Sounder

The questions inside

One per chapter, across all 9 chapters — every question is editable before you print.

1. In Chapter 1, how does the author show that the boy's family is poor but still close and caring? Use details from the chapter.
2. What do we learn about the boy, his father, and Sounder from the hunting scenes? How do their actions show their relationship?
3. In Chapter 3, the mood changes when the men come to the cabin. What words, sounds, or silences make the scene feel tense or frightening?
4. After the father is taken away and Sounder is hurt, what do you predict the boy and his mother will do next? Explain your thinking.
5. The boy makes a difficult trip to try to find his father. What does this show about his character? Give one or two examples from the chapter.
6. In this chapter, the boy sees both unfairness and small acts of kindness. What examples of each do you notice, and how do they affect him?
7. Sounder changes after he returns, but he is still important to the family. What does Sounder seem to stand for in this part of the story?
8. The boy meets someone who cares about books and learning. Why is this meeting important? Would you make the same choice the boy makes about school? Why or why not?
9. By the end of the story, how have the boy, his father, and Sounder changed? What message do you think the author wants readers to remember?

Example answers

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

What do we learn about the boy, his father, and Sounder from the hunting scenes? How do their actions show their relationship?

I learn that the boy looks up to his father and wants to be close to him. The father is quiet and serious, but he works hard to feed his family. Sounder is also very important because he helps them hunt and seems like part of the family. Their actions show trust because they all know what to do together in the woods.

In this chapter, the boy sees both unfairness and small acts of kindness. What examples of each do you notice, and how do they affect him?

I notice unfairness when the boy is treated badly just because he is poor and Black. People do not always listen to him or care about his feelings. But I also see kindness when someone gives him a little help or speaks to him in a gentle way. These moments matter because they keep him from giving up completely.

The boy meets someone who cares about books and learning. Why is this meeting important? Would you make the same choice the boy makes about school? Why or why not?

I think this meeting is important because it gives the boy hope for a different future. Books and school can help him understand the world and have more choices. I would make the same choice because learning could help me become stronger inside. Even though it would be hard to leave home, I think education would be worth it.