The Kidnapped King

by Ron Roy

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

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

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

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

Chapter 2

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

Chapter 3

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

Chapter 4

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

Chapter 5

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

Chapter 6

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

Chapter 7

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

Chapter 8

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

Chapter 9

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

Chapter 10

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

Chapter 11

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