Summer of the mariposas Comprehension Questions & Reading Journal
96 readers
Summer of the mariposas has 22 chapters · 352 pages
In an adventure reminiscent of Homer's Odyssey, fifteen-year-old Odilia and her four younger sisters embark on a journey to return a dead man to his family in Mexico, aided by La Llorona, but impeded by a witch, a warlock, chupacabras…
Free, no sign-up. Customise to reword questions or add your reader’s name.
Inside the journal: 22 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.
How does Odilia describe her sisters and her family life at the beginning of the story? What clues show what each sister is like?See all 22 questions ↓
About the book
In an adventure reminiscent of Homer's Odyssey, fifteen-year-old Odilia and her four younger sisters embark on a journey to return a dead man to his family in Mexico, aided by La Llorona, but impeded by a witch, a warlock, chupacabras, and more.
Buy the book on Amazon ↗ (affiliate link)
Summer of the mariposas 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 22 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.
-
Chapter 1
How does Odilia describe her sisters and her family life at the beginning of the story? What clues show what each sister is like?
-
Chapter 2
When the sisters find the dead man in the river, what choices do they have? What makes their decision so difficult?
-
Chapter 3
Why do the girls decide to take the man back to his family in Mexico? What does this choice show about their values?
Example answer: I think the girls decide to take the man back because they know he belongs with his family. Even though the trip is risky, they feel that leaving him behind would be wrong. This shows that they value respect, family, and doing the right thing. It also shows that they are braver than they realize.
-
Chapter 4
La Llorona gives Odilia advice and a special gift. How does this change the girls' journey and Odilia's role as the oldest sister?
-
Chapter 5
What dangers or problems do the sisters face as they begin traveling away from home? How do they try to stay brave?
-
Chapter 6
Choose one word from this chapter that feels important or powerful. What does it mean, and how does it help you understand the mood of the chapter?
-
Chapter 7
How do the sisters work together during one of their challenges in this chapter? What does their teamwork teach us about family?
-
Chapter 8
What do you predict will be the hardest part of the trip for the sisters? Use details from the story to explain your thinking.
-
Chapter 9
How does Odilia handle being responsible for her younger sisters? Do you think she is a good leader? Why or why not?
-
Chapter 10
The story includes magical or legendary creatures. How do these parts make the journey feel different from a regular road trip?
Example answer: The magical parts make the journey feel like an adventure from a legend instead of just a trip. When the sisters meet strange beings, I feel like anything could happen next. These parts also connect the story to Mexican folklore. I think they make the girls' problems seem bigger and more exciting.
-
Chapter 11
What lesson do the sisters learn from facing danger in this chapter? How might that lesson help them later?
-
Chapter 12
How do the sisters' feelings about one another change as the journey continues? Give an example from the chapter.
-
Chapter 13
What does the visit with the dead man's family show about kindness, respect, or doing the right thing?
-
Chapter 14
After the sisters complete part of their mission, what new worries or questions do they still have? What do you think they should do next?
-
Chapter 15
How does meeting or thinking about relatives in Mexico help the sisters understand their family history?
-
Chapter 16
What does this chapter show about the sisters' culture, traditions, or beliefs? Why are those details important to the story?
-
Chapter 17
Pick one sister who changes in this chapter. What does she say or do that shows she is growing?
-
Chapter 18
The girls face fear again in this part of the story. How do they show courage even when they are scared?
-
Chapter 19
What message about mothers, daughters, or family love do you notice in this chapter? Use a detail from the story to support your answer.
-
Chapter 20
How does Odilia begin to understand her mother's choices more clearly? What changes in the way Odilia thinks?
-
Chapter 21
As the sisters get closer to home, what do you predict will happen when they see their mother again? What problems might still need to be solved?
-
Chapter 22
What is one important theme of the whole book? Explain how the sisters' journey helps teach that theme.
Example answer: One important theme is that family love can help people get through hard things. The sisters argue sometimes, but they keep protecting one another on the journey. Odilia also learns more about her mother and what their family has been through. By the end, I think the trip helps them become stronger together.
More ready-made journals
How to use this Summer of the mariposas 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, 22 chapters, so it doubles as the reading log for Summer of the mariposas. 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.