Just What I Always Wanted

'Just what I always wanted'
By various

Kevin Kerr has contributed these guided reading questions. As always, any more resources for this book would be gratefully received!

Pages 7-17 Mackerel and Chips by Michael Morpurgo

Who kept the bed and breakfast where they always stayed?
What was the name of the boat that took visitors to see the seals off Eastern Island?
What happened to Mr Pender when the boat lurched violently?
The text mentions khaki, what does this mean?
What do you think happened to the soldier?

Pages 21-28 Little Green Men by Jean Ure

What was the reason they camped out?
What do you think telepathy is?
What was Pippa scared of?
Did the Space ship really land?

Pages 31-37 Elephants Revenge by Jamila Gavin

Why did the elephants come to the riverbank every day?
What did the whole herd do for the young calf?
What was the name of the elephant keeper?
Why did the elephants charge?
Do you think it is right to take young animals away from their parents?

Pages 41-46 World Cup Fever by Michael Hardcastle

Do you think Matthew and his mum agreed about the importance of football?
Where was Miss McCormack going on holiday?
What happened after bowling?
Labyrinth is used in the text, what do you think it means?
Was Matthew happy to be in hospital?

Pages 49-54 Hunt the Baby by Jacqueline Wilson

Where did Elsa live?
What had happened in their old place?
What happened to Hank at the car boot sale?
Where did they finally find Hank?

Pages 57-68 Joey and the Dutch Destroyer by Brian Jacques

How old was Joey?
Who was Mr Angelo talking to when he said 'Christmas was no fun without a Pappa'?
Joey knew his mother would like something, what was it?
Jeggzers laugh sounded like what?
Who was the old man who helped Joey?

Pages 71-80 Olympic Marathon by Morris Gleitzman

Which number Olympics were in Australia?
Who was Hoppy?
Dad got them to stand on a podium, what is a podium?
What was hung around mum's neck?
If you were 'glued to the TV', what would be happening?

Pages 83-90 Now That's What I Call Spooky by Kaye Umansky

Examine the 1st paragraph and explain how the writer builds atmosphere.
Who were playing cards?
What was the month?
How many knocks on the door were there?
Who was at the door?

Pages 93-99 Between Dogs by Hilary McKay

What type of dog had Bumper been?
Why did Patrick feel 'not right'?
What sort of things did Patrick keep imagining?
If you had a new dog what would you call it?

Pages 102-112 Carnival by Gillian Cross

What was the tall man looking at opposite Bernadine's house?
What were carnival meetings never?
In the end what was decided?
What exactly had the tall man done?
What did Bernadine and Stevie do on the day of the carnival?

Pages 115-120 Just What I Always Wanted by Steve May

'It was a nightmare when Granny and Grandad visited', explain why?
How did the grand parents always greet Tom?
What was Grandad's Christian name?
What exactly was the present?

Pages 123-131 The Lex Files by Robert Swindells

What record did James Otterbury hold?
What does 'every boarding school have'?
How old was the school?
What was the reason for moving the school to a big house?
Who got buried properly in the end?

Pages 135-143 The Traveller by Theresa Breslin

On that particular night what was the weather like?
What happened as the storm got to it's wildest?
Who did the innkeeper curse?
What did the Traveller do in the house of Aeleslan?
Who was the youth?

Pages 147-153 The Dog Snatcher by Pete Johnson

How often did the cyberdog beep?
What was the teacher's name?
What was the reason that Suzy never did her homework? What did Suzy replace the cyberdog with?