Reading Comprehension: Beauty, by Robin McKinley

I sat on my bed and looked out at the quiet woods, black and silver in snow and moonlight, and serene. There was nothing watchful or brooding about that stillness; whatever secrets were hidden in that forest were so perfectly kept that their existence could not be suspected nor even imagined by any rational faculty.’

‘Beauty’ is a retelling of the classic fairy tale ‘Beauty and the Beast’. Written in 1978 and widely considered to be a classic, the novel is an excellent choice for readers in the 12-13 age group. Written in an easy, polished style, it is the sort of book that one reads more than once to relish the vivid characters, tantalizing details and satisfying plot. The carefully-crafted embellishments are all solidly founded on European history and folktale ‘magic’.

In this file you will find questions and a few Bonus Assignments to make a solid Reading Comprehension unit for the novel. Included are:

· Detailed instructions for how to proceed

· Thoughtful written response questions, one for each of the ten chapters. Some of these include additional materials such as a painting or poem (included)

· Simple versions of the original folktale in English and in French

· Bonus assignments (essay writing, further research, Beauty’s Reading List, cake-baking, etc.)

Please note, the novel must be purchased separately.