The Case of the Kidnapped Candy
by James Preller
Grades 2-5; Genre - Mystery; GRL M; AR pts. 1.0
When the class's candy stash disappears, it's up to Jigsaw and Mila to figure out who stole it. There's more than one person with a sweet tooth in Ms. Gleason's classroom, so solving the mystery won't be easy.
Comprehension Questions
Chapter 1
- What is love poetry? Why do you think Jigsaw doesn’t like love poetry? Poetry about love; Listen to your child’s answer.
- Do you like love poetry? Listen to your child’s answer
Chapter 2
- Summarize this chapter. The class reviews what a poem is; each class member is to write their own poem about something they love; Ms. Gleason has a surprise for the class when their poems are finished p.5
Chapter 3
- Predict what Jigsaw’s poem is about? Listen to your child’s answer
Chapter 4
- Were you correct in your prediction? Listen to your child’s answer
- What’s missing at the end of the chapter? Whatever was in the gum ball machine p.20
Chapter 5
- What evidence did they find in the chapter? Two candy wrappers; a paper with a note and chocolate on it; one wrapper was under Ms. Gleason’s desk and one near Mike’s cubby; one student bragged about knowing what was inside the gum ball machine and another loves candy p.23
Chapter 6
- What evidence suggests the boys were lying? Interrupting each other; stating one didn’t like chocolate; covering for each other p.29
Chapter 7
- Why do Jigsaw and Mila think Lucy took the chocolate? The writing in her poem matches a writing on paper that has a chocolate smudge p.38
Chapter 8
- Have you made music before? How? Listen to your child’s answer; clapping, humming, an instrument, tapping toe p.47
Chapter 9
- Why did it seem like the kids in Jigsaw’s class didn’t remember how to tell the truth? Several have lied about eating the candy and liking chocolate p.54
Chapter 10
- Summarize this chapter. Jigsaw and Mila found out that a significant number of kids knew about the kisses in the gum ball machine and snuck a candy; it started with a student watching Ms. Gleason sneaking a candy from under the sheet; Jigsaw was confused since everyone seemed to be lying p.55
Chapter 11
- Predict who you think stole the candy? Listen to your child’s answer
Chapter 12
- On page 71, the author states that, “Ms.Gleason was happy there wasn’t a thief in Room 201.” Do you agree with that statement? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer; if most everyone in the class took a candy during the week before they were given permission, then they were dishonest and stole it