The Jaguar’s Jewel
By Ron Roy
Grades 2-5; Genre – Mystery; GRL N; AR pts: 1.0
When the kids visit Dink’s uncle in New York City, they’re dazzled by his museum’s latest treasure – a statue of a gold jaguar with a precious emerald between its paws. But when the jewel is swapped for a fake, the police name Dink’s uncle as a suspect! It’s up to Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose to uncover the real crook. Who stole the jaguar’s jewel?
Comprehension Questions
Chapter 1
- Describe the setting of this story. New York
City also called the Big Apple; very crowded, loud, and the feeling that everyone
is rushing p.4 - What does Uncle Warren do for a living and
what is he expecting? He owns a museum; A shipment from South America that
is made of priceless gold p.8 - Who are Uncle Warren’s friends? Jean-Paul and
his wife Yvonne p.10
Chapter 2
- What did Uncle Warren pull out of the crate? Several
gold items; A golden drinking cup made by the Incas in the 1500’s and a golden jaguar
with an emerald between its paws p.16 - Why did Uncle Warren put the golden items back
in the crate and nail it closed? Dr. Pitts was going to be coming by the
next day to check out the items and make sure they were in good order, so Uncle
Warren wanted to keep everything safe and together p.18 - Who’s Roger? Uncle Warren’s apartment
building doorman. He opens doors for tenants and whistles for taxis p.18
Chapter 3
- Where did Uncle Warren take the kids for dinner?
A Chinese restaurant called the Panda Palace p.21 - Why did Uncle Warren and the kids throw money
into a saxophone case? A man was playing the saxophone on the street and you
throw money in if you like his playing p.23 - What was wrong with the jaguar? The emerald
stone was a fake p.32
Chapter 4
- How did Dr. Pitts know the jewel was a fake? The
light didn’t penetrate into the jewel it just bounced off of it p.35 - Why did Dr. Pitts look at the lock on the door
and write something on a small pad of paper? He noticed something about the
lock; that it hadn’t been forced open p.37 - Who are the suspects for the missing jewel? Jean-Paul,
James Pride and Uncle Warren p.40
Chapter 5
- Why did Uncle Warren remind Dink to remember his
cookie? His fortune cookie said his eyes would play tricks on him p.42 - What did Yvonne make for the kids while
Uncle Warren was at the police station? Hot chocolate p.43 - What strange things happened in this chapter? Yvonne
slipped through a door that disappeared into the wall; Ms. Wu went back to
Uncle Warren’s office and left again; Dink remembered what his uncle said and
found the key to the office in his pocket p.44
Chapter 6
- What was strange about the wall in Dr. Price’s
office? It didn’t have any pictures or anything against it, it was just bare;
it had hidden seams on it p.53 - What did Dink think was hidden in the wall? A
secret door p.54 - Were the kids able to make the door open or find
anything else? No p.56
Chapter 7
- What did Ruth Rose find in the fish tank? A glowing
jewel stone; the emerald that’s supposed to be with the jaguar p.59 - What was the buzzing noise the kids heard? A VCR
hidden in a secret compartment of the bookshelves p.62 - What was the conclusion after watching the tape?
That Uncle Warren was the thief p.67
Chapter 8
- What did Josh realize happened to the letter
opener? Before the lights went out it was facing the window; after the
lights came back on, it was facing the other direction; someone had moved it p.69 - Who came into the office while the kids were
there? Dr. Pitts p.72 - Where did the kids hide? In James’ office
p.72
Chapter 9
- Who saved the kids when Dr. Pitts was coming
into James’ office and where did she take them? Yvonne; to her restaurant
through the secret passage p.76 - What did Josh realize would be on the letter
opener? Dr. Pitts’ fingerprints p.77 - What did Yvonne want to do when she realized Ruth
Rose had the jewel? Call the police p.78
Chapter 10
- Who was the real crook? Dr. Pitts p.79
- Why is there a secret passage between the office
and Yvonne’s restaurant? It used to be a home and the servants would use it
as a back-stairway p.82 - Who all played a part in solving the mystery?
The kids, James with the camera, Yvonne saving the kids, Uncle Warren for giving
the key to Dink and reminding him to remember his fortune cookie p.83