The Tale of Despereaux Worksheets

by Kate DiCamillo

Reading Level R · Lexile 670L · ATOS 4.1

A brave, big-eared mouse named Despereaux sets out to rescue a human princess from the dungeon — an interwoven tale of light, darkness, and forgiveness.

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Free The Tale of Despereaux vocabulary & comprehension worksheets

Build printable The Tale of Despereaux worksheets in seconds — 16 chapters to choose from, with 64 vocabulary words and 48 comprehension questions in all. Pick a chapter, choose the words and questions you want, then print for free or assign online — no login required, and every worksheet comes with a matching answer key.

Chapters you can make worksheets for

Book the First: Despereaux Is Born (Chapters 1-2) 4 words · 3 questions
Book the First: A Mouse Who Loves Music and Light (Chapters 3-4) 4 words · 3 questions
Book the First: Despereaux Falls in Love with the Princess Pea (Chapters 5-7) 4 words · 3 questions
Book the First: The Mouse Council Banishes Despereaux (Chapters 8-15) 4 words · 3 questions
Book the Second: Chiaroscuro the Rat and a Love of Light (Chapters 16-18) 4 words · 3 questions
Book the Second: Roscuro Climbs into the Light (Chapters 19-20) 4 words · 3 questions
Book the Second: The Queen Dies and Soup Is Outlawed (Chapters 21-23) 4 words · 3 questions
Book the Second: Roscuro Plots His Revenge (Chapters 22-23) 4 words · 3 questions
Book the Third: Miggery Sow's Hard Life (Chapters 24-25) 4 words · 3 questions
Book the Third: Mig's Wish to Be a Princess (Chapters 26-28) 4 words · 3 questions
Book the Third: Roscuro Uses Mig in His Plot (Chapters 29-33) 4 words · 3 questions
Book the Fourth: Despereaux Survives the Dungeon (Chapters 34-35) 4 words · 3 questions
Book the Fourth: The Princess Is Kidnapped (Chapters 36-39) 4 words · 3 questions
Book the Fourth: Despereaux Arms Himself with a Needle (Chapters 40-45) 4 words · 3 questions
Book the Fourth: Into the Dungeon to Rescue the Princess (Chapters 46-49) 4 words · 3 questions
Book the Fourth: Light, Forgiveness, and Soup (Chapters 50-52 and Coda) 4 words · 3 questions

Sample vocabulary words

litter
disappointment
ordeal
siblings
remarkable
trembling
captivating
conform
honor
adoringly
ridiculous
protested
council
renounce

Sample comprehension questions

How is Despereaux different from the other mice in his family?
Why are Despereaux's parents and siblings worried about him?
What unusual features and interests set Despereaux apart at birth?

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Vocabulary and questions are teacher-reviewed starting points — edit, add to, or trim them before printing.

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