Tag Archives: GRL M

Comprehension Questions – Jigsaw Jones Mysteries #27 The Case of the Frog-jumping Contest

The Case of the Frog-jumping Contest

by James Preller

Grades 2-5; Genre - Mystery; GRL M; AR pts. 1.0

Jigsaw Jones investigates when the champion frog in a frog-jumping contest mysteriously disappears.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Summarize the introduction to this story? Stringbean is missing his frog and needs it back by Sunday for a frog-jumping contest p.1

Chapter 2

  1. Why do you think Stringbean’s frog went missing? Because of the construction going on in his house; it’s causing the frogs to go crazy p.11

Chapter 3

  1. Why does Mila think someone stole the frog? A lot of friends were over that day and whoever stole the frog wanted to win $20 from the frog-jumping contest p.21

Chapter 4

  1. What is The plan to find the missing frog? Put up fliers, talk to suspects; take Rags to smell out the frog p.28

Chapter 5

  1. Summarize Jigsaw’s conversation with Eddie. Eddie had been over to Stringbean’s house, but didn’t know Adonis was missing and thought to place his bet on another frog who belongs to the new girl named Sasha p.33

Chapter 6

  1. Summarize the interaction Jigsaw had with Sasha and Lucy? The girls did a hand rhyme; they had been at Stringbean’s, and thought the carpenter was strange; Sasha said there were a lot of workers going in and out; they wanted to help look for Adoni; Sasha told Jigsaw he should enter the contest p.38

Chapter 7

  1. Why is Slim all muddy? From going into the lake to catch frogs p.49

Chapter 8

  1. Why does Jigsaw want to enter the contest? To keep an eye on the race to see if anyone stole the frog p.54

Chapter 9

  1. Why is Jigsaw feeling down? He hasn’t found the frog and only has a couple of hours until the race p.61

Chapter 10

  1. Why does Jigsaw think the carpenter has Adonis? Tom was in the room with the frogs and has his equipment with him; Jigsaw thinks Adonis jumped into Tom’s tools p.65

Chapter 11

  1. How do we know Stringbean really cared for Adonis his frog? Adonis was sick from not having water, so Stringbean took him home and was going to take care of him; he didn’t care about the race, just his frog p.70

Chapter 12

  1. Summarize the conclusion of this story. Jigsaw’s frog didn’t jump in the contest; Slim won; they took the frogs back to Twin Lakes p.72

Comprehension Questions – Jigsaw Jones Mysteries #30 The Case of the Kidnapped Candy

The Case of the Kidnapped Candy

by James Preller

Grades 2-5; Genre - Mystery; GRL M; AR pts. 1.0

When the class's candy stash disappears, it's up to Jigsaw and Mila to figure out who stole it. There's more than one person with a sweet tooth in Ms. Gleason's classroom, so solving the mystery won't be easy.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What is love poetry? Why do you think Jigsaw doesn’t like love poetry? Poetry about love; Listen to your child’s answer. 
  2. Do you like love poetry? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 2

  1. Summarize this chapter. The class reviews what a poem is; each class member is to write their own poem about something they love; Ms. Gleason has a surprise for the class when their poems are finished p.5

Chapter 3

  1. Predict what Jigsaw’s poem is about? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 4 

  1. Were you correct in your prediction? Listen to your child’s answer
  2. What’s missing at the end of the chapter? Whatever was in the gum ball machine p.20

Chapter 5

  1. What evidence did they find in the chapter? Two candy wrappers; a paper with a note and chocolate on it; one wrapper was under Ms. Gleason’s desk and one near Mike’s cubby; one student bragged about knowing what was inside the gum ball machine and another loves candy p.23

Chapter 6

  1. What evidence suggests the boys were lying? Interrupting each other; stating one didn’t like chocolate; covering for each other p.29

Chapter 7

  1. Why do Jigsaw and Mila think Lucy took the chocolate? The writing in her poem matches a writing on paper that has a chocolate smudge p.38

Chapter 8

  1. Have you made music before? How? Listen to your child’s answer; clapping, humming, an instrument, tapping toe p.47

Chapter 9

  1. Why did it seem like the kids in Jigsaw’s class didn’t remember how to tell the truth? Several have lied about eating the candy and liking chocolate p.54

Chapter 10

  1. Summarize this chapter. Jigsaw and Mila found out that a significant number of kids knew about the kisses in the gum ball machine and snuck a candy; it started with a student watching Ms. Gleason sneaking a candy from under the sheet; Jigsaw was confused since everyone seemed to be lying p.55

Chapter 11

  1. Predict who you think stole the candy? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 12

  1. On page 71, the author states that, “Ms.Gleason was happy there wasn’t a thief in Room 201.” Do you agree with that statement? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer; if most everyone in the class took a candy during the week before they were given permission, then they were dishonest and stole it 

Comprehension Questions – Jigsaw Jones Mysteries #26 The Case of the Double Trouble Detectives

The Case of the Double Trouble Detectives

by James Preller

Grades 2-5; Genre - Mystery; GRL M; AR pts. 1.0

Jigsaw Jones finds himself in competition with Reggie for the title of the best detective in town. Reggie relies on technology and charm to solve mysteries. Can Jigsaw prove that he is better?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Summarize this introduction. Jigsaw’s eating dinner with his family; his sister is mad at her friends for telling a boy she thinks he is cute, but she found out the boy thinks she’s cute too p.1

Chapter 2

  1. Why is Mila worried about Reginald? He started his own detective agency, and she doesn’t think he can handle it p.11

Chapter 3

  1. Describe Reginald. 8 years old; wealthy; wears glasses; short; nice; lonely p.20

Chapter 4

  1. Describe Reginald’s office? Clean and large; leather armchairs and oak desk; thick carpeting; phones and other gadgets; four television screens on the wall p.26

Chapter 5

  1. Why was it difficult for Jigsaw to walk out of the room? He knows he can solve the mystery and wants to help Reg p.35

Chapter 6

  1. Define homophone. Give an example not listed in the story. Two words that sound the same, but have different definitions; listen to your child’s answer (ie. hole/whole; tail/tale; roll; role) p.41

Chapter 7

  1. Summarize this chapter. Jigsaw and Mila went to stake out Athena’s house and found Reg stuck in a tree; Jigsaw climbed up and helped him, but Reg grabbed a dead branch and he fell down into a bush p.46

Chapter 8

  1. Why do they need to find the socks? The war rings could be attached to them p.58

Chapter 9

  1. What mystery does Jigsaw’s dad want him to solve? Why his mom is mad at him p.63

Chapter 10

  1. Why do married people fight sometimes? Listen to your child’s answer 

Chapter 11

  1. Why did Reginald stop by Jigsaw’s house? To let him know he’s not cut out to be a detective and to tell them thanks for watching out for him p.72

Chapter 12

  1. Why is it such a big deal Jigsaw’s father forgot his wedding anniversary? Wedding anniversaries are special and are a time to celebrate a marriage p.78

Comprehension Questions – Jigsaw Jones Mysteries #13 The Case of the Detective in Diguise

The Case of the Detective in Disguise

by James Preller

Grades 2-5; Genre - Mystery; GRL M; AR pts. 1.0

Someone is stealing brownies from the sandwich shop, and Jigsaw goes undercover to catch the brownie bandit.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What’s the definition of “disguise”? To change your appearance to hide who you are.
  2. Why are Jigsaw and Mila making a poster? They want to solve mysteries and hope to receive business at the sandwich shop Jigsaw goes to after school p.5

Chapter 2

  1. Describe Ben. 5th grader; Jigsaw’s buddy; likes sports; received a football fort his birthday; nice to Jigsaw; not nice to Bobby p.7

Chapter 3

  1. Have you ever felt like you didn’t need a baby sitter but had to have one anyway? Listen to your child’s answer
  2. Is Jigsaw going to find a mystery to solve at the sandwich shop? Explain. Yes, the people baby sitting him have had problems p.17

Chapter 4

  1. Summarize the case Jigsaw has been asked to figure out and how is he going to solve it? Brownies are disappearing after school; putting on a disguise so his friends don’t recognize him p.19

Chapter 5

  1. Summarize this chapter. The students are learning about Martin Luther King Jr. and are decorating the halls in his honor; Jigsaw wrote Mila a secret code; something is wrong with Ben p.25

Chapter 6

  1. What does the phrase “stone in my shoe” mean? Use it in a sentence. Always been a problem; listen to your child’s answer p.36

Chapter 7

  1. Do you agree that Red Cap did the right thing to tell on Jigsaw shopping in the back? Why, or why not? Yes; to help the owners of the store p.43

Chapter 8

  1. Describe Solofsky. In 2nd grade with Jigsaw; wants to be a detective; calls Jigsaw by his first name, Theodore; mean p.50

Chapter 9

  1. Predict what Jigsaw asked Marc to do. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 10

  1. Summarize this chapter. Ben got his football back and Solofsky claimed to have found it; Mike said he saw the thieves and got the ball back, but Mila doesn’t believe him p.59

Chapter11

  1. What is the outcome of the two mysteries? Solofsky has Mike take the football so he could pretend to solve the case; the owner was sneaking brownies and eating them when he took out the trash p.67
  2. Were you correct in your prediction of how Marc helped Jigsaw? Explain. Listen to your child’s answer; Marc watched Mike from his window and saw he was eating brownies p.68

Comprehension Questions – Jigsaw Jones Mysteries #12 The Case of the Class Clown

The Case of the Class Clown

by James Preller

Grades 2-5; Genre - Mystery; GRL M; AR pts. 1.0

Someone in Ms. Gleason's class is playing practical jokes, and it is up to Jigsaw and Mila to catch the clown.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe what brought on this case. Athena put her foot in her shoe and green slime oozed out making her embarrassed p.3

Chapter 2

  1. What clues did Athena provide? A brown paper that said “Gotcha”, socks with slime, and the slime tasted like green jello p.9

Chapter 3

  1. Summarize this chapter. Jigsaw and Mila ran into Jigsaw’s dad who was training a raisin circus p.12

Chapter 4

  1. What happened in this chapter to support the case? Another prank has been done; fake baloney in a sandwich p.21

Chapter 5

  1. Do you agree or disagree with Jigsaw that lying is ok sometimes? Listen to your child’s answer p.30

Chapter 6

  1. Why does Jigsaw and Mila think Ralphie is doing the pranks? He was on cubby; he’s also a jokester p.35

Chapter 7

  1. What made Jigsaw’s teacher upset in this chapter? How would you have felt? Someone put pink coloring into the fish tank; listen to your child’s answer p.40

Chapter 8

  1. Describe the magic trick Jigsaw’s dad did? He poured soda water in a container and placed raisins in it; they repeatedly sank to the bottom, then came back up to the top p.45

Chapter 9

  1. Why is Helen a suspect? She traded Ralphie jobs and was on cubby duty; she also started to tell lots of jokes p.53

Chapter 10

  1. What was the evidence Jigsaw and Mila found. They went to the library and found a book on practical jokes; in it was a paper that had H.Z. written in balloon letters that matched the GOTCHA letters; in the book were the same practical jokes p.62

Chapter 11

  1. Summarize the conclusion of this story. Helen was caught and said she did the jokes to be popular and liked; everyone said she’d just needed to be nice, and she felt happy p.71

Comprehension Questions – Magic Tree House #35 Camp Time in California

Camp Time in California

by Mary Pope Osborne

Grades 1-4; Genre - Historical Fiction with Fantastical Elements; GRL M; AR pts. 1.0

When the magic tree house whisks Jack and Annie back in time, they land in the tallest tree in Yosemite, California where they join nature conservationist, John Muir, and US President Teddy Roosevelt on a historic trip through the woods.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Where’s the setting for this story? Yosemite, a National park in California p.7

Chapter 2

  1. How did Jack and Annie learn their pencils were magic? They had to start using them p.17

Chapter 3

  1. Did Jack and Annie follow Jack’s instructions when they ran into the bear? Explain. No, they ran away from it and Jack read people shouldn’t run from bears p.25

Chapter 4

  1. Summarize this chapter. Jack and Annie meet some travelers in the forest and were invited to join them for the night p.29
  2. Is it smart for Jack and Annie to join them? Why, or why not? Yes, it’ll keep them safe p.35

Chapter 5

  1. Do you know who Teddy is? Listen to your child’s answer
  2. How did Teddy help Jack? Helped him feel like he could ride the mule p.41

Chapter 6

  1. What helped Jack enjoy his experience? Forgetting about himself p.52

Chapter 7

  1. Why was Annie upset and what helped her feel better? Finding out the oldest tree in the world was cut down; Jack took her up to the cliffs edge and looked at the stars p.59

Chapter 8

  1. Who is Teddy? Theodore Roosevelt, the President of the United States p.69
  2. Why did he go on an adventure in the Yosemite wilderness? To see the value in making it a National Park p.71

Chapter 9

  1. Explain John’s attitude of being in the wilderness. He loves it more than being inside p.78

Chapter 10

  1. What did Jack and Annie learn about drawing? Helped them understand what they drew p.90

Comprehension Questions – Magic Tree House #34 Late Lunch with Llamas

Late Lunch with Llamas

by Mary Pope Osborne

Grades 1-4; Genre - Historical Fiction with Fantastical Elements; GRL M; AR pts. 1.0

The magic tree house whisks Jack and Annie away to South America, where they must climb Machu Picchu to save a baby llama. 

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Where is Jack and Annie going in this book? Peru p.7
  2. What continent is Peru on? South America 

Chapter 2

  1. Why is the boy so upset in this chapter? His baby llama was stolen p.19

Chapter 3

  1. Why are Jack and Annie afraid to cross the bridge? It’s made of rope and hangs between two mountains p.25
  2. Why are Jack and Annie determined to cross the bridge? Their mission is to go across and save the llama p.27

Chapter 4

  1. Why did Jack and Annie feel sick while hiking up the mountain? They didn’t have water and they needed to slow down to let their bodies get used to the high altitude p.35

Chapter 5

  1. How did Jack and Annie know they were taken back hundreds of years into the past? Topa and his grandparents called Machu Picchu the Secret City p.40

Chapter 6

  1. Where did Jack and Annie find drinking water? In one of the many springs in the city p.47

Chapter 7

  1. How will the legend help Jack and Annie? The llama will speak and tell the Emperor what it wants p.61

Chapter 8

  1. Name one thing that was scary for Jack in this chapter? The Emperor wouldn’t believe them; the trail to the rope bridge was on a cliff; condors were flying overhead p.62

Chapter 9

  1. How did Jack keep Cria safe from the condors? He remembered the legend and asked the condors to tell the constellations to keep Cria safe p.74

Chapter 10

  1. What’s Annie’s explanation of “the secret of the brave”? People can’t be brave unless they’re afraid first p.85

Comprehension Questions – Magic Tree House #33 Narwhal on a Sunny Night

Narwhal on a Sunny Night

by Mary Pope Osborne

Grades 1-4; Genre - Historical Fiction with Fantastical Elements; GRL M; AR pts. 1.0

The magic tree house whisks Jack and Annie to Greenland, where their mission is to save a narwhal.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What do you know about Greenland from this first chapter? It’s cold, by the Arctic Circle, can’t have a lot of grass and trees, icebergs and reindeer p.5

Chapter 2

  1. Name one fact you found interesting in this chapter. The earth is warming causing the polar caps to melt; 56,000 people live there with most of them Inuits; there are three kinds of seals and 15 kinds of whales that live there p.12

Chapter 3

  1. Why were Jack and Annie worried about the orcas swimming toward the narwhals? Orcas will kill and eat narwhals p.22

Chapter 4

  1. How did Annie convince the boy not to kill the narwhal for its horn? She told him they’re special and mysteries of nature; they know secrets humans will never know and hear things in ways we’ll never hear; they talk in a language we’ll never understand p.28

Chapter 5

  1. Describe how the kids free the narwhal? Leveraged a spear into the ice to break it p.34

Chapter 6

  1. Describe what you know about Erikson and his family. They’re seafarers; came from Iceland 8 years ago p.40

Chapter 7

  1. Describe the village Erikson lives in. His dad is the chief; long wooden house; thatched huts; barns; dogs; families live there: shocked to see Jack and Annie p.48

Chapter 8

  1. Why are Jack and Annie wanting to sneak away from Leif’s house? His family is under the impression they have a ship and want to take the entire village to see it in the morning p.62

Chapter 9

  1. What gift did Jack and Annie give Leif? Their map of Greenland p.69

Chapter 10

  1. Why do you think “thanks” is the special word Jack and Annie saw glow? Listen to your child’s answer p.79

Chapter 11

  1. Who can you thank? Make sure to write them a note or tell them! P.84

Comprehension Questions – Owl Diaries #1 Eva’s Treetop Festival

Eva's Treetop Festival

by Rebecca Elliott

Grades 1-2; Genre - Diaries & Journals; GRL M; AR pts. 0.5

Having a Bloomtastic Festival at school to celebrate spring is a great idea, but Eva Wingdale, a young owl, discovers that it is also a lot of work, and there is nothing wrong with asking her friends for help.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe Eva. She’s a red, blue and pink owl, has likes and dislikes, has a pet bat named Baxter, has a family, Lucy is her best friend, goes to school p.1
  2. Name three facts about owls. Awake in the night, sleep in the day, turn heads almost all the way around, can fly p.7

Chapter 2

  1. What do you think Eva’s idea is? Listen to your child’s answer p.17

Chapter 3

  1. What advice did Miss Featherbottom give Eva? Not to take on too much as she plans the festival p.23
  2. Why is this good advice? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 4

  1. Why didn’t Eva accept Sue’s help? Sue is mean and Eva didn’t want to accept from her p.32

Chapter 5

  1. What did Eva spend her day doing? Helping her friend Lucy get ready for the festival p.37
  2. What should she have done instead? Prepare for the festival p.41

Chapter 6

  1. Was it a good idea that Eva turned down help from Lucy? Listen to your child’s answer p.45

Chapter 7

  1. What’s Eva worried about in this chapter? That she’ll need to cancel the festival p.50

Chapter 8

  1. What did Eva do in this chapter? She thought of the talents the other owls had and asked them to help get things ready for the festival p.52

Chapter 9

  1. What word describes Eva for asking Sue for help when she was scared? Courageous, brave, etc p.56

Chapter 10

  1. Why didn’t Eva enjoy the festival? Everything went wrong for her p.61
  2. Have you ever felt like Eva? Explain. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 11

  1. Why couldn’t Eva accept the prize from Miss Featherbottom? She wasn’t the only one who worked on the festival p.69
  2. Why did Eva give everyone a chance to hold the trophy? Her classmates helped the festival be successful p.71

Comprehension Questions – #22 Junie B., First Grader: One-Man Band

Junie B., First Grader: One-Man Band

by Barbara Park

Grades 1-3; Genre - Fiction; GRL M; AR pts. 1.0

Junie B. has hurt her big piggy toe and can't play in the kickball tournament. So, now what? Maybe she could be in Sheldon's halftime show. Then all eyes would be on her. And she would be the star. What could possibly go wrong?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Why was Junie B. practicing her kick? To prepare for the kickball tournament p.3
  2. How does wearing sandals help Junie B.’s toe? It doesn’t swish her toes like shoes do p.8

Chapter 2

  1. What remedy helps sore toes? Applying ice p.14
  2. How did the nurse misunderstand Junie B. when she “kicked a cow”? The nurse thought she really kicked a cow not realizing the cow was painted on the watering can p.14

Chapter 3

  1. Have you ever had a bruised toenail? Tell me about it. Listen to your child’s answer p.23
  2. What did Junie B.’s mother do to help protect her toe? Cut a hole in her old sneakers above the toe p.26

Chapter 4

  1. How did Junie B. feel about participating in the kickball half time show? She wasn’t happy p.39

Chapter 5

  1. What does the phrase, “when life hands you lemons, you have to learn to make lemonade,” mean? When disappointments happen to us, we need to look at the bright side and find the positives p.44
  2. What did Junie B. decide to do during the kickball game? Juggle lemons for the half time show p.48

Chapter 6

  1. Why was Junie B. frustrated at the beginning of this chapter? She was having a difficult time leaning to juggle p.50
  2. Do you agree that Junie B. should have told the truth? Why or why not? Listen to your child’s answers p.54

Chapter 7

  1. Summarize what happened in this chapter. Mr. Scary helped Junie B. and Sheldon practice for the half time show p.56

Chapter 8

  1. Why did Sheldon’s face look the color of paste? He was nervous to do the half time show p.73
  2. Describe what happened when Junie B. started tapping the wood block and marched onto the field? Sheldon dropped his cymbals and ran away p.76

Chapter 9

  1. What helped Junie B. try to juggle? Students had thrown food at her, and she was going to throw it back at them, but decided to try and juggle p.82
  2. Have you ever had people laugh at you when you were trying to perform? Listen to your child’s answer p.80
  3. What sound did Junie B. enjoy hearing? Clapping p.83