The Firehouse Mystery

By Gertrude Chandler Warner

Grades 3-5; Genre - Fiction; GRL O; AR pts: 2.0

The Greenfield Fire Station is going to be torn down so the Alden children try to fix it up, but someone keeps trying to ruin their plans.  The children are on the case until their culprit is found.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

1. What did Benny find in the attic? A fire fighter hat  p. 1
2. Who did it belong to? Grandfather  p. 3
3. What kind of dog is Sparky? A dalmatian   p. 7
4. What were Mike and Ms. Lerner discussing in his office? Something serious   p. 8

Chapter 2

1. Why did the fire fighters put on their firefighting clothes and drive away? fire bell rang p. 12
2. Why do the fire fighters wear masks? Helps them breathe in a fire/ smoke   p. 13
3. Why were the fire fighters back so soon? It was a false alarm   p. 16
4. Where do the poles in the bedrooms go to? the garage   p. 20

Chapter 3

1. Before gas powered engines, how did fire fighters get water pumps to fires? Horses   p. 24
2. Why does the town want to tear down the fire station? It’s old, too small   p. 24
3. Why doesn’t Greenfield build a new one somewhere else?  Too much money   p. 25
4. What did the Alden’s want to do to get the town’s support?  Have a rally   p. 27

Chapter 4

1. Who came with Ms. Lerner to the station? Rebecca Wright/ architect  p. 34
2. Where did Steve take the Alden children? To see the fire   p. 41
3. Why did the fire fighters put the fans in the house? To blow out the smoke p. 43
4. At the station the next day, what was spilled all over the floor? white paint p. 45

Chapter 5

1. Who were the first people to sign the petition? the Alden children   p. 49
2. Were other people happy to sign their petition?  Yes   p. 57
3. Did Mr. Frederick know very much about the other old buildings in Greenfield?   No    p. 60

Chapter 6

1. Did the architect want to help the children save the station?   No   p. 66
2. What did the Alden’s make for the fire fighters?  Dinner/Chili   p. 73
3. Who helped the Alden’s paint the station?   Fire fighters   p. 75
4. What was missing when Jessie went to her knapsack?  The petition   p.   79

Chapter 7

1. Who showed up at the station?   Rebecca/ architect   p. 82
2. Tell me two rules of fire safety?  1. Never play with matches 2. Get out of the house  3.  Call 911  4. Stop, drop and roll    p. 88
3. What was sticking out of Rebecca’s bag?  The petition   p. 89

Chapter 8

1. How did Rebecca react when Benny asked about the petition?  Guilty   p. 90
2. What was broken on the back door?  The lock    p. 94
3. What was missing from the fire house?  Sparky’s blanket and antique silver pieces  p. 97

Chapter 9

1. Who are the people that could’ve stolen the silver pieces? Ms. Lerner, Rebecca, Mr. Frederick   p. 102
2. Who spoke at the rally?  Mike   p. 106
3. Who did the Alden’s play basketball with?  Steve   p. 107
4. What did Violet find while they played?  A blue notebook   p. 108

Chapter 10

1. Who did Steve call about the notebook?   Policemen   p. 110
2. What was Sparky barking at?  His blanket inside Mr. Frederick’s car   p. 112
3. What was under the blanket?  The missing silver trophies/pieces   p. 114
4. Why did Rebecca study the trophy shelves? She thought some were missing.   p. 121