Appendix 2: Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

1. A narrator tells the story. Who is the narrator? Describe that person.
2. Alma plays a musical instrument. What is it? How did it get its name? Describe it.
3. What does “plink, plink, plink, plunk” mean? What does “my dog has fleas?” mean?
4. What does Alma want? Why can’t Alma get what she wants? What is the problem?

Chapter 2

1. Why do people say Quang is weird?
2. How did Alma and Quang first meet?
3. How many songs has Alma written? What are they about?
4. How does Alma get ready to play her ukulele and sing?

Chapter 3

1. The setting is the place and time of the story. Where and when does this story happen?
2. Who are Francisco and Onry? Describe them.
3. Who wrote the song “Lean On Me”? What does it mean?
4. Francisco wants to help Alma do something. What is it?

Chapter 4

1. What is the relationship between the boy and Francisco?
2. Francisco receives an important phone call. Who is calling? Why is it important?
3. Francisco writes a song, but Alma does not take it. Why not?
4. Francisco sings, “Your sunshine is my moonbeam.” What does this mean?

Chapter 5

1. Who are Ahmed and Abdi? Describe them.
2. Why does Abdi use a wheelchair?
3. What musical instrument does Abdi play?
4. What is the special flower of the city of Portland?

Chapter 6

1. Why is Alma so busy today? What is she doing?
2. What happens when Alma drops the heavy bag of flour?
3. At a Ukrainian wedding, what happens when people shout “Hirko! Hirko!”?
4. Who kisses whom?

Chapter 7

1. Quang tells Alma, “Show me the jumping fleas!” What does he mean?
2. Alma tries to play a song for Quang. What happens?
3. Which lyrics remind us about Francisco, Ahmed and Abdi, and the Ukrainian cake cousins?
4. How does Quang react to Alma’s singing?

Chapter 8

1. What is the difference between “pie” and “pi”?
2. Who is the “wonderful weirdo”?
3. What is in the “box of weird wonder”?
4. What happens at the end of the story?