My Life as a Book

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 1-7

Reading Check

1. What does Ms. Williams gift to Derek on the last day of class?

2. What do Derek and Matt use to make fruit grenades?

3. Who does Carly take home for the summer?

4. What does Derek do to his dad while he’s sleeping?

Short Answer

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

1. Why does Derek draw illustrations in the margins?

2. What is Derek’s dad worried about?

3. How does Derek feel about reading books without pictures?

Paired Resource

Calvin & Hobbes: Why Calvin Does Not Like School

• Derek enjoys Calvin & Hobbes, and this comic demonstrates why he relates to Calvin: Calvin dislikes school because it doesn’t focus on things he’s interested in.
• Do you agree with Derek and Calvin about school? Why or why not?

“Explore Vocabulary as a Class Through This Illustration Activity”

• This Scholastic article explores reasons and detailed strategies for using illustration in vocabulary study, similar to the strategy that Derek uses.
• What strategies do you use to remember vocabulary/words? Do you think any of the strategies in this article might work for you?

Chapters 8-14

Reading Check

1. Where does Derek’s mother send him?

2. Who does Derek sneak out of the vet clinic?

3. Who does Derek’s mother want to set him up a playdate with?

4. What do Derek’s parents try to turn into a math problem?

Short Answer

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

1. What does Derek insist that his parents tell him the truth about, and what does he learn?

2. How does Derek react when he finds out that Matt is going to Martha’s Vineyard?

3. What does Margot teach Derek about reading?

Paired Resource

”Visualizing”

• This article from California State Polytechnic University explains what visualizing is and how it can be useful for students as they read and digest various texts.
• What is a book that helped you visualize something, and how did you find this useful?

“At Black River” by Mary Oliver

• This poem by Mary Oliver contains strong imagery. Students can listen to the poem being orated while practicing the visualization technique that Margot teaches Derek as an Alternative Approach to Learning.
• What kind of imagery do you visualize when you hear this poem?

Chapters 15-22

Reading Check

1. What does Derek discover on the internet?

2. How does Carly surprise Derek?

3. What does Matt reveal about Martha’s Vineyard?

4. Who does Derek convince his mother to visit?

Short Answer

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

1. Why does Derek’s mother agree to go to Martha’s Vineyard?

2. What are the two important emails that Derek receives, and why are they important?

3. What does Derek try to do without Margot for the first time?

Paired Resource

Photos of Martha’s Vineyard

• This website provides a comprehensive collection of high-quality photographs of the island where Susan died and the place that Derek and his family visit at the end of the summer.
• What is a place in the world that holds personal significance for you, and why?

Chapters 23-33

Reading Check

1. What does Derek look at in the bookstore?

2. Who do Derek and his parents meet and find out the truth from?

3. Where do Derek and his parents go after visiting South Beach?

4. How does Derek present his book report?

Short Answer

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

1. How does Pedro inspire Derek?

2. Why does Derek’s mother refrain from confronting Madeline?

3. What does Lauren give Derek, and why is it special?

Recommended Next Reads

My Life as a Stuntboy by Janet Tashjian

• Volume 2 in the My Life series continues to follow the life of Derek Fallon and his journey through the worlds of childhood and adolescence.
• Themes in common with Volume 1 include Overcoming Obstacles and Human Lives as Stories.

Superfudge by Judy Blume

• This novel for children grades 4-6 follows Peter, who (like Derek) is struggling with the demands of growing up. The book is similar to My Life as a Book in its humorous tone and family-centered plot.
• Superfudge on SuperSummary