About
Lucky O'Leary has never been very lucky – until his grandfather sends him a lottery ticket that turns out to be a million-dollar winner! But before Lucky can cash it in, someone sneaks into his house and steals it. Now it's up to Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose to track down the thief and return the ticket – before Lucky loses out!
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
What’s the setting of this story and what are the main characters doing?
Page 1 — In Ruth Rose’s yard having a snowball fight during Christmas break
1
Why did Lucky want to talk to Dink, Josh and Ruth Rose?
Page 7 — Someone stole the lottery tickets his grandfather had sent them for Christmas
7
Why was it so important for Lucky to find the lottery tickets?
Page 10 — His grandfather enjoys having his grandkids open the card with the tickets each Christmas morning; his grandfather called and said his lottery ticket won and it’s worth $7 million
10
Chapter 2
Comprehension questions
What did the kids find as they followed the footprints behind Lucky’s home?
Page 14 — A small piece of tinfoil twisted into a bow
14
Where did the kids go to think about the unsolved mystery?
Page 16 — Ellie’s
16
What was Dink going to do with his quarter?
Page 18 — Use a pay phone to call Lucky
18
Chapter 3
Comprehension questions
Why did the kids go to the elderly-housing building?
Page 19 — To talk to Lucky’s grandfather
19
What’s an atrium?
Page 21 — a building that feels like a tropical rain forest: warm, moist, plants all over with birds
21
Who had Lucky’s grandfather told about the tickets?
Page 25 — Everyone in the assisted living home
25
Chapter 4
Comprehension questions
Why did the kids disagree that Zelda could have been the thief?
Page 28 — She would have a hard time tromping out in the snow behind Lucky’s house
28
Where did the kids decide to investigate and why?
Page 29 — The supermarket; that’s where Hector bought the tickets
29
Describe Dorothy.
Page 33 — She was the cashier that sold the tickets to Hector; people call her Dot; she chewed gum and blew bubbles; she was helpful and remembered the man who looked suspicious behind Hector
33
Chapter 5
Comprehension questions
What did Josh do as Dot described Joe?
Page 38 — He drew a picture of him
38
Who did the kids go see after talking to Dot?
Page 41 — Officer Fallen
41
Why did the kids want to find proof for Officer Fallen?
Page 44 — So the thief couldn’t cash in the lottery ticket
44
Chapter 6
Comprehension questions
What information did the kids realize they may have to find Joe?
Page 47 — The video camera at the supermarket may have a shot of his jacket with his bowling team name
47
Where did the tinfoil bowtie in Ruth Rose’s soup come from?
Page 49 — Blue Boy put it in her hair at the Atrium
49
How were the kids going to get around town with all the snow?
Page 51 — Cross-country skis
51
Chapter 7
Comprehension questions
Where did the kids go to see if they could find anyone who had seen or knew Joe?
Page 53 — The fitness center/bowling alley
53
What did everyone say when Josh showed them the picture of Joe?
Page 56 — That he looked familiar
56
Who does the picture look like?
Page 59 — Josh, but with a mustache
59
Chapter 8
Comprehension questions
What did Pal find in the pile Eric was sweeping together at the supermarket?
Page 64 — Tinfoil bowties just like the other ones the kids had found
64
What did the kids realize about Dot?
Page 65 — She was the thief and made up the story about Joe to throw them off her trail
65
Why did the kids find a tinfoil bowtie at the Atrium?
Page 65 — Dot had been there to ask where Hector’s grandkids lived
65
Chapter 9
Comprehension questions
What evidence did Dink realize they could gather if they caught Dot turning in the lottery ticket?
Page 72 — Hector’s fingerprints to prove he bought the ticket
72
Why did the kids leave so early to the lottery headquarters?
Page 72 — In case it was open, and Dot tried to turn the ticket in early
72
How did the kids get there?
Page 74 — On their skis
74
Chapter 10
Comprehension questions
How did the kids know it was Dot’s car parked in front of the lottery headquarters?
Page 80 — There were tinfoil gum wrappers twisted into a bowtie in it
80
What was Dot’s disguise?
Page 81 — A man; she wore a wig, hat, mustache and big coat
81
What did Dot start to admit when the kids were accusing her of stealing the ticket?
Page 83 — That she wore gloves to take the card, so her fingerprints won’t be on the mantle
83
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Worksheets
Practice sheets with space to write your answers.
Download one reading section
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