The birchbark house

The questions inside

One per chapter, across all 14 chapters — every question is editable before you print.

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?
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.
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?
4. How does Omakayas's relationship with Andeg begin to grow, and what does the crow add to her life?
5. Omakayas and her family work hard to get food and supplies. What does this chapter show about being resourceful?
6. When Omakayas faces danger or fear in this chapter, how does she react? What does her reaction tell you about her character?
7. What changes do you notice as the story moves toward fall? How do these changes affect the family's daily life?
8. Choose one important task from this chapter, such as gathering or preparing food. Why does teamwork matter for this task?
9. A visitor brings news and trouble to the family. What clues show that something serious may happen next?
10. During the sickness, how do different family members show love and responsibility? Give examples from the chapter.
11. How does Omakayas deal with grief in this chapter? What people, memories, or beliefs seem to help her?
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?
13. What new information does Omakayas learn about her past, and how does it change the way she understands herself?
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 answers

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

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?

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.

During the sickness, how do different family members show love and responsibility? Give examples from the chapter.

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.

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?

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.