48 Reading Comprehension/Discussion Questions Instead of 'Did you like it?'

Things you can ask a child about something they've read/heard read aloud...

1) Which character was the most like you?
2) Which character was the least like you?
3) If you were going to make a movie out of this book, tell me who you'd want to play (insert role).
4) What part of this story gave you the strongest emotions?
5) How would you describe this book to a friend?
6) Can you think of 3 words to describe the (bad guy/hero/etc.)
7) Would you be friends with any of the characters if they were real?
8) What was your favourite scene?
9) Did the author use any literary devices that you disliked? (Too much rhyming, cliffhangers, etc.)

10) Why did this book appeal/not appeal to the critics?

11) Are there cover blurbs from other authors?  Who are they?  What did THEY write?  Why do you think they liked THIS book?

12) Is this similar to anything else you've read?  How?  

13) Why do you think you picked this book up, anyway?

14) How do you feel about the cover art?  Do you think it 'fit' the story?  Why?
15) Did you find any spelling or grammar mistakes in the text?

16) Did the story ever drag?  When?  Why?  Why did you keep reading?
17) Did the author use any interesting fonts or designs?

18) Were there footnotes or endnotes?  Did you read them?  Did they answer any questions?
19) Who did the author dedicate the book to?  Why?  Who are they?

20) Is this a good story to read before bed?

21) Was there an introduction?  Did you read it?  Did it help?  Would you suggest people skip it?
22) Was there an appendix?  A table of contents?  Did any of that improve your understanding?

23) Is this the author's first book?  Tenth book?

24) Have you read anything else by them?

25) Were there illustrations?  Who was the illustrator?

26) Who was the cover designer?  

27) Did the title page give you any interesting information?

28) Was there foreign language in the text?  Did you look it up?

29) Did this book make you hungry, thirsty, tired, energetic, etc.?

30) Is there a sequel?

31) How many pages did you read in a sitting? Why so low/high?

32) How would you change the characters, if you could?

33) Did you think that was a good ending?  Would you change it?  How?

34) Did you ever cry while reading it?  Why?

35) Do you think the chapters were split up at good points in the story?

36) Why do you think (character) did (action)?

37) Is there any foreshadowing?

38) At what point did you think you knew how it would end?  Or was it a complete surprise?

39) Could this have been a shorter book?  Or did it need to be this long to tell the whole story properly?

40) Could this be a longer book?  Or would it drag?

41) Who do you know who would like this book?

42) If you met the author, what questions would you ask them?

43) If you could choose a soundtrack for this book, what music would you choose?

44) What other books could you compare this one to?

45) What did this author do really well?

46) What did this author do poorly?

47) Imagine you have a bookstore of your own.  What would you put in a window display to showcase this book?

48) If the author came to a party at your house, who else would you invite and why?