Aladdin: book club questions by chapter

🦉 Aladdin · meeting 1 of 3

Read: Part One, “The Uncle Who Wasn't”; Part Two, “The Cave” (pages 1–7, about 6 minutes aloud).
Stop at the end of page 7, and don't read on: the next part is for next time.

1. What was the fruit on the trees in the cave made of?
   The story's answer: Jewels
2. How did Aladdin get out of the cave?
   The story's answer: He rubbed the ring and its genie took him home
3. Who have we met so far, and what does each of them want?
   Listen for: Make a list together on the board; keep it for next time and add to it.
4. The part we just read is called "The Cave". Why do you think it has that name?
   Listen for: Any answer that points to a moment in the part is a good one; ask for the page.
5. Stop here. What do you think will happen next? Write or draw one guess to check next time.
   Listen for: Keep the guesses in an envelope. Don't say whether a guess is right: the next part will.

🦉 Aladdin · meeting 2 of 3

Read: Part Three, “The Lamp”; Part Four, “The Princess” (pages 8–12, about 4 minutes aloud).
Stop at the end of page 12, and don't read on: the next part is for next time.

1. Look back at last time's guesses. Which came true, and what surprised you?
   Listen for: Read the guesses out. Nobody was wrong: a guess that missed often shows what the author wanted us to expect.
2. The part we just read is called "The Princess". Why do you think it has that name?
   Listen for: Any answer that points to a moment in the part is a good one; ask for the page.
3. Stop here. What do you think will happen next? Write or draw one guess to check next time.
   Listen for: Keep the guesses in an envelope. Don't say whether a guess is right: the next part will.

🦉 Aladdin · meeting 3 of 3

Read: Part Five, “New Lamps for Old” (pages 13–16, about 4 minutes aloud).
Stop at the end of page 16, the end of the story.

1. Why did the magician pretend to be Aladdin's uncle?
   The story's answer: He wanted Aladdin to fetch the lamp for him
2. Why did the princess let the servants trade the old lamp?
   The story's answer: She did not know its secret
3. How did Aladdin change from the start of the story to the end?
   The story's answer: He went from lazy to wise and careful
4. Look back at last time's guesses. Which came true, and what surprised you?
   Listen for: Read the guesses out. Nobody was wrong: a guess that missed often shows what the author wanted us to expect.
5. The part we just read is called "New Lamps for Old". Why do you think it has that name?
   Listen for: Any answer that points to a moment in the part is a good one; ask for the page.
6. Now that you know the ending, was it the ending you expected?
   Listen for: Ask what in the earlier parts pointed to it, or pointed the other way.

About the whole story

1. What does this story tell you about the place it comes from?
   Listen for: Food, weather, animals, how people live: anything the story shows.
2. Does it remind you of another story you know?
   Listen for: Many folk tales have cousins in other countries.