I Survived The Bombing Of Pearl Harbor, 1941 Comprehension Questions & Reading Journal

I Survived The Bombing Of Pearl Harbor, 1941 questions by chapter

We know the book, its characters, setting and story, but not what happens in each chapter. So every question is written for this book, and any of them works wherever your reader has just stopped. One question per chapter, across all 16 chapters, and every one is editable before you print. The example answers under 3 of the chapters are the ones printed at the front of the booklet.

1. Chapter 1

   What have you learned so far about Danny Crane and his life? Explain which detail helps you understand his situation best.

2. Chapter 2

   How does Danny feel about the changes in his life so far? Use something he says, thinks, or does to explain your answer.

3. Chapter 3

   What details help you picture the places Danny lives in or visits? Explain how one place affects his feelings or actions.

4. Chapter 4

   Which choice by Danny has caught your attention so far? Explain what that choice shows about him.

5. Chapter 5

   Based on what you have read, what challenge do you predict Danny will face next? Explain the clue that led to your prediction.

   Example answer: I predict Danny will face a situation where he has to act even though he is scared. The title tells me that the bombing of Pearl Harbor will be important to his story. That makes me think his challenges will become more serious than everyday problems. I wonder who he will turn to for help.

6. Chapter 6

   How would you describe Danny's relationship with his mother at this point? Support your description with a detail from your reading.

7. Chapter 7

   Choose a word or phrase from your reading that helps describe Danny's world. What do you think it means, and which nearby words helped you figure it out?

8. Chapter 8

   What have you learned about life in 1941 from Danny's story? Explain how one detail makes that time seem similar to or different from today.

   Example answer: I notice that Danny still has to deal with changes in his family life, even though he lives in 1941. His move to Hawaii makes me think about how hard it can be to start over somewhere unfamiliar. Kids today can face that same problem. This helps me connect with Danny even though his story takes place long ago.

9. Chapter 9

   Which person seems to have the strongest influence on Danny so far? Explain how that person affects his thoughts or actions.

10. Chapter 10

    Where do you notice a feeling of safety or danger in the story so far? Explain how Lauren Tarshis creates that feeling.

11. Chapter 11

    What does Danny's story suggest about being brave? Use an action or thought from your reading to explain your idea.

12. Chapter 12

    Which moment in your reading would you most want to discuss with Danny? Explain what you would ask him and why.

13. Chapter 13

    How has your understanding of the title, I Survived the Bombing of Pearl Harbor, 1941, grown as you have read? Connect your thinking to a detail you have already encountered.

14. Chapter 14

    Find a word or phrase that shows a strong feeling in your reading. How would the meaning or mood change if the author used a calmer word instead?

15. Chapter 15

    What question about Danny or Pearl Harbor are you hoping the story will answer? Explain what in your reading made you curious.

    Example answer: I want to know how Danny's experiences in Hawaii will change the way he thinks about home. Moving somewhere new can make a person miss familiar places and people. Danny's situation makes me wonder what will help him feel that he belongs. I will watch for changes in how he talks about Hawaii.

16. Chapter 16

    Which idea seems most important in Danny's story at this point: family, friendship, courage, or another idea? Explain your choice using details you have read.