Fish in a Tree

Question 1

Why “can’t” Ally read?

Answer 1

She has dyslexia

Question 2

How does Mr. Daniels tell the class about Ally’s dyslexia?

Answer 2

He shows pictures of famous people thought to have dyslexia

Question 3

What is wrong with Ally’s card to Mrs. Hall?

Answer 3

It’s a sympathy card

Question 4

What makes Keisha’s cupcakes special?

Answer 4

They have letters in the center

Question 5

What’s wrong with Shay’s friendship bracelets?

Answer 5

Shay sells them

Question 6

How do the Nickersons’ describe their day?

Answer 6

Silver dollar day (good day) or wooden nickel day (bad day)

Question 7

Where is Ally’s dad?

Answer 7

At war

Question 8

Why does Mrs. Nickerson tell Ally to sit with Shay?

Answer 8

She wants Ally to make friends

Question 9

Where are Albert’s bruises from?

Answer 9

Bullies

Question 10

What makes Albert stand up to the bullies?

Answer 10

Keisha and Ally are threatened

Question 11

What does Ally write for her paper about her?

Answer 11

“Why?” over and over

Question 12

What is special about the letters Albert sees backwards?

Answer 12

If you were to reverse them, they would still be the same letter (O, T, U, etc)

Question 13

Albert makes a sign to support Ally for class president. and he made use of her name as a homonym. What does Albert’s poster say?

Answer 13

Ally is your Ally. Give her your vote!

Question 14

What literary character does Ally identify with?

Answer 14

Alice from Alice in Wonderland

Question 15

In the book, Ally says “I wish I had my Sketchbook of Impossible Things. It’s the only thing that makes me feel like I’m not a waste of space.” What does Ally draw in her sketchbook?

Answer 15

Ally draws the images she sees in her mind movies.

Question 16

Who runs for class president?
All

Answer 16

Ally and Shay

Question 17

How does Mr. Daniels accidentally embarrass Ally?

Answer 17

He leaves a note for the substitute teacher saying that Ally doesn’t have to write, and the teacher reads it to the whole class

Question 18

What was off about Max’s letter?

Answer 18

It was actually written by Shay

Question 19

How does Ally get herself out of writing?

Answer 19

She fakes having a cast

Question 20

Why doesn’t Ally accept the poetry award?

Answer 20

She thinks it’s a pity award

Question 21

Why does Albert eat so much food at lunch?

Answer 21

His family doesn’t have very much food at their house

Question 22

What is Mr. Daniel’s nickname for the class?

Answer 22

Fantasicos

Question 23

Why did Mrs. Hall leave?

Answer 23

She was going to have a baby

Question 24

What does Mr. Daniels compare Ally’s reading problem to?

Answer 24

A fish trying to climb a tree

Question 25

Who is Ally’s fictional character?

Answer 25

Roy G. Biv

Question 26

The title of the story, Fish in a Tree, reflects the quotation: “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” What famous scientist said this?

Answer 26

Albert Einstein