Small steps Comprehension Questions & Reading Journal
3.6 out of 5, (7 ratings on Open Library)
Small steps has 42 chapters · 272 pages
Two years after being released from Camp Green Lake, Armpit is home in Austin, Texas, trying to turn his life around. But it's hard when you have a record, and everyone expects the worst from you.
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Inside the journal: 42 chapter pages, one question each · 3 example answers · a cover for your reader’s name
Chapter by chapter Each question is about its own chapter.
What are the small steps Armpit is trying to follow as he starts over, and why do you think each one matters?See all 42 questions ↓
About the book
Two years after being released from Camp Green Lake, Armpit is home in Austin, Texas, trying to turn his life around. But it's hard when you have a record, and everyone expects the worst from you. The only person who believes in him is Ginny, his 10-year old disabled neighbor. Together, they are learning to take small steps. And he seems to be on the right path, until X-Ray, a buddy from Camp Green Lake, comes up with a get-rich-quick scheme.
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Small steps 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 42 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.
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Chapter 1
What are the small steps Armpit is trying to follow as he starts over, and why do you think each one matters?
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Chapter 2
How does Armpit’s friendship with Ginny show a different side of him than other people might expect?
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Chapter 3
X-Ray brings Armpit an idea for making money. What makes the idea tempting, and what makes it risky?
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Chapter 4
What do you learn about Armpit’s goals in this chapter, and how do his choices connect to those goals?
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Chapter 5
How does the author show that Armpit is trying to be responsible, even when other people doubt him?
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Chapter 6
What do Kaira DeLeon’s life and problems show about being famous?
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Chapter 7
How does Ginny help Armpit see himself in a more positive way?
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Chapter 8
What does the word trust mean in this chapter, and which character seems to earn or lose trust?
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Chapter 9
What prediction can you make about X-Ray’s ticket plan, and what clues from the story support your thinking?
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Chapter 10
How does Armpit feel about taking risks, and what does this show about how he has changed since Camp Green Lake?
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Chapter 11
What problems begin to grow because of the ticket plan, and how do the characters react to those problems?
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Chapter 12
How does money affect the choices Armpit and X-Ray make in this chapter?
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Chapter 13
Why is the concert important to Ginny, and what does Armpit do to make the experience special for her?
Example answer: I think the concert is important to Ginny because she loves Kaira’s music and it gives her something exciting to look forward to. Armpit helps make it special by taking her seriously and treating her like a real friend, not like a little kid. He wants her to have a happy night, so he pays attention to what she needs. This shows that he is kind and dependable.
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Chapter 14
How does the author build excitement or worry during the concert scenes?
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Chapter 15
When trouble happens with the tickets, how does Armpit respond, and what does his response tell you about him?
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Chapter 16
How are Ginny’s feelings important in this chapter, and how do other characters treat her?
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Chapter 17
What do Kaira’s actions in this chapter reveal about her character?
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Chapter 18
How does meeting Kaira change Armpit’s life, even if only for a short time?
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Chapter 19
What is one misunderstanding in this chapter, and how does it make the situation harder for Armpit?
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Chapter 20
Do you think Armpit should keep trusting X-Ray? Why or why not?
Example answer: I do not think Armpit should fully trust X-Ray anymore. X-Ray is his friend, but he often thinks about making money before thinking about what is safe or right. Armpit is trying to stay out of trouble, so he needs to be careful about who he listens to. He can still care about X-Ray without following every plan X-Ray makes.
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Chapter 21
How does Armpit try to balance doing the right thing with helping his friend?
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Chapter 22
What does this chapter suggest about second chances and how hard they can be?
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Chapter 23
What clues show that Kaira may feel lonely even though she is surrounded by people?
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Chapter 24
How does the setting of a hotel or concert tour make the story feel different from Armpit’s everyday life?
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Chapter 25
What prediction can you make about Armpit and Kaira’s relationship, and what makes you think that?
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Chapter 26
Which character seems to have the most power in this chapter, and how does that power affect others?
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Chapter 27
What does Armpit learn about honesty in this chapter?
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Chapter 28
How does Ginny’s point of view help you understand the events in a new way?
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Chapter 29
What choices does Kaira have to make, and why are they difficult for her?
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Chapter 30
How does the author create suspense as the problems around Kaira become more serious?
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Chapter 31
What is one example of courage in this chapter, and why does it matter?
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Chapter 32
How do Armpit’s past mistakes affect how other people judge him now?
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Chapter 33
What theme about friendship can you find in this chapter? Use details to explain your thinking.
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Chapter 34
How does the meaning of the word consequence fit what happens in this chapter?
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Chapter 35
What do you think Armpit is most afraid of losing at this point in the story?
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Chapter 36
How does Ginny show strength, even when things are frightening or confusing?
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Chapter 37
What important information is revealed in this chapter, and how does it change what you think about earlier events?
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Chapter 38
How do the characters work to uncover the truth, and what obstacles stand in their way?
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Chapter 39
What does justice mean in this chapter, and do you think the events are fair?
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Chapter 40
How has Armpit changed from the beginning of the book to now?
Example answer: At the beginning of the book, Armpit is trying hard to start over, but he is not always sure he can do it. By this point, he has faced many problems and still keeps trying to make better choices. He has learned that one bad decision can lead to bigger trouble, but he has also shown courage and loyalty. I think he is more confident because he knows he can take small steps toward a better life.
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Chapter 41
What lesson do you think Kaira learns from everything that has happened?
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Chapter 42
What is the main message of Small Steps, and how does the ending help show that message?
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How to use this Small steps reading journal
At home, as a discussion guide
After each chapter your reader writes a few lines on that chapter’s question. Read the answer together at bedtime: it shows what they understood and gives you something real to talk about, without a quiz.
In class, as a novel study
Print a class set (booklets fold from plain letter paper) and use one question per chapter as the reading-response or literature-circle prompt. The example answers at the front show what a full answer looks like.
Homeschool
One booklet covers the whole book, 42 chapters, so it doubles as the reading log for Small steps. Reword any question before printing to match your reader.
Printing
The booklet PDF prints on ordinary 8.5 × 11 paper: print double-sided (flip on the short edge) at 100%, fold the stack in half and staple on the fold. There is also a one-page-per-sheet PDF and A5 binder pages.
Where the questions come from
Each question is about its own 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. The questions were drafted with AI from what is known about the book and checked before publishing; every one is editable before you print.
Browse: All books by Louis Sachar