55 pages • 1 hour read
Betty G. BirneyThe World According to Humphrey
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2004A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
During Reading
Reading Questions & Paired Texts
Reading Check and Short Answer Questions on key points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.
CHAPTERS 1-5
Reading Check
1. What is the room number of the classroom where Humphrey makes his home?
2. Why does Humphrey sleep all day, according to Heidi?
3. Who is Aldo’s nephew, as Humphrey learns in Chapter 3?
4. What is Mrs. Brisbane’s first name, as Humphrey discovers in Chapter 4?
5. What are the names of Mr. Morales’s two kids?
Short Answer
Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.
1. Why was Ms. Mac substituting in Mrs. Brisbane’s class?
2. Why does Aldo dislike his job as a janitor at Longfellow School?
3. What does Mrs. Brisbane do that causes Sayeh to cry in Chapter 3? How does Humphrey respond?
4. Why does Mr. Morales volunteer to take Humphrey home for the weekend in Chapter 4?
5. How do Mr. Morales’s kids get Humphrey to return to his cage in Chapter 5? What effect does this experience have on them as a family?
Paired Resource
“Pets of PWCS – Humphrey the Hamster”
- In this brief video, Mullen Elementary schoolers show off their furry new friend, inspired by Humphrey.
- Students mention that having “Humphrey” in the classroom makes them feel happy, which connects to the theme of Self-Discovery Through Learning From Others.
