Questions
Questions for James and the Giant Peach
Section 1
Why does life change for James Henry Trotter?
Give two examples showing that Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker are unpleasant.
What word means the same, or is a synonym, for peculiar?
What word means the opposite, or is an antonym, for miserable?
What would you do with 1,000 crocodile tongues?
What is the peculiar event that happens to James?
Reflection: The story begins by describing James having to endure living with abusive relatives after his parents died. In chapter 2 it says that James was “overwhelmed by his own unhappiness.” Tell about a time that you felt unhappy. What did you do to make yourself feel better? Things we do to help ourselves feel better are called coping strategies.
Section 2
What happens after James trips and falls?
What is a synonym for vanished?
What was Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spikers’ reaction to the growing peach?
Why do you think they reacted that way?
Reflection: James is given magical “green things” that the old man promises will make “marvelous things” happen to him. James is full of anticipation and hope until he trips and they scatter all over the ground. Tell about a time that you were looking forward to something and then it didn't happen. How did that make you feel? Has something unexpected ever happened in your life, like in James’ life?
Section 3
Why does James want to be outside when the people come to see the peach?
How do you think James felt when he was all alone outside at night?
What is an antonym of gigantic?
What does James discover at the bottom of the peach?
Reflection: The giant peach was truly a magical thing to see. It must have been very exciting for James and his aunts to have it at their home. What is something magical you would like to appear at your home? Would you want people to know about it?
Section 4
Choose one word to describe each insect
Grasshopper
Spider
Ladybug
Earthworm
Centipede
At first, James is frightened of the insects. What is he afraid of?
How does James' new bed compare to his old one?
Reflection: At the end of chapter 13 it says that James was “beginning to like his new friends very much.” What are character traits you like in a friend? What character traits do you have that make you a good friend to others?
Section 5
What event is happening that wakes James up?
How do Aunt Sponge and Aunt Striker feel about this event?
What is an antonym for panicked?
What happens to the two aunts after the big crunch!?!
Imagine you are a newspaper reporter covering the story of the giant peach rolling away...What would you write to describe the event?
REFLECTION:James and the insects are heading out on a marvelous journey. Draw a picture showing what a marvelous journey would look like to you.
Section 6
What word is a synonym for chaos?
Do you think James and the insects still think leaving the aunts was a good idea?
What do you think the insects and James expect to see when they climb out of the peach?
REFLECTION: What do you think it was like for James and the insects to experience the peach rolling and bumping around? Take a moment and actually roll around where you are at. Thinking about the feelings of others is called empathy (remember-“walking in someone else’s shoes”).
Section 7
What is a synonym for gloomy?
What problems did James help solve?
The peach is described as marvelous, heavenly, and fabulous. What are some antonyms for those words?
REFLECTION: It says “James took a deep, slow breath.” What circumstances led up to that and how do you think a deep, slow breath helped? Take a deep breath in through your nose and breathe out through your mouth now. How do you feel?
Section 8
What animal swims over to the peach?
What are antonyms for Ridiculous, Absurd, Poppycock, Balderdash, and Madness?
Describe James’ plan to escape the sharks.
How does the Earthworm feel about the plan?
REFLECTION: The insects have different reactions to James’ idea. Mostly they are all hopeful and appreciative. How would you respond to James’ idea? Show on your face how you would look. What are the words you would say?
Section 9
How does James lure the seagulls to the peach?
How does earthworm stay safe?
How many seagulls does it take to life the peach and fly?
What is a synonym for majestically?
REFLECTION: James and the insects show determination when they kept working to lift the peach into the air. Finally, “majestically,” the peach lifts into the air. Do you remember a time you worked hard at something and achieved it? What is a feeling word that describes how you felt?
Section 10
What do they find when Miss Spider inspects the peach?
What do James and his friends see below them in the water now?
What are two fun facts you learned about animals in this section?
REFLECTION: What is one of the grasshoppers strengths (something he’s good at)? What is one of your strengths, write it BIG on a piece of paper?
Section 11
What do the Earthworm and the Ladybug have in common?
How is this different than Miss Spider?
What is different about the Centipede?
Explain what happens as Centipede is dancing around on the peach.
At night, would you rather go inside the peach or stay on top? Why?
REFLECTION: In chapter 25 Miss Spider explains how it feels to be treated badly just because people don’t like the way she looks. It’s never okay to be mean to someone because they look different from you. Always remember the Golden Rule: Treat others the way you want to be treated!
Section 12
Describe the cloud-men.
REFLECTION: What did the centipede do that infuriated the cloud-men? What are things that you can do if people treat you badly? How can you resolve problems peacefully (think of as many ways as you can)?
Section 13
According to this chapter, how are rainbows made?
When the Cloud-men could not catch the peach, what did they do?
While they are helping to clean Centipede, what bad memory of paint does Miss Spider share?
What ends up solving Centipede's paint problem?
REFLECTION: People still enjoy reading Roald Dahl’s books now, but this book was originally written in 1961. In chapter 28 the grasshopper says “I’d rather be fried alive and eaten by a Mexican!” It's hard to know exactly what the author meant by this but he was certainly describing something unpleasant happening. In a lot of older books, tv shows, songs and movies there is language that people used to use but is no longer appropriate to say. Talk to your family about why this statement in the book would not be appropriate to use now.
Section 14
Where do the friends realize the peach has taken them?
What do the people think the peach is at first?
After cutting the right amount of strings to land safely, how do the other strings get cut?
Where does the peach land?
REFLECTION: The people in the city were extremely frightened when they saw the giant peach. Sometimes things that we are not used to, or we’ve never heard of before, can be terrifying until we learn more about them. Do you remember when you first heard about the coronavirus and how you felt? Do you feel any differently now that you have learned more about it?
Section 15
What are some of the funny names they thought the Centipede was called?
How does James describe his friends:
Centipede
Earthworm
Grasshopper
Glow=worm
Miss Spider
Ladybug
Silkworm
REFLECTION: Each of James’ friends had a special strength that helped them along their journey. We too can use our own special strengths to help others. Tell about a time you used one of your strengths to help someone at home or school. How did that make you feel?
Section 16
During the parade, what are children doing to the peach?
What happens to your favorite animal at the end of the book?
Where does James end up living?
Why did James write the story of the giant peach?
REFLECTION: The story ends by saying that “James Henry Trotter, who once, if you remember, had been the saddest and loneliest little boy that you could find, now had all the friends and playmates in the world.” What changed for James? How does James help his situation by being open and respectful to the insects? Is James someone you think you would enjoy being friends with? Why?