Upside Down Magic Comprehension Questions & Reading Journal

Upside Down Magic questions by chapter

We know the book, its characters, setting and story, but not what happens in each chapter. So every question is written for this book, and any of them works wherever your reader has just stopped. One question per chapter, across all 20 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

   Based on what you have read so far, what is one challenge Nory faces because of her magic? Explain why it matters to her.

2. Chapter 2

   How does Nory seem to want other people to see her? Use something she says, thinks, or does as a clue.

3. Chapter 3

   What problem do you predict Nory's unusual magic might cause next? Explain which details so far helped you make that prediction.

   Example answer: I predict Nory will try to show what she can do, but her magic will surprise her. Her magic does not always work the way she wants it to, so a simple task could become tricky. I think she might need to try a different way instead of just trying harder.

4. Chapter 4

   Choose a word connected to magic from your reading so far. What do you think it means, and how does the story help you figure it out?

5. Chapter 5

   From what you know so far, what would make a school rule fair or unfair for someone with Nory's magic? Explain your thinking.

6. Chapter 6

   How does a place you have read about so far affect what Nory can do or how she feels? Include a detail about that place.

7. Chapter 7

   Choose Nory or another student you have met so far, such as Elliott, Andres, or Bax. What have you learned about that character besides what kind of magic they have?

8. Chapter 8

   What has the story suggested so far about being different from other people? Explain using a moment you have read.

9. Chapter 9

   Who do you think could help Nory with a challenge she faces, and what kind of help might work? Base your prediction on what you know so far.

10. Chapter 10

    Find a word in your reading that describes a character's feelings. What does it mean in that scene, and what is another word the author could have used?

11. Chapter 11

    Would you rather have magic that always works as expected or magic that sometimes turns wonky, like Nory's? Explain your choice using what you know about her magic so far.

    Example answer: I would rather have magic that always works as expected. Nory's unusual magic sounds interesting, but I would worry about not knowing what would happen when I used it. I would feel safer if I could practice a skill and trust it to work. Still, I think wonky magic could lead to discoveries that other people would never expect.

12. Chapter 12

    Identify something Nory does that leads to a result in the story so far. How are her action and its result connected?

13. Chapter 13

    What does one character's reaction to unusual magic reveal about that character? Use a reaction you have read about so far.

14. Chapter 14

    Based on your reading so far, what should count as success for a student like Nory: making magic look normal, learning to use it, or something else? Explain your idea.

    Example answer: I think success should mean learning to use your own magic safely. Nory's magic works differently, but that does not mean she has nothing to learn or offer. I would count making progress as a success, even if her results did not look like everyone else's. That seems fairer than expecting every student to be the same.

15. Chapter 15

    What question about Nory's school experiences are you hoping the story will answer? Describe a possible answer and explain why it seems likely.

16. Chapter 16

    Pick a word or phrase that helps you picture the magical world in this book. What do you imagine, and why is that wording effective?

17. Chapter 17

    Which choice Nory has made so far would you have handled differently? Explain what you would do and why.

18. Chapter 18

    Using what you have learned so far, explain one way Nory's world is like everyday life and one way magic makes it different.

19. Chapter 19

    Compare Nory with another character you have met so far. How are their attitudes toward magic alike or different?

20. Chapter 20

    Which idea seems most important in your reading so far: belonging, friendship, or accepting differences? Explain how a detail from Nory's story supports your choice.