The Vampire's Vacation
by Ron Roy
Grades 2-5; Genre - Fiction; GRL N; AR pts: 1.0
Grab your garlic, Green Lawn! There's a villainous vibe coming from the pale, dark-haired man Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose see in the supermarket. When they follow him into Ellie's Diner, the stranger vanishes! But there's a cut on Ellie's neck - or could it be a bite? Could there really be vampire in town? And could Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose be his next victims?
Comprehension Questions
Chapter 1
- Why were Josh, Dink and Ruth Rose at the supermarket? They had just hauled newspapers to the recycle bin and wanted a cold drink p.3
- Why did Josh think the man in line at the meat counter looked like a vampire? He had black hair, skinny lips, and pale skin p.6
- How did Dink feel when the man turned, looked, and nodded at them? he got goose bumps p.8
Chapter 2
- How did Ellie react when she saw the man out the window? She acted scared; she backed away and went behind the counter p.14
- What happens to the man when the kids continue to follow the him in the stores? He disappears and isn’t there p.15
- What did both Mr. Paskey and Ellie have on their necks? A small round Band Aid p.18
Chapter 3
- Is Dracula a vampire? No p.23
- How did Josh convince his friends to find the man he thinks is a vampire? He wanted to find out why he was disappearing, and he knew Dink wanted to find out what was going on with the Band Aids p.27
- What’s the man’s name and what do you know about him? Dr. A. Cula; he’s a doctor from New York City p.30
Chapter 4
- Who else had a Band Aid on their neck? Mr. Linkletter p.31
- What strange thing did Livvy notice when she took Dr. Cula up to his room? He laid on his bed and asked for the air conditioning to be turned up. He wrapped himself in a cape and feel asleep fast, like he was dead p.34
- What did Dink think Dr. Cula’s hobby could be since he disappears and wears a cape? Being a magician p.36
Chapter 5
- What did Josh gather from the vegetable garden and why? Garlic gloves; for protection, vampires don’t like garlic p.40
- What did Ruth Rose spell with the blocks after putting together Dr. A. Cula? Dracula p.41
- Who were the kids going to talk to at this end of this chapter? Police Officer Fallon p.43
Chapter 6
- What was Officer Fallen’s reaction when the kids told him what happened with Dr. Cula? He was surprised and wanted to talk with him p.49
- Why did Josh need to get back home? He told his mom he’d babysit the twins p.49
- How was Josh and Dink going to entertain the twins? Take them on a pony ride p.51
Chapter 7
- Explain what was strange about the Band Aids being all the same? People like to choose different shapes and colors of Band Aids if they need one p.54
- Who left a message on the answering machine and what did she say? Ruth Rose; she wanted the boys to meet her at the Shangri-la Hotel p.57
- What was strange about the Book Nook being closed as the boys were on their way to the hotel? Mr. Paskey never closes the store in the middle of the afternoon p.59
Chapter 8
- How was Mr. Linkletter acting strangely? He gave the boys Dr. Cula’s room number without looking, gave them permission to go up and see if he was there, and he acted nervous p.62
- Describe what the boys found when they went into room 202. No one was there, it was freezing cold, in the closet was a black suitcase and black cape, a note on the side table p.64
- Describe the note. It was written in purple crayon that smelled like jellybeans and had listed each of the names: Ellie, Mr. Paskey, Mr. Linkletter, Ruth Rose, Josh and Dink p.65
Chapter 9
- What does Dink think is going on? That Dr. Cula gave the Band Aids to everyone p.69
- Who opened the door when the boys were in the closet hiding? Ruth Rose p.71
Chapter 10
- Who’s Jimmy Jett? An actor from New York who’s going to play Dracula in a movie p.73
- Why did Ellie, Mr. Paskey and Mr. Linkletter have Band Aids on their necks? Jimmy Jett gave them to each of them to play a prank on the kids p.76
- Why did Mr. Linkletter give the boys the room number and permission to go to the room? All who were in on the prank were waiting for them to go to the room, then followed them up p.79
Chapter 11
- What did Jimmy Jett invite the kids to? To New York City to watch his movie p.81
- Who appeared in the movie box next to Josh? Jimmy Jett dressed as Dracula p.83