Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life

The questions inside

One per chapter, across all 20 chapters — every question is editable before you print.

1. In Chapter 1, what do you learn about Jeremy Fink and his everyday life? Describe two details that show what kind of person he is.
2. Jeremy receives a mysterious box connected to his father. How does the box change the mood of the story, and what questions does it make you wonder?
3. How are Jeremy and Lizzy alike and different in the way they react to problems? Use an example from this chapter to support your answer.
4. The box is supposed to be opened on Jeremy’s thirteenth birthday, but the keys are missing. What do you predict Jeremy and Lizzy will do next, and why?
5. Choose one interesting word or phrase from this chapter, such as “mysterious,” “curious,” or “determined.” What does it mean, and how does it fit the chapter?
6. Jeremy often likes things to feel safe and predictable. How does this chapter show him being pushed outside his comfort zone?
7. What role does Lizzy play in helping the search move forward? Do you think her choices are helpful, risky, or both? Explain.
8. In this chapter, Jeremy and Lizzy meet adults who may or may not be able to help them. What do they learn from one of these adults?
9. How does the setting of New York City affect the adventure so far? Describe one place Jeremy and Lizzy visit and why it matters.
10. Jeremy and Lizzy face consequences for their actions. What lesson do you think the author wants readers to notice about choices and responsibility?
11. Mr. Oswald becomes an important person in Jeremy’s journey. What is your first impression of him, and what details make you think that?
12. As Jeremy and Lizzy begin their work with Mr. Oswald, what do they learn about other people’s lives? Give one example.
13. Many characters in the book have different ideas about what makes life meaningful. Which idea from this chapter stands out to you, and why?
14. How is Jeremy changing as he meets new people and hears their stories? Describe one way he seems different from the beginning of the book.
15. What does this chapter suggest about memories and the objects people keep? Explain how one object is important to someone.
16. If you could ask one character in this chapter a question, who would you ask and what would you want to know? Why?
17. Jeremy wants answers about the box and about his father. How does this chapter build suspense as the ending gets closer?
18. What do you think Jeremy has learned about the meaning of life so far? Support your idea with something that happened in the story.
19. When Jeremy finally gets closer to the truth about the box, how does he handle his feelings? What does this show about his growth?
20. After finishing the book, what do you think the author is saying about the meaning of life? Explain your answer using Jeremy’s journey.

Example answers

Printed at the front of the booklet, so your reader can see what a strong answer looks like.

How are Jeremy and Lizzy alike and different in the way they react to problems? Use an example from this chapter to support your answer.

I think Jeremy and Lizzy are alike because they both care about solving the mystery of the box. They are different because Jeremy is more careful, while Lizzy is braver and sometimes acts before thinking. When a problem comes up, Jeremy worries about what could go wrong, but Lizzy wants to jump in and try something. This makes them a good team, even though it can also cause trouble.

What does this chapter suggest about memories and the objects people keep? Explain how one object is important to someone.

This chapter shows that objects can hold memories, not just take up space. An object might look ordinary to one person, but it can remind someone else of a special time or a person they loved. I think Jeremy starts to understand that people keep things because of the stories connected to them. That helps him think more deeply about his father’s box.

After finishing the book, what do you think the author is saying about the meaning of life? Explain your answer using Jeremy’s journey.

I think the author is saying that the meaning of life is not one simple answer. Jeremy learns about friendship, family, courage, and listening to other people’s stories. At first, he thinks the box will just tell him the answer, but the journey teaches him many lessons along the way. To me, the book shows that life gets its meaning from the people we love and the choices we make.