Roscoe Riley Rules #2: Never Swipe a Bully's Bear Reading Comprehension Questions
by Katherine Applegate
Book Summary
Roscoe Riley, a second grader, is worried about a field trip to the zoo because of rumors about older bullies. When a fifth-grader named Dennis takes his friend Gus's special teddy bear, Barnaby, Roscoe decides to be a hero by sneaking to get the bear back. His attempt leads to a chaotic chase and gets both boys into trouble. Roscoe learns that taking matters into his own hands isn't always the best solution and that asking adults for help is important when dealing with bullies.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 14 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about Roscoe Riley Rules #2: Never Swipe a Bully's Bear.
1.What did Roscoe hear about the "Zoo Crew" that made him nervous about the field trip?
2.What special item did Gus bring to school for show-and-tell?
3.Who was the fifth-grader who took Gus's teddy bear, Barnaby?
4.In the story, what does the word "rumors" mean when Roscoe heard "rumors about the 'Zoo Crew'"?
5.Roscoe tried to "sneakily" take the bear from Dennis's backpack. What does "sneakily" mean in this sentence?
6.What does the word "consequences" mean when the story says Roscoe learned his actions had "unexpected consequences"?
7.Why do you think Roscoe tried to be extra good at home and school before the zoo trip?
8.How did Roscoe likely feel when he saw Dennis take Barnaby from Gus?
9.What can you infer about Gus's feelings towards Barnaby the teddy bear?
10.What is one important lesson Roscoe learns about dealing with bullies?
11.Which of these best describes a main theme of the story?
12.How did Roscoe's understanding of how to solve problems change from the beginning to the end of the story?
13.If you saw a friend being bullied and their special toy was taken, what would be the first thing you would do?
14.Roscoe tried to be a hero by getting Barnaby back himself. Do you think it's always a good idea to try and solve problems on your own, or are there times when it's better to ask for help? Explain your answer.
Key Vocabulary
Important words from Roscoe Riley Rules #2: Never Swipe a Bully's Bear to discuss with your child.
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading Roscoe Riley Rules #2: Never Swipe a Bully's Bear with children.
What was your favorite part of Roscoe Riley Rules #2: Never Swipe a Bully's Bear? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from Roscoe Riley Rules #2: Never Swipe a Bully's Bear, who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did Roscoe Riley Rules #2: Never Swipe a Bully's Bear make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend Roscoe Riley Rules #2: Never Swipe a Bully's Bear to a friend? What would you tell them about it?
What lesson or message do you think Katherine Applegate wanted young readers to learn from this story?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What reading level is Roscoe Riley Rules #2: Never Swipe a Bully's Bear?
Roscoe Riley Rules #2: Never Swipe a Bully's Bear by Katherine Applegate is recommended for grades K-2 readers with an AR level of 3.3. It's an excellent choice for building reading comprehension skills at this level.
What are good comprehension questions for Roscoe Riley Rules #2: Never Swipe a Bully's Bear?
ReadBuddy provides 14 carefully crafted comprehension questions for Roscoe Riley Rules #2: Never Swipe a Bully's Bear, covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use Roscoe Riley Rules #2: Never Swipe a Bully's Bear 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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