We Dream of Space Reading Comprehension Questions
by Erin Entrada Kelly
Book Summary
The story follows three siblings, Cash, Fitch, and Bird Nelson, in January 1986, as they navigate their individual struggles and a strained family dynamic. Bird is obsessed with space and the upcoming Challenger launch, Cash is failing school and being bullied, and Fitch struggles with anger. The Challenger disaster impacts them deeply, acting as a catalyst for the family to confront their hidden problems and begin to communicate and heal.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 14 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about We Dream of Space.
1.What was Bird Nelson most interested in at the beginning of the story?
2.What problem was Cash Nelson trying to hide from his parents?
3.What major historical event shocked the Nelson family and the whole country in January 1986?
4.Why do you think Fitch Nelson often lashed out in anger at the beginning of the story?
5.How did the Challenger disaster change the way the Nelson family communicated, even if it wasn't right away?
6.Why do you think Bird kept her crush on Ryan a secret, along with some of her other feelings?
7.What lesson did the Nelson family learn about talking to each other by the end of the story?
8.What is one main idea the author wants readers to understand about how families deal with difficult times?
9.How can you tell that Cash Nelson changed from the beginning of the story to the end?
10.In the story, what does it mean if Bird dreamed of going into 'orbit'?
11.When Bird was 'devastated' by the Challenger explosion, how was she feeling?
12.What does it mean that the Nelson parents were often 'preoccupied' with their own worries?
13.If you were one of the Nelson siblings, which one would you most relate to and why?
14.What is one thing the Nelson family could have done earlier to help each other before the Challenger disaster happened?
Key Vocabulary
Important words from We Dream of Space to discuss with your child.
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading We Dream of Space with children.
What was your favorite part of We Dream of Space? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from We Dream of Space, who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did We Dream of Space make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend We Dream of Space to a friend? What would you tell them about it?
What lesson or message do you think Erin Entrada Kelly wanted young readers to learn from this story?
Frequently Asked Questions
What reading level is We Dream of Space?
We Dream of Space by Erin Entrada Kelly 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 We Dream of Space?
ReadBuddy provides 14 carefully crafted comprehension questions for We Dream of Space, covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use We Dream of Space 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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