Tag Archives: Fiction

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 – How to Eat Fried Worms

How to Eat Fried Worms

by Thomas Rockwell

Grades 3-7; Genre - Fiction; GRL R; AR pts: 2.0

Because of a bet, Billy is in the uncomfortable position of having to eat fifteen worms in fifteen days. The worms are supplied by his opponent, whose motto is "The bigger and juicier, the better!" At first Billy's problem is whether or not he can swallow the worm placed before him, even with a choice of condiments from peanut butter to horseradish. But later it looks as if Billy will win, and the challenge becomes getting to the worm to eat it.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What started the bet? Tom wouldn’t eat his dinner the night before p.1
  2. What was the bet? Billy would eat 15 worms for $50 p.5

Chapters 2 & 3

  1. Why didn’t Tom think it was fair for Alan and Joe to get the first worm out of the manure pile? It wasn’t fair to ask Billy to eat a worm with manure on it; it’s unsafe and disgusting p.6
  2. What type of worm did Alan and Joe choose as the first worm Billy should eat? A night crawler p.9

Chapter 4

  1. What’s Billy’s motivation for eating 15 worms? He wants to buy a minibike p.15
  2. Why did Billy pretend to be crazy after eating the first worm? To tease and scare his friends p.17
  3. Would you bet eating 15 worms if you could get $50? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapters 5-9

  1. Why doesn’t Billy like eating the worms? He doesn’t like the thought of them p.27
  2. Is Tom being a good friend to Billy? Listen to your child’s response p.28

Chapters 10-12

  1. Why did Tom think Joe was lying about his dad and mom? He saw they were laughing when they were trying to fake sneeze p.39
  2. Does Billy believe Tom? Sort of p.40
  3. Why didn’t Tom want to eat the worm Billy challenged him to eat? It’s yucky and gross p.44

Chapters 13-15

  1. Why is Alan concerned about losing the bet? He knew his dad wouldn’t let him get his money out of the bank p.49
  2. Why did Billy’s father think Billy’s stomach was upset? He ate too much ketchup and mustard p.57
  3. What conclusion can be drawn from Billy’s father calling Poison Control? Worms aren’t poisonous or harmful to eat p.58

Chapters 16-19

  1. Why doesn’t Billy have any problems eating worms now? He’s not scared they’re going to hurt him anymore p.62
  2. How did Alan and Joe try to cheat? Glued two worms together p.64

Chapters 20-21

  1. Why did Alan and Joe come to visit Billy’s mom? They wanted to let her know about the bet (hoping it would ruin it) and asked her to referee Billy while they were gone p.70
  2. How did Billy’s mom cook the worms? His dad suggested using a French cookbook and she made Alsatian Smothered Worm p.75
  3. Did Billy’s family react the way Alan and Joe hoped they would? No p.75

Chapters 22-27

  1. How did Alan and Joe distract Billy? Taking him to Shea Stadium and filling him up with all sorts of yummy junk food until almost midnight p.80
  2. Who reminded Billy of the bet? His mom p.83
  3. Who found the thirteenth worm? Pete, Tom’s little brother p.85

Chapters 28-31

  1. What was the consequence of Alan and Joe trying to trick and distract Billy? They had to go to each neighbor and apologize for Billy waking them up in the middle of the night with the siren; no television or dessert for a month; no allowance for two weeks p.91
  2. What did the dads do after the boys got in a fight? Sat them down, made them talk things out, then took them for ice cream p.96
  3. What was the letter that was sent to Mrs. Forrester? A letter from their doctor saying he’d read that eating
    worms was bad for you p.98

Chapters 32-41

  1. How did Mr. Forrester know the letter was a fake? Alan and Joe used words with the wrong definitions p.101
  2. How did Billy know the 15th worm Alan and Joe gave him was a fake? He burped up beans instead of worm p.105
  3. Who gave Billy the fifteenth worm? Tom’s little brother again, Pete p.115

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 – The Voyage of the Frog

The Voyage of the Frog

by Gary Paulsen

Grades 8-12; Genre - Fiction; GRL S; AR pts: 5.0

David thought he was alone, that the ocean around him was all there was of the world. The wind screamed, the waves towered, and his boat, the twenty-two foot fiberglass FROG, skidded and bucked and, each moment, filled deeper and grew heavier with sea water. But in fact, David wasn't alone at all. He'd had the FROG as a partner from the beginning. Plot contains sexual content.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe the main character. His name is David, his uncle has just died of cancer, 14 years old, only child in his family, close to his uncle, who taught him to sail p.1
  2. Who gave David the sailing boat the Frog and why didn’t he want it? His uncle; he’d rather have his uncle p.2
  3. What did David’s uncle’s request of him? To have David take his ashes in the Frog so far out in the ocean
    he couldn’t see land, then spread them in the water p.7

Chapter 2

  1. Why was David so eager to know all about the Frog? The memory of Owen his uncle p.12
  2. What was in the small box David brought with him onto the boat? His uncle’s ashes p.13
  3. Why did David decide to sail that night instead of the next morning? He thought they were perfect sailing
    conditions; it was his uncle’s favorite time to sail p.15

Chapter 3

  1. What simile does the author use to describe the swells of water on page 19? A hand cradling and holding the Frog p.19
  2. How long did David need to travel to meet his uncle’s wishes? All night long p.20
  3. What beautiful path was David going to follow into the night? The golden light of the sun reflecting on the sea as it went down p.21

Chapter 4

  1. What did Owen want to spend his time doing when he was alive? Studying p.24
  2. What created the lights David saw in the water? small marine animals p.26
  3. What word did the author use to describe David’s feelings of being out of sight of land on page 29?  What does it mean in this context? Sober; marked by sedate or gravely or earnestly thoughtful character or demeanor p.29

Chapter 5

  1. Why was David angry at the small box that held the ashes? It could hold his uncle p.33
  2. How did the thread hooked on the cabin save David’s life? Because of the thread he turned and saw the storm barreling in on him p.34
  3. What hit David in the head during the storm? the boom p.37

Chapter 6

  1. When David woke up what did he have to do to stop the boat from sinking? Close the hatch p.41
  2. Why did David have a hard time thinking clearly when he woke up in the night? He had a concussion p.42
  3. Describe how you would feel if you were injured, lost on the ocean, your boat’s heavy with water, and your all alone? Listen to your child’s thoughts p.48

Chapter 7

  1. Describe where the phrase “one hand for the sailor, one hand for the ship” came from and what it means. In the old sailing days when the sailors had to climb up high onto the wooden yard, they would be terrified to let go and take care of the sails. One hand is to take care of yourself and the other is to take care of the ship p.53
  2. Why did David tell himself, “one hand for the ship”? His life depended on the Frog and if he didn’t stop worrying about himself and take care of the ship, she would sink p.53
  3. How did David drain the water from the cabin? A water pump p.54

Chapter 8

  1. Explain why David felt some things were better not to know and to just let them be on page 58. Listen to your child’s answer p.58
  2. What woke David in the night?  A shark bumping and scraping against the boat p.60
  3. What did David have that helped him get through this situation? Knowledge p.65

Chapter 9

  1. Why was David surprised to see himself covered with so many cuts and bruises? He didn’t realize he’d been beaten up during the storm p.69
  2. Who could David relate to when he analyzed his hunger? A man in the store looking at the food on the shelves and not being able to eat it p.72
  3. How did David get the thoughts of hunger out of his mind? Distracted himself by getting to work p.73

Chapter 10

  1. Why did David call his boat the “rag boat”? Dishrags, cloth, cushions, drying sails, ropes, rags, and towels had been tied all over the boat to dry, and it reminded him of a Chinese boat in the harbor at Hong Kong with several families living on it doing laundry p.78
  2. Why did David decide to keep his trash instead of throwing it overboard? He realized it might come in handy p.79
  3. Why didn’t David want to keep reading the Frog’s log? It was a personal journal of his uncle and had
    intimate experiences in it. He felt like he was prying p.83

Chapter 11

  1.  What woke David in the night? A huge tanker plowing toward him p.86
  2. Why couldn’t anyone hear or see David as the tanker went by? The engines were too loud, and it was dark; no one was looking p.88
  3. How would you feel if you saw hope disappear like David did? Listen to your child’s thoughts p.91

Chapter 12

  1. What emotion was David feeling at the beginning of this chapter? Hate p.92
  2. What did he realize about that emotion? It didn’t help his situation, and it festered more hate p.95
  3. How did David know a change was coming? The swells were different p.97

Chapter 13

  1. What happened when David ate the other half of the canned stew? He got sick p.101
  2. Why did David call the wind “homewind” at the end of this chapter? This wind was taking him toward home p.106

Chapter 14

  1. What surrounded David as he sailed toward home? 4 killer whales p.108
  2. How did the whales show him they were friends? They didn’t hurt him, they stayed in a formation around his boat, like they were protecting him p.110
  3. Find a word or phrase to describe how David felt on page 111 when there was a good wind. Listen to your child’s answers p.111

Chapter 15

  1. What did David almost crash into while sailing in the dark? Land; a beach p.119
  2. How did he know it was land? He could hear the surf p.119
  3. How did he know it wasn’t California? There weren’t any city lights p.120

Chapter 16

  1. Why was David frustrated at finding land? The land he was expecting to find was California/home, this land was barren with no sign of life p.122
  2. Why did David feel safe in the bay? It was sheltered from the wind p.126

Chapter 17

  1. What woke up David as he slept in the bay? A strong stench from the whales blasting water out of their blowholes p.128
  2. Why couldn’t David stay in the bay after the whales left? He appreciated and enjoyed their company and didn’t want to be in the bay alone p.13
  3. When David realized the storm was coming, why didn’t he go back to the bay to ride it out? He didn’t know when the storm was coming, and he didn’t want to lose precious sailing time p.131

Chapter 18

  1. Why couldn’t David let the sea take the Frog again? The Frog was a part of who he was now, and he didn’t want to abandon her by going inside during the storm again p.134
  2. What did David see as the storm passed and what did it mean? Another boat coming his way; he knew he was saved and could go home p.136
  3. Why didn’t David let the researchers save him? The rescuers couldn’t take the Frog with them and he couldn’t leave the Frog behind after everything they had been through together; it had saved him p.139

Comprehension Questions – The Fudge Books Fudge-a-Mania

Fudge-a-Mania

by Judy Blume

Grades 3-7; Genre - Fiction; GRL Q; AR pts: 3.0

Peter Hatcher can't catch a break. His little brother, Fudge - the five-year-old human hurricane - has big plans to marry Peter's sworn enemy, Sheila Tubman. That alone would be enough to ruin Peter's summer, but now his parents have decided to rent a summer home next door to Sheila the Cootie Queen's house. Peter will be trapped with Fudge and Sheila for three whole weeks!

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What news did Fudge given Peter that
    made him pretend to faint? He announced he was going to marry Sheila Tubman
    p.3
  2. Where is Peter’s family going for vacation
    and with whom? In Maine; next door to the Tubmans p.5

Chapter 2

  1. Why is Peter dreading living next to
    Sheila for three weeks? He doesn’t like her; they’re enemies p.7
  2. Who did Peter’s mom say he could
    bring with him on vacation? A friend; Jimmy Fargo p.9
  3. Why did Jimmy only want to be in
    Maine for a week? He’s not used to bigger families since he’s the only child
    and it’s just his father and him p.12

Chapter 3

  1. Who served Peter’s family lemonade
    when they arrived at their destination? Sheila’s grandfather, Buzzy Senior
    p.16
  2. Why was Peter upset about the house
    they were staying in? It’s only separated from Sheila’s house by an inside
    door and he told Jimmy there was a forest between his and Sheila’s house p.20
  3. Why did Fudge and his dad run for the
    car when Turtle came running out of the woods? Turtle had been sprayed by a
    skunk and they wanted to escape the smell by going to the store p.21

Chapter 4

  1. Describe the portion of the house
    Peter and his family are staying in? there’s only three bedrooms and one
    bathroom; no kitchen or living room, they’ll share those with the Tubmans p.22
  2. Describe the area Peter’s staying
    with his family in Maine. There’s a bike shop, a library, a bookstore, the
    airport is nearby p.24

Chapter 5

  1. Why was Sheila opening all the
    windows in the house? she didn’t like the smell of Maine and wanted to air the
    house out p.29
  2. Why was Uncle Feather missing? Fudge
    let him out of his cage and Sheila had opened the windows p.29
  3. Where did they find Uncle Feather? Chasing
    Libby around the house p.39

Chapter 6

  1. Why was Sheila more prepared to
    babysit Fudge now than before? Fudge was older and she’d taken a babysitting
    course p.41
  2. Why was Peter so happy to be doing
    his own thing? He didn’t get alone time very often p.46
  3. What did Peter end up doing? Hanging
    out with Sheila and Fudge p.47

Chapter 7

  1. What good news did Mitzi give Peter? That
    her grandfather was one of his favorite baseball players and there’s a baseball
    game every Sunday p.52
  2. Why did Peter feel like he needed to
    lie to Jimmy? He was worried Jimmy wouldn’t come up and stay with him because
    of Sheila, so he concocted a story p.56

Chapter 8

  1. Why was Mitzi afraid to walk to the
    back of the house by herself? She was worried that there would be a monster
    and she forget her monster spray p.59
  2. What’s Fudge-a-mania? Being silly
    and crazy; ex. turning in circles p.62
  3. Explain why it isn’t easy being the
    first born. Listen to your child’s answers p.67

Chapter 9

  1. What book at the library did Fudge
    want? Tell me a Fudge p.73
  2. What did Fudge do when the library
    didn’t have it? He threw himself on the floor and threw a tantrum p.74
  3. What idea did Izzy give to Fudge
    since he didn’t have a book already written? Write one himself; or tell
    someone what he’d like to have written p.75
  4. Why was Peter disappointed when he awoke
    that morning? He wanted to dream about Isobel and instead dreamt about
    Sheila p.78

Chapter 10

  1. Why can’t Sheila’s friend come to
    Maine? She has the chickenpox p.79
  2. Why did Sheila feel like everyone was
    picking on her? Her friend couldn’t come, Tootsie flung oatmeal on her face
    and Peter burped, but thought he was laughing at her p.80
  3. Why does Fudge want to get married? So
    he won’t get monsters in his bed p.82
  4. What was the consequence of Peter
    telling the truth to Jimmy about the living arrangements? Jimmy was ok with
    it p.91

Chapter 11

  1. Why did Jimmy want to go to town? To
    see Isobel since she made Peter feel like he was floating p.98
  2. What does I.S.A.F. stand for? I
    swallowed a fly p.102
  3. Why did Peter pour his juice over
    Fudge’s head? Fudge wouldn’t stop talking about eating turtles and how he
    ate his turtle p.105

Chapter 12

  1. Why was Fudge all blue? He ate
    lots of blueberries p.108
  2. Why wasn’t Fudge going sailing? He
    was too sick p.112
  3. Why did Muriel take over when the group
    was on their way back to the dock? A storm came up and she knew how to handle
    the boat better than Peter’s dad p.116

Chapter 13

  1. What did Fudge oil his mitt with? Oil
    of Olay, a woman’s facial moisturizer p.122
  2. What was Peter so excited for that
    morning? It was Sunday and he was going to get to play baseball with Big Apfel
    the baseball player p.123
  3. Give examples of why Peter wasn’t happy
    with the baseball game? He wasn’t on Isobel’s team, Big was hitting for both
    teams, he didn’t catch a fly ball and threw way over the 1st baseman,
    he hit a pop fly and his grandma caught it, his team lost, Big encouraged
    Jimmy, but didn’t say anything to him p.127

Chapter 14

  1. Who’s getting married in Maine and how
    does the family feel about it? Peter’s grandma and Sheila’s grandpa; shocked;
    they haven’t known each other very long p.137
  2. Who all came to the wedding? All the
    family and everyone from town p.141
  3. What was the deal Sheila and Peter
    made after the wedding? That they’d always hate each other p.146

Comprehension Questions – Calendar Mysteries New Year’s Eve Thieves

New Year's Eve Thieves

by Ron Roy

Grades 1-4; Genre - Fiction; GRL M; AR pts: 1.0

Bradley, Brian, Nate, and Lucy are looking forward to a New Year's Eve party. But someone is leaving clues that there might be more to this celebration than confetti and noisemakers. The year ends with a surprise in this exciting conclusion to the Calendar Mysteries series.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Why did the kids want to buy Socks a toy? So he could have something of his own to play with p.2
  2. What happened to Mrs. Wong’s house while she was on vacation? It was burglarized p.4
  3. Why is Lucy sad? It’s her birthday the next day on January 1st and her parents are going to miss it p.9

Chapter 2

  1. What were the man and woman wearing that was suspicious? A ski mask and red bandana and cowboy hat p.12
  2. What did the man and woman do while inside Ellie’s diner? Get hot tea to go p.19
  3. Why do you think the man and woman took pictures of the shops as they walked by? Listen to your child’s answers p.20

Chapter 3

  1. What did the kids think was on the note the woman dropped? A burglar code p.24
  2. Why can’t the kids tell the police about the strange couple? Because they aren’t doing anything illegal or
    wrong p.28
  3. What did the thieves do while inside the elderly-housing building? Changed their disguises so they looked like elderly people p.29

Chapter 4

  1. What information did Mr. Linkletter give the kids about the couple? They’re from Florida and come up to Green Lawn every Christmas to visit his sister p.35
  2. What did the strange couple do in the elderly housing building? Giggled like children, asked for the back door, then left p.39
  3. Why did the kids think the couple was headed to their New Year’s Eve party? The code gave directions to their homes and the receptionist overheard the couple talking p.43

Chapter 5

  1. What was going on inside Brian and Bradley’s house? everyone was setting up for the party p.48
  2. How did the kids’ parents react when they found out the kids were following thieves around town? Upset p.50
  3. Who disappeared while the kids were playing Scrabble? The parents, older kids and Pal; everyone p.52

Chapter 6

  1. What did the kids see in the barn? A light moving around p.55
  2. What did the kids find outside the barn door? The ski mask the woman was wearing earlier p.58
  3. What do you think is in the tall present? Listen to your child’s answers p.63

Chapter 7

  1. Who surprised Lucy for her birthday? Her parents p.66
  2. Why did Lucy’s mom take pictures of the buildings around town? To make a scrapbook for Lucy p.69
  3. Why did Lucy’s parents disguise themselves and lead the kids around town? They wanted to have some fun with them p.70

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 – #16 Junie B. Jones Is Captain Field Day

Junie B. Jones Is Captain Field Day

by Barbara Park

Grades 1-2; Genre - Fiction; GRL M; AR pts 1.0

Afternoon kindergarten is having a field day, and Junie B. Jones is team captain! Only, here's the problem. Room Eight keeps on winning too many events. And so how will Room Nine ever become the kindergarten champions? As Captain Field Day, will Junie B. find a way to lead her team to victory? Or will it be up to someone else to save the day?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Why is Junie B. so excited for Field Day?
    Her class gets to compete against room 8 (another kindergarten class) in
    races p.2
  2. Why did Junie B. call Grace? She wanted
    to make sure Grace was coming to Field Day; she was excited and wanted to talk
    to her p.4
  3. Find an idiom on page 6 that means
    bragging about yourself. Toot your own horn p.6

Chapter 2

  1. What were Junie B. and her friends
    doing to get ready for Field Day? Skipping around the room p.8
  2. How was a team captain chosen for
    Field Day? There were 16 blank slips of paper and one with captain written
    on it. The students all get to pick a paper and the one with the word captain
    written on it is the captain p.12
  3. Who gets to be the team captain? Junie
    B. p.15

Chapter 3

  1. How did Mrs. define what being a team
    captain was? She said that the captain supports the team and keeps them
    united p.18
  2. Why was Junie B. disappointed in Mrs.’
    definition of a captain? She wanted to boss her team around and wear a superhero
    uniform p.17
  3. Why did Junie B.’s classmates groan
    when she told them to line up behind her since she was Captain Field Day? They
    didn’t want her bossing them around p.20

Chapter 4

  1. Define good sportsmanship? Good sportsmanship is when people who are playing or watching a
    sport treat each other with respect. This includes players, parents, coaches,
    and officials.     p.25
  2. Why was it hard for Junie B. to show
    good sportsmanship and shake the other team captain’s hand? She didn’t like
    the other team captain p.25
  3. Who came to watch Junie B. for Field
    Day? Her parents and grandparents p.26

Chapter 5

  1. What did Grace whisper to Charlotte
    to persuade her to move from the front of the line? Please p.31
  2. Why didn’t William want to run? He
    doesn’t feel like he’s very fast p.33
  3. What did Junie B. lose during the
    race? Her shoe p.35

Chapter 6

  1. Why was Junie B.’s class upset with
    her? She made them lose the race by stopping and putting on her shoe p.38
  2. Why did Mrs. have to explain the
    purpose of Field Day to her class? They were all mad they lost the race p.39
  3. What was the next event Room 9 lost? The
    softball throw p.47

Chapter 7

  1. Why wasn’t Junie B. excited to do a
    cheer before the tug-of-war? Her team had lost all 3 events and she had lost
    her enthusiasm p.50
  2. Why did Room 9 want to give up? They
    had lost every event and were discouraged p.54
  3. Why was the class surprised when
    William stepped up to do the pull up competition? He was timid and all day
    he commented on not being able to compete very well p.57

Chapter 8

  1. How many pull ups did Frankie do and
    how many did William do? Frankie 7; William 11 p.59
  2. Why did Junie B. ask Mrs. to put her
    cape on William? He was their superhero p.63
  3. How was William able to do so many
    pull ups? He practiced at home everyday p.65

Comprehension Questions – #21 Junie B., First Grader: Cheater Pants

Junie B., First Grader: Cheater Pants

by Barbara Park

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

Junie B. Jones has all the answers when it comes to cheating. It's just plain wrong! But what about homework? That's not cheating, right? 'Cause homework isn't even a test! And speaking of tests, what if a friends shares an answer that you didn't even ask for? Sharing definitely isn't cheating...is it? Uh-oh. Maybe this cheating business is more complicated than Junie B. thought. Could she be a cheater pants and not even know it?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Why didn’t Junie B. get her homework
    finished? She forgot to do it over the weekend and her dad wouldn’t let her
    stay up late to do it p.1
  2. Why did May go to the office? To take
    the attendance sheet p.5
  3. What did Junie B. do while May was
    gone? Copied May’s homework p.9

Chapter 2

  1. What was the assigned homework over
    the weekend? Each student had to write a fun thing they did over the weekend
    p.12
  2. What did Roger write about his weekend?
    He got a pizza with his dad, ate a whole anchovy and didn’t throw up until
    they were almost home p.17
  3. Why did Junie B. tuck her paper into
    her desk? She thought she didn’t need it since she could just tell what she
    did p.17

Chapter 3

  1. What was the problem with Junie B.’s
    turn when she said what she did over the weekend? She didn’t read it from her
    paper p.21
  2. Why did Mr. Scary want to see Junie
    B.’s paper? Because she was acting funny p.22
  3. What did Mr. Scary realize and what did
    he say to Junie B.? that she was cheating and that he was very disappointed
    in her p.24

Chapter 4

  1. Summarize what Mr. Scary talked to Junie
    B. about during recess. That she cheated and it’s a very serious thing p.30
  2. Why does Junie B. think cheating is in
    her blood? Her dad cheated at Old Maid and her grandpa cheated on his diet
    p.35
  3. Why did Mr. Scary give Junie B. a
    note to give to her parents? To let them know she had cheated p.37

Chapter 5

  1. Why did Junie B. hide in her room
    after giving the note to her parents? She was scared she’d get in big
    trouble p.41
  2. Why did Junie B.’s mom and dad also
    need to talk to her about cheating? It’s their responsibility as parents to
    teach and correct their kids p.44
  3. Did you think Junie B.’s parents
    handled the situation appropriately? Explain. Listen to your child’s answers
    p.45

Chapter 6

  1. Explain why Junie B. thinks Herbert
    is good for her. Even though she made a bad choice, he still likes her and
    helps her know not to do it again p.49
  2. Using the rules on page 55, write
    your own Cinquain. Help your child if needed p.55
  3. What did the four friends decide their
    Cinquain would be about? Friends or Pallies p.60

Chapter 7

  1. Use a word to describe Lucille and
    explain why you chose it.  Listen to
    your child’s answers p.63
  2. What was wrong with May’s poem? It
    didn’t follow the rules of the Cinquain p.65

Chapter 8

  1. What grade did Junie B. and her friends
    get on their poem? A+ p.68
  2. Why was Junie B. upset after recess? Her
    class was taking a spelling test and she didn’t study p.69
  3. Who helped Junie B. during the
    spelling test and why did Junie B. think it was ok? Herbert; he was only
    sharing the word p.74

Chapter 9

  1. Why didn’t Herbert sleep well the
    night of the test? He felt bad for cheating during the test p.80
  2. How does Junie B. know how Herbert
    feels? She’s also a cheater pants and feels bad too p.81
  3. What was Junie B.’s and Herbert’s
    consequence for cheating? They got zeros on their spelling tests and their
    parents were called; Junie B. got in trouble p.83
  4. Why does Mr. Scary trust Junie B.
    even though she cheated again? She told truth about it p.86