Roller Girl

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

Chapters 1-4

Reading Check

1. Who is the roller girl Astrid admires the most?

2. Which camp does Nicole want to attend instead of roller derby camp?

3. Why does Astrid wash her hands 50 times in first grade?

4. What does Nicole give to Astrid as a gift?

Short Answer

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

1. Why does Astrid initially want to play roller derby?

2. What disagreement begins the distance between Astrid and Nicole?

3. How does Astrid react at the roller rink when she realizes skating is harder than she thought?

Chapters 5-8

Reading Check

1. What is the correct way to fall in roller derby?

2. What does Astrid say in her first note to Rainbow Bite?

3. Who is Astrid’s main roller derby coach?

4. What does Astrid change about her appearance?

Short Answer

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

1. What happens to Astrid when the team goes for an outdoor skate, and what is her new perspective?

2. How do Zoey and Astrid first connect?

3. What is missing from Astrid’s roller derby persona?

Paired Resource

“How Playing Sports Benefits Your Body and Your Brain”

• This 4-minute educational video from TedEd discusses the mental, physical, and social benefits of participating in sports.
• What are some of the benefits Astrid gains from participating in roller derby? How does it change her as a person?

Chapters 9-12

Reading Check

1. What intimidation tactic does Heidi teach the team?

2. Which position does Astrid want to play?

3. What does Rachel tell Nicole at the fairground?

4. What has Astrid been lying to her mother about?

Short Answer

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

1. How does Astrid react when she overhears Rachel and Nicole talking about her, and why does she react this way?

2. Why does Astrid begin punching her teddy bear?

3. What is the mixed news that Astrid and Zoey receive from Heidi, and how does it affect their friendship?

Paired Resource

“Stress Management and Teens”

• This website, created by the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychology, lists possible stressors for teens, how parents/teachers can help them cope, and strategies teens can use to manage their emotions and stress.
• Which of the strategies in the article do you use? What strategies (whether on the list or otherwise) do you think Astrid might begin using to manage her emotions as she matures?

“What Makes a Good Friend?”

• In this brief video, children submit their ideas of what a good friend is to them.
• This resource connects to the theme The Importance of Friendship in Identity Formation.
• What makes a good friend, in your opinion? Is Astrid a good friend? Why or why not?

Chapters 13-16

Reading Check

1. What are Zoey’s interests besides roller derby?

2. What derby name does Astrid choose?

3. How does Astrid show her skills and team spirit during the big game?

4. Who thinks Astrid is a hero?

Short Answer

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

1. How does Astrid show that she cares about Zoey?

2. Why does Astrid reject Nicole’s invitation to dinner after the game?

3. What does Astrid use her time for when she has to go to the library?

Recommended Next Reads

The Flyers by Beth Turley

• This book tells the story of friends growing apart over the summer as they both pursue different interests, much like what Astrid begins to experience.
• The story shares Roller Girl’s theme of The Importance of Friendship in Identity Formation.

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

• This middle grade novel in verse features 12-year-old protagonist Josh Bell, whose basketball skills and experiences metaphorically parallel his joys and conflicts with peers and family members.
• This novel’s theme of Confidence and Vulnerability shares ideas with the themes of Embracing Fear and Opportunity Born of Loss and Failure.
• The Crossover on SuperSummary