Prologue
- Why is this night in the backyard different from other nights Leo and Ralph have spent together?
- What do we learn about Leo’s feelings from the way he talks about moving?
- Why do you think Leo throws the telescope away?
- What does the backward goodbye show about their friendship?
- How does this prologue prepare us for the story?
The White Balloon
- Why does the balloon capture Leo’s attention?
- How does the balloon show how Leo thinks?
- What do Leo’s questions tell us about him?
- How do adults respond to Leo’s curiosity?
- Why is wonder important in this chapter?
Questions
- Why is it hard for Leo to talk with other kids?
- What happens when Leo tries to share ideas?
- How does this affect how he feels at school?
- What does “you can’t see it but it’s still there” mean?
- How does this idea connect to the rest of the story?
Mum’s Wish
- What are Mum and Dad worried about?
- Why does Mum wish Leo had a friend?
- How does Leo feel hearing this?
- What does this show about Leo’s parents?
- Why is this wish important?
Dad’s Idea
- What does Dad hope Leo will do?
- Why is Leo nervous to try?
- How do adults and children see problems differently?
- What do Leo’s drawings show?
- Do you think this plan will work?
Morning Activities
- Why does Leo sit apart from others?
- How does Leo feel during class?
- What stories does Leo prefer?
- Why does Leo imagine a friend from space?
- What does this show about Leo’s loneliness?
The Album
- Why does Leo enjoy making aliens?
- What does Peg mean by “friends”?
- Why does Leo name the album “Frends”?
- How does the album help Leo?
- What does it replace for him?
Peg
- How is Peg different from Leo socially?
- Why is Leo surprised by Peg’s advice?
- What does Peg’s confidence show?
- Why is her advice hard for Leo?
- How do siblings help each other?
Playground
- Why is the playground overwhelming?
- What happens when Leo tries to join?
- How do others react?
- Why does Leo avoid the playground?
- What does this chapter teach us?
Family Day
- Why does Leo dread Family Day?
- How does Peg’s success affect him?
- Why does Leo hide?
- What decision does Leo make?
- Why is this a turning point?
A Lump of Worry
- What does the “lump of worry” represent?
- How does staying home change Leo?
- Why does drawing help?
- What makes Leo feel safe?
- Why isn’t this a permanent solution?
Animals
- Why do adults talk about Leo instead of to him?
- How does Leo express feelings through drawing?
- Why does he draw himself as an alien?
- What do the animals represent?
- How does Leo feel different?
Golden Retriever
- Why does Leo focus on the dog?
- What does it symbolize?
- How does imagination help Leo?
- Why are adult questions overwhelming?
- What does this reveal about Leo?
The Balloon Returns
- Why does the balloon come back now?
- How does it connect to the beginning?
- What risk does Leo take?
- Why does the balloon feel important?
- What does this chapter build toward?
A Friend
- How does Leo react to the creature?
- Why isn’t he scared?
- What details make it friendly?
- How does this fulfill Mum’s wish?
- Why is this moment important?
Ralph
- Why does Leo name him Ralph?
- How is Ralph different from Leo’s classmates?
- Why didn’t Ralph speak at first?
- How does the game help Leo?
- Why is Ralph the right friend?
Games
- Why does Leo bring Ralph everywhere?
- How does family react?
- What does “as long as you need me” mean?
- How does Leo change?
- What does this show about friendship?
The Telescope
- Why is the telescope special?
- How is stargazing different with Ralph?
- What do they create together?
- How does Dad show support?
- What does this chapter show?
Alien Ships
- Why does Leo want to see real ships?
- What warning does Ralph give?
- How is Leo changing?
- What do ships symbolize?
- What does this hint about the ending?
Final Chapters
- How does Leo grow?
- Why does Ralph appear less?
- What does Ralph represent?
- Why is letting go hard?
- How does the ending show readiness?