
What reading level is Missing May?
Missing May by Cynthia Rylant is recommended for grades 3-5 readers with an AR level of 5.3. It's an excellent choice for building reading comprehension skills at this level.
What are good comprehension questions for Missing May?
ReadBuddy provides 19 carefully crafted comprehension questions for Missing May, covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use Missing May 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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