The Lost Library Comprehension Questions & Reading Journal
The Lost Library has 52 chapters · Grades 3–5 · 224 pages
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Inside the journal: 52 chapter pages, one question each · 3 example answers · a cover for your reader’s name
Open-ended Thought-provoking questions for any chapter book.
So far, what is the most important new clue about the little free library in Martinville, and why do you think it matters?See all 52 questions ↓
About the book
When a mysterious little free library (guarded by a large orange cat) appears overnight in the small town of Martinville, eleven-year-old Evan plucks two weathered books from its shelves, never suspecting that his life is about to change.
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The Lost Library questions by chapter
We don’t know this book well enough to ask about its story, so these are open-ended prompts that get a reader thinking about the chapter they just finished: what happened, who changed, what they would do. One question per chapter, across all 52 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
So far, what is the most important new clue about the little free library in Martinville, and why do you think it matters?
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Chapter 2
What does Evan seem to want most at this point in the story, and what makes you think that?
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Chapter 3
How would you describe Rafe’s role in Evan’s investigation so far?
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Chapter 4
What questions would you ask the large orange cat if it could answer you, and why?
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Chapter 5
Which adult in Martinville seems hardest to understand right now, and what makes that person mysterious?
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Chapter 6
What connection has the story shown so far between books and secrets?
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Chapter 7
How is Martinville feeling like an ordinary town and also a strange one?
Example answer: Martinville feels ordinary because it seems like a small town where people know each other and kids can explore. At the same time, it feels strange because the little free library appears in such a mysterious way, and the orange cat makes it feel even more unusual. I think the author wants the town to feel real but also full of hidden secrets.
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Chapter 8
Choose one word from the chapter that felt important or interesting. What does it mean in the sentence, and why did the author choose it?
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Chapter 9
What did Evan or Rafe learn in this chapter that they did not know before?
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Chapter 10
If you were Evan, what would you do next about the old books, and why?
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Chapter 11
How does the author make you feel curious in the chapter you just read?
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Chapter 12
What is one thing a grown-up says or avoids saying that makes you wonder?
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Chapter 13
How are Evan and Rafe alike as friends, and how are they different?
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Chapter 14
What detail about the weathered books stands out to you, and what might it suggest?
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Chapter 15
What feeling did this chapter leave you with—worry, excitement, confusion, hope, or something else—and why?
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Chapter 16
So far, what do you think the title The Lost Library might mean?
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Chapter 17
How does the setting of a small town affect the mystery?
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Chapter 18
What choice did a character make in this chapter, and what might happen because of it?
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Chapter 19
What does this part of the story show about being brave enough to ask questions?
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Chapter 20
Which character do you trust the most so far, and what actions help you decide?
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Chapter 21
Which character do you trust the least so far, and what evidence makes you unsure?
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Chapter 22
What is one small detail you think could become important later?
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Chapter 23
How does the orange cat add to the mood of the story?
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Chapter 24
What do Evan's thoughts or actions show about the kind of person he is?
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Chapter 25
What does Rafe contribute that Evan might not have on his own?
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Chapter 26
What part of the chapter would you reread to look for clues, and why?
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Chapter 27
How do books in this story seem more powerful than ordinary objects?
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Chapter 28
What do you think the town might be afraid to remember or talk about, based only on what you know so far?
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Chapter 29
What is one moment when a character had to decide whether to speak up or stay quiet?
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Chapter 30
How does the author balance mystery with humor or warmth?
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Chapter 31
If the little free library could symbolize an idea, what idea might it stand for so far?
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Chapter 32
What prediction can you make about one unanswered question in the mystery?
Example answer: I predict that one of the old books will help Evan and Rafe understand something important about Martinville’s past. The adults seem uncomfortable talking about certain things, so I think the answer is connected to something that happened a long time ago. I am not sure what the secret is yet, but the books feel like clues that were waiting to be found.
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Chapter 33
What does this chapter suggest about memories and the past?
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Chapter 34
How did your opinion of Evan, Rafe, or another character change after this chapter?
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Chapter 35
What is one sentence or phrase that created a strong picture in your mind?
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Chapter 36
How does the chapter show that stories can connect people?
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Chapter 37
What would you tell Evan to be careful about right now?
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Chapter 38
What would you tell Rafe to pay more attention to right now?
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Chapter 39
Which event in this chapter seemed most surprising, and why?
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Chapter 40
What do you think the author wants readers to notice about secrets?
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Chapter 41
How does the pace of the mystery feel in this chapter—slow, fast, or just right?
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Chapter 42
What is one problem Evan faces that is not just about solving the mystery?
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Chapter 43
How might the old books be changing the way Evan sees his town?
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Chapter 44
What does this chapter make you wonder about the history of Martinville?
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Chapter 45
What is one example of teamwork you noticed between Evan and Rafe, or one place where they could use better teamwork?
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Chapter 46
Which object in this chapter would you put in a museum display about the mystery, and what label would you write for it?
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Chapter 47
How does the author use unanswered questions to keep you reading?
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Chapter 48
What lesson about curiosity could someone take from this chapter?
Example answer: One lesson about curiosity is that asking questions can help you learn the truth, even when other people would rather stay quiet. Evan and Rafe do not just ignore the strange library or the old books. They pay attention and try to figure things out. That makes me think curiosity can be brave.
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Chapter 49
If you could step into one scene from this chapter, where would you go and what would you do?
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Chapter 50
What is one way this chapter connects to the idea of "books about books"?
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Chapter 51
What do you think a reader younger than you might find confusing in this chapter, and how would you explain it?
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Chapter 52
What is the biggest question you have at the end of this chapter, and what clues might help answer it?
Discussion questions for after The Lost Library
Bigger questions for when the book is finished, each printed on its own ruled page at the end of the booklet.
- After finishing the whole book, how does Evan change from the beginning to the end? Write about what he learns about himself, his town, and asking hard questions, using examples from different parts of the story.
- What do you think The Lost Library is really saying about books, memories, and secrets in a community like Martinville? Explain your thinking, and tell whether you would recommend this book to another upper-elementary reader who enjoys mystery or fantasy.
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The Hero Two Doors Down
How to use this The Lost Library 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, 52 chapters, so it doubles as the reading log for The Lost Library. 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
Thought-provoking questions for any chapter book. We don’t know this book well enough to ask about its story, so these are open-ended prompts that get a reader thinking about the chapter they just finished: what happened, who changed, what they would do. The questions were drafted with AI from what is known about the book and checked before publishing; every one is editable before you print.
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