The Unwilling Umpire

by Ron Roy

Grades 2-5; Genre - Mystery; GRL N; AR 1.0

When the umpire at the baseball game fund-raiser is accused of stealing a collection of autographed baseballs, Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose try to prove his innocence.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

1. Describe the opening scene in this book. The kids are at a fundraising ball game to raise funds for children with disabilities; Ruth Rose and Josh have made a bet on who is going to win p.1

Chapter 2

1. Why does Pete look guilty at the end of this chapter? He went to get allergy medicine in the clubhouse and hasn’t come back yet, so it means he could have smashed the case with the baseballs and made a run with the signed baseballs p.12

Chapter 3

1. On page 15, Ellie described what Mr. Pocket looked like after speaking with the kids. What is it and what does that look like? Draw a picture of a Mr. Pocket in the figurative sense of her description

Chapter 4

1. How likely will the kids find out something about Pete on the Internet? Explain. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 5

1. Why do the kids think the man in the newspaper article is Pete? The middle name of the man is Peter, and he has a very unusual last name, so it is likely him p.26

Chapter 6

1. Why do you think Pete isn’t talking? He’s guilty; he’s protecting someone; Listen to your child’s answer p.36

Chapter 7

1. Describe Pete’s countenance in the jail cell. Discouraged, quiet, dejected, hopeless p.38

Chapter 8

1. What have you learned about Pete in this chapter? He’s honest; takes care of his younger brother because parents died in a car crash; responsible p.52
2. Choose a word you would use to describe him. Explain. Protector-for trying to help his brother; selfless; loving p.53
3. Pete taking the blame for his brother isn’t necessarily helping and protecting him. List two ways it’s hurting Buddy. Buddy doesn’t learn to be accountable for his actions; when he does finally have to pay for a consequence, he won’t know how to deal with it

Chapter 9

1. Was Buddy’s explanation to Officer Fallon enough to get him out of jail? Why or why not? No; they need to catch the thief and get the baseballs back p.60

Chapter 10

1. Officer Fallon needed to search Buddy’s trailer to see if he was telling the truth about the stolen baseballs. Do you think Officer Fallon will find them? Listen to your child’s answer p.64

Chapter 11

1. Describe one emotion Buddy is feeling in this chapter and explain why. Hopeful- Officer Fallon believes him; hopeful - to stay in Green Lawn instead of going to Florida; impressed- he likes green Lawn and how nice people are p.67

Chapter 12

1. How did the Internet help them find the thief? They went to a website to see if they could purchase the baseballs back; they found one that looked like Mr. Pocket’s baseball and they emailed the seller; the seller responded with their physical address to send the money, and it was in Green Lawn p.76

Chapter 13

1. Do you agree with Officer Fallon, that lying is never right, even if you’re trying to protect someone? Why or why not? Listen to your child’s answer
2. What did you like about this book? Listen to your child’s answer