Starfish Reading Comprehension Questions
by Lisa Fipps
Book Summary
The book "Starfish" by Lisa Fipps is about a girl named Ellie who faces bullying and criticism about her weight from her family and peers. She learns to cope, find self-acceptance, and stand up for herself with the help of a new friend and a kind therapist, finding strength and comfort in swimming.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 14 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about Starfish.
1.What does Ellie love to do that makes her feel happy and free?
2.Who is the new friend that comes to school and helps Ellie feel less lonely?
3.What special trick did Mrs. Vance teach Ellie to do when she felt overwhelmed?
4.Why do you think Ellie feels happy and free only when she is in the water?
5.How can you tell that Catalina is a good friend to Ellie?
6.Why do you think it was hard for Ellie to stand up for herself at first?
7.What is one important lesson Ellie learns about herself by the end of the story?
8.What does the story teach us about how true friends should act?
9.How did Ellie change from the beginning of the story to the end?
10.What does it mean if Ellie's mom often *criticizes* what she eats?
11.In the story, what does it mean to feel *overwhelmed*?
12.What does the word *confident* mean when Ellie feels confident at the end of the story?
13.What would you do if you saw someone being bullied like Ellie?
14.Why do you think it's important to love yourself just the way you are?
Key Vocabulary
Important words from Starfish to discuss with your child.
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading Starfish with children.
What was your favorite part of Starfish? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from Starfish, who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did Starfish make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend Starfish to a friend? What would you tell them about it?
What lesson or message do you think Lisa Fipps wanted young readers to learn from this story?
Frequently Asked Questions
What reading level is Starfish?
Starfish by Lisa Fipps is recommended for grades 2-4 readers with an AR level of 4.7. It's an excellent choice for building reading comprehension skills at this level.
What are good comprehension questions for Starfish?
ReadBuddy provides 14 carefully crafted comprehension questions for Starfish, covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use Starfish 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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