Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great Reading Comprehension Questions
by Judy Blume
Part of the Fudge series · Book 2 of 5
Book Summary
Sheila Tubman is a ten-year-old girl who pretends to be confident and fearless, calling herself 'Sheila the Great.' However, she secretly has many fears, including dogs, swimming, spiders, and the dark. When her family moves to Tarrytown for the summer, Sheila is forced to confront many of these fears. She has to take swimming lessons, deal with a neighbor's dog, and make new friends. Through these experiences, Sheila learns the importance of honesty, self-acceptance, and that it's okay to not be 'great' at everything.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 14 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great.
1.What is Sheila secretly afraid of at the beginning of the summer?
2.Who is Sheila's swimming teacher in Tarrytown?
3.What kind of animal is Jennifer, who lives next door to Sheila?
4.Why do you think Sheila pretends to be "great" and fearless at the beginning of the summer?
5.How do you think Sheila felt when she was the only one in her swimming group who couldn't swim?
6.Why was it important for Sheila to make a friend like Mouse Ellis?
7.What lesson does Sheila learn about being brave by the end of the story?
8.What is one main idea the story teaches about hiding your true feelings?
9.How can you tell that Sheila changed from the beginning of the summer to the end?
10.What does the word "reluctant" mean when Sheila was reluctant to get into the swimming pool?
11.In the story, when Sheila felt "humiliated," what does that mean she was feeling?
12.What does "accomplishment" mean when learning to swim was a big accomplishment for Sheila?
13.If you were Sheila, what would be the hardest fear for you to overcome, and why?
14.How do you think Sheila's summer would have been different if she had told her new friends about her fears right away?
Key Vocabulary
Important words from Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great to discuss with your child.
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great with children.
What was your favorite part of Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great, who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great 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 Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great?
Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great by Judy Blume is recommended for grades K-2 readers with an AR level of 3.5. It's an excellent choice for building reading comprehension skills at this level.
What are good comprehension questions for Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great?
ReadBuddy provides 14 carefully crafted comprehension questions for Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great, covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great 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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