Tag Archives: Jigsaw Jones Mysteries

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 – Jigsaw Jones Mysteries #11 The Case of the Marshmallow Monster

The Case of the Marshmallow Monster

by James Preller

Grades 2-3; Genre - Mystery; GRL N; AR pts. 1.0

Jigsaw goes camping with family and friends and solves a monster mystery.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Summarize the introduction to this story. Jigsaw is going camping with his family and friends and will solve a mystery with marshmallows and a lake monster p.1

Chapter 2

  1. Have you ever gone camping? If you have, share your experience. If you haven’t, share a fun experience you’ve had in the out of doors. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 3

  1. List the steps to build a fire. 1) Place tinder in a pile in a fire pit; 2) Place kindling on top of the tinder in a pyramid; 3) after the kindling starts burning, put on larger pieces of wood p.16

Chapter 4

  1. Summarize this chapter. Mr. Hitchcock told a spooky story around the fire about a lake monster p.19

Chapter 5

  1. Should the children have left food out? Why, or why not? No; animals will come and cause trouble p.28

Chapter 6

  1. What convinced Jigsaw to take the case? He went swimming in the lake and became creeped out after something brushed his leg and his feet got stuck in the mud p.39

Chapter 7

  1. Why did Jigsaw stay back from the waterfall hike? He needed to work on the case p.43

Chapter 8

  1. How did Wingnut and Freddy become suspects? They have stomach aches, and it could have been from eating too many marshmallows p.51

Chapter 9

  1. Why did Jigsaw cross the boys off the suspect list? They were sick from eating candy not marshmallows p.56

Chapter 10

  1. Describe how Mila is a good friend to Jigsaw. She supports him and helps him p.64

Chapter 11

  1. Summarize the conclusion to this story. Mila and Jigsaw heard footsteps and saw something, they threw a rock at it, screamed and blew the whistle; it was Jigsaw’s dad; he put the marshmallows in the car p.66

Comprehension Questions – Jigsaw Jones Mysteries #8 The Case of the Great Sled Race

The Case of the Great Sled Race

by James Preller

Grades 2-3; Genre - Mystery; GRL N; AR pts. 1.0

Someone steals Bigs Maloney's sled two days before the Great Sled Race, and Jigsaw and Mila are on the case.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe Bigs. Roughest and toughest kid in 2nd grade; wants help getting his Velma back p.4

Chapter 2

  1. Who is Velma and why did Bigs name her that? A sled; the first part of Velocity and the first part of Machine p.10

Chapter 3

  1. What could be the motivation behind someone stealing the sled? Prevent Bigs from winning a sledding race p.18

Chapter 4

  1. Summarize this chapter. Jigsaw went to school the next day and learned that reading is like solving a mystery…answering who, what, when where and how p.20

Chapter 5

  1. What word is the root of the word motivation that explains why? Motive p.30

Chapter 6

  1. Why is Jigsaw the main character’s name? He likes to solve puzzles p.35

Chapter 7

  1. What is suspicious about the conversation with Jasper? He acted like he had a cold and didn’t open the door; he seemed nervous and asked if Bigs would really clobber someone p.43

Chapter 8

  1. Why does Jigsaw want to watch the video of Joey sledding? It’s filmed the same day and location the sled went missing; he might find a clue p.51

Chapter 9

  1. Predict what Jigsaw spotted on the video. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 10

  1. Are you correct in your prediction? Listen to your child’s answer; Jigsaw saw Lucy and Jasper take the sled p.66

Chapter 11

  1. Summarize the conclusion to this story. Jigsaw realized that Jasper just wanted to try the sled but didn’t return it before Bigs noticed it was gone; Lucy and Jasper were scared Bigs would hurt him, so they hid it; Jigsaw didn’t tell Bigs who took it and returned it to him; Bigs won the singles race and Mila and Jigsaw won the doubles race p.67