Category Archives: A to Z Mysteries

Comprehension Questions – A to Z Mysteries The Kidnapped King

The Kidnapped King

by Ron Roy

Grades 3-4; Genre - Mystery; GRL N; AR pts. 1.0

K is for Kidnapped! Someone has kidnapped the king and queen of Socotra. For safety's sake, their son is staying with Dink until they are safe. But then the prince is kidnapped, too! Can Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose unmask the royals' enemies before it's too late? Or is the royal family of Socotra gone forever?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Why was Dink scared he was in trouble? He was called to the principal’s office p.3
  2. Describe Sammi Bin Oz. From Costra, black hair, dark skin, eyes were the color of honey, quiet voice, made up rhymes to remember new words p.7
  3. Why was Dink excited to introduce Sammi to his friends? Sammi is funny and will be staying at his home for a few weeks p.7

Chapter 2

  1. What did Sammi want kept away from him and why? Josh’s dog; he’s allergic p.12
  2. Why did Sammi’s tutor want to see Sammi’s room? To make sure it was safe p.15
  3. What would be your reaction if you were asked the same question Sammi asked at the end of this chapter? Listen to your child’s answers p.17

Chapter 3

  1. Why was Sammi so upset in this chapter? His parents had been kidnapped p.20
  2. List two things that are different between Dink’s and Sammi’s way of living in this chapter. Dink dresses himself/Sammi has servants to dress him; Dink doesn’t need to worry about getting kidnapped or poisoned/Sammi’s family has enemies that want to hurt them p.20
  3. Why is it important for Dink to tell his mother about Sammi? So, she knows the truth about why he is there and the danger he possibly faces p.26

Chapter 4

  1. What gift will Sammi receive on his fifteenth birthday and why is it special? A Kaleidoscope; it’s been in his family for generations p.28
  2. What language is Sammi’s tutor teaching him? French p.31
  3. What did Joan do before she left for the evening? Check the locks on Sammi’s windows, door, and bathroom door p.33

Chapter 5

  1. Why does Dink think Sammi’s been kidnapped? Sammi’s not in his room or anywhere in the house and the back door has been forced open p.36
  2. How do we know that Joan was upset by the news? She almost fainted and needed help walking p.39
  3. What clue did Dink find? A yellow piece of glass from the kaleidoscope p.42

Chapter 6

  1. Why are the yellow glass pieces important? The pile of them is missing p.47
  2. Why does Officer Fallon think the kidnappers took Sammi away in a boat? A boat is missing and they found one of Sammi’s slipper tassels near the river p.49

Chapter 7

  1. Why do they kids think Sammi left a trail? They’re finding individual yellow pieces of glass p.52
  2. Dink asked a good question…why didn’t Sammi use red or blue to make the trail? Listen to your child’s answers p.58

Chapter 8

  1. What conclusion did Dink come to at the end of this chapter and how did he get there? Dink thinks Sammi wants the kids to know Joan is involved because she was trying to teach Dink how to say yellow in French which sounds just like Joan, which made Sammi choose the yellow shards of glass to leave a trail p.65

Chapter 9

  1. Why is Dink worried in this chapter? He can’t find his mom, she’s not where she said she would be. She has the yellow glass which could put her in danger p.71

Chapter 10

  1. What clue led the kids to want to search Joan’s hotel room? Pal found yellow glass on the soul of Mr. Linkletter’s soul stuck to some gum, so they assumed Sammi has been to the hotel p.73
  2. What did they find in Joan’s hotel room? Yellow glass p.76
  3. Where did they find Sammi? In the bottom of the cart, tied and gagged p.79

Chapter 11

  1. How did Joan act suspicious? She talked about the tassel found at the river when no one told her about it p.84
  2. What does “spill the beans” mean? Reveal secret information unintentionally or indiscreetly p.85
  3. Why was Sammi able to go home? Sammi’s parents were found p.85

Comprehension Questions – A to Z Mysteries The Runaway Racehorse

The Runaway Racehorse

by Ron Roy

Grades 3-5; Genre - Mystery; GRL N; AR pts: 1.0

And they're off! Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose are excited to see Uncle Warren's new racehorse, Whirlaway, in action. But the night before the big race, the horse disappears! He shows up just in time to lose the race. Why is Whirlaway suddenly so slow? Can the kids figure it out- or is Whirlaway out of the winner's circle for good?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Where are Dink, Josh and Ruth Rose going?
    To Larchmont, New York to see a racehorse p.1
  2. How did they travel to get there? By
    train p.1
  3. What was missing when the kids went
    to see Whirlaway? Whirlaway p.11

Chapter 2

  1. Where does Forest think Whirlaway has
    disappeared to? Over to visit his mother p.13
  2. Why did Ruth Rose and Josh have so
    much fun in the back of the pickup? The road was bumpy p.15
  3. Was Whirlaway visiting his mom? No
    p.19

Chapter 3

  1. What did Whirlaway look like when he
    returned to the barn? Muddy p.26
  2. What did the kids find on Whirlaway
    when they were washing him? A mark like a stamp p.28

Chapter 4

  1. Why did Whirlaway refuse to go with
    Ruth Rose? He was spooked from being out in the storm and coming home to
    strangers p.31
  2. Who else was Whirlaway scared of? Sunny
    p.32
  3. What did Ruth Rose observe about Sunny
    after reading her book about horses? Sunny and she doesn’t have Whirlaway’s
    trust and scares him p.36

Chapter 5

  1. Where did the kids and adults travel
    to and why? Saratoga Springs; a horse race p.39
  2. Why does Sunny wear goggles during
    the race? The horses in front kick up mud, so it protects her eyes p.44
  3. How did Whirlaway react to Sunny when
    Ruth Rose wanted a picture? Scared; upset p.44

Chapter 6

  1. Where did the kids get to sit during
    the horse races? Forest’s private box p.45
  2. Who won the first horse race? Merry
    Mary p.49
  3. Why did Forest conclude that
    something was wrong with Whirlaway after the race? He had never run so badly
    before p.53

Chapter 7

  1. What did Sunny say about Whirlaway’s
    performance? She said he ran like a different horse p.55
  2. What can make a horse run slower? Their
    jockey p.56
  3. Who did Ruth Rose take a picture of? Josh,
    Dink and Dancer p.58

Chapter 8

  1. What did Josh find on his collar? A
    dark smudge p.62
  2. Why did Ruth Rose want to get her film
    developed so quickly? So she could see if the man in the cowboy hat was Mr.
    Bunks p.63
  3. If it is Mr. Bunks, what’s the
    problem? He said he wasn’t into racing horses anymore; he lied p.64

Chapter 9

  1. What was on Josh’s collar? Shoe polish
    p.69
  2. How did the shoe polish get there? From
    Dancer, the horse who nudged him from behind, it had shoe polish on its forehead
    covering up the white mark p.71
  3. How was Josh going to prove their
    horse wasn’t Whirlaway? Offer it a sugar cube, if the horse eats it, it’s
    not Whirlaway p.73

Chapter 10

  1. What was on Josh’s fingers after
    touching Dancer’s forehead? Shoe polish p.77
  2. Who’s responsible for trading the
    horses? Mr. Bunks p.78
  3. Why did it take Sunny so long to get
    home from the race? She stopped at the vet p.84

Comprehension Questions – A to Z Mysteries The Panda Puzzle

The Panda Puzzle

by Ron Roy

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

There's pandemonium in Green Lawn! The town is building a new park for a panda and her baby. But as soon as the pandas arrive, the baby is stolen! All the panda-nappers want in return is a million dollars...Can Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose collar the culprits before Green Lawn has to cough up the cash?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What did the kids come to the petting
    zoo to see? A mama panda and her baby p.1
  2. What strange behavior did Ping show
    while the crowd was outside her cage? She ran into the fence p.6
  3. What’s missing from the panda cave? The
    baby panda, Winnie p.8

Chapter 2

  1. What did the kidnappers want in
    exchange for Winnie? A million dollars p.11
  2. What did Pal find the in the bamboo
    forest? a fishing knife p.13
  3. Why would the kidnapper have a knife?
    To cut down bamboo stalks to feed Winnie p.14

Chapter 3

  1. Why do the kids watch Ruth Rose’s
    video at the petting zoo? It might give them ideas who stole the panda p.19
  2. Who does Ruth Rose think suspects are?
    Irene Napper, Flip Frances, or Tom Steele; the people standing by the
    microphone p.21

Chapter 4

  1. Why did the three kids want to
    interview each of the three people that stood by the microphone? To try and
    get some answers p.23
  2. What was Irene doing when the kids found
    her in the park? Feeding the ducks p.24
  3. Who has a key to Ping’s gate? Only
    Irene p.28

Chapter 5

  1. Why does Josh think Irene kidnapped Winnie?
    She has large hands p.31
  2. Why does Josh think Tom Steele did
    it? He has a cut on his hand that could have been from Winnie and has a
    fishing pole p.37 & 38
  3. What was another clue Ruth Rose saw
    on Tom’s desk? There were newspapers all cut up; the ransom note was put
    together from newspaper clippings p.38

Chapter 6

  1. Where did the kids find Flip? At the
    fitness center p.40
  2. What made Josh think the kidnapper
    was Flip? He was great at doing flips; he would have easily been able to get
    over the fence of the panda enclosure p.45
  3. What’s another clue Flip could have kidnapped
    Winnie? He fishes p.46

Chapter 7

  1. What piece was missing when the twins
    were completing a puzzle together? The baby grizzly bear’s face p.50
  2. What did Ruth Rose realize they should
    be looking for? Winnie, not the person who took her p.51
  3. Why did the kids think the fitness
    center would be a good hiding place for Winnie? It’s smelly and loud p.53

Chapter 8

  1. What did the kids find when they
    slipped into the unmarked door? A wooden staircase p.60
  2. What explained the sounds of thunder
    they heard? The bowling alley was on the other side of the wall p.62
  3. What did the kids find under the mat
    they were sitting on? A trap door p.64

Chapter 9

  1. Who was in the room under the trap
    door? Winnie p.66
  2. How did the kids get locked in that
    room? Someone shut the door and locked it p.66
  3. What did the kids find that may help
    them get out of the coal room? A coal chute that leads to the outside p.71

Chapter 10

  1. How did the kids break the wood that
    blocked the chute? Dink found a shovel p.72
  2. Why did the boys choose Ruth Rose to
    go get the police? she was the smallest to fit in the chute p.76
  3. How did the boys find Winnie? She crawled
    up into Josh’s lap p.78

Chapter 11

  1. What is Flip’s consequence for kidnapping
    Winnie? Community service p.83
  2. What did the kids suggest could be
    Flip’s community service? Free gymnastics lessons for kids; do exercises with
    the old people in the senior center p.83
  3. How did Officer Fallon treat the kids
    for solving the mystery? He bought them ice cream cones p.85

Comprehension Questions – A to Z Mysteries The Yellow Yacht

The Yellow Yacht

by Ron Roy

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

Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose love visiting their friend Sammi, the prince of Costra. They swim, soak in the sun, and admire the bright yellow yacht that is moored just offshore. But the owners of the yacht are acting a little suspicious. And there's suddenly been a robbery on the island. Can Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose find out a connection between the robbery and the mysterious yellow yacht?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Who were the kids going to visit and
    why? Their friend Sammi in Costra; it’s his birthday p.1
  2. How long did it take to fly to Costra?
    15 hours p.3
  3. After Sammi greeted them on the
    plane, what type of transportation did they take to his castle? Helicopter
    p.6

Chapter 2

  1. What were people doing on the yellow
    yacht? Scuba diving p.14
  2. What structure is Sammi’s father building?
    An aquarium p.16
  3. What’s a marine biologist? A person
    who studies marine life p.18

Chapter 3

  1. Who did the kids recognize on the
    deck of the yacht? Dr. Skor the marine biologist p.21
  2. What’s missing from the bank? Sammi’s
    father’s gold p.24

Chapter 4

  1. How did the crooks get into the
    vault? Through a tunnel from the aquarium pit p.26
  2. How did the police know the boulders
    were fake? They were light and easy to move p.28
  3. What did the kids find in the tunnel?
    A note from Lees Baz to Riko, telling him to dump the gold over the wall
    p.32

Chapter 5

  1. What did the kids find on the
    backhoe? Gold scrapings p.36
  2. Who’s the mysterious man Dink had
    seen? Yondo, a magician the king hired for Sammi’s birthday party p.42

Chapter 6

  1. What did Sammi, his friends and
    family do for his birthday? Ate dinner, opened presents and had a magic show
    p.43
  2. Who did Yondo make disappear? Ruth
    Rose p.47
  3. Why did Dink think Yondo was a
    suspect? The gold disappeared right after Yondo arrived into town p.51

Chapter 7

  1. Who did Sammi’s family and friends
    eat lunch with? Dr. Skor on his boat p.56
  2. What were the kids going to do with
    Hugo at 3 o’clock? Go snorkeling p.57
  3. What did the kids get to do onboard
    the Sundown before lunch? Explore p.58

Chapter 8

  1. Why do you think the green stripe was
    missing from the yacht? Listen to your child’s answers p.63
  2. What did the kids see while they were
    snorkeling? Different colored fish; the sunken boat, other water creatures
    p.65
  3. Why were there rocks in the sunken
    boat? To hold it down so it doesn’t float away; it attracts fish p.67

Chapter 9

  1. Why is the green stripe missing from
    the yacht? the boat is heavy with the gold, so the stripe is now under water
    p.70
  2. What did Hugo see when he snorkeled
    under the Sundown? The king’s gold p.73

Chapter 10

  1. How did the king react when Sammi and
    the kids told him about what they learned? He told the police to meet him,
    then ran to the dock p.75
  2. How did Hugo and the kids catch Dr.
    Skor? Hugo threw an anchor at Dr. Skor’s dingy and it tore a hole p.79
  3. How did Sammi’s family and friends
    celebrate? They ate ice cream and cake p.84

Comprehension Questions – A to Z Mysteries The Lucky Lottery

The Lucky Lottery

by Ron Roy

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

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!

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What’s the setting of this story and
    what are the main characters doing? In Ruth Rose’s yard having a snowball
    fight during Christmas break p.1
  2. Why did Lucky want to talk to Dink,
    Josh and Ruth Rose? Someone stole the lottery tickets his grandfather had
    sent them for Christmas p.7
  3. Why was it so important for Lucky to
    find the lottery tickets? 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 p.10

Chapter 2

  1. What did the kids find as they
    followed the footprints behind Lucky’s home? A small piece of tinfoil
    twisted into a bow p.14
  2. Where did the kids go to think about
    the unsolved mystery? Ellie’s p.16
  3. What was Dink going to do with his
    quarter? Use a pay phone to call Lucky p.18

Chapter 3

  1. Why did the kids go to the
    elderly-housing building? To talk to Lucky’s grandfather p.19
  2. What’s an atrium? a building that
    feels like a tropical rain forest: warm, moist, plants all over with birds p.21
  3. Who had Lucky’s grandfather told
    about the tickets? Everyone in the assisted living home p.25

Chapter 4

  1. Why did the kids disagree that Zelda
    could have been the thief? She would have a hard time tromping out in the
    snow behind Lucky’s house p.28
  2. Where did the kids decide to
    investigate and why? The supermarket; that’s where Hector bought the tickets
    p.29
  3. Describe Dorothy. 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 p.33

Chapter 5

  1. What did Josh do as Dot described
    Joe? He drew a picture of him p.38
  2. Who did the kids go see after talking
    to Dot? Officer Fallen p.41
  3. Why did the kids want to find proof
    for Officer Fallen? So the thief couldn’t cash in the lottery ticket p.44

Chapter 6

  1. What information did the kids realize
    they may have to find Joe? The video camera at the supermarket may have a
    shot of his jacket with his bowling team name p.47
  2. Where did the tinfoil bowtie in Ruth
    Rose’s soup come from? Blue Boy put it in her hair at the Atrium p.49
  3. How were the kids going to get around
    town with all the snow? Cross-country skis p.51

Chapter 7

  1. Where did the kids go to see if they
    could find anyone who had seen or knew Joe? The fitness center/bowling alley
    p.53
  2. What did everyone say when Josh
    showed them the picture of Joe? That he looked familiar p.56
  3. Who does the picture look like? Josh,
    but with a mustache p.59

Chapter 8

  1. What did Pal find in the pile Eric was
    sweeping together at the supermarket? Tinfoil bowties just like the other
    ones the kids had found p.64
  2. What did the kids realize about Dot? She
    was the thief and made up the story about Joe to throw them off her trail p.65
  3. Why did the kids find a tinfoil
    bowtie at the Atrium? Dot had been there to ask where Hector’s grandkids
    lived p.65

Chapter 9

  1. What evidence did Dink realize they
    could gather if they caught Dot turning in the lottery ticket? Hector’s
    fingerprints to prove he bought the ticket p.72
  2. Why did the kids leave so early to
    the lottery headquarters? In case it was open, and Dot tried to turn the
    ticket in early p.72
  3. How did the kids get there? On
    their skis p.74

Chapter 10

  1. How did the kids know it was Dot’s
    car parked in front of the lottery headquarters? There were tinfoil gum
    wrappers twisted into a bowtie in it p.80
  2. What was Dot’s disguise? A man;
    she wore a wig, hat, mustache and big coat p.81
  3. What did Dot start to admit when the
    kids were accusing her of stealing the ticket? That she wore gloves to take
    the card, so her fingerprints won’t be on the mantle p.83

Comprehension Questions – A to Z Mysteries The Missing Mummy

The Missing Mummy

By Ron Roy

Grades 2-5; Genre – Mystery; GRL N; AR pts: 1.0

It’s Mummy Monday at the museum, and Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose are going to see a new Egyptian exhibit. It features a child mummy in an actual tomb! But then the mummy is stolen and the tomb robbed of its treasure. Can Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose unravel the mystery and return the mummy to its rightful resting place?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Why did the kids want to go to the museum? All
    week long they were having programs that looked fun p.2
  2. How did the kids earn money for the programs? They
    helped clean out Josh’s barn and his dad paid them p.3
  3. What’s the exhibit at the museum the kids went
    to? An Egyptian exhibit with mummies p.5

Chapter 2

  1. What’s an ancient Egyptian coffin called? A Sarcophagus
    p.11
  2. What’s each mummy wrapped in? strips of linen
    cloth p.13
  3. Where did Ruth Rose find the missing mummy? In
    the girl’s restroom p.16

Chapter 3

  1. Describe what the kids thought the mummy snatcher
    might have done to get away? She might have disguised herself after taking
    the mummy in the restroom p.20
  2. Where did the kids go to look for the lady who
    took the mummy? Back into the tomb p.22
  3. Why are the kids trapped inside the tomb? While
    they were in there, the tomb entrance closed p.24

Chapter 4

  1. Describe what it was like for the kids when
    they were locked inside the tomb? Cold, creepy, quiet p.27
  2. What did the kids do to get more comfortable
    after sitting on the gravel/ground? Ruth Rose found carpet squares in a closet,
    so they spread them out in the closet and laid on them p.29
  3. What woke up the kids while they were sleeping
    in the closet? A huge blast that shook the closet p.30

Chapter 5

  1. Who appeared after the blast and what were they
    doing? two thieves; stealing the treasure p.33
  2. How did the thieves get into the tomb? They blew
    a hole into the building from outside p.35
  3. Who came by Dink’s house the next day and why? Officers
    Peters and Washington; to ask the kids questions about the thieves p.38

Chapter 6

  1. Why did the kids want to go back to the museum? It
    was Tyrannosaurus rex Tuesday p.43
  2. Why did the kids go sit at the back of the museum?
    They were early, it was hot, and they wanted to sit in the shade p.44
  3. What did Josh smell when the thieves broke into
    the museum? French fries p.51

Chapter 7

  1. Why did the kids decide to go check out Aunt
    Freda’s Fabulous Fries? Because Josh had smelled French fries during the
    theft, there might be a connection p.56
  2. Describe what the kids discovered at the
    restaurant? A woman with short hair works there; Ruth Rose realized she has
    short dark hair like the woman who came out of the restroom; Dink realized she
    walked like one of the thieves; Josh realized she smells like French fries p.62

Chapter 8

  1. How did the kids get the opportunity to go into
    the kitchen and look around? Ruth Rose told Aunt Freda that Dink wanted to
    know how to make her French fries p.63
  2. What evidence did the kids find in the kitchen? They
    saw a black gym bag and a black jacket that’s short enough to see a white line
    of an apron underneath; Josh found a pebble like the gravel in the tomb p.66

Chapter 9

  1. Explain Dink’s dream? He was trapped in
    the tomb alone and the mummies came toward him, he felt a cold hand on his
    shoulder and the mummy’s linen strips were wrapping around him p.69
  2. Where does Dink think the treasure is hidden? In
    the small sarcophagus p.73
  3. Why do the kids think Dr. Tweed was one of the
    thieves? Someone had to set the bomb inside the tomb and the treasure would
    have been too heavy to carry it far, so he hid it in the sarcophagus knowing he’d
    be able to get to it p.73

Chapter 10

  1. What did the kids and police officers find in the
    tomb? Dr. Tweed holding a gym bag p.78
  2. Where were Dr. Tweed and the woman from the
    restaurant flying to and why? Europe; to sell the treasures p.79
  3. Where did the officers take Dr. Tweed and the
    woman? To jail p.82

Comprehension Questions – A to Z Mysteries The School Skeleton

The School Skeleton

By Ron Roy

Grades 2-5; Genre – Mystery; GRL N; AR pts: 1.0

It’s a bona fide mystery at Dink’s school. Some sneaky soul has stolen the skeleton from the nurse’s office! The principal promises free aquarium tickets to the savvy student sleuths who can track down poor Mr. Bones. Soon mysterious clues are showing up all over the school. It’s up to Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose to follow the clues and put those old bones to rest.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Why does Donald David Duncan go by Dink? When
    he first learned to talk, all he could say was Dink when he tried to say his
    name p.2
  2. Why did Dink need to go to the nurse’s
    office? He got a paper cut and needed a Band Aid p.3
  3. What did Dink notice was missing from the nurse’s
    office? Mr. Bones the skeleton p.7

Chapter 2

  1. What’s the reward for the class that finds Mr.
    Bones? Free tickets to the new aquarium in Hartford, CT p.13
  2. Why did Josh think Mr. Neater could be a suspect
    for the missing skeleton? He has keys to the doors in the school p.14
  3. What was the topic of the story Mrs. Eagle
    assigned the kids to write? The vanishing school skeleton p.16

Chapter 3

  1. Describe the footprint Ruth Rose and Josh found
    in the corner where the skeleton usually hung?  It was in the dust and looked like it was
    made by a sneaker; it was the left foot and adult sized p.18
  2. What did the kids want to do with the
    footprint before Mr. Neater swept up the office? Draw and measure it p.21
  3. How did Dink know the nurse, office secretary,
    or principal didn’t take the skeleton? The bottom of their shoes didn’t
    match the print in the dust p.25

Chapter 4

  1. What size shoes does Dink think the skeleton
    snatcher is? A size 10 p.28
  2. How many teachers did the kids need to measure
    for their footprint? 8 p.29
  3. What did the kids plan to do the next day to
    figure out the footprint clue? They wrote a note to the 8 teachers to ask if
    they would talk with them, Mrs. Waters would put them in their boxes, then when
    they would meet the kids would measure the footprint against each of their shoes
    p.31

Chapter 5

  1. How did Mrs. Eagle respond to the kids needing
    to leave class to talk to the other teachers? She said it was ok p.35
  2. What were the results from measuring the teacher’s
    feet that were on the list? None of them matched Josh’s footprint p.38
  3. What happened to Mr. Palmer that proved he didn’t
    steal the skeleton? He slipped on ice and got a cast on his foot the day
    before and was in the emergency room when the skeleton was stolen p.42

Chapter 6

  1. What did the kids see on the ground on their
    way back to class? A footprint on the ground in white powder p.45
  2. Why did Mrs. Eagle want the boys to open their
    lockers? The footprint was in front of their lockers and she wanted to see what
    was inside p.47
  3. What was in Josh’s locker? A twisted
    white paper with a skeleton on it and a shiny key hidden inside p.49

Chapter 7

  1. Why did Mrs. Eagle ask Josh, Dink, and Ruth Rose
    to tell the class what they’ve been up to? So the class could help and be
    involved p.50
  2. Where does Ruth Rose think the powder on the floor
    came from? Mrs. Waters said her powder was missing and someone could have
    taken it p.55
  3. What does Ruth Rose think the message with the
    key, skeleton and the 2 means? Key to skeleton p.58

Chapter 8

  1. What was strange about the key and how did it
    differ from Ruth Rose’s? it looked brand new and didn’t have any marks on it
    yet; Ruth Rose’s had tiny scratches from using it frequently p.61
  2. Why did the kids decide to go see Mr. Neater? Because
    he has keys to everything in the building and he could have put the key in Josh’s
    locker p.62
  3. Who else came to visit Mr. Neater and why? Cory
    from fifth grade and Jane and Susan from second grade; they also had found a footprint
    by their lockers and a paper with a skeleton wrinkled up with a key hidden in
    it p.66

Chapter 9

  1. What clues points to Mr. Dillon as the skeleton
    snatcher? There’s a small door from his office to Miss Shotsky’s and he had
    easy access to Mr. Waters powder p.71
  2. What’s Mrs. Waters missing now? Her key to
    the closet p.73
  3. Where was Mr. Bones? Hanging in Mrs. Waters’
    coat closet p.74

Chapter 10

  1. What did the note read that was hanging from Mr.
    Bones? April Fools! P.77
  2. What day is it? April 1st; April
    Fools p.78
  3. Why did Mr. Dillon hide the skeleton and leave
    the clues? He loves April Fools Day and doing pranks. No one does pranks
    anymore, so he wanted to make it a memorable holiday p.82

Comprehension Questions – A to Z Mysteries The Vampire’s Vacation

The Vampire's Vacation

by Ron Roy

Grades 2-5; Genre - Mystery; 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

  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
  2. 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
  3. How did Dink feel when the man turned, looked,
    and nodded at them? he got goose bumps p.8

Chapter 2

  1. 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
  2. What happens to the man when the kids continue
    to follow the him in the stores? He disappears and isn’t there p.15
  3. What did both Mr. Paskey and Ellie have on
    their necks? A small round Band Aid p.18

Chapter 3

  1. Is Dracula a vampire? No p.23
  2. 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
  3. 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

  1. Who else had a Band Aid on their neck? Mr.
    Linkletter p.31
  2. 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
  3. What did Dink think Dr. Cula’s hobby could be
    since he disappears and wears a cape? Being a magician p.36

Chapter 5

  1. What did Josh gather from the vegetable garden
    and why? Garlic gloves; for protection, vampires don’t like garlic p.40
  2. What did Ruth Rose spell with the blocks after
    putting together Dr. A. Cula? Dracula p.41
  3. Who were the kids going to talk to at this end
    of this chapter? Police Officer Fallon p.43

Chapter 6

  1. 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
  2. Why did Josh need to get back home? He told
    his mom he’d babysit the twins p.49
  3. How was Josh and Dink going to entertain the
    twins? Take them on a pony ride p.51

Chapter 7

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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

  1. What does Dink think is going on? That Dr.
    Cula gave the Band Aids to everyone p.69
  2. Who opened the door when the boys were in the
    closet hiding? Ruth Rose p.71

Chapter 10

  1. Who’s Jimmy Jett? An actor from New York who’s
    going to play Dracula in a movie p.73
  2. 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
  3. 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

  1. What did Jimmy Jett invite the kids to? To New
    York City to watch his movie p.81
  2. Who appeared in the movie box next to Josh? Jimmy
    Jett dressed as Dracula p.83

Comprehension Questions – A to Z Mysteries The Haunted Hotel

The Haunted Hotel

By Ron Roy

Grades 2-5; Genre – Mystery; GRL N; AR pts: 1.0

A ghost has checked into the Shangri-la Hotel! It’s almost Halloween, and reports of strange sounds and even stranger sights are coming from Green Lawn’s only hotel. Every day, more and more guests are being scared away. Everyone else is getting scared, too! Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose must figure out what’s going on and catch the ghost – before Green Lawn turns into a ghost town!

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What’s the setting of this story? Dink’s
    living room on Sunday, in Green Lawn, CT p.1
  2. What did the newspaper claim was haunted? The
    Shangri-la Hotel in Green Lawn p.2
  3. Why is it the biggest week of the year for
    the hotel? Many tourists come to see the fall colors p.7

Chapter 2

  1. Where did Mr. Linkletter explain to the kids
    what’s going on? In his office p.11
  2. Who’s Livvy? The hotel maid p.15
  3. Why did the kids want to help Mr. Linkletter? He’s
    their friend p.16
  4. What did the kids think they saw when the
    elevator door opened? The ghost p.16

Chapter 3

  1. Who did the kids meet after they pushed the
    black button on the elevator and ended up on an unknown floor of the hotel? Mr.
    and Mrs. Spivets; Mr. Linkletter’s Aunt and Uncle who used to own the hotel
    p.21
  2. What’s the ghost telling Mr. and Mrs. Spivets? To
    go away and leave the hotel p.24
  3. Why are the Spivets selling the hotel? There’s
    a real estate company that’s been wanting to buy it and with the ghosts they
    don’t feel they have another choice p.25

Chapter 4

  1. What did the kids resolve to do since no one
    they talked to had seen the ghost? Find someone who had seen it p.30
  2. Who did the kids talk to that saw the ghost? Mr.
    and Mrs. Jeffers p.32
  3. What did Mr. Spivets want the kids to do that
    night? Sleep in the hotel so they can solve the mystery and maybe see the
    ghost p.35

Chapter 5

  1. Who’s the Casper Nate referred to when saying he
    wanted to see a ghost? Casper is from a cartoon called Casper the Friendly
    Ghost p.38
  2. Why is Dink able to stay up later than usual? There’s
    no school the next day p.41
  3. What’s Rose Ruth’s plan to see the ghost? Hang
    out until midnight p.42

Chapter 6

  1. Where did the kids stake out to see the ghost? In
    the cleaning closet p.44
  2. What did the ghost call out as it passed each of
    their family’s rooms? It called each of the kid’s names and said to leave,
    its dangerous, or go before its too late and to leave now p.46
  3. What clue did Ruth Rose find on the doorframe? A
    human hair p.50

Chapter 7

  1. What was the yucky smell Josh noticed in the
    hall the night before? The smell of Halloween make-up p.53
  2. What did Livvy find under the Jeffers bed that
    she thought was a rat? A wig p.57
  3.  What’s a dumbwaiter?
    Small elevator shaft used to lift small things up and down from one room to
    another p.58

Chapter 8

  1. What did the kids and Livvy find while searching
    the Jeffers’ hotel room? The wig, a tape with spooky music, a sword, Halloween
    make-up p.63
  2. Where did the kids find the Jeffers? At Ellie’s
    eating breakfast p.66
  3. How did the Jeffers react when they read the
    note from Ruth Rose? They waved the kids over to them and admitted it p.69

Chapter 9

  1. Why were the Jeffers wanting to scare the
    hotel guests away? They’re actors and had been hired by three men to scare
    them away p.72
  2. Why didn’t the Jeffers realize the hotel was
    closing? They were told the hotel was being used in a horror movie and that
    scaring guests away was huge for publicity, and the guests would get their money
    back and free tickets to the movie; the Jeffers would then have starring roles
    in the movie p.73
  3. Who hired the Jeffers’? the same men buying
    the hotel p.74

Chapter 10

  1. How did Eatch, Rail and Roock realize their plan
    had been found out? The Jeffers went up to them during the signing and asked
    about the movie. The reporter from the Green Lawn Gazette told them the entire
    town would learn about their plan to trick the Spivets and Mr. Linkletter p.80
  2. What did Mrs. the businessmen’s names become when
    Mrs. Spivets rearranged the letters? Cheat, Liar and Crook p.83
  3. What did the kids receive from the Spivets as a
    thank you for saving the hotel? Three airline tickets to Florida, three
    tickets to Disneyworld and three $50 bills p.86

Comprehension Questions – A to Z Mysteries Super Edition #4 Sleepy Hollow Sleepover

Sleepy Hollow Sleepover

By Ron Roy

Grades 2-5; Genre – Fiction; GRL O; AR pts: 1.0

Third graders Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose are spending Halloween in spooky Sleepy Hollow, New York, home of the Headless Horseman. They're going to sleep in an old cabin, take a haunted hayride, and tour the old Dutch church where people claim to have seen the legendary headless horseman. But strange things start happening that don’t seem to be part of the planned Halloween fun. Is there a real Headless Horseman haunting Sleepy Hollow?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What activity were the kids going to be doing that night? A haunted hayride and going to a party p.2
  2. Who’s the Headless Horseman? A fictional character from the story, “the Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” by Washington Irving; the story is about a teacher, Ichabod Crane. He liked a woman named Katrina. Brom Bones liked Katrina as well and didn’t want Ichabod to get her, so dressed up as the headless horseman to drive him out of town. He told people it was a ghost of a soldier who’d lost his head and looked for it at night p.4
  3. Who did Dink step on after watching the mechanical headless horseman? One man wearing cowboy boots with silver toes; his name was Ace p.9

Chapter 2

  1. Where were the kids sleeping? In a cabin Dink’s father rented called the Haunted House p.11
  2. What popped out of the chest when Dink opened it to get a game? A skeleton p.13
  3. Who did the kids see out the window? The Headless Horseman p.17

Chapter 3

  1. What was suspicious about the driver of the wagon? He had a hat, wouldn’t look at the kids, deep voice, he doesn’t talk to the kids, he smacked a tree to make the bats fly out and around the kids p.23
  2. What came out of the grave as the kids passed the cemetery? A zombie p.31
  3. Who did the zombie and wagon driver end up being? Police officers Klevor and Reilly p.34

Chapter 4

  1. What police officer was in charge of the pumpkin bowling? Officer Reilly p.41
  2. What did Dink see as he ran after his pumpkin? Two men wearing masks by the wagons and horses p.44
  3. What happened in the woods where the wagons were parked? A huge fire was started p.48

Chapter 5

  1. Why did Andy think the fire started? Another prank by the police p.52
  2. How did Officer Klevor know the fire was intentional? There were match books on the ground p.54
  3. What happened to the policeman’s car tires? They were flattened p.58

Chapter 6

  1. Why was Dink flustered? He was still bothered about the two men and the flashing shoes he saw just before the fire at the wagons was started p.61
  2. How many police cruisers came to rescue the kids? 4 p.64
  3. Who was out in the field with the burned wagons as Dink and his friends drove away? The police officer dressed up as a spaceman p.66

Chapter 7

  1. What was suspicious about the cabin when the kids were dropped off by Officer Sneke? Dink’s dad said he would wait up until the kids got there, but he wasn’t there. Ice cubes were in the lemonade, Dink’s dad’s book was left opened on the chair p.69
  2. Where was Dink’s dad? Hiding in the closet dressed as a ghost p.72
  3. What did Dink realize the other man could have been who was by the wagons before they were set on fire? It could have been Officer Klevor p.75

Chapter 8

  1. Where did the kids find Officer Klevor? At the bank p.81
  2. What happened to Bonnie at the bank? Two men came to her house, told her to get her coat and took her to the bank to open the vault. She couldn’t open it and the men took money from the teller drawers p.81
  3. What was inside the mechanical horse’s belly? The money that was stolen from the bank p.87

Chapter 9

  1. Who did Ruth Rose call when they got stuck in the back of the truck with the mechanical horse? The police; 911 p.91
  2. Why did Dink want to let money out of the bags while they were driving? People might see it and call the police; the driver may stop, and they could get away p.92
  3. What did the kids feel in the dark of the barn hole? A body tied up p.100

Chapter 10

  1. Who did the children free while in the hole? The man who was originally supposed to go pick up the mechanical horse p.102
  2. Why did Dink think his dad would call the police and come find them? When the bad guys found the kids in the back of the truck, Dink had pushed the green button to the cell phone which would automatically call his dad. Then his dad would have heard the conversation and know the kids were in danger p.104
  3. Why did the kids think Bonnie was in on the bank job? She led the police to think the robbers left at midnight and had an 8 hour lead and she could get the money out after the vault opened at 8 am p.107

Chapter 11

  1. How did Dink reach up and lift the slat that covers the hole? He stood on Hank’s shoulders p.112
  2. Why did Dink want a tin can? To prop open the piece of wood p.116
  3. Why did Dink want Ruth Rose’s knife? To make the tire flat p.116

Chapter 12

  1. How did Josh, Ruth Rose and Hank get out of the hole? Dink had seen a rope when he was on Hank’s shoulders and tied it to the bumper of the truck. Hank climbed out, then he pulled the kids out one by one p.120
  2. Who came to the rescue and helped Dink out of the hole? The police; Officer Klevor p.123
  3. Who ended up being the Headless Horseman the night the kids went to the party? They don’t know; it’s a mystery p.128