The People of Sparks Reading Comprehension Questions
by Jeanne DuPrau
Part of the The City of Ember series · Book 2 of 2
Book Summary
After escaping their dark underground city, the Emberites, including Lina and Doon, emerge into a bright new world above ground. They find a small village called Sparks, whose people are wary of the newcomers. The Emberites are given shelter in an old hotel, but tensions rise due to cultural differences and limited resources. Some Sparks people, like Tick Hassler, are prejudiced against the Emberites. Through challenges, including a major fire, both groups learn the importance of cooperation and understanding. They eventually decide to build a new, shared community together.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 14 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about The People of Sparks.
1.What did Lina and Doon see for the first time when they left their old city?
2.Where did the people of Sparks let the Emberites stay when they first arrived?
3.What big problem made both the Emberites and Sparks people work together at the end of the story?
4.Why do you think the Sparks people were 'wary' of the Emberites at first?
5.Why did Tick Hassler cause trouble between the two groups?
6.What do you think would have happened if the fire had not made everyone work together?
7.What lesson did the Emberites and Sparks people learn about living together?
8.What is one main idea the author wants us to understand about helping others?
9.How did the feelings of the Sparks people towards the Emberites change from the beginning to the end of the story?
10.What does it mean to 'emerge' from somewhere, like the Emberites did?
11.When the story says there was a 'scarcity' of food, what does that mean?
12.What does 'cooperation' mean when everyone worked together to put out the fire?
13.If you were an Emberite, how would you feel seeing the sun and sky for the very first time?
14.What is one thing you could do to help someone new feel welcome in your community, even if they are very different from you?
Key Vocabulary
Important words from The People of Sparks to discuss with your child.
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading The People of Sparks with children.
What was your favorite part of The People of Sparks? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from The People of Sparks, who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did The People of Sparks make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend The People of Sparks to a friend? What would you tell them about it?
What lesson or message do you think Jeanne DuPrau wanted young readers to learn from this story?
More in the The City of Ember Series
All 2books →More Reading Questions You Might Like
10 Minutes Till Bedtime
by Peggy Rathmann
39 Clues: One False Note: A Graphic Novel (39 Clues Graphic Novel #2)
by Gordon Korman
39 Clues: The Maze of Bones: A Graphic Novel (39 Clues Graphic Novel #1)
by Rick Riordan
A Ball for Daisy
by Chris Raschka
Frequently Asked Questions
What reading level is The People of Sparks?
The People of Sparks by Jeanne DuPrau is recommended for grades 1-3 readers with an AR level of 5.4. It's an excellent choice for building reading comprehension skills at this level.
What are good comprehension questions for The People of Sparks?
ReadBuddy provides 14 carefully crafted comprehension questions for The People of Sparks, covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use The People of Sparks 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.
Want your child to try the full quiz?
Just download the free app.
Scan a book cover
any book covers
Answer fun questions
with instant feedback
Watch reading grow
scores and streaks
ReadBuddy.ai
