Tag Archives: GRL N

Comprehension Questions – Magic Tree House Merlin Missions #27 Night of the Ninth Dragon

Night of the Ninth Dragon

by Mary Pope Osborne

Grades ; Genre - Fantasy; GRL N; AR pts: 2.0

The magic tree house whisks Jack and Annie through space and time to find that the castle of Camelot has been attacked and King Arthur has been gravely wounded. To save the kingdom—and the king—Jack and Annie have only one day to solve a riddle that will help them find a missing dragon!

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Why did Jack and Annie go into the
    Frog Creek woods? Oki ran in, so they chased after him p.5
  2. Where did they find Oki? At the
    bottom of a tree looking at the magic tree house p.6
  3. What’s going to be the setting of
    this book? Camelot p.10

Chapter 2

  1. Who sent the tree house for Jack and
    Annie? Queen Guinevere p.16
  2. Why did the guard aim a crossbow at
    Jack and Annie as they approached Camelot? They’re under attack and didn’t
    know if the kids were friends or enemies p.20
  3. Where did the queen lead Jack and
    Annie? Morgan le Fay’s secret garden p.23

Chapter 3

  1. What were the statues of in the
    garden? Dragons p.25
  2. What’s been stolen out of the garden?
    The gold dragon; the ninth dragon p.32
  3. Why do the kids need to help find the
    ninth dragon? To get Merlin, Morgan, Teddy and Kathleen back from Avalon and
    to send King Arthur there to heal from his wound p.33

Chapter 4

  1. Why were the Jack, Annie, the king
    and queen going to Cafelle’s? She can prophesy and tell them where the ninth
    dragon is p.37
  2. Why were they traveling in a hay
    cart? No one will suspect the king riding in a hay cart p.39
  3. Why was Jack nervous when he found
    out the knights weren’t coming with them? he knew they could be attacked by
    invaders and they wouldn’t have the protection of the knights p.45

Chapter 5

  1. Describe Cafelle. She’s an old
    woman who’s blind, but could describe Jack and Annie perfectly, she’s kind and
    has a dog that cannot hear p.51
  2. What is Cafelle’s special ability? The
    leaves and wind speak to her and tell her what she desires to know p.56

Chapter 6

  1. When did the ninth dragon need to be
    returned to the garden? Dawn the next day p.59
  2. What did the seer give to both Jack
    and Annie? Red stones from the mountains of fire before time p.61
  3. Why was Jack frustrated about the
    stones? He didn’t know how to use them p.66

Chapter 7

  1. How did Annie help get rid of the
    invaders that questioned them? she put yellow spots on her face with a
    highlighter and said she had yellow fever p.72
  2. Why was Jack freezing as they
    traveled in the rain? He’d given his cloak to the king p.78
  3. What did Guinevere tell the kids
    about as they traveled? The Isle of Avalon p.78

Chapter 8

  1. Why did the kids send the oxen back
    to Camelot? The rope that connected the oxen to the cart had torn and they
    weren’t of use anymore p.83
  2. How did Jack, Annie and Guinevere get
    the cart to Munith Mor without the oxen? They pushed and pulled p.85
  3. What represented the curtain in the
    riddle? A waterfall p.88

Chapter 9

  1. What did Jack and Annie find in the
    cave behind the waterfall? The dragon statue p.96
  2. Why was the queen giving up? The
    healing water was gone, Arthur was dying, they heard the robbers coming on
    horses p.98
  3. What happened when Jack and Annie
    used their stones? A giant red dragon rose out of the erupting mountain
    above them p.101

Chapter 10

  1. Where did the portal take Jack,
    Annie, Guinevere and Arthur? To Avalon p.103
  2. How did Merlin, Morgan, Teddy and
    Kathleen respond when they first saw Jack and Annie in Avalon? Bewildered, amazed,
    surprised, astonished p.106
  3. Why did Jack and Annie need to return
    the dragon statue to Camelot before dawn? If it’s not returned by dawn, it’s
    power will be lost forever and those in Avalon will never return p.109

Chapter 11

  1. Where did Jack and Annie leave their
    magic stones? By the dragon statue in the garden p.115
  2. What message did Jack and Annie give
    the knights? That the kind and queen are healing in Avalon and will be back
    to restore order to the kingdom p.118

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 – Magic Tree House Merlin Missions #26 Balto of the Blue Dawn

Balto of the Blue Dawn

by Mary Pope Osborne

Grades 2-4; Genre - Fiction with Fantastical Elements; GRL N; AR pts: 2.0

Jack and Annie always go on important missions, but this time they must save an entire town! The town is Nome, Alaska, and the year is 1925. Many children and grown-ups are sick and dying. The medicine that will save them is coming from Anchorage, a thousand miles away. Its being carried by a relay of dogsleds and dogs, but a huge blizzard is coming through. It's up to Jack and Annie to find a lost team led by the famous sled dog, Balto.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What did Annie see above the woods? A
    bright flash of light p.4
  2. Where are Jack and Annie needed in
    this adventure? A seaside town below the Arctic; Alaska p.6
  3. What will the enchanted gold dust
    help Jack and Annie do and how long does it last? Receive a skill that will
    only help them when they are saving the lives of others; 12 hours p.7
  4. Why did Teddy give the kids stardust?
    It will make people forget; Merlin didn’t want Jack and Annie to be
    remembered by anyone on their mission p.9

Chapter 2

  1. Where did Jack and Annie travel to? Nome,
    Alaska p.17
  2. What does “quarantine” mean? To be
    isolated if you’re sick with a deadly illness, so you won’t spread it p.21
  3. What’s the sickness that’s going
    around the town that requires medicine? Diphtheria p.22
  4. Why did the Board of Health order
    Gunnar Kaasen to stay in Solomon and not continue to Nome? A huge blizzard
    was expected to come through the area, and they didn’t want to lose the
    medicine p.23

Chapter 3

  1. What was the only form of
    transportation to and from Nome during the winter? Dogsled p.29
  2. What was Oki going to do? Go by
    dogsled himself to get the medicine from Gunnar Kaasen p.29
  3. What was the radio bulletin Jack and Annie
    heard while waiting for Oki to talk to his uncle? That 5 people had died in
    Nome, Alaska from the outbreak of Diphtheria, and the best mushers and dogs
    were trying to get the medicine to Nome before anyone else dies, but there’s a
    big blizzard coming from the Arctic and the mushers may not be able to continue
    to Nome p.34
  4. Why is getting the medicine a race
    against death? If the medicine doesn’t arrive in time, Oki’s mom, sister and
    others will die p.38

Chapter 4

  1. If Oki stays in Nome, how are Jack
    and Annie going to know where to go? Uncle Joe’s sled dogs know the way p.43
  2. What was Oki’s resolve when Jack and
    Annie told him he had to stay in Nome? He accepted it, but was disappointed p.46
  3. How do Jack and Annie always treat
    dogs? By being firm, fair and giving kindness and respect p.27
  4. What did Oki give Jack and Annie for
    food to give to the dogs? Dried fish p.49

Chapter 5

  1. What was Jack an expert of as they
    travelled through the night? a musher; knowing what a musher does and giving
    commands to the dogs p.51
  2. Why did the huskies come to a halt
    and start barking? Jack tumbled off the sled from a sharp curve p.56
  3. Why did Jack fall behind Annie when
    he was running with the sled? As they were running on ice he broke through
    and got stuck in the ice p.58
  4. Why did Jack need to get out of his
    wet boots? It was so cold he could get severe frost bite p.59

Chapter 6

  1. How did Ed help Jack and Annie? He
    gave them shelter and a warm place to be. He knew what to do for Jack’s feet; he
    fed them; he also unhitched the dogs so they wouldn’t freeze out in the cold
    and let them come inside p.62
  2. What did Ed and Annie do to help the
    dogs feel better? Gave them water and massaged each foot p.64
  3. How did Ed react when Jack and Annie
    told him they needed to go back into the storm? he thought they were crazy
    p.69
  4. What did Ed do to stop Jack and Annie
    from going back into the blizzard? Fed them and was firm on not letting them
    p.71

Chapter 7

  1. Who is Balto? Gunnar Kaasen’s dog;
    he’s one of the best lead dogs in Alaska; loves to run a trail; great strength
    and courage; big shaggy black dog p.74
  2. Why are Alaskans grateful for the
    animals that live there? The people couldn’t live without them; they get
    their clothing, food and other necessities from them p.75
  3. What happened when Annie used the
    stardust in Ed’s home? It made everything look like they were never there
    p.80
  4. What did the jingling bells mean? Another
    dogsled was near p.84

Chapter 8

  1. Who did Jack and Annie find? Gunnar
    Kaasen and his dogsled p.86
  2. What fell off the sled into the snow?
    The medicine p.88
  3. Why did Annie unhook Balto? So he
    could help them find the medicine p.88
  4. What influence did Balto have on the
    other huskies? They were livelier and stronger than before p.94

Chapter 9

  1. Why was Oki excited the newspaper
    reporters were in town? He wanted the whole world to hear their story and
    that Jack and Annie saved the day p.98
  2. Why did Jack and Annie throw the
    stardust into the air? So everyone who saw them on their mission would
    forget them p.99
  3. Who did Mr. Kaasen say he owed the
    success of his part of the relay? His dog, Balto p.101
  4. Who bounded after Jack and Annie as
    they headed for the tree house? Balto p.102

Chapter 10

  1. What did Annie think was the best part
    of their mission? The dogs p.108
  2. What did Annie find in the greenery? A
    puppy p.110
  3. Why would the puppy be a gift to Jack
    and Annie? For always being willing to serve and help Merlin and Morgan p.111
  4. What did they name the puppy? Oki
    p.114

Comprehension Questions – Cam Jansen and the Mystery Writer Mystery

Cam Jansen and the Mystery Writer Mystery

by David A. Adler

Grades K-2; Fiction; GRL N; AR pts: 1.0

There's a book fair at school. Cam Jansen and her friends are excited because the famous mystery writer Jim E. Winter will be there to sign books. When Danny's parents discover their car is missing during the signing, Jim E. Winter thinks he can solve the mystery. But will Cam-with her famous photographic memory-solve it first? Click! See if you can spot the clues.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Why was Cam and her mom driving to the school that night? To go to the book fair and see Cam’s favorite author p.1
  2. Describe what a book fair is? It’s a fair that comes into the school a couple of times a year and exhibits and sells lots of books p.7
  3. What did Cam think about Jim E. Winter when she saw him in person? She was surprised he looked much older than his picture, but she wanted to meet him anyway p.9

Chapter 2

  1. What did Danny want to do while they waited in line to see Jim E. Winter? Tell jokes from his new joke books p.12
  2. What does Barry Blake do each time after he solves a mystery? Goes home and helps his mom make dinner p.15
  3. What went missing at the end of this chapter? Danny’s dad’s car p.16

Chapter 3

  1. Why did Jim E. Winter think he was qualified to help solve the mystery of the missing car? He was once a police detective p.18
  2. Why did Jim E. Winter think Mr. Pace didn’t remember what parking space he parked the car in? because he couldn’t remember his license plate number, so how could he remember what number he’d parked in p.21
  3. How would clicking the remote button help Jim E. Winter find the car? When you push the button the lights flash and there’s a horn or beeping sound, so they could easily find the car in the parking lot p.22

Chapter 4

  1. What happened when Jim E. Winter push the remote button? Nothing, they couldn’t see the car p.25
  2. Where did Jim E. Winter go when he couldn’t find the car? Back to signing books p.27
  3. Did Jim E. Winter solve the mystery? No p.27

Chapter 5

  1. Why did Cam have to stay in the gym? The principal and her mother asked her to p.29
  2. Which police officer has been at the school before to help solve other mysteries? Officer Oppen p.30
  3. Who else’s car was stolen? Eric’s dad’s car p.32

Chapter 6

  1. What did Mrs. Jansen say when Cam asked her to help with the mysteries? Yes, but she wanted to come along to make sure she was safe and dry p.34
  2. How did Cam know the thief took the keys out of Mr. Pace’s pocket then returned them again? Mr. Pace is right-handed and puts his keys in his right pocket, but they were in his left pocket p.37
  3. What was missing on his keychain? The key to his car p.39

Chapter 7

  1. Why was Jim E. Winter writing down Cam’s explanation of how the thief stole the cars? He wanted to use it in a book p.41
  2. Why would the thief have parked the first car he stole close to the school? So he could get back to the school quickly and steal another car p.42
  3. Who does Cam think the thief is? The man they saw walking across the street as she and her mom drove up to the school p.44

Chapter 8

  1. Where were the cars being hidden? In a garage p.53
  2. What did the police officer ask Cam to do that made her mother nervous? Identify the man that walked across the street earlier p.54
  3. Why was Jim E. Winter going to put Cam Jansen’s name in a book? Because she helped him solve the mystery p.57

Comprehension Questions – Cam Jansen and the Wedding Cake Mystery

Cam Jansen and the Wedding Cake Mystery

by David A. Adler

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

Cam and her friends are having fun performing in a talent show at the senior center and enjoying cookies from Ken's Bake Shop. But when a wedding cake goes missing from Ken's truck, it's up to Cam to solve the tasty case. Click! along with Came and follow the clues to catch the cake thief!

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Where was Mr. Jansen taking Cam and her friends? To the senior center p.1
  2. Why were they going to the senior center? To help with the talent show p.2
  3. Why was Lucy Lane taking a picture of Bob? So Bob can send the picture with a card to his friends and family for the holidays p.3

Chapter 2

  1. What did Danny do for the talent show? Tell funny jokes p.10
  2. What did Cam do for the talent show? She did memory magic where she took a mental picture of people, then faced the wall and gave the details what she remembered p.12
  3. Where did Lucy Lane and Ken need to go? to a wedding p.14

Chapter 3

  1. Why couldn’t Lucy and Ken go to the wedding? Ken couldn’t find the keys to his truck p.16
  2. Where were Ken’s keys? In the back door of his truck p.19
  3. What’s missing now? The cookies, cake and pastries that were in the back of the truck p.20

Chapter 4

  1. How did the seniors at the center feel about the mystery? They were excited p.22
  2. What clue did Bob find on the ground near the truck? A shopping list with broken cookie and cookie crumbs p.25
  3. What police officers came to help solve the mystery? The same ones that came to school and helped solve the case of the missing computers: Officers Oppen & Davis p.26

Chapter 5

  1. Why did Danny think the thief was across the street? The house across the street has a large window the thief could have looked out and saw the opportunity to steal the desserts p.29
  2. Who lived in the house with the large window and what did they see? An elderly woman; she didn’t see anyone by the truck, but did say there were two trucks p.33
  3. Predict what clue Cam is missing. Listen to your child’s answers p.35

Chapter 6

  1. How did the young man in the bathrobe feel when he opened the door and saw the police officer? Worried that he was in trouble p.37
  2. What was the clue Cam, Eric and her dad were looking for on the ground near the truck? Cookie crumbs p.40
  3. Where did Cam find the cookie crumbs and where did they go? On the ground at the back of the truck; passed her car, passed the next car and on further down the road p.42

Chapter 7

  1. Who does Cam think stole the cake and other desserts? Mr. Fancy p.43
  2. Why does Cam think it was Mr. Fancy? He had a vehicle big enough to put a tall cake p.46
  3. What information did Cam remember from Mr. Fancy’s truck that will help the police find him? The name of his company, his phone number and email address p.49

Chapter 8

  1. What did everyone do while they waited for the police to find Mr. Fancy and call them? continue the talent show p.51
  2. What did Ken give to Cam as a reward for finding his cake and desserts? Lots of delicious muffins, cookies and breads at his bakery p.55
  3. How did Ken and the cake get to the wedding? He took it in Mr. Fancy’s truck and had a police escort p.57

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 – Magic Tree House Merlin Missions #25 Shadow of the Shark

Shadow of the Shark

by Mary Pope Osborne

Grades 2-4; Genre - Historical Fiction with Fantastical Elements; GRL N; AR pts: 2.0

When Teddy, a young sorcerer, offers to send Jack and Annie on a dream vacation, they can't wait to go. The brother-and-sister pair wish for a trip to a beach paradise, and the magic tree house whisks them off to the coast of Mexico. Everything starts out perfectly as they raft around a coral reef. But then a hungry shark attacks and their dream vacation turns into a nightmare!

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What were the children up to when they found
    Teddy’s note? They had just finished snorkeling and were riding their bikes
    home p.5
  2. How do Merlin and Morgan want to thank Jack and
    Annie for their hard work? By sending them on holiday, a vacation p.10
  3. Where do Jack and Annie want to go on vacation
    and why? Cozumel; the snorkeling is great there p.11

Chapter 2

  1. Why didn’t Jack want Annie to record or take
    pictures of the beach? He didn’t know what he would say to his parents if
    they saw the video or pictures p.19
  2. Why was Jack hesitant to take the raft? He didn’t
    know who it belonged to p.20
  3. What did Jack read in the guidebook about coral?
    It’s made of animals, is very delicate and takes a long time to grow, so you
    shouldn’t touch it p.24

Chapter 3

  1. Describe what Jack saw as he snorkeled in
    the water? Fish, turtles, crabs, jellyfish, a stingray p.27
  2. Why was it so difficult for Jack to control the
    raft? The current was pushing him around p.32
  3. What did Jack see that made him panic? A shark
    fin coming towards them p.33
  4. How did Jack and Annie escape the shark? They
    used a coin from the velvet bag and said they’d like to have fun escaping the
    shark, so the waves pushed them further out to sea p.35

Chapter 4

  1. What did the kids learn they were floating
    towards? Eastern shore of the Yucatan Peninsula p.40
  2. Why did the kids want to use a magical coin? To
    wish for money so they could pay for a hotel, dinner, ferry ride and the theme
    park they read about p.46
  3. Why did Annie want to check out the theme park
    before going to the hotel? She heard music and wanted to see if there was a performance
    going on p.48

Chapter 5

  1. How did Annie convince Jack to skip buying the
    tickets and slip through the opening of the wall? She told him the show
    would be over if they spent the time to buy the tickets p.54
  2. What did Jack notice the audience was wearing? Boy
    were wearing loincloths or feathered robes and the women and girls wore colorful
    dresses with big jewelry; many men wore headdresses p.55
  3. What happened when Annie spoke to the boys
    watching the dance? They were frightened and one told his mom; the dance
    stopped, the warriors came and got Jack and Annie and took them to the House of
    Columns p.58

Chapter 6

  1. What did Jack and Annie realize while waiting
    in the House of Columns? Teddy accidentally sent them to ancient Mayan times,
    not to Cozumel in their timep.64
  2. What happened to the velvet coin purse? Annie
    put it down to help put the raft on the beach and left it on the sand p.67
  3. Why does Heart-of-the-Wind’s father think Jack
    is to be the next ruler? He thinks the gods sent Jack p.75

Chapter 7

  1. Why did Annie call Heart-of-the-Wind brave? She
    loves to explore and swim in the dark by herself p.78
  2. How did Jack and Annie escape the House of
    Columns? Heart-of-the-Wind distracted the guards and the kids jumped out the
    window p.80
  3. Who are the Ones-Who-Tell-the-History-of-the-Forest
    and why? Howler monkeys; they howl at night as if they’re telling a story
    p.83
  4. How did the kids get passed the jaguar in
    the forest? Heart-of-the-Wind gave him peaceful thoughts p.86

Chapter 8

  1. What did Heart-of-the-Wind call the sinkhole? The
    Sacred Well p.90
  2. Describe the Underworld. A huge chamber with
    a hole in the top letting moonlight in, huge columns of white rock stretched
    down from the ceiling (stalactites), with animal statues guarding it, then to a
    narrow pitch-black cave p.91
  3. Why did Jack and Annie suggest Heart-of-the-Wind
    be the next leader of her people? She was a great leader, with courage and
    compassion p.98

Chapter 9

  1. What was Annie’s plan for convincing Heart-of-the-Wind’s father that she’d make a great
    leader? Use the cell phone to have Jack record a message to her father, to
    plant the idea that she could be the next leader p.104
  2. How did Heart-of-the-Wind respond to using
    the phone and watching the message? She was in awe p.106
  3. Why did Heart-of-the-Wind want to make the wish?
    She wanted to make a miracle for the kids, just like they had done for her
    p.111

Chapter 10

  1. How did Jack and Annie get back to Cozumel safely?
    A huge whale shark swam under them, lifted the raft onto its back and swam
    to the shore p.117
  2. Why did the whale behave that way? When Heart-of-the-Wind
    spoke the words for the coin, she asked that a shark help the kids have a fun
    and safe ride p.118
  3. What did Jack find when he looked up Heart-of-the-Wind
    on the computer? That she had become a ruler of the Mayan people, was the
    first female ruler, and became ruler under extremely unusual circumstances
    p.129

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