Wonderstruck Reading Comprehension Questions
by Brian Selznick
Book Summary
Wonderstruck tells two parallel stories, one in words and one in pictures, about two deaf children, Ben in 1977 and Rose in 1927. Both run away to New York City, drawn by a mysterious connection to the American Museum of Natural History and a famous silent film star. Their journeys, separated by fifty years, eventually intertwine to reveal a surprising family secret.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 14 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about Wonderstruck.
1.What happened to Ben that made him completely deaf?
2.Where did Ben decide to run away to find his father and learn about Lillian Mayhew?
3.Who did Rose meet at the American Museum of Natural History who helped her?
4.Why do you think Ben felt a strong connection to the American Museum of Natural History?
5.Why did Rose feel isolated and misunderstood in Hoboken?
6.What can you infer about Ben's feelings when he finally meets an older Rose?
7.What is a main theme of the story 'Wonderstruck'?
8.What lesson does Ben learn by the end of his journey?
9.How can you tell that Ben changed from the beginning of the story to the end?
10.What does the word 'mysterious' mean in the sentence: 'Ben found a mysterious bookmark with a strange inscription'?
11.What does it mean to 'navigate' the city, as Ben did?
12.What is a 'diorama' as described in the story?
13.Ben and Rose both ran away to New York City. How do you think their experiences were similar, even though they lived in different times?
14.If you were Ben, what would be the hardest part about suddenly becoming deaf and having to travel alone?
Key Vocabulary
Important words from Wonderstruck to discuss with your child.
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading Wonderstruck with children.
What was your favorite part of Wonderstruck? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from Wonderstruck, who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did Wonderstruck make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend Wonderstruck to a friend? What would you tell them about it?
What lesson or message do you think Brian Selznick wanted young readers to learn from this story?
Frequently Asked Questions
What reading level is Wonderstruck?
Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick 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 Wonderstruck?
ReadBuddy provides 14 carefully crafted comprehension questions for Wonderstruck, covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use Wonderstruck 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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