Brandon's Books - A reading comprehension worksheet with a story and a bookshelf illustration.

Let’s read the story carefully and follow what happens with Brandon’s books.

---

Brandon starts by picking up a large ball that fell off the floor. He tosses it toward his bookshelf.

The ball hits a high shelf — “Thwack!” — and knocks one book off. That’s 1 book on the floor now.

Then, he throws the ball again — “Whack!” — and knocks down the top row of books. The story says: “On the bookshelf called both colors.” This means the top row has two colors of books (probably red and blue, or something like that), but more importantly, we need to count how many books are knocked down.

Looking at the picture in our mind (even though we’re not describing the image), the top row likely has several books. But let’s look at the text:

> “On the bookshelf called both colors.
> Brandon counted three. He had half landed on top of two books, one thin and one thick.”

Wait — this is tricky. Let’s break it down.

After the first throw: 1 book falls.

Second throw: He knocks down the top row. Then it says: “Brandon counted three.” So after the second throw, there are 3 books total on the floor? Or does “counted three” mean 3 new ones?

Actually, let’s reread:

> “That ‘bump’ groaned a low noise.
> Brandon tossed the second. ‘Who did that?’
> ‘Ack!’ said the high voice.
> ‘Ack!’ added the second.
> ‘On the bookshelf called both colors.’
> Brandon counted three. He had half landed on top of two books, one thin and one thick.”

Hmm. Maybe “Brandon counted three” means there are now 3 books on the floor total? But earlier, only 1 fell. Then he threw again — maybe 2 more fell? That would make 3 total.

But then it says: “He had half landed on top of two books...” — that might be describing where the ball landed, not adding more books.

Let’s keep reading.

> “(That meant seventeen left on the shelf!) combined thick books.”

Ah! Here’s a key clue: “That meant seventeen left on the shelf!”

So if 17 are left on the shelf, and we can figure out how many were there originally, we can find how many fell.

But wait — later it says:

> “You may have guessed this book ‘Oh how lots of words inside of us!’
> ‘But...how...?’
> ‘And now you and stand on me,’ Thin Book said.
> And soon after the edges, no we won’t fall off! Thick Book added.
> Brandon rolled the ball to the side. Then he moved both books against the others on the shelf.
> ‘Thank you,’ said Thin Book. ‘But could you please put us in order?’
> ‘Order?’”

This part is about organizing the books back, but doesn’t add or remove books.

Now, here’s the critical sentence:

> “(That meant seventeen left on the shelf!) combined thick books.”

It seems like after some books fell, 17 remained on the shelf.

Also, earlier: “Brandon counted three.” — probably meaning 3 books are on the floor.

If 17 are on the shelf, and 3 are on the floor, then total books = 17 + 3 = 20.

But let’s verify.

Another way: When he throws the ball the second time, he knocks down the top row. The story says “combined thick books” — maybe implying that the top row had multiple books.

But the clearest number given is: “seventeen left on the shelf”.

And before that, he counted three books on the floor.

So total books = 17 (on shelf) + 3 (on floor) = 20.

Is there any other book mentioned falling? Only those two throws: first one book, then possibly two more to make three total on floor.

Yes, that fits.

Also, at the end, he moves “both books” — referring to Thin Book and Thick Book — which are among the three on the floor. So still three on floor.

Therefore, total books = 17 + 3 = 20.

Final Answer: 20