Wish Reading Comprehension Questions
by Barbara O'Connor
Book Summary
Wish tells the story of Charlie, a feisty ten-year-old girl who is sent to live with her aunt and uncle in a small mountain town in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Feeling abandoned and lonely while her mother is ill and her father is in jail, Charlie makes a daily wish for a real family and a home. She soon befriends a stray dog she names Wishbone and a kind, quirky boy named Howard. Through her new friendships and experiences in the small town, Charlie begins to understand what it means to belong and that sometimes, wishes come true in unexpected and wonderful ways.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 14 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about Wish.
1.Where did Charlie go to live at the beginning of the story?
2.What name did Charlie give to the stray dog she found?
3.Who was the first person in the new town to try and be friends with Charlie?
4.Why do you think Charlie started making wishes on anything she could find when she first arrived at her aunt's house?
5.Why did Charlie try to hide Wishbone from Aunt Bertha and Uncle Gus for a while?
6.What can you infer about Howard's character based on how he treated Charlie when she was grumpy?
7.What important lesson does Charlie learn about wishes by the end of the story?
8.What is one main message the author wants readers to understand from Charlie's journey in "Wish"?
9.How can you tell that Charlie's feelings changed about living with Aunt Bertha and Uncle Gus by the end of the story?
10.Charlie felt "abandoned" when her mother left her. What does the word "abandoned" mean in this sentence?
11.Howard was very "persistent" in trying to be Charlie's friend. What does "persistent" mean?
12.Wishbone became Charlie's best "companion." What is a "companion"?
13.If you were Charlie, what would be the first wish you would make when you arrived in a new, unfamiliar place? Why?
14.What do you think is the most important thing a friend can do for you, like Howard did for Charlie?
Key Vocabulary
Important words from Wish to discuss with your child.
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading Wish with children.
What was your favorite part of Wish? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from Wish, who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did Wish make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend Wish to a friend? What would you tell them about it?
What lesson or message do you think Barbara O'Connor wanted young readers to learn from this story?
Frequently Asked Questions
What reading level is Wish?
Wish by Barbara O'Connor is recommended for grades 2-4 readers with an AR level of 4.2. It's an excellent choice for building reading comprehension skills at this level.
What are good comprehension questions for Wish?
ReadBuddy provides 14 carefully crafted comprehension questions for Wish, covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use Wish 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
