Tag Archives: Fiction

Comprehension Questions – When You Reach Me

When You Reach Me

by Rebecca Stead

Grades 5-7; Genre - Fiction; GRL V; AR pts: 6.0

In 1979, as her mother prepares to be a contestant on the THE $20,000 PYRAMID, a twelve-year-old New York City girl tries to make sense of a series of mysterious notes received from an anonymous source that seems to defy the laws of time and space.

Comprehension Questions

Chapters 1-3 pgs. 1-11

Ask your child to think about the names of the chapters and how they’re symbolic to the story. Tell them you’ll ask them at the end of the book to see if they’ve figured it out.

  1. What point of view is this story told in and who’s the main character? first person; Miranda p.1,5
  2. Why does Miranda’s mom need to win the game show? Because her mom’s hating work and if she wins, she doesn’t have to work anymore p.6
  3. What book is Miranda telling Belle about while waiting for her mom in the store? A Wrinkle in Time; If you
    child doesn’t know yet, don’t tell them, sections of this book come up through the rest of the story p.8
  4. What did Miranda and her mom hide in this chapter? A key to their apartment p.11

Chapters 4-6 pgs. 12-20

  1. How did Miranda meet Sal? She and her mom had just moved into the apartment and that same day they met Louisa holding Sal in the lobby. He was crying and stopped when he saw Miranda p.15
  2. Describe the crazy man on the corner? He showed up as school began and would do sudden kicks into the street, shake his fist at the sky, yell crazy stuff and throw his head back and laugh so everyone could see his mouth full of fillings. He sometimes slept with his head under the mailbox p.16
  3. Who is Miranda referring to when she says, “you”? listen to your children’s thoughts

Chapters 7-10 pgs. 21-31

  1. What’s the consequence of Sal getting punched? It ended Miranda’s and his friendship p.24
  2. How does Miranda deal with strangers that she comes across? She asks them if they have the time p.25
  3. How did Miranda deal with the bully who followed her and punched Sal? She turned around and asked him if he had the time; after their conversation realized she wasn’t scared of him p.30

Chapters 11-14 pgs. 32-53

  1. Why did Miranda ask Annemarie if she wanted to have lunch together? Miranda needed a friend and overheard Julia tell Annemarie that she wouldn’t eat lunch with her for the rest of the week p.35
  2. Why is it important that Louisa writes down notes from the game show? So Miranda’s mom can practice just how it will be when she gets on the show p.40
  3. Who was the last kid on the list Miranda picked up to the dentist and what did they have a debate about? Marcus, the boy who hit Sal; Miranda’s book p.47

Chapters 15-19 pgs. 54-66

  1. Where did Miranda, Annemarie and Colin get jobs and what was the pay? Jimmy’s; a soda and cheese sandwich p.55
  2. What was missing and what did Miranda find in her library book? The apartment key; a note that freaked Miranda and her mom out p.60
  3. Why was Miranda nervous to bring Annemarie home? They had to walk by the group of boys and the laughing man on the corner p.64

Chapters 20-25 pgs. 67-83

  1. What was in Jimmy’s bank in the back of the restaurant? Lots of $2 bills p.69
  2. How does Miranda feel about Colin? She has a crush on him p.74
  3. What did Jimmy do to Julia at the sandwich shop? He kicked her out p.83

Chapters 26-30 pgs. 84-99

  1. What had been stolen from Miranda’s apartment? Richard’s work shoes p.87
  2. Why shouldn’t Annemarie eat bread and drink soda? She has epilepsy and that type of food makes her seizures worse p.92
  3. What did Miranda learn from the third note? That whoever was writing the notes was watching her p.99

Chapters 31-34 pgs. 100-117

  1. Why did Marcus hit Sal? To see what would happen p.105
  2. Why had Miranda’s bread count at Jimmy’s come up short? Colin had taken two of the rolls and stuffed them in his knapsack p.109
  3. How did Miranda’s mom react when she found out Miranda gave the laughing man a sandwich? She was upset and thought Miranda put herself in danger p.115

Chapters 35-39 pgs. 118-136

  1. Why didn’t Jimmy let the kids into the restaurant? Someone had stolen his bank and he assumed it was one of them p.124
  2. Why does Jimmy think Julia stole the bank? She’s black p.130
  3. What’s the book Miranda is always carrying and debating with Marcus? A Wrinkle in Time p.135

Chapters 40-43 pgs. 137-153

  1. Why did Miranda’s mom get scared when Miranda wasn’t home and she didn’t know where she was? She thought something happened to her; Miranda left and said she was going to bring back a bagel for her and never came back p.141
  2. What caused Miranda’s change of heart? She saw Julia’s face as she looked at Annemarie and realized she had the same face when she looked at Sal p.144
  3. Who was at the door when Miranda heard the strange knock and what did they want? Colin; he kissed Miranda p.153

Chapters 44-47 pgs. 154-170

  1. Why did Sal run away from Marcus into the road? Sal was scared of him because he had punched him p.158
  2. Who wrote the notes to Miranda and saved Sal’s life? The laughing man p.162
  3. Why did Sal want to take a break from being friends with Miranda? He wanted to have other friends because he didn’t have any p.169

Chapters 48-55 pgs. 171-197

  1. Explain what happened with Marcus’ brother and Marcus’ explanation of why he hit Sal. Anthony, Marcus’ brother got beat up and Marcus stood and watched. Anthony was upset that Marcus didn’t help him and told him he’d have to hit and be hit someday to understand. The next day Marcus hit Sal and instead of hitting Marcus back, Sal bent over and cried. When Anthony found out what Marcus did, he was mad at him for hitting a short kid p.177
  2. Who’s the laughing man? Marcus from the future p.189
  3. What did Miranda find under the mailbox and who’s the drawing of? Her missing apartment key and a drawing of Julia p.194
  4. Summarize this story. Miranda received three notes explaining she needed to write a letter telling the story of what happened between Sal and Marcus. The notes were from Marcus (the laughing man) from
    the future. Young Marcus needed the letter to know how to protect Sal.

Challenge Question

  1. What did the chapter titles represent in this story? Subjects on $20,000 Pyramid

Comprehension Questions – #10 Junie B. Jones Is a Party Animal

Junie B. Jones Is a Party Animal

by Barbara Park

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

Lucille is having a slumber party - at her richie nanna's big giant house! Grace and Junie B. can't wait to see all the rich stuff in that place. Sleeping over at the nanna's is sure to be a dream come true! 'Cause what could possibly go wrong?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe Lucille’s nanna. She’s very rich;
    she owns a gold Cadillac and drives Lucille to school every day; she has a huge
    house with lots of rooms and Lucille’s family lives with her p.2
  2. How did Lucille feel about Junie B. calling her
    nanna, Nanna? She was very upset p.6
  3. How did Junie B. make Lucille’s nana laugh? Nanna
    thought the things Junie B. said were darling p.6

Chapter 2

  1. Why is Lucille upset at Junie B. and Grace? She
    was trying to convince her nanna to be her a white poodle when Junie B. and
    Grace climbed in the back of the car p.11
  2. What was Junie B.’s idea to help Lucille get the
    poodle? Junie B. and Grace could sleep over and help beg for the poodle p.13

Chapter 3

  1. How did Junie B. get invited to sleepover? Lucille’s
    nanna called Junie B.’s mom p.16
  2. List three rules Junie B. needs to follow to
    spend the night at Lucille’s. No running, no jumping, no shouting, no squealing,
    no hollering, no snooping, no spying, no arguing, no fighting, no cheating at
    games, no talking back to the nanna, no breaking other people’s toys, no grumping,
    no crying, no fibbing, no tickling people when they say no, no staying up late,
    and absolutely no head-butting p.20

Chapter 4

  1. List two things Junie B. packed by herself for Lucille’s. Slippers, pajamas, pillow, bathrobe, blanket, sheets, stuffed elephant name Philip Johnny Bob, and a small throw rug p.22
  2. Why was Junie B. so energetic and excited when Lucille’s nanna arrived to pick her up? She’d been sitting and waiting all day instead of using her energy p.28
  3. Who was in the car with Lucille's nanna? Lucille and Grace p.29

Chapter 5

  1. Why did Lucille’s nanna say no as Junie B. and
    Grace asked her to get a poodle for Lucille? Her nanna’s allergic to dogs
    p.32
  2. Name one room in Lucille’s home you would enjoy
    having in your own and why? Have your child name a room and explain why.
    Here are the rooms: living room, dining room, kitchen, big giant patio, daddy’s
    office, mother’s office, family room, pool room to play pool, outside pool to
    swim and sit in the hot tub, the library, the gym, Nanna’s room, mother and
    daddy’s room, fancy gold bathroom with the Jacuzzi, brother’s room, Lucille’s
    bedroom, and a whole bunch of guest rooms p.35
  3. Why couldn’t Junie B. and Grace play with Lucille’s
    stuffed animals or sit on her bed? They were just for show p.37

Chapter 6

  1. How did Nanna react after Junie B. broke a
    crystal glass, dropped her Frank on the white tablecloth from Ireland, and spilled
    chocolate ice cream on her chair cushion? She sighed and said, “you’re a bit
    of a bull in a China shop, aren’t you dear?”, she patted her hand and then said,
    “quite all right” p.47
  2. What bed did the girls jump on? The guest
    room bed that made for tall people p.53
  3. Describe what happened when the girls had a
    pillow fight on the bed? Junie B.’s pillow ripped open and feathers exploded
    out of it, then Nanna walked in the room and put her face in the pillow p.57

Chapter 7

  1. What did Lucille do when Nanna said, “I don’t
    want to hear one more peep out of you”? she started saying “peep” over and
    over p.62
  2. How did Nanna react? She opened the door to
    the bedroom and yelled, “SILENCE!” p.63
  3. How did Junie B. feel about Nanna now? She was
    scared of her p.63

Chapter 8

  1. What word would you use to describe Junie B. as
    she decided she didn’t want to eat anything since she might break or ruin more
    things? Responsible, thoughtful, careful, etc. p.68
  2. Why was Junie B. relieved to feel her normal
    back seat material instead of the soft material in the nanna’s car? She didn’t
    have to be as careful and she could relax p.69
  3. What helped Junie B. realize that she loved her
    own nanna just perfect? She can be herself around her own nanna, is
    comfortable, and doesn’t have to worry about breaking things or making her mad
    p.71

Comprehension Questions – The Fudge Books Superfudge

Superfudge

by Judy Blume

Grades 3-5; Genre - Fiction; GRL Q; AR pts: 4.0

Farley Drexel Hatcher - otherwise known as Fudge - thinks he's a superhero, but his older brother, Peter, knows Fudge is nothing but a big pain! Dealing with Fudge is hard enough, but now Peter's parents have decided to move to New Jersey for an entire year! Even worse, Peter's mom is going to have a new baby. And if this baby is anything like Fudge - help! How will Peter ever survive?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What’s the big news Peter’s parents
    told him? His mother is going to have a baby p.3
  2. Describe how Peter felt about the new
    baby? He was angry; he didn’t want another sibling like Fudge; he wanted to
    run away p.4
  3. How did Peter come to accept the idea
    of the new baby? His dad told him to take a chance, the baby may not be like
    Fudge; his mom promised him the baby would sleep in the dining room and not his
    room p.10

Chapter 2

  1. How did Peter feel about the baby’s
    nickname, Tootsie? He thought it was a terrible name since he thought she’d
    be teased when she went to school p.16
  2. Why wasn’t Tootsie in her crib when
    Peter came home from school? Fudge had taken her out and was playing hide
    and seek with her p.19
  3. Why did Fudge try to sell Tootsie? He
    wanted to be the baby; Tootsie wasn’t any fun p.21

Chapter 3

  1. What news did Peter’s parents share
    with him and Fudge in this chapter? They’re moving to Princeton, New Jersey
    for a year p.31
  2. Why was Peter upset that in
    Princeton, Fudge will be in the same school? He didn’t want to go to a new
    school; he doesn’t want to be in the same school as Fudge p.35
  3. Why was Peter’s father taking a leave
    of absence from work? He’s writing a book p.38

Chapter 4

  1. Why did Jimmy come and apologize to
    Peter for getting mad at him for moving? He realized he was only an hour
    away by train and Peter can’t do anything about moving p.41
  2. Why is Sheila glad Peter’s moving? She
    won’t have to smell his dog p.46
  3. Why did Fudge put trading stamps all
    over Tootsie? He wants to trade her in for a two-wheeler p.49

Chapter 5

  1. Why did Peter’s dad buy books about
    roses, gardening and beetles? In the new house they had a rose garden, as
    well as an herb and vegetable garden p.52
  2. Describe Alex Santo. He’s going
    into 6th grade like Peter; he’s very small; has hair that hangs in
    his eyes; wears a t-shirt that says Princeton Class of ’91 p.54
  3. Why did Alex and Peter take worms to
    Mrs. Muldour and why were they so small? She buys them for $.05 a worm; they
    cut them in half/thirds to make more money p.58

Chapter 6

  1. Why did Peter have trouble falling
    asleep? He missed the sounds of the city; it was too quiet p.64
  2. Why didn’t Peter want to walk with Fudge
    to school? He wanted to ride his bike like all the other kids at school p.67
  3. Why did Peter get called down to the
    principal’s office? To help get Fudge down from on top of a cabinet. Fudge
    had kicked the teacher because she wouldn’t call him Fudge, and then he climbed
    up on top of the cabinet just below the ceiling p.74

Chapter 7

  1. What kind of bird does Fudge want and
    why? A myna bird; they can talk p.82
  2. Why was it ironic that the bird was copying
    Fudge? Fudge had copied Peter in everything he had said and now Fudge was
    being copied p.88
  3. Who helped Fudge sleep in his own
    room again? Uncle Feather his bird p.89

Chapter 8

  1. Whose painting did Peter see in the
    art gallery? Jimmy’s dad’s painting p.100
  2. Why is Peter’s mom going back to work
    in the dentist office? They need the money; Peter’s dad is writing a book
    and isn’t working  p.102
  3. Why didn’t Peter tell Beverly the story
    of how the painting became Anita’s Anger? He realized there were things he
    wouldn’t want Jimmy to tell other people, so he thought this was probably one
    of those things Jimmy wouldn’t want others to know p.111

Chapter 9

  1. Describe Daniel, Fudge’s friend. He’s pudgy with a lot of red hair and ears that stick out; he’s 6; knows a lot about birds; very picky about his food; always watches TV while he’s eating p.116
  2. Why was it difficult for Peter when his two best friends met? They were jealous of each other and couldn’t stand each other p.122
  3. Describe what happened at the movie theater. The boys ran into Sharon, Elaine and Joanne from school. Joanne bought their tickets, and everyone was introduced to Jimmy; they got the little boys settled in the theater, then the older kids went to their own seats; Peter sat next to Joanne, they shared popcorn, and then held hands after Fudge put ice down Peter’s back p.126

Chapter 10

  1. What did Fudge want for Christmas? A red bicycle like Peter’s p.137
  2. Why was Peter upset there weren’t ever secrets during Christmastime? He always knew what he was going to get for Christmas, either by finding the presents or overhearing his mom talking about it p.140
  3. What’s Fudge’s opinion of Santa Claus? He knows he’s not real, but pretends since his mom and dad thinks he believes in Santa p.147

Chapter 11

  1. Why wasn’t Peter worried about his parents
    getting a divorce? Whenever his parents fought, they ended up laughing p.150
  2. Why did Fudge get so many cuts and
    bruises while riding his bike? He didn’t use the brakes and would crash into
    things p.151
  3. Who did Fudge have Brian Tumkin draw?
    Mr. Green the principal p.157

Chapter 12

  1. What prank did Fudge play on Peter? Fudge
    woke Peter up saying he was late for school, but it was really a Saturday p.159
  2. What did Alex and Peter do for the
    afternoon? Had a picnic at the lake and watched the university rowing team
    p.163
  3. What consequence did Peter suggest as
    a punishment for the boys running away? Taking away their bikes for a month
    p.173

Comprehension Questions – Ready, Freddy! Thanksgiving Turkey Trouble

Thanksgiving Turkey Trouble

by Abby Klein

Grades PreK-3; Genre - Fiction; GRL N; AR pts: 1.0

Freddy's Thresher's first-grade class is doing a Thanksgiving play, and Freddy wants to have a really cool part. Will he get to be an Indian, or will Thanksgiving end up being nothing but big trouble onstage?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Why do we celebrate Thanksgiving? It’s
    the Pilgrims first harvest in the New World in October 1621
  2. What are three things you’re thankful
    for? Encourage and listen to your child
  3. What was the class going to get to
    perform for the parents and how will they get their parts? A play; the parts
    will go in a hat and each person will choose p.18

Chapter 2

  1. What made Freddy so excited that he
    danced around the dinner table? His grandparents were coming for
    Thanksgiving p.20
  2. What’s the worst part Freddy could
    get in the play? the Thanksgiving turkey p.26
  3. What part in the play does Freddy
    hope to get? An Indian p.27

Chapter 3

  1. How did Freddy feel about Jessie when
    she stood up to Max? He thought she was brave and wanted to be like her p.32
  2. What was Max’s consequence for teasing
    Chloe? He was to go to time-out and have last pick for his part p.34
  3. What part in the play did Freddy get?
    The turkey p.38

Chapter 4

  1. Why was Freddy lucky to get to be the
    turkey for the play? It’s the symbol of Thanksgiving and is a very important
    part of the play p.40
  2. What part did Jessie get and how did she
    feel about it? The Indian princess; she was happy because the princess was
    brave p.42
  3. How was Jessie a friend to Freddy on
    the bus home from school? Max was making fun of Freddy for being the turkey
    and she told him to stop and that she knew karate p.44

Chapter 5

  1. How did Freddy’s mom know that
    something was wrong after school? He usually goes to the kitchen after
    school for a snack, but instead he went to his room and hid under his covers
    p.50
  2. What did Freddy decide to do so he
    wouldn’t have to be in the play? Run away from home until after Thanksgiving
    p.51
  3. How did Freddy’s mom find his packed suitcase?
    She tripped on the handle p.56

Chapter 6

  1. How would Suzie have felt if Freddy ran
    away? Really sad p.63
  2. What did Freddy give Suzie to keep
    his secret of taking a family picture off his mom’s dresser? his golden-dollar
    coin p.65

Chapter 7

  1. What advice did Papa Dave give Freddy
    about running away? Running away doesn’t solve anyone’s problems, people have
    to face them head on p.68
  2. What was Papa Dave’s reason for the
    turkey being the best part of the play? The turkey will be the most
    remembered because its different and being different is good p.70
  3. What advice did Freddy receive from his
    grandpa about Max bullying him? Show Max that he’s proud to be turkey and to
    wobble, flap his wings and gobble until Max runs away p.70

Chapter 8

  1. Where did Freddy’s mom find his hood
    for the play? In the bathroom laundry hamper p.74
  2. What made Freddy run out of the room
    and hide in the supply closet? The kids in the class were laughing at him as
    he put on his costume p.77
  3. How did the principal help Freddy
    feel better about being the turkey? He told Freddy about his part in a play
    in first grade. He was a piece of trash and stole the show by dancing and by being
    the best piece of trash anybody had ever seen p.83

Comprehension Questions – Ready, Freddy! Don’t Sit on My Lunch!

Don't Sit on My Lunch!

by Abby Klein

Grades PreK-3; Genre - Fiction; GRL L; AR pts: 1.0

Freddy Thresher knows that Max Sellars is the biggest, meanest bully in the whole first grade. The best way to get along with Max is to stay out of his way. He'll push you, he'll punch you, he'll sit on your lunch! So is Freddy crazy to think he can beat out Max and get the one open spot on the hockey team? Now Freddy's friend Jessie has to get him into shape...if it's the last thing she does!

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What did Jessie have that Max wanted? A jersey
    p.12
  2. What sport does Jessie play? Ice Hockey p.13
  3. What’s a bully? A person who seeks to harm or
    intimidate others p.14

Chapter 2

  1. How did Freddy’s mom react when he told her he
    wanted to play hockey? She screamed that no child of hers would play hockey;
    she was really upset p.20
  2. How did Freddy’s dad convince his mom that playing
    hockey would be good for Freddy? It would help his hand eye coordination; he
    would learn about sportsmanship; its good exercise p.23

Chapter 3

  1. Why did Jessie call Freddy? To invite him
    over after school to practice hockey in the parking lot p.30
  2. How did Suzie treat Freddy when he was
    talking to Jessie on the phone? She teased him, sang the kissing song to him
    p.31
  3. What did Freddy’s dad do in response to her
    teasing? He sent her to her room, like sending a hockey player to the
    penalty box p.34

Chapter 4

  1. How did Max bully Freddy at lunch? He sat on
    his lunch sack and smushed his lunch p.36
  2. Why didn’t Jessie think Max would be good at
    hockey? He wasn’t a team player p.39
  3. How did Max get sent to the time-out table? He
    broke Chloe’s chopstick and she called over Miss Becky the lunch helper, and explained
    how Max had been a bully p.44

Chapter 5

  1. Who watches Jessie after school while her mother
    is at work? Her grandmother p.46
  2. What snack did Jessie and Freddy have after
    school? Tamales p.47
  3. What did Jessie teach Freddy, as she helped him
    prepare for the hockey tryouts? He needed to get used to people coming at
    him; how to hold the stick; how to hit the puck to shoot, pass and make a goal p.51

Chapter 6

  1. Why did Freddy need to apologize to Suzie? He
    was showing his dad how to shoot a puck using a knife and mashed potatoes and
    flicked mashed potatoes into Suzie’s face p.56
  2. Why was Freddy so upset that his family thought
    Jessie was his girlfriend? It was embarrassing to him; she wasn’t his girlfriend
    and just a friend p.64
  3. What was Freddy’s nickname and why is it a good
    hockey name? Mouse; because mice move quickly, they can move easily in and
    out of tight spots, and they almost never get caught p.66

Chapter 7

  1. Define what bragging means and how does it
    make you feel when someone else is bragging? To talk boastfully; it can make
    you feel bad p.67
  2. What did Chloe’s mom teach her to do when Max was
    bullying her? Ignore him p.69
  3. What did Freddy bet Max? His snack and
    dessert for a week p.68

Chapter 8

  1. Name Freddy’s two good luck charms? His shark
    tooth and great white shark underwear p.73
  2. How did Suzie help Freddy the morning of the
    tryouts? She made a pinky swear that she wouldn’t tell their mom about
    Freddy wearing his lucky underwear when they were dirty and let Freddy use her lucky
    penny p.78

Chapter 9

  1. Whose team was Freddy on during tryouts? Max’s
    p.80
  2. Why was it important for Freddy to skate down to
    the goal when Max had the puck? If the puck didn’t go into the goal, he could
    pick up the rebound; he picked up the rebound and when Max passed the puck to
    him, he made a goal and they won the game p.83
  3. Who made the hockey team? Freddy and Max p.88

Comprehension Questions – Baseball Pals

Baseball Pals

by Matt Christopher

Grades 3-5; Genre - Fiction; GRL M; AR pts: 1.0

Jimmie learns an important lesson about the misuse of power when he is elected captain of his baseball team and makes decisions that are not in the team's best interests.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe the setting of this story. On the ballfield; the characters of the story were gathered talking about which position everyone would play; autumn time p.3
  2. Who convinced everyone he was to be the pitcher and how did he do it? Jimmie; he was the new team captain, he said he’d been practicing all summer, and he found other positions for the team members to play p.3
  3. Why did Ervie make Jimmie feel unsettled? Jimmie didn’t know if Ervie was happy or not; Ervie looked at Paul in a certain way p.8

Chapter 2

  1. Why wasn’t Tiny playing with Jimmie’s team this
    year? The Red Rockets had already asked him to be on their team and gave him
    a jersey p.9
  2. Describe Jimmie’s experience while he was
    pitching in this chapter. He struggled getting it over the plate and walked
    two guys. Then he slowed down his pitches and the batters hit them p.15
  3. Why was Jimmie pleased with himself at the end
    of the chapter? He hit a ball way out in the field and made it to third base
    p.18

Chapter 3

  1. Who’s the team’s new manager? Mr. Nichols
    p.19
  2. After the game why did Ervie want to go home? He
    was hungry and it was getting late p.22
  3. How does Jimmie feel about Ervie? He wishes
    he didn’t have to bring him with him to the field; he’s impatient with him p.22

Chapter 4

  1. Why did Jimmie lie to his mom about coming home
    on time? He didn’t want to come home on time and wanted to stay at the field
    p.26
  2. When Jimmie went to Paul’s after dinner, what
    did he find Paul doing? Practicing his pitching p.28
  3. What was the news Tiny told Jimmie at the end of
    this chapter? Paul wasn’t playing the Planets, instead he was going to play
    with the Red Rockets p.31

Chapter 5

  1. Summarize what happened in this chapter. Jimmie
    went home and to his room. He was upset about Paul joining the other team, and
    got angry to the point that he decided he didn’t care anymore, then he went to
    play with Ervie p.35

Chapter 6

  1. How did Mr. Nichols react to Paul leaving the
    team? He said it was ok and that Jimmie could become a good pitcher too with
    practice p.38
  2. Who went out to pitch after Jimmie continued to
    throw bad pitches during batting practice? Mr. Nichols p.41

Chapter 7

  1. Why did Jimmie go to Mose’s house early Saturday
    morning? To practice pitching since Mose was going to be the catcher p.43
  2. How did Jimmie do while he was practicing? Not
    very well; he never threw to the mitt p.44
  3. Why did the umpire yell “Balk!” when Jimmie was
    winding up before a pitch? A pitcher can’t wind up if there are men on base,
    because after a pitcher winds up, he can’t stop and throw it to the base to get
    them out p.46

Chapter 8

  1. Find a simile at the top of page 52. Jimmie
    ran like a deer p.52
  2. Who won, the Mohawks or the Planets? The Mohawks
    p.53
  3. Why didn’t Ervie think the Planets were going to
    win any games in the league? He said they didn’t have a good pitcher p.55

Chapter 9

  1. Where did Jimmie go with his father? Fishing p.56
  2. What important lesson did Mr. Todd teach Jimmie
    while they were fishing? To be patient and to keep at something if you want it
    p.61

Chapter 10

  1. What was Jimmie’s plan so Paul would come and
    watch TV with him that evening? Have his mom invite over his parents and Paul
    would come over too p.63
  2. What did Ervie say that made Jimmie mad and run
    out of the room when the Karoski’s came over? that Paul was mad at Jimmie
    because they both wanted to pitch for the Planets p.66

Chapter 11

  1. Who did Jimmie see during their Sunday walk and how
    did he feel? Some boys playing baseball from his team and Paul was pitching;
    made him mad p.68
  2. Why did the praise, Jimmie’s dad said about Paul,
    hurt Jimmie? His own dad said that Paul had really nice form and was going
    to be a great pitcher one day when Jimmie struggled at being a pitcher p.71

Chapter 12

  1. What secret did Jimmie tell Wishy? That
    Jimmie doesn’t think he’ll be a pitcher and instead he should play infield p.75
  2. What did Wishy help Jimmie practice? Catching
    grounders p.76

Chapter 13

  1. Why was Jimmie feeling confident, like he
    could hit anything? He had decided not to be pitcher and felt good about his
    decision p.80
  2. What position did Jimmie play for the last two
    innings? First basemen p.85
  3. Whose name did Jimmie cry out when he was
    cheering for the pitcher? Paul’s name p.86

Chapter 14

  1. When does the team list need to be turned in? Before
    Thursday p.87
  2. Why was Mr. Nichols impressed with Jimmie as
    he practiced playing infield? He didn’t realize Jimmie was so good p.90

Chapter 15

  1. Why did Jimmie take Ervie along to see Paul? He
    didn’t want to be alone to talk to Paul p.91
  2. Why was Paul’s mom upset when Jimmie told
    her Paul left in a blue car? She was worried about him and sad that he didn’t
    tell her where he was going p.98

Chapter 16

  1. Why was Paul gone for four hours? His cousin
    asked him to go for a ride, but only thought it would be a half hour, then as
    they got to the lake the car stopped, and they had to get a ride home from
    somebody p.101
  2. How did Paul respond when Jimmie told him he
    could pitch for the Planets? He said he was already pitching for the Red
    Rockets p.103

Chapter 17

  1. Who was in the alley waiting to talk to Jimmie? Paul
    with team members from the Planets p.106
  2. How did Wishy convince Paul to come play for the
    Planets? He gathered other team members, took them over to Paul’s house, and
    they talked him into it p.108
  3. Why did Jimmie want Mr. Nichols to call the Red
    Rockets manager about Paul switching teams? He was worried what the other
    manager would say p.110

Chapter 18

  1. How did Jimmie feel as he played short stop? Confident;
    happy; had fun; enjoyed playing p.112
  2. Who won the game? The Planets p.117
  3. What was more important to Jimmie than winning
    the game? Having Paul on the team 117

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