Starfish Comprehension Questions & Reading Journal

Starfish 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 112 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

   Ellie describes floating like a starfish in the pool. What does the pool help her feel, and why is that important?

2. Chapter 2

   What do you learn about how Ellie sees herself when she thinks about her body?

3. Chapter 3

   Ellie has rules she believes she must follow because of her size. How do these rules affect her choices?

4. Chapter 4

   How does Ellie's mom treat her in this chapter, and how does it seem to make Ellie feel?

5. Chapter 5

   What does Ellie's family life show you about the challenges she faces at home?

6. Chapter 6

   How is Ellie's dad different from some of the other people in her life?

7. Chapter 7

   Ellie thinks about losing or missing a friend. How does that change her day-to-day life?

8. Chapter 8

   What details show that Ellie feels lonely or left out?

9. Chapter 9

   Catalina is introduced as someone new. What first impression do you get of her, and why?

10. Chapter 10

    How does Ellie react when someone treats her with kindness instead of judgment?

11. Chapter 11

    What problem at school makes Ellie feel unsafe or embarrassed?

12. Chapter 12

    If you were Ellie's classmate, what could you do to make school feel kinder for her?

    Example answer: If I were Ellie's classmate, I would sit with her and talk to her like she belongs. I would not laugh at mean jokes, even if other kids did. I could also tell a teacher if someone was bullying her. Small choices like that could help Ellie feel less alone at school.

13. Chapter 13

    What words or actions hurt Ellie in this chapter, and why do they matter?

14. Chapter 14

    What does Ellie wish other people understood about her?

15. Chapter 15

    How does the author use strong images or comparisons to show Ellie's feelings?

16. Chapter 16

    What prediction can you make about Ellie and Catalina's friendship?

17. Chapter 17

    How does Ellie act when she is trying to protect herself from being hurt?

18. Chapter 18

    What do you think Ellie needs most from her family right now?

19. Chapter 19

    What does this chapter show about the power of names, nicknames, or labels?

20. Chapter 20

    How does Ellie's inner voice affect the way she sees events around her?

21. Chapter 21

    What changes when Ellie spends time with someone who accepts her?

22. Chapter 22

    How do small acts of friendship make a big difference in this chapter?

23. Chapter 23

    What does Ellie learn about Catalina's family or culture, and how does it affect their friendship?

24. Chapter 24

    What theme is beginning to grow in the story, and what evidence supports it?

25. Chapter 25

    What does Ellie's reaction to teasing tell you about her past experiences?

26. Chapter 26

    Which character seems most trustworthy to Ellie so far, and what makes you think that?

27. Chapter 27

    How does Ellie handle being angry, sad, or ashamed in this chapter?

28. Chapter 28

    What is one question you would ask Ellie if you could talk to her after this chapter?

29. Chapter 29

    How does the setting of the pool change Ellie's mood?

30. Chapter 30

    What might the starfish image mean besides just a way to float?

31. Chapter 31

    How does Ellie's mom's focus on food or weight affect Ellie's confidence?

32. Chapter 32

    What do you think the author wants readers to notice about bullying?

33. Chapter 33

    How does Ellie show bravery, even if she does not feel brave?

34. Chapter 34

    What does Ellie's friendship with Catalina give her that she has been missing?

35. Chapter 35

    What new conflict appears, and how might it become important later?

36. Chapter 36

    What vocabulary word or phrase in this chapter feels powerful, and what do you think it means?

37. Chapter 37

    How does Ellie respond to being judged by her appearance?

38. Chapter 38

    What prediction do you have about whether Ellie will speak up for herself?

39. Chapter 39

    How do family members help or hurt Ellie in this chapter?

40. Chapter 40

    What does this chapter teach about the difference between joking and hurting someone?

41. Chapter 41

    How does Ellie's relationship with food feel complicated?

42. Chapter 42

    What do you notice about the way Ellie describes her emotions?

43. Chapter 43

    How does the author help you understand Ellie's point of view?

44. Chapter 44

    What choice does Ellie make, and what does it show about her character?

45. Chapter 45

    How does Catalina challenge Ellie to see herself differently?

46. Chapter 46

    What do you think makes a good friend, based on this chapter?

47. Chapter 47

    Ellie begins getting help from an adult outside her family. Why might talking to this person matter?

    Example answer: I think talking to an adult like Doc matters because Ellie needs someone who listens without judging her. At home, she often feels blamed or misunderstood. With Doc, she can say her real feelings and learn that the bullying is not her fault. That kind of support can help her become braver.

48. Chapter 48

    What is one way Doc helps Ellie think about herself or her problems?

49. Chapter 49

    How is therapy different from Ellie's usual conversations at home or school?

50. Chapter 50

    What does Ellie learn about feelings that have been kept inside for a long time?

51. Chapter 51

    How does Ellie's voice start to sound different as she gains support?

52. Chapter 52

    What advice from Doc or another adult seems useful, and why?

53. Chapter 53

    What does Ellie discover about blame and responsibility?

54. Chapter 54

    How does Ellie practice standing up for herself in this chapter?

55. Chapter 55

    What is a moment when Ellie shows honesty with herself?

56. Chapter 56

    How does the author show that healing can take time?

57. Chapter 57

    What prediction can you make about Ellie's relationship with her mom?

58. Chapter 58

    How do Ellie's memories help explain why she feels the way she does?

59. Chapter 59

    What does this chapter reveal about the long-lasting effects of hurtful words?

60. Chapter 60

    What does Ellie need from her mom that she is not getting?

61. Chapter 61

    How does Ellie's dad support her, and what limits does his support have?

62. Chapter 62

    What makes Ellie feel seen or understood in this chapter?

63. Chapter 63

    How do Ellie and Catalina build trust with each other?

64. Chapter 64

    What does the story suggest about accepting people as they are?

65. Chapter 65

    How does Ellie react when someone crosses a boundary?

66. Chapter 66

    What does the word boundary mean in Ellie's life, based on this chapter?

67. Chapter 67

    How does Ellie's understanding of the Fat Girl Rules begin to change?

68. Chapter 68

    What small victory does Ellie have, and why is it important?

69. Chapter 69

    How does Ellie's confidence affect the way she makes choices?

70. Chapter 70

    What challenge still feels hard for Ellie, even as she grows stronger?

71. Chapter 71

    How does a letter, message, or conversation affect Ellie's feelings?

72. Chapter 72

    What does Ellie learn from comparing old friendships with new friendships?

73. Chapter 73

    How do secrets or silence make problems worse in this chapter?

74. Chapter 74

    What does Ellie want people to know about who she is inside?

75. Chapter 75

    How does Ellie use words to defend herself or explain her truth?

76. Chapter 76

    What does this chapter show about courage in everyday life?

77. Chapter 77

    How does the author make a painful moment understandable for young readers?

78. Chapter 78

    What is one moment when you felt proud of Ellie, and why?

79. Chapter 79

    How does Ellie's view of her body begin to shift?

80. Chapter 80

    What does it mean for Ellie to take up space?

81. Chapter 81

    How does the pool or swimming connect to Ellie's growing freedom?

82. Chapter 82

    What new problem tests Ellie's confidence?

83. Chapter 83

    How does Ellie respond differently now than she might have earlier in the book?

84. Chapter 84

    What lesson about friendship stands out in this chapter?

85. Chapter 85

    How does Ellie show that she is more than other people's opinions of her?

86. Chapter 86

    What do you think will happen if Ellie keeps speaking up?

87. Chapter 87

    How does Ellie's mom react to Ellie's changes, and what does that reveal?

88. Chapter 88

    What does Ellie realize about loving someone who also hurts her?

89. Chapter 89

    How does Doc help Ellie prepare for a difficult conversation?

90. Chapter 90

    What is the hardest truth Ellie has to say or hear in this chapter?

91. Chapter 91

    How does Ellie's family respond when she is honest about her pain?

92. Chapter 92

    What does this chapter show about apologies, forgiveness, or change?

93. Chapter 93

    How does Ellie keep herself strong when others do not change right away?

94. Chapter 94

    What does Ellie learn about what she can and cannot control?

95. Chapter 95

    How does Catalina support Ellie without trying to fix everything for her?

96. Chapter 96

    What makes a safe person safe in Ellie's life?

97. Chapter 97

    How does Ellie's self-talk become kinder or more truthful?

98. Chapter 98

    Which theme feels most important near the end of the book: friendship, courage, body acceptance, or family? Explain your thinking.

    Example answer: Near the end, I think body acceptance is the most important theme. Ellie is learning that her body is not something to be ashamed of. Friendship and courage help her get there, but the biggest change is how she talks to herself. She starts to believe she deserves respect just as she is.

99. Chapter 99

    How does Ellie handle a moment that would have made her hide before?

100. Chapter 100

     What does Ellie's growth teach you about speaking up against unfair treatment?

101. Chapter 101

     How does the starfish image feel different now than it did at the beginning?

102. Chapter 102

     What is one way Ellie claims joy for herself?

103. Chapter 103

     How do the people around Ellie show who truly accepts her?

104. Chapter 104

     What message does this chapter send about judging people by their size?

105. Chapter 105

     How does Ellie show resilience after another hard moment?

106. Chapter 106

     What do you think Ellie would tell her younger self?

107. Chapter 107

     How does Ellie's relationship with herself change by this point in the story?

108. Chapter 108

     What unfinished problem still feels real, and why might the author leave it that way?

109. Chapter 109

     How does Ellie's final understanding of the Fat Girl Rules show her growth?

110. Chapter 110

     What moment near the end best shows Ellie's courage?

111. Chapter 111

     What lesson from Ellie's story could help readers treat others with more kindness?

112. Chapter 112

     After finishing the book, what do you think the title Starfish means for Ellie's journey?