Paola Santiago and the River of Tears Reading Comprehension Questions
by Tehlor Kay Mejia
Book Summary
Paola Santiago, a science-loving girl, doesn't believe in the old Mexican legends her abuela tells, especially not La Llorona. But when her two best friends disappear at a forbidden river, Pao must brave the terrifying world of Mexican folklore to find them, confronting ancient spirits, magical creatures, and uncovering secrets about her own family's past.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 14 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about Paola Santiago and the River of Tears.
1.What is Paola Santiago's favorite subject to study?
2.What legend does Paola not believe in at the start of the book?
3.Who are Paola's two best friends who disappear at the river?
4.Why do you think Paola's mother warned her to stay away from the Gila River?
5.How did Paola likely feel when she realized her friends had vanished from the river?
6.What can you infer about Paola's character when she decides to enter the dangerous spirit world to find her friends?
7.What does the word 'skeptical' mean in the sentence: 'Paola was very skeptical about the old legends, especially the one about La Llorona'?
8.Which word best describes a 'portal' as used in the story when Dante and Emma looked for one?
9.What does 'vanish' mean when Paola's friends seemed to vanish from the river?
10.What important lesson does Paola learn about the balance between science and magic by the end of the story?
11.What is a main theme the story teaches about understanding others, even those who seem scary?
12.How does Paola change from the beginning of the story to the end regarding her beliefs?
13.If you were Paola, would you have gone to the forbidden Gila River with Dante and Emma? Why or why not?
14.What was the bravest thing Paola did in the story, and what does that tell you about her?
Key Vocabulary
Important words from Paola Santiago and the River of Tears to discuss with your child.
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading Paola Santiago and the River of Tears with children.
What was your favorite part of Paola Santiago and the River of Tears? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from Paola Santiago and the River of Tears, who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did Paola Santiago and the River of Tears make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend Paola Santiago and the River of Tears to a friend? What would you tell them about it?
What lesson or message do you think Tehlor Kay Mejia wanted young readers to learn from this story?
Frequently Asked Questions
What reading level is Paola Santiago and the River of Tears?
Paola Santiago and the River of Tears by Tehlor Kay Mejia is recommended for grades 2-4 readers with an AR level of 4.5. It's an excellent choice for building reading comprehension skills at this level.
What are good comprehension questions for Paola Santiago and the River of Tears?
ReadBuddy provides 14 carefully crafted comprehension questions for Paola Santiago and the River of Tears, covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use Paola Santiago and the River of Tears 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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