Mr. Popper's Penguins

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Mr. Popper is described as absent-minded and dreamy.

• What behaviors of Mr. Popper reinforce his description as a dreamy character? (topic sentence)
• Describe three instances from the novel in which Mr. Popper behaves in an absentminded or dreamy way.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, summarize how Mr. Popper’s absentmindedness contributes to his adaptability in caring for the penguins.

2. Captain Cook collects items from the house to create a rookery.  

• Why does Captain Cook create a rookery in Mr. Popper’s house? (topic sentence)
• Discuss and analyze Captain Cook’s actions in creating the rookery. Why might it be important to Captain Cook to take care with the rookery? How is the rookery connected to Captain Cook’s illness?
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, briefly explain how Captain Cook’s rookery is connected to the novel’s theme of The Primacy of Family Relationships.

3. Mr. Popper and his penguins travel throughout the country on a tour. The authors write that “[i]t was a long way now to the little house at 432 Proudfoot Avenue…”

• What general message are the authors communicating to the reader with this statement? (topic sentence)
• Explain with at least three details from the text the authors’ intended meaning of this statement in support of your topic sentence. For example, in what ways are the Poppers’ lives different? Why mention the physical address?
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, evaluate the extent to which you think the differences in the Poppers’ lives are permanent.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by textual details, and a conclusion.

1. Mr. Popper feels conflicted when he gives the refrigerator serviceman his last five dollars to care for Captain Cook. Consider the novel’s theme, The Primacy of Family Relationships. In an essay of at least three main points, explain whether you believe it is right for Mr. Popper to spend money on his penguin when his family needs it. Support your response using quotes from the text.

2. Mr. Popper’s solution to his money troubles is to train his penguins to perform tricks to entertain audiences. Consider whether Mr. Popper’s decision to train the penguins is justified. Incorporate multiple details from the text into a well-structured paragraph to support your thinking.

3. Admiral Drake asks Mr. Popper to watch over his penguins at the North Pole. Mrs. Popper and the children willingly permit Mr. Popper to stay. Consider the temperament of Mrs. Popper, the Popper financial situation, and Mr. Popper’s relationship with his family. In an essay of at least three main points, describe whether you believe Mr. Popper made the right choice to remain in the North Pole. Support your response by referring to specific details and ideas from the novel.