Name  __________________________

Seventh Grade Summer Reading Guide for The Tale of Desperaux, by Kate DiCamillo

1.  How is Despereaux different from the other mice?

     ______________________________________________________________

2. What happens when Despereaux’s sister Merlot tries to teach him to nibble paper?   How does this affect the rest of the story?

   __________________________________________________________________

3. Why does the King tell the Princess not to speak with Despereaux? When Despereaux leaves the Princess, he says to her, "I honor you." Why?

____________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

4.  Why does the Mouse Council call Despereaux before them? What is their decision?

_____________________________________________________________________

5.  Who is Gregory, and how does he help Despereaux?

_____________________________________________________________________

6.  Who is Miggery Sow? How does she come to be at the castle?

_____________________________________________________________________

7.  Who are Boticelli and Roscuro? Why does Botticelli tell Roscuro to take the red cloth from Miggery Sow’s father? What does Roscuro believe the cloth will do?

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

8. What does the Queen love more than anything in the world? Why is it banned from the kingdom?

____________________________________________________________________

9. What is Roscuro’s plan for the Princess? What does he think he will gain from this plan?

_____________________________________________________________________

10. What do Miggery Sow and the Princess Pea have in common?

_____________________________________________________________________

11. Who is the threadmaster, and what is his job? How does he end up helping Despereaux?

____________________________________________________________________

12. When Despereaux comes upon Cook in the kitchen, what is she doing? Why is Cook afraid?

____________________________________________________________________

13. When Despereaux goes down into the dungeon to save the Princess, what four things do the rats smell? Why?

___________________________________________________________________

14. Which two characters lose their tails in the story, and how?

___________________________________________________________________

15. Does Despereaux succeed in his quest to save the Princess? What is the outcome of his quest?

____________________________________________________________________

16.  What does the author hope the reader will find in the story?

_____________________________________________________________________

17.  Did you enjoy this book?  Why/why not?

_____________________________________________________________________

       ________________________________________________________________

Click Here to Download these Question