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

Chapters 1-2

Reading Check

1. What does Wallace read in English class?

2. Whom does Rachel send letters to in her free time?

Short Answer

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

1. What is Wallace’s approach to his father’s lying, and why does it create problems for him?

2. What is the reaction of the theater students to Wallace’s presence at theater practice?

Paired Resource

“We Need to Feel Heard”

• This 6-minute video describes the value of being heard.
• Shared themes include Honesty Resolves Conflict and Forced Adherence Leads to Poor Performance and Resentment.
• Why is it important to be heard? Why might it be difficult for some to acknowledge feelings? Do you think Wallace feels heard? How might Mr. Fogelman help Wallace to feel validated while still disagreeing?

Chapters 3-5

Reading Check

1. Who writes an article about Wallace titled “Gimme an A or I Won’t Play?”

2. Who is in love with Wallace?

Short Answer

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

1. Why does Rachel believe Wallace is responsible for vandalizing the stage? Why might she be justified in believing he is responsible for the vandalism?

2. Whom does Rachel inform about Wallace’s changes to the play, and how does she feel about those changes?

Paired Resource

“What Is Confirmation Bias?”

• This article describes confirmation bias, its causes, and how it can be overcome.
• This information connects to the theme of You Don’t Need to Be the Best to Be Happy.
• What is confirmation bias? What attributes, both negative and positive, contribute to confirmation bias? How do the characters in the novel exhibit signs of confirmation bias? What might be done to overcome biases?

Chapters 6-8

Reading Check

1. Who conducts a survey asking drama students if Wallace caused the vandalism?

2. What is left for the actors in a bucket as a trap?

Short Answer

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

1. What does Wallace dislike about the play, and how does he attempt to change it?

2. What event inspires Mr. Fogelman to change Old Shep, My Pal?

Chapters 9-11

Reading Check

1. Where does Wallace discover a box of pepper?

2. What does Wallace invite his teammates to do with him?

Short Answer

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

1. Why does Wallace intend to snub Parker, and what causes him to change his mind?

2. What is ironic about Rachel’s refusal to believe Wallace is helping the play after Parker’s article is released?

Paired Resource

“Why People Fall for Misinformation”

• This 5-minute video explores misinformation and its possible causes.
• This content connects well with the themes Honesty Resolves Conflicts and Forced Adherence Leads to Poor Performance and Resentment.
• What are some possible causes of misinformation? How might language barriers and interpretation play a role in spreading misconceptions? Why do people fall for misinformation? How is misinformation circulated in the novel?

Chapters 12-15

Reading Check

1. What rock band does Wallace recruit to play the soundtrack for Old Shep, My Pal?

2. What is written on Trudi’s locker after Parker’s new article is released?

Short Answer

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

1. What does Wallace share with his football team after he finishes detention, and what causes him to make his decision?

2. Why is Rachel torn about the attention Trudi is getting from Parker’s article?

Paired Resource

Leadership Styles

• This article describes the 7 leadership styles, which tend to be the most effective, and how each style functions.
• Shared themes include Forced Adherence Leads to Poor Performance and Resentment.
• How do organizations benefit from good leadership? What kinds of behaviors are associated with an authoritarian leadership style? Which of the characters exhibit this type of leadership? What kind of leadership is the most effective? Which of the characters show traits of democratic leadership? Which of the leadership styles is the least effective?

Chapters 16-18

Reading Check

1. What is found among the shredded scripts the day of the play, pointing blame at Wallace?

2. Who goes to visit Wallace after he is blamed for sabotaging the scripts?

Short Answer

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

1. What does Wallace’s football coach describe as Wallace’s strength? What evidence in the novel supports the coach’s claim?

2. How has Mr. Fogelman changed since joining the Dead Mangoes?

Chapters 19-21

Reading Check

1. How do the drama students intend to change the play’s ending in honor of Wallace?

2. Who stole Wallace’s jersey during the post-game party last year?

3. Whom does Rachel receive a letter from?

Short Answer

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

1. What might the reader conclude about Trudi’s character? Does she experience character growth in the novel?

2. What lie does Wallace tell? Why?

Recommended Next Reads

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

• This novel is about a boy who falls in love with a free-spirited girl but pressures her to become more like the other students in their school.
• Shared themes include Honesty Resolves Conflicts, You Don’t Need to Be the Best to Be Happy, and Forced Adherence Leads to Poor Performance and Resentment.
• Shared topics include gossip, biases, and individuality.
• Stargirl on SuperSummary

The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin

• This novel is about a middle school girl who develops a jellyfish theory to cope with losing her friend.
• Shared themes include Honesty Resolves Conflicts.
• Shared topics include confirmation bias, fitting in, and bullying.
• The Thing About Jellyfish on SuperSummary