About
Max is Benny Alden's friend from school. He challenges Benny that he won't be able to find adventure on a small island north of Greenfield. Benny's family takes the challenge and they end up saving the islander's their treasures an d helping an old woman who's a hermit on the island.
Read one section at a time, then discuss the questions to review understanding. These questions are a starting place for conversation, not a complete test of the chapter.
Chapter 1
Comprehension questions
Where do the Aldens go for part of their summer break?
Page 11 — a small fishing village, Port Elizabeth
11
Why did they go there?
Page 9 — Benny's friend Max said they wouldn't find adventure there, so they went to find out if he was right.
9
Why was it an island only part of the time?
Page 9 — low tide uncovered the road that was connected to the island
9
Chapter 2
Comprehension questions
Who lives in the old mansion?
Page 18 — Elizabeth Gray, an old woman
18
Who built the school house?
Page 19 — her grandfather
19
How did the people treat the Aldens?
Page 25 — not friendly
25
What were some of the things the island people thought about the Aldens?
Page 26 — rich kids, stuck up, nice clothes, showing off car
26
Chapter 3
Comprehension questions
Who was interested in Violet's painting?
Page 30 — Hal and Marie
30
What do Hal and Marie want the children to do for them and the other children on the island?
Page 34 — teach them
34
Where did the children want to teach school?
Page 34 — school house
34
Who did they have to ask if they could use the school house?
Page 34 — Miss Gray
34
Chapter 4
Comprehension questions
Tell me about Miss Gray.
Page 38 — tall, thin, gray hair, did not smile
38
Did Miss Gray say they could use the school house?
Page 39 — yes
39
How did Miss Gray make the children feel?
Page 40 — uncomfortable
40
Who did Miss Gray say to watch out for?
Page 42 — blond man who shows his teeth when he smiles
42
Chapter 5
Comprehension questions
Who is the Money Man?
Page 49 — Freddy Willet, man with blond hair and shows his teeth
49
Why does everyone love the Money Man?
Page 52 — he gives a lot of money for quarters, pennies, or old things
52
Why were the Alden children worried about the Money Man?
Page 54 — they thought he was cheating the people
54
Chapter 6
Comprehension questions
How did the children on the island feel about the school?
Page 56 — excited, happy
56
What was the story about that Benny wrote on the board?
Page 58 — a cat named Fish
58
Who were the island children excited to see drive up while they were playing a game?
Page 61 — the Money Man
61
What did Benny show his family after the children gone home?
Page 63 — the hole in George Washington's button
63
Chapter 7
Comprehension questions
What did Mr. Willet try to buy from Mr. Alden?
Page 66 — watch and dime
66
Why do you think the library Miss Gray made was never locked?
Page 69 — anyone could read or get a book any time they wanted
69
What does Miss Gray do for a living?
Page 69 — write books, author
69
Why did Grandfather go visit Miss Gray?
Page 72 — to tell her Freddy Willet was back
72
Chapter 8
Comprehension questions
How did the Aldens think Freddy Willet was cheating?
Page 73 — not paying enough for old coins and trading cheap things for treasures
73
Who did the Aldens see at the Sea Shell restaurant?
Page 76 — Freddy Willet
76
How did Henry know the people who were with the Money Man?
Page 76 — They're from his college
76
What happened to the road when the Aldens rode back from the restaurant?
Page 80 — it was covered with water, high tide
80
Chapter 9
Comprehension questions
Where were the Aldens going to sleep when they missed the road?
Page 81 — in their car
81
What did the Money Man use to get over to the island?
Page 82 — boat
82
How did the Aldens get over to the island?
Page 85 — a boat
85
Where does Benny think Freddy is sleeping?
Page 86 — school house
86
Chapter 10
Comprehension questions
What did Benny and Henry find when they took off the planks in the closet?
Page 89 — brick room in the chimney
89
Where did Benny go to find a picture of George Washington?
Page 90 — library
90
Why did Benny think someone was in the library?
Page 91 — he heard noises
91
Who did Benny go see after he heard Freddy in the library?
Page 92 — Miss Gray
92
Chapter 11
Comprehension questions
What did the Aldens do in the morning?
Page 95 — go fishing
95
Who was dressed up like an Englishman?
Page 97 — John Carter
97
Why did the Aldens pretend to not know Mr. Carter?
Page 98 — he was undercover
98
Why did Mr. Carter go on about needing a post office?
Page 100 — he wanted a way to send messages to the Aldens
100
Chapter 12
Comprehension questions
Who did Freddy invite to go visit homes with him?
Page 103 — Mr. Carter and Benny
103
Why doesn't Freddy need a book to remember the prices of the different coins?
Page 106 — he's been doing it for a long time
106
Why did the Aldens always whisper?
Page 108 — someone might be listening
108
Chapter 13
Comprehension questions
What did the island children work on in school?
Page 111 — painting
111
Where did they go to paint?
Page 112 — beach
112
Who did Violet want to show Hal and Marie's paintings?
Page 114 — Miss Gray
114
Who wanted to teach the school when the Aldens go home?
Page 116 — Miss Gray
116
Chapter 14
Comprehension questions
How many different names does the Money Man have?
Page 118 — four
118
Where did Freddy keep the things he's been trading?
Page 119 — school house
119
Who was waiting for Freddy in his red car?
Page 122 — policeman
122
Chapter 15
Comprehension questions
Who did Benny call when he got back home?
Page 127 — Max
127
Did Max believe Benny when he told him about his adventures?
Page 128 — yes
128
Downloads
All the book’s resources, or just the ones you need, ready to read or print.
Worksheets
Practice sheets with space to write your answers.
Download one reading section
A small printout with all the resources for the selected section.
