Fish in a Tree

Reading Check and Short Answer questions on key points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

Chapters 1-10

Reading Check

1. What does Ally do when Mrs. Hall asks her to write a paragraph describing herself?

2. Who sticks up for Ally when Shay teases her?

3. What is a “silver dollar day”?

4. What is the first entry Ally makes in the journal Mr. Daniels gives her?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Paraphrase Ally’s response when Mrs. Silver asks her to read aloud the poster on the wall.

2. How does Ally feel when Mr. Daniels tells her he won’t be sending her to the principal’s office anymore?

Paired Resource

“What Is it Like to Have Dyslexia?”

• In this three-minute video from Learning Ally, students of varying ages and grade levels describe how it feels to navigate school with the condition. (Teacher-appropriate; with sensitivity to the individual learning differences represented in your classroom, this resource may be best shared in part or in summary form.)
• This content relates to the themes of Persevering Through Struggles and The Advantages of Difference.
• Can you recognize any of the feelings and behaviors described by the children in the video in those experienced and displayed by Ally?

Chapters 11-20

Reading Check

1. What does Mr. Daniels bring to class on Friday?

2. How does Ally try to get out of writing work with Mr. Daniels?

3. What name does Shay call Ally’s group of friends?

4. What advice does Mr. Daniels give Ally regarding Shay’s teasing?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why does Ally join Shay in teasing Albert?

2. Why does Travis not help Ally out with her assignment?

Paired Resource

“Anti-Bullying: It Only Takes One” 

• This two-minute video depicts a bullying scene at school and how things can shift when just one student stands up to the bullies.
• This content relates to the theme of The Power of Words (and Speaking Up for Yourself).
• What is happening in the video? Can you connect what you watched to some of the ideas explored in these chapters, particularly with respect to Ally’s and Albert’s experiences?

Chapters 21-30

Reading Check

1. Why does Ally grab the butterfly?

2. What imaginary hero does Ally invent for her assignment?

3. What game does Mr. Daniels invite Ally to play with him after school?

4. How does Mr. Daniels explain Ally’s struggles with reading?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why does Ally ask to leave the room despite Mr. Daniels claiming her answer in class was “excellent”?

2. How does Keisha help Ally feel better after Ally is upset at winning a “pity award”?

Paired Resource

“Elijah Ditchendorf, a High School Science Whiz Who Has Dyslexia”  

• This three-minute video posted on the Understood website is about a high school student who aspires to study science at a university and how a teacher positively impacted his life and helped him achieve his goal.
• This content relates to the theme of Persevering Through Struggles.
• What are some parallels you can spot between Elijah’s and Ally’s journeys so far? What advantages can you see, in both of their situations, that have been brought about by their ability to think differently?

Chapters 31-40

Reading Check

1. What secret does Ally confide in Albert and Keisha at Albert’s house?

2. What chess piece does Ally compare herself to?

3. Whom does Shay nominate to run against her for class president, and why?

4. Why does Ally feel sorry for Shay?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why is Travis unhappy about the new manager at the garage?

2. Why does Ally feel betrayed by Mr. Daniels?

Paired Resource

“Does Teaching Kids to Get 'Gritty' Help Them Get Ahead?”  

• This NPR Ed article examines the role of persistence, resilience, and growth mindset in helping children succeed.
• This content relates to the theme of Persevering Through Struggles.
• How does the article define grit? Do you believe grit can be taught? Would you say that Ally demonstrates grit so far in the novel? Why or why not?

Chapters 41-51

Reading Check

1. What object of unlimited amount does Albert choose in Mr. Daniels’s class?

2. What book does Ally present a report on?

3. What does Mr. Daniels gift Ally as a show of appreciation for her determination?

4. Whom does Ally ask Mr. Daniels to help at the end of the book?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why do Keisha and Ally make t-shirts with “Steel” and “Magnesium” written on them?

2. Why does Albert refer to Ally as “The Flying Tiger”?

Recommended Next Reads 

Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff

• This is a middle-grade novel about a 10-year-old boy who has never excelled at anything in school but eventually discovers his strengths and develops confidence with the help of his new nanny.
• Shared topics include learning differently, the power of friendship, experiences of bullying, and developing self-confidence and self-esteem.
• Absolutely Almost on SuperSummary

Wonder by R. J. Palacio

• This is a middle-grade novel about how a 10-year-old boy with a rare facial condition called Treacher Collins syndrome bravely and kindly navigates the bullying and judgment he faces when he begins to attend a new school.
• Shared topics include the experience of feeling different, navigating and standing up to bullying, and the power of friendship.
• Wonder on SuperSummary