Ms. McKay's Reading Response Questions
Fifth Grade Reading Response Questions
You must respond four times for each book you read: before you read, after the beginning of the book, in the middle of the book, and at the end of the book.
Before You Read Questions (Choose 1):
1) What do you think this book is about? (Look at the front cover picture and read the back cover.)
2) Do you think this book will be similar to any other book you've read before? Which ones and why?
3) What do you predict will happen in this book?
4) Do you think you will like this book? Why or why not?
Beginning of Your Book Questions (Choose 1):
1) What did the author do to get you interested in the book? (All)
2) What have you discovered about the main character(s) so far? (Fiction) 3) What do you know about where and when the story takes place? (Fiction) 4) Do you have any hunches about what might happen next? Why? (Fiction) 5) What do you want to learn from this book? (Non-Fiction)
Middle of Your Book Questions (Choose 1):
1) In what ways has the main character changed since the beginning of the book? Why? (Fiction)
2) What happened in the story that surprised you? (Fiction)
3) What is the main problem in the story? (Fiction)
4) If you could speak to one of the characters in your book, what might you say to them? (Fiction)
5) Does the author include opinion and fact statements into the book? Find examples of each. (Non-fiction)
Finished with Your Book Questions (Choose 1):
1) Did the story end the way you expected it to? Why or why not? (Fiction) 2) What can you imagine will happen to the character(s) after the story ended? Why do you think so? (Fiction)
3) Did the book leave you with unanswered questions? What are these? (All) 4) Is the title a good choice for this book? Why or why not? What would be another good title? Why? (All)
5) If you could talk to the author, what would you say and ask? Why? (All)
Extra Reading Response questions (fiction):
1•Name two characters from your book. Tell me 2 ways that they are alike, and 2 ways that they are different. Suggestion: use a Venn Diagram to help organize your ideas before you write.
2• What are the things you like best about the main character’s personality? What do you like the least? Why? Is this someone you would want as a friend? Why or why not?
3•Which character in this book is least like you? Explain what he or she thinks or does that makes him or her so different from you. Give examples from the book.
4•Pick you favorite scene, describe it and tell why you like it. What words does the author use to make it clear in your mind?
5•Predict what you think will happen next in the book. Why do you think this is likely to happen?
6•If you could change something in the story, what would it be, and how would you change it? How might it affect the way the book ends?
7•If you were going to give the main character some gifts, what would you give him/her? Describe two or three presents they might like and tell why you chose them.
8•How would you describe the way you feel about this book? ( Love it, dislike it, bored by it, cant put it down, etc. ) Give an example of a part that really made you feel the way that you do.
9•How would you describe the way you feel about this book? ( Love it, dislike it, bored by it, cant put it down, etc. ) Give an example of a part that really made you feel the way that you do.
10•How is the book like or not like your own life? Explain.
11•What character(s) in the book would you like to be? Why?
12•Does the character or topic remind you of your friends, family or classmates? Explain and give examples of each.
13•What are the things you like best about the main character's personality? What do you like the least? Why? Is this someone you would want as a friend? Why or why not?
