The birchbark house Comprehension Questions & Reading Journal
3.6 out of 5, (10 ratings on Open Library)
The birchbark house has 14 chapters · 244 pages
[In this] story of a young Ojibwa girl, Omakayas, living on an island in Lake Superior around 1847, Louise Erdrich is reversing the narrative perspective used in most children's stories about nineteenth-century Native Americans.
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Inside the journal: 14 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.
In the opening chapter, what do you learn about the baby on Spirit Island, and what questions does this make you wonder about her future?See all 14 questions ↓
About the book
[In this] story of a young Ojibwa girl, Omakayas, living on an island in Lake Superior around 1847, Louise Erdrich is reversing the narrative perspective used in most children's stories about nineteenth-century Native Americans. Instead of looking out at 'them' as dangers or curiosities, Erdrich, drawing on her family's history, wants to tell about 'us', from the inside. The Birchbark House establishes its own ground, in the vicinity of Laura Ingalls Wilder's 'Little House' books. --The New York Times Book Review.
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The birchbark house 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 14 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
In the opening chapter, what do you learn about the baby on Spirit Island, and what questions does this make you wonder about her future?
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Chapter 2
How does the birchbark house fit the needs of Omakayas's family during the summer? Use details from the chapter to explain your thinking.
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Chapter 3
Old Tallow can seem scary and kind at the same time. What do her words and actions show about the kind of person she is?
Example answer: I think Old Tallow is a person who does not show her feelings in a soft way, but she still cares deeply. She can be sharp and serious, so some people are afraid of her. However, her actions show that she protects others and pays close attention to what people need. To me, she is strong, brave, and more loving than she first appears.
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Chapter 4
How does Omakayas's relationship with Andeg begin to grow, and what does the crow add to her life?
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Chapter 5
Omakayas and her family work hard to get food and supplies. What does this chapter show about being resourceful?
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Chapter 6
When Omakayas faces danger or fear in this chapter, how does she react? What does her reaction tell you about her character?
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Chapter 7
What changes do you notice as the story moves toward fall? How do these changes affect the family's daily life?
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Chapter 8
Choose one important task from this chapter, such as gathering or preparing food. Why does teamwork matter for this task?
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Chapter 9
A visitor brings news and trouble to the family. What clues show that something serious may happen next?
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Chapter 10
During the sickness, how do different family members show love and responsibility? Give examples from the chapter.
Example answer: The family shows love by taking care of each other even when they are scared and tired. They do not give up on the sick people, and they try to bring comfort and help. Omakayas also helps in the ways she can, which shows she is growing more responsible. This chapter made me see that love is not just words; it is also actions.
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Chapter 11
How does Omakayas deal with grief in this chapter? What people, memories, or beliefs seem to help her?
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Chapter 12
The story shows that Omakayas may have a special gift. What do you think this gift is, and how might she use it to help others?
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Chapter 13
What new information does Omakayas learn about her past, and how does it change the way she understands herself?
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Chapter 14
By the end of the book, how has Omakayas changed from the beginning? What lesson or theme do you think the author wants readers to remember?
Example answer: By the end, I think Omakayas has become stronger and more aware of who she is. At the beginning, she is a curious girl who loves her family, but later she survives great sadness and learns important truths about her past. She also begins to understand that she may have a gift for helping others. I think one theme is that family, courage, and remembering who you are can help people get through hard times.
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How to use this The birchbark house 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, 14 chapters, so it doubles as the reading log for The birchbark house. 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.