About
Bradley, Brian, Nate, and Lucy are looking forward to a New Year's Eve party. But someone is leaving clues that there might be more to this celebration than confetti and noisemakers. The year ends with a surprise in this exciting conclusion to the Calendar Mysteries series.
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
Why did the kids want to buy Socks a toy?
Page 2 — So he could have something of his own to play with
2
What happened to Mrs. Wong’s house while she was on vacation?
Page 4 — It was burglarized
4
Why is Lucy sad?
Page 9 — It’s her birthday the next day on January 1st and her parents are going to miss it
9
Chapter 2
Comprehension questions
What were the man and woman wearing that was suspicious?
Page 12 — A ski mask and red bandana and cowboy hat
12
What did the man and woman do while inside Ellie’s diner?
Page 19 — Get hot tea to go
19
Why do you think the man and woman took pictures of the shops as they walked by?
Page 20 — Listen to your child’s answers
20
Chapter 3
Comprehension questions
What did the kids think was on the note the woman dropped?
Page 24 — A burglar code
24
Why can’t the kids tell the police about the strange couple?
Page 28 — Because they aren’t doing anything illegal or wrong
28
What did the thieves do while inside the elderly-housing building?
Page 29 — Changed their disguises so they looked like elderly people
29
Chapter 4
Comprehension questions
What information did Mr. Linkletter give the kids about the couple?
Page 35 — They’re from Florida and come up to Green Lawn every Christmas to visit his sister
35
What did the strange couple do in the elderly housing building?
Page 39 — Giggled like children, asked for the back door, then left
39
Why did the kids think the couple was headed to their New Year’s Eve party?
Page 43 — The code gave directions to their homes and the receptionist overheard the couple talking
43
Chapter 5
Comprehension questions
What was going on inside Brian and Bradley’s house?
Page 48 — everyone was setting up for the party
48
How did the kids’ parents react when they found out the kids were following thieves around town?
Page 50 — Upset
50
Who disappeared while the kids were playing Scrabble?
Page 52 — The parents, older kids and Pal; everyone
52
Chapter 6
Comprehension questions
What did the kids see in the barn?
Page 55 — A light moving around
55
What did the kids find outside the barn door?
Page 58 — The ski mask the woman was wearing earlier
58
What do you think is in the tall present?
Page 63 — Listen to your child’s answers
63
Chapter 7
Comprehension questions
Who surprised Lucy for her birthday?
Page 66 — Her parents
66
Why did Lucy’s mom take pictures of the buildings around town?
Page 69 — To make a scrapbook for Lucy
69
Why did Lucy’s parents disguise themselves and lead the kids around town?
Page 70 — They wanted to have some fun with them
70
Downloads
All the book’s resources, or just the ones you need, ready to read or print.
Worksheets
Practice sheets with space to write your answers.
Download one reading section
A small printout with all the resources for the selected section.
