Keeper of the Lost Cities Comprehension Questions & Reading Journal

Keeper of the Lost Cities questions by chapter

We know this book well. Every question asks about something that happens in its chapter, a moment, a choice or a character, without giving away what comes next. One question per chapter, across all 61 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

   Sophie hears many thoughts during the museum field trip. How does this opening chapter show that her life is different from other kids' lives?

2. Chapter 2

   Fitz tells Sophie something that changes everything she believes about herself. What details make his explanation surprising, and why is it hard for Sophie to trust him right away?

3. Chapter 3

   Sophie learns more about telepathy and the world she really comes from. How does this new information help explain problems she has had in the human world?

4. Chapter 4

   Sophie gets her first real look at the Lost Cities. What does she notice, and what would feel most amazing or confusing to you if you were in her place?

5. Chapter 5

   Sophie meets important elves who want to understand who she is. What questions do they have about her, and what questions does Sophie have about herself?

6. Chapter 6

   The elves must decide what should happen to Sophie. What are the choices in front of her, and why is each choice difficult?

7. Chapter 7

   Sophie has to think about leaving behind the human life she knows. How does the author show that this decision is painful for her?

8. Chapter 8

   Sophie says goodbye to people and places from her old life. What does this chapter show about love, memory, and loss?

9. Chapter 9

   Sophie arrives at Havenfield and begins staying with Grady and Edaline. How does the setting help you understand what kind of people they are?

10. Chapter 10

    Grady and Edaline are kind to Sophie, but they are also carrying sadness. What clues show their grief, and how might that affect the way they treat Sophie?

11. Chapter 11

    Sophie prepares for Foxfire, her new school. What worries does she have about starting over, and how are those worries like or unlike worries at a regular school?

12. Chapter 12

    Sophie has to learn new rules, foods, clothes, and customs. Which adjustment seems hardest for her, and why?

13. Chapter 13

    The word 'prodigy' is used for students at Foxfire. What do you think this word means in the story, and how does it fit Sophie?

14. Chapter 14

    Sophie meets other young elves, including students who react to her in different ways. How do these first meetings affect her sense of belonging?

15. Chapter 15

    Dex becomes an important friend to Sophie. What makes Dex a good friend, and what does he understand about feeling different?

    Example answer: I think Dex is a good friend because he treats Sophie like a real person instead of just a mystery. He knows what it feels like to be judged because of his family and his place in the elf world. That helps him understand why Sophie feels left out. I like that he uses his talents to help her instead of trying to make himself seem better.

16. Chapter 16

    Biana and Fitz are connected to Sophie's new life in complicated ways. How do Sophie's feelings about them change as she gets to know them?

17. Chapter 17

    Some students judge Sophie before they really know her. Why do you think people sometimes treat newcomers unfairly?

18. Chapter 18

    Sophie begins learning more about her abilities. What rules or limits do adults place on her, and why might those rules be important?

19. Chapter 19

    Telepathy can help people, but it can also invade privacy. What does this chapter suggest about using a special power responsibly?

20. Chapter 20

    Sophie struggles with school lessons that other elves seem to understand easily. How does she respond when she feels embarrassed or behind?

21. Chapter 21

    A mistake or challenge at Foxfire teaches Sophie something important. What does she learn about herself as a student?

22. Chapter 22

    Sophie learns more about Jolie and the loss Grady and Edaline suffered. How does this information help explain the mood at Havenfield?

23. Chapter 23

    Sophie's memories and dreams raise new questions. What mystery seems to be growing, and what clues has the author given so far?

24. Chapter 24

    Sophie begins to wonder if someone has been hiding the truth about her past. How does this change the way she sees the adults around her?

25. Chapter 25

    Sandor becomes part of Sophie's life as a protector. How does having a bodyguard make Sophie safer, and how might it make her feel trapped?

26. Chapter 26

    Dex uses his talents to help Sophie. What does this show about the value of different kinds of intelligence?

27. Chapter 27

    Sophie faces pressure to prove she belongs at Foxfire. How does pressure affect her choices in this chapter?

28. Chapter 28

    A new discovery about Sophie's abilities makes her seem even more unusual. How do other characters react, and how does Sophie react to herself?

29. Chapter 29

    Sophie wants answers about where she came from. Why is knowing your own story important to a person's identity?

30. Chapter 30

    The Council has strong opinions about Sophie. Which council member or adult seems most fair to her, and which seems least fair? Explain your thinking.

31. Chapter 31

    Sophie must decide whom she can trust with her secrets. What makes trust difficult for her in this chapter?

32. Chapter 32

    Clues about the Black Swan or other hidden forces make the mystery bigger. What do you predict these clues might mean?

33. Chapter 33

    Sophie and her friends take risks to find information. When is it brave to take a risk, and when might it be dangerous?

34. Chapter 34

    Friendship helps Sophie handle fear and confusion. Choose one friend and explain how that friend supports her in this part of the story.

35. Chapter 35

    Sophie notices that the Lost Cities are beautiful but not perfect. What problems or unfairness does she see in the elf world?

36. Chapter 36

    A difficult lesson or test pushes Sophie past what she thinks she can do. How does she show perseverance?

37. Chapter 37

    Sophie learns that being powerful can make others afraid of you. How would you feel if people feared something about you that you could not fully control?

    Example answer: I would feel lonely and frustrated if people were scared of me for something I did not choose. Sophie wants to do the right thing, but her powers make other people nervous. I think that would make it hard to trust yourself. I would want someone kind to remind me that having power does not make me bad.

38. Chapter 38

    Keefe often uses jokes and teasing. What might his humor hide, and how does it affect the people around him?

39. Chapter 39

    Sophie feels caught between obeying adults and searching for the truth. What choice would you make in her situation, and why?

40. Chapter 40

    The mystery around Sophie's creation or past becomes more serious. What questions do you most want answered at this point in the book?

41. Chapter 41

    Sophie has moments when she misses her human family. How does the author show that moving forward does not mean forgetting the past?

42. Chapter 42

    Grady and Edaline begin to feel more like family to Sophie. What actions show that their relationship is changing?

43. Chapter 43

    Warning signs suggest Sophie may be in danger. What clues create suspense in this chapter?

44. Chapter 44

    Sophie and Dex face a frightening situation together. How does their friendship help them stay strong?

45. Chapter 45

    Sophie is taken by enemies and loses control over what happens next. What details make this chapter scary or suspenseful?

46. Chapter 46

    While trapped, Sophie pays attention to her captors and surroundings. What does she learn, and how might those details help later?

47. Chapter 47

    Sophie has to be brave even when she is hurt or afraid. What does courage look like for her in this chapter?

48. Chapter 48

    Dex is also in danger. How does Sophie show loyalty to him, and how does Dex show loyalty to her?

49. Chapter 49

    The villains' actions reveal something about what they want. What do you think their goal is, and what evidence supports your idea?

50. Chapter 50

    Sophie tries to use her mind and abilities to survive. How does she solve problems under pressure?

51. Chapter 51

    Help finally arrives or comes closer. How does the rescue change the mood of the story?

52. Chapter 52

    After the danger, Sophie must recover. What kinds of healing does she need besides just physical healing?

53. Chapter 53

    The adults react to what happened to Sophie and Dex. What do their reactions show about fear, guilt, or responsibility?

54. Chapter 54

    Sophie now knows that keeping secrets can protect people but also hurt them. What is one secret in the story that has both good and bad effects?

55. Chapter 55

    Sophie thinks about where she belongs after everything she has survived. What does belonging mean to her now?

56. Chapter 56

    Returning to school or normal life is not simple for Sophie. Why might ordinary routines feel different after a scary experience?

57. Chapter 57

    Sophie makes an important choice about family. What does this choice show about how she has changed since the beginning of the book?

58. Chapter 58

    Grady and Edaline's relationship with Sophie reaches an important point. How does the story show that family can be chosen as well as born?

    Example answer: The story shows this because Grady and Edaline care for Sophie even though she was not born into their family. They protect her, worry about her, and slowly let her into their hearts. Sophie also starts to trust them and see Havenfield as home. To me, that shows family is about love and actions, not only being related.

59. Chapter 59

    New clues suggest that Sophie's story is not over. What mystery or question do you think will matter most in the next book?

60. Chapter 60

    Sophie looks toward the future with both hope and worry. What has she gained, and what dangers or problems still remain?

61. Chapter 61

    Think about the title Keeper of the Lost Cities. How does the ending connect to the ideas of secrets, hidden worlds, and Sophie's role in the story?