About
When the kids visit Dink’s uncle in New York City, they’re dazzled by his museum’s latest treasure – a statue of a gold jaguar with a precious emerald between its paws. But when the jewel is swapped for a fake, the police name Dink’s uncle as a suspect! It’s up to Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose to uncover the real crook. Who stole the jaguar’s jewel?
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
Describe the setting of this story.
Page 4 — New York City also called the Big Apple; very crowded, loud, and the feeling that everyone is rushing
4
What does Uncle Warren do for a living and what is he expecting?
Page 8 — He owns a museum; A shipment from South America that is made of priceless gold
8
Who are Uncle Warren’s friends?
Page 10 — Jean-Paul and his wife Yvonne
10
Chapter 2
Comprehension questions
What did Uncle Warren pull out of the crate?
Page 16 — Several gold items; A golden drinking cup made by the Incas in the 1500’s and a golden jaguar with an emerald between its paws
16
Why did Uncle Warren put the golden items back in the crate and nail it closed?
Page 18 — Dr. Pitts was going to be coming by the next day to check out the items and make sure they were in good order, so Uncle Warren wanted to keep everything safe and together
18
Who’s Roger?
Page 18 — Uncle Warren’s apartment building doorman. He opens doors for tenants and whistles for taxis
18
Chapter 3
Comprehension questions
Where did Uncle Warren take the kids for dinner?
Page 21 — A Chinese restaurant called the Panda Palace
21
Why did Uncle Warren and the kids throw money into a saxophone case?
Page 23 — A man was playing the saxophone on the street and you throw money in if you like his playing
23
What was wrong with the jaguar?
Page 32 — The emerald stone was a fake
32
Chapter 4
Comprehension questions
How did Dr. Pitts know the jewel was a fake?
Page 35 — The light didn’t penetrate into the jewel it just bounced off of it
35
Why did Dr. Pitts look at the lock on the door and write something on a small pad of paper?
Page 37 — He noticed something about the lock; that it hadn’t been forced open
37
Who are the suspects for the missing jewel?
Page 40 — Jean-Paul, James Pride and Uncle Warren
40
Chapter 5
Comprehension questions
Why did Uncle Warren remind Dink to remember his cookie?
Page 42 — His fortune cookie said his eyes would play tricks on him
42
What did Yvonne make for the kids while Uncle Warren was at the police station?
Page 43 — Hot chocolate
43
What strange things happened in this chapter?
Page 44 — Yvonne slipped through a door that disappeared into the wall; Ms. Wu went back to Uncle Warren’s office and left again; Dink remembered what his uncle said and found the key to the office in his pocket
44
Chapter 6
Comprehension questions
What was strange about the wall in Dr. Price’s office?
Page 53 — It didn’t have any pictures or anything against it, it was just bare; it had hidden seams on it
53
What did Dink think was hidden in the wall?
Page 54 — A secret door
54
Were the kids able to make the door open or find anything else?
Page 56 — No
56
Chapter 7
Comprehension questions
What did Ruth Rose find in the fish tank?
Page 59 — A glowing jewel stone; the emerald that’s supposed to be with the jaguar
59
What was the buzzing noise the kids heard?
Page 62 — A VCR hidden in a secret compartment of the bookshelves
62
What was the conclusion after watching the tape?
Page 67 — That Uncle Warren was the thief
67
Chapter 8
Comprehension questions
What did Josh realize happened to the letter opener?
Page 69 — Before the lights went out it was facing the window; after the lights came back on, it was facing the other direction; someone had moved it
69
Who came into the office while the kids were there?
Page 72 — Dr. Pitts
72
Where did the kids hide?
Page 72 — In James’ office
72
Chapter 9
Comprehension questions
Who saved the kids when Dr. Pitts was coming into James’ office and where did she take them?
Page 76 — Yvonne; to her restaurant through the secret passage
76
What did Josh realize would be on the letter opener?
Page 77 — Dr. Pitts’ fingerprints
77
What did Yvonne want to do when she realized Ruth Rose had the jewel?
Page 78 — Call the police
78
Chapter 10
Comprehension questions
Who was the real crook?
Page 79 — Dr. Pitts
79
Why is there a secret passage between the office and Yvonne’s restaurant?
Page 82 — It used to be a home and the servants would use it as a back-stairway
82
Who all played a part in solving the mystery?
Page 83 — The kids, James with the camera, Yvonne saving the kids, Uncle Warren for giving the key to Dink and reminding him to remember his fortune cookie
83
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Worksheets
Practice sheets with space to write your answers.
Download one reading section
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