Tag Archives: mystery

Comprehension Questions – The Swindle Series #3 Framed!

Framed!

by Gordon Korman

Grades 5-7; Genre - Mystery/Humor; GRL R; AR pts. 6.0

Griffin Bing is in big trouble when a Super Bowl ring disappears from his middle school's display case, replaced by Griffin's retainer, and the more he and his friends investigate, the worse his situation becomes.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe the new principal at Griffin’s middle school. Mr. Egan was a successful high school football coach before becoming the principal; he believed in working hard and doing hard things; wasn’t warm and accepting; knew about Griffin’s plans and told him he is watching him; intolerant; doesn’t like excuses p.1

Chapter 2

  1. Why does Darren Vader like the new principal? He’s on the football team and is on his good side since he plays football p.14

Chapter 3

  1. Why are Griffin’s friends hesitant to send the emails? They don’t want to get into trouble with the new principal p.26

Chapter 4

  1. Summarize this chapter. Luthor was on the hunt to find Griffin’s retainer and seeing Darren’s mouth guard during a football game, Luthor thought it was Griffin’s retainer and tackled him and took it; Savannah, Griffin and Pitch were blamed for trying to harm Darren p.28

Chapter 5

  1. Predict what was in Savannah’s backpack that agitated Luthor and Cleopatra. Listen to your child’s answer p.38

Chapter 6

  1. Explain the crime Griffin was accused of. Stealing the Super Bowl ring in the display case; the retainer he had been looking for was in the display case instead of the ring p.46

Chapter 7

  1. Why don’t Mr. Egan, Officer Vizzini, or Celia White believe that Griffin is innocent? He’s got a history of breaking the law and his reputation is catching up to him p.50
  2. Why does the judge think it’s a good idea for Griffin and his friends to take a break from one another? She’s implying they’re not good influences for each other p.56

Chapter 8

  1. List three things that describe the alternate school Griffin is attending and how does it contrast to the public school his friends attend? 1. Grades 7-12; 2. No bullying because there were spies everywhere; 3. Classes were a joke- teachers didn’t teach, just kept order; differences: his school doesn’t include high school grades; there is usually bullying at a public school; the teachers teach at a public-school p.60
  2. Describe Shank and how does he think he is a good friend to Griffin. Sheldon Brickhaus; 8th grader; muscles and thick neck; at the JFK; he won’t leave Griffin alone; he thinks he’s being a good friend because he is trying to help Griffin feel welcome at the school p.73

Chapter 9

  1. How did Griffin’s plan fail? Mr. Egan saw him and he didn’t go through the metal detector; it’s also possible he has the wrong suspects p.81

Chapter 10

  1. How did the judge make it difficult for Griffin to find who framed him? She put him on house arrest so he can’t leave his house unless he goes to school, doctor appointments or court p.84
  2. What would you do if you were one of Griffin’s friends? How would you try to help him? Listen to your child’s answer p.88

Chapter 11

  1. What did Griffin’s friends do? They made a plan p.94
  2. What is their plan? a stakeout on Dr. Egan’s house to prove he has the ring p.94

Chapter 12

  1. How did the plan go wrong? It started raining so the Egan family came home from their walk earlier than anticipated. Pitch is stuck on the roof and Ben is in a box on the porch! p.104

Chapter 13

  1. How did Pitch and Ben get out of their predicament? Savannah took Luthor outside and had him bark. His bark is so loud, it covered up any noises they would have made getting away from the house p.107

Chapter 14

  1. What do you think Mr. Egan’s reaction to Logan will be? Listen to your child’s answer p.117

Chapter 15

  1. What conclusions did the kids make about the jewelry box? It has the ring; Mr. Egan is going to take the ring somewhere, maybe he’s going to sell it, maybe he’ll melt it down p.119

Chapter 16

  1. Why is Mr. Egan’s errand to the jewelers alarming? The kids think he is taking the ring to the jewelers p.129

Chapter 17

  1. Why will the kids have consequences after what’s happened in this chapter? Mr. Egan took the box to the jewelers and as he opened the box, the kids opened the door to the store and took pictures. They were caught red handed spying on him p.136

Chapter 18

  1. What word would you choose to describe Griffin in this chapter and why? Listen to your child’s answer p.137

Chapter 19

  1. What lead did the kids find after arriving at school early? The custodian might have the ring p.146
  2. What brought them to that conclusion? He was alone in the building when the ring went missing  

Chapter 20

  1. Why has Griffin given up? He can’t do anything to prove himself innocent and they don’t have any leads; Savannah’s explanation makes him more discouraged p.153

Chapter 21

  1. What brought Griffin hope in this chapter? Shank brought Savannah‘s pack rat idea to life, thinking it might be a possibility and that he could be the one to help find the missing ring p.161
  2. Compare something Griffin and Shank have in common. They are both planners p.163

Chapter 22

  1. Do you agree with Griffin that he should be a part of this next plan? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer p.168

Chapter 23

  1. How do you think Griffin will distract his parents on the night of the plan? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 24

  1. Define a metaphor. A metaphor is a figure of speech that, for literary effect, refers to one thing by mentioning another.
  2. What metaphor did Celia White use on page 181 and what is she comparing it to?

Sometimes you have to cut off one branch to save the whole tree; Griffin is the bad branch and his friends are the tree

Chapter 25

  1. What is Rendezvous in Paris? A perfume Shank used to lure the rat into the trap p.189
  2. How do you know it’s perfume? Shank’s mom wore it one morning p.185

Chapter 26

  1. How has Shank been reliable to Griffin and his friends during this operation? He was on time; brought the equipment and lure needed; was patient at catching the rat; stayed on the rat even after tripping p.193
  2. Predict where the metal door leads to. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 27

  1. What role does Pitch play on the team? She’s the climber p.205
  2. What role would want if you were Griffon Bing’s friend? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 28

  1. What is the main idea of this chapter. The friends found the rat’s nest and in the nest was the ring. Ben was brave, Darren interrupted the plan, and Mr. Egan witnessed how Darren was guilty and how the friends found and saved the ring p.208

Chapter 29

  1. What was Mr. Egan’s reaction once the ring was found? He apologized to Griffin and he took the blame for accusing Griffin by judging him for his past p.216

Chapter 30

  1. Why did the principal race like a madman to get Griffin home? Because the anklet Griffin was wearing alerted the police that he wasn’t home. He’d be in big trouble if he wasn’t there when the police arrived p.220

Chapter 31

  1. How does this story end? Shank is given a chance to attend Griffin’s school and is successful with his grades and on the football team; Pitch takes Darren’s place on the field and scores a touchdown, it doesn’t count, but she got to live out her dream p.231
  2. What important lesson did Griffin learn in this chapter? More important than a plan was having the right friends p.234
  3. What did you like about this story? Listen to your child’s answer

Comprehension Questions – Sammy Keyes #1 Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief

Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief

by Wendelin Van Draanen

Grades 5-6; Genre - Mystery; GRL W; AR pts. 6.0

Sammy's penchant for speaking her mind gets her into trouble when she involves herself in the investigation of a robbery.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Summarize the introduction to this story. Sammy is looking out of her apartment using binoculars and sees a thief stealing from someone’s purse through a hotel window. He sees her and now she’s worried he’s looking for her. She’s worried to tell her grandma because she will worry p.1

Chapter 2

  1. Describe Sammy. Going into 7th grade. A good friend; Observant; Doesn’t like to be noticed p.10

Chapter 3

  1. What is Sammy honest about in this chapter and what does she lie about? She’s honest about how she saw the burglary and the description of the man; she’s dishonest about where she lives p.18
  2. Why did Sammy lie about where she lives? She lives with her grandma in a senior apartment building and it’s against the roles for her to live there p.23

Chapter 4

  1. Describe Sammy’s first day of school. She met Marissa on the steps of the school and neither of them knew where to find their home room, so they approached a girl and she wasn’t very nice to them. The boy she was talking to helped them out. Turns out the girl is in the home room and as she was mocking Sammy during the Pledge of Allegiance, the teacher caught her and she got in trouble p.27

Chapter 5

  1. Why is Sammy feeling angry after school? She is being treated unfairly. She hit Heather in the nose, but the fact that Heather picked her with a pin in the rearend is being ignored p.34

Chapter 6

  1. What did Marissa and Sammy learn about the woman whose money was stolen? Her name is Madame Narisha and she owns the astrology store p.43

Chapter 7

  1. Why does Sammy go hang out with Hudson? Mrs. Graybill accused Sammy of sleeping at Grams apartment, so to throw her off their trail, Sammy pretends to say good-bye for the day and is waiting until she can go back p.52
  2. What does Sammy learn at Hudson’s? He has a new renter, and she recognizes him from the mall; there’s been another burglary in the neighborhood p.54

Chapter 8

  1. Predict how Rommel got the purse. Listen to your child’s answer p.59

Chapter 9

  1. Summarize this chapter. Marissa calls Sammy and tells her the police are at her house; Sammy runs over and pretends she’s getting out of the shower; they ask her to identify the thief but none of the photos match the person Sammy saw stealing in the hotel room; Grams tells Marissa that Sammy can’t stay over for the night; Sammy is crushed p.64

Chapter 10

  1. Why is Marissa upset in this chapter? She isn’t happy with her home situation; her parents work all the time, and she doesn’t feel entirely supported by them p.73

Chapter 11

  1. After talking to Gina, predict what Sammy’s day is going to contain? Listen to your child’s answer (ex. Finding her birth certificate; exploring the map to find the roof) p.87

Chapter 12

  1. Why was Grams not in the apartment for so long? So, Sammy could understand what it meant to worry; she wanted to get to know Mr. Hudson p.91
  2. Grams and the police officer’s conversation were going well at the end of the chapter. Predict what could ruin Sammy and Grams ruse? Listen to your child’s answer p.96

Chapter 13

  1. Was your prediction correct? Listen to your child’s answer p.97
  2. What detective work did Sammy and Marissa do? Go visit Gina and ask her questions. They also found a rolled-up napkin with Gina’s hotel number jamming open the fire escape door p.104

Chapter 14

  1. Why doesn’t Officer Bosch believe Sammy and still thinks she put the napkin under Mrs. Graybill’s door? He doesn’t believe a child could be helpful and do a better job than he does. He thinks she is a troublemaker p.114

Chapter 15

  1. Why was it good for Sammy to learn how to knit? It kept her out of trouble; gave her something purposeful to do; let her mind think p.128

Chapter 16

  1. How did Sammy set things straight with her peers when she went back to school? She realized Heather was faking her broken nose. She called the doctor’s office pretending to be Heather and had the doctor call the vice principal. The vice principal made Heather take the bandages off her nose. Heather tried to hit Sammy and instead hit the vice principal. Heather was suspended for three days p.132
  2. Who do you think the hotel thief is? Listen to your child’s answer p.139

Chapter 17

  1. How will Sammy catch a thief laying the $10 and $5 bill on the sidewalk? Listen to your child’s answer p.145

Chapter 18

  1. Explain how Sammy’s plan worked? Oscar has always acted like he is blind and deaf, but by putting the money on the sidewalk, she saw that he could easily see it when he saw it and picked it up. She also saw him changing and putting on his disguise p.146

Chapter 19

  1. How did this story wrap up? Oscar gets arrested; the girls talk to officer Jacobsen in the police station; Sammy tells him that they are foster sisters; Officer Jacobsen is nice to Sammy and Marissa; he gets the napkins from Officer Borsch; the girls go to St. Mary’s to get Marissa’s bike and talk for a long time about people not always being who they appear to be p.155
  2. What did you like about this story? Listen to your child’s answer

Comprehension Questions – A to Z Mysteries The Talking T. Rex

The Talking T. Rex

by Ron Roy

Grades 2-5; Genre - Mystery; GRL N; AR 1.0

Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose investigate the theft of a great deal of money from the belly of a nearly life-size Tyrannosaurus rex model that their friend Jud Wheat is using to raise money for a dinosaur museum.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What do you think Jud’s surprise is? Listen to your child’s answer p.2
  2. How did the kids serve their community in this chapter? They helped Mr. Pocket plant a rose bush p.4

Chapter 2

  1. What was the surprise? A giant talking and moving T. Rex p.11
  2. Why did Jud and his friends bring the T. Rex to town? To earn money to create a dinosaur museum in Montana p.11

Chapter 3

  1. Describe the dinosaur show. Jud and Scoop gathered the donations and Jud introduced Tyrone. Dean moved the dinosaur’s tail and hands from inside the dinosaur and shared facts about the T. Rex p.24

Chapter 4

  1. Predict who you think took the money. Listen to your child’s answer p.31
  2. Do you think it could have been Jud, Dean or Scoop? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 5

  1. What is suspicious in this chapter? The muddy footprints in Mr. Pocket’s shed p.49

Chapter 6

  1. What do the friends use as cover to go check Tyrone? The fireworks show p.56

Chapter 7

  1. What predicament did the friends find themselves as they checked out Tyrone? They went into the dinosaur and the door locked behind them. They are stuck in Tyrone! p.62

Chapter 8

  1. How did they find the money? Dink remembered the muddy footprints and that the duffel bag with the cash was on the shed p.72
  2. Why will it be difficult to decide who the thief is? They found a green band aid on the bag and all three of the guys use those band aids p.73

Chapter 9

  1. What clues did the kids put together in this chapter? Muddy footprints, rainstorm in the middle of the night, Scoop didn’t get much sleep, Scoop’s wet shoes hanging from the car antennae, Scoop wasn’t watching the fireworks, the kids found him at the shed looking for the money p.78

Chapter 10

  1. How does this story end? Scoop gets arrested and the kids talk about how Scoop got the key; the kids are sleeping outside under the stars in their sleeping bags p.82

Comprehension Questions – A to Z Mysteries The Quicksand Question

The Quicksand Question

by Ron Roy

Grades 1-4; Genre - Mystery; GRL N; AR pts. 1.0

When someone steals the money the town has been collecting to help the ducks, Josh and his friends try to find the thief.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. How did the city come together to solve a problem? The people who were interested met and talked about solutions; they were kind to each other and brainstormed respectfully; people volunteered to help where they were able and a solution was found p.1

Chapter 2

  1. What did the friends find in the meadow? A burned piece of wood with letters written on it p.14
  2. Predict how this piece of wood will tie into the meadow fire mystery. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 3

  1. Summarize this chapter. Josh’s twin brothers took the money and cookies from the barn; the friends and brother had breakfast and then the friends went to the fire department to drop off their change; they saw Officer Fallon there and shared their clues with him about the fire; the collection bank was missing p.16

Chapter 4

  1. What’s a diversion? A distraction
  2. Describe what Mr. Pocket saw. A jeep with two men speeding down Main Street. The passenger looked like a duck p.28

Chapter 5

  1. Why is the man who used the restroom in the fire station a suspect? He could have been checking out the fire station to find out where the duck bank was located when he used the bathroom p.36

Chapter 6

  1. How did Ellie help the kids further their investigation? She knows that the burnt wood comes from a pallet found at the supermarket p.40

Chapter 7

  1. What did Mr. Robb explain and show the friends. Where people can pick up pallets p.46

Chapter 8

  1. What do you think the man in the rowboat was looking for in the water? Listen to your child’s answer p.54

Chapter 9

  1. Were you correct in your prediction? Listen to your child’s answer
  2. Predict how they’re going to get the jeep out of the river. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 10

  1. Was your prediction correct? Listen to your child’s answer
  2. What did Ruth Rose find and what did it mean? An apron with a name tag from the grocery store where the friends found the pallets p.71

Chapter 11

  1. How did this story end? They caught Martin and built the duck bridge; the friends waited all afternoon to see if the ducks would use the bridge and they did! p.75

Comprehension Questions – The Swindle Series #1 Swindle

Swindle

by Gordon Korman

Grades 3-7; Genre - Mystery; GRL T; AR pts. 5.0

After unscrupulous collector S. Wendell Palomino cons sixth-grader Griffin Bing out of a valuable baseball card, Griffin puts together a band of misfits to break into Palomino's heavily guarded store and steal the card back.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Summarize how this story begins? Two boys are in a condemned building sleeping over. They invited a whole crew of others and even gave them a plan of how to sneak out of their homes, but no one else showed. The boys talked about why no one else came and reviewed the stories they had heard of how the horse was haunted p.1

Chapter 2

  1. Describe Griffin and how he found the baseball card. A man with a plan; curly hair; determined to not be taken advantage of; stands up for what he believes in even if it’s misguided; comes from a home where parents are trying to make ends meet. He found the card by exploring the haunted home. It was in a locked drawer on a desk p.10

Chapter 3

  1. List two things you learn about Griffin in this chapter. He and Ben are in sixth grade; Griffin always sticks to the plan p.17

Chapter 4

  1. How is Griffin going to fight fire with fire? By stealing the card back from the man at the pawn shop p.40

Chapter 5

  1. Describe Ben and list a characteristic that Ben showed in this chapter. Griffin’s friend who follows him and always supports him; in the 6th grade; also stands up for what he believes in; he showed integrity in this chapter by standing up to Griffin and not wanting to rob the pawn shop p.41

Chapter 6

  1. What changed Ben’s mind about the heist? He saw that Griffin’s house was for sale and Griffin told him about his family’s financial situation p.56

Chapter 7

  1. What security fact did Griffin forget to put on his plan? The Doberman p.61

Chapter 8

  1. What two items of the plan were worked out in this chapter? Savannah is working to tame the Doberman, and Ben’s dad helped them figure out the alarm code p.69

Chapter 9

  1. What was Savannah’s reaction when the boys told her what they were up and what was the consequence? She was angry and yelled. The Doberman began to grovel and whimper at Savannah p.76

Chapter 10

  1. What could derail the heist at this point? Ben falling asleep and missing the next step p.87

Chapter 11

  1. Why do you think the safe and dog aren’t at the store? Listen to your child’s answer p.92

Chapter 12

  1. Find a simile on page 95. “Yet, deep down, it was like trying to enjoy great food while suffering from a gut-blaster stomachache.”
  2. What is Ben expressing in the last two sentences of page 95. Even though Griffin’s family is taking them to fun places, it’s hard to enjoy being there when you know Griffin is moving and there won’t be fun times anymore. Ben is thinking about the times they’ve spent together in the past, knowing there won’t be times together in the future p.95
  3. How did the boys find where the card is? They found the Doberman and realized the card and safe were taken to Swindle’s house p.98

Chapter 13

  1. Summarize this chapter. The boys went to Swindle’s house and found Luther and found he uses a high-tech security system. They also met Swindle’s neighbor and learned he is always outside observing the activities in the neighborhood. Their teacher helped them figure out where to go to see Swindle’s floor plan to get into his house p.100

Chapter 14

  1. Predict how the boys will get into the house via the bathroom skylight? Listen to your child’s answer p.116

Chapter 15

  1. Were you correct in your previous prediction? Listen to your child’s answer
  2. Griffin thinks the heist will be easy once each person’s job is broken down. What do you think might go wrong? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 16

  1. Why didn’t Griffin want Darren on the team? He’s a talker and might tell on them; they don’t trust him p.132

Chapter 17

  1. If you were a part of this heist, what responsibility would you want to have? Why? Listen to your child’s answer p.133

Chapter 18

  1. Does Griffin have a right to be nervous about the heist? What could go wrong? Listen to your child’s answer p.144
  2. Why do you think the card is cold? Listen to your child’s answer p.147

Chapter 19

  1. How was the heist going so far? Really well. The only hiccup they’ve had so far is Melissa intercepted an email to Palomino and the auction wanted to pick up the card early, but Griffin responded to them with the wrong address p.150

Chapter 20

  1. Choose a word to describe the team and how they worked together in this chapter. Explain. Flexible-Ben knew he couldn’t climb to the roof because of his narcolepsy and Melissa was happy to swap responsibilities. Encouraging-when Darren slipped on the roof, no one made fun of him, Pitch encouraged him and gave him clear instructions p.159

Chapter 21

  1. What went wrong with the heist? The vent pipe and Pitch fell into the house spraining her ankle; now the crew can’t exit the house that way
  2. What do you think Luther is trying to tell Savannah? Listen to your child’s answer p.171

Chapter 22

  1. What problems did the crew solve in this chapter? Melissa figured out the security system so they can get out of the house without triggering the alarm; Savannah found out why Luther was agitated, there’s a mean German shepherd in the basement. She shut the dog into the room, but it’s hitting the door trying to break it down p.172

Chapter 23

  1. What complicated the plan even further in this chapter? The man finally arrived to pick up the card; Ben fell asleep so he didn’t warn everyone; the card wasn’t in the safe p.180

Chapter 24

  1. Predict what Griffin is going to do to get the card out of the tree. Listen to your child’s answer p.193

Chapter 25

  1. Why did Griffin and his friends respect Griffin’s dad more in this chapter? They used his invention to get the card out of the tree and saw that it was a great invention p.199

Chapter 26

  1. Ben missed everything that happened inside the house. Pretend you are talking to him and tell him what happened from the time you climbed the roof to when he ran over to see what was going on. Listen to your child’s answer p.208
  2. Yikes! A police car is in front of Griffin’s house when he gets there. Why do you think they are there and predict what Griffin will do. Listen to your child’s answer p.208

Chapter 27

  1. Describe the sight Palomino probably saw when he arrived to his home. A broken window with glass all over the floor; dogs laying down in the kitchen; turkey skeleton on the floor of the kitchen; an empty plastic baggie that held the card p.214

Chapter 28

  1. What the heist crew did was a serious crime. Predict what will happen when the police arrive? Listen to your child’s answer p.223
  2. Use a word to describe how Griffin is feeling right now? Explain. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 29

  1. What consequence is Griffin feeling now that he hadn’t predicted? How this would affect his parents p.231

Chapter 30

  1. Find a metaphor on page 237 and explain what the author means by using it. Ex. “It was a glowing coal on an icy night, a tiny measure of justice.” Griffin was feeling satisfied that Palamino didn’t have many customers amidst the possibility of getting arrested p.237

Chapter 31

  1. Why did Officer Vizzini finally arrest Griffin? He had the card and now there was evidence to arrest him p.242
  2. Why is the officer going to release Griffin? Palomino isn’t pressing charges and the card is being sent to the last surviving member of the Rockford family p.245
  3. Why isn’t Griffin’s family moving anymore? The publicity from the card has generated interest from investors for the SmartPick p.247

Chapter 32

  1. What’s ironic with who ended up with the baseball card? It went to Darren, who tried to steal the card during the heist p.250
  2. What did the money go towards and why? The Cedarville Museum where the Rockford house used to be. Darren’s parents didn’t want to reward him for stealing the card p.250
  3. What did you enjoy about this story? Listen to your child’s answer

Comprehension Questions – A to Z Mysteries The Goose’s Gold

The Goose's Gold

by Ron Roy

There’s sunken treasure off the Florida coast! On the day after they arrive for vacation, Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose meet two men who are diving for gold from their boat, the Golden Goose. They promise to share with anyone who backs their plan. Is it too good to be true?

Grades 2-5; Genre - Mystery; GRL N; AR 1.0

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe the setting in this story. Key West, Florida; beautiful warm weather, beaches, ocean p.1
  2. How did the author set up the mystery in this story? Dink overheard someone talking about dough and a goose in the telephone booth next to him; the man in the booth had tan hairy ankles and had an eagle head tattoo p.2

Chapter 2

  1. Who did the kids meet in this chapter and what do their new acquaintances do? Chip and Spike; they own a boat and dive for treasure p.16

Chapter 3

  1. Where did the kids explore in this chapter and what did they find? Mel Fisher’s Treasure Museum; gold necklace p.23
  2. Who is coming over to Grams? Spike and Chip p.27

Chapter 4

  1. Explain how Grams know Spike and Chip. The men came to the senior center and asked the people there to be investors p.28

Chapter 5

  1. Why was Dink bothered in this chapter? Something Spike whispered to Chip was very familiar to what he heard the man whisper in the telephone booth at the airport p.41

Chapter 6

  1. Do you think Dink has a reason to be suspicious? Explain. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 7

  1. What clue did the kids find when they were at the beach? Chip and Spike’s boat was called the Golden Goose p.52
  2. What is Dink’s backup plan to see if Spike has a tattoo? Create a tattoo contest p.54

Chapter 8

  1. Should the kids have gotten on the boat without Spike and Chip’s permission? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer p.61

Chapter 9

  1. What predicament did the kids find themselves in? Chip and Spike came back and took the boat out to the ocean; the kids hid and were trapped in a storage area under the floor of the boat p.66

Chapter 10

  1. Summarize this chapter. Spike and Chip took an ax and chopped up the boat to sink it. They took off in the dingy. The kids came out of the trap door and jumped into the ocean p.72

Chapter 11

  1. What was the conclusion to this story? The coast guard saved the kids; Chip and Spike were caught, and the money they stole was given back; the gold the men had at the beginning of the story was stolen from a museum and the reward money was going to the kids; Grams invited the kids back to visit next summer p.78

Comprehension Questions – A to Z Mysteries The Ninth Nugget

The Ninth Nugget

by Ron Roy

Grades 2-5; Genre - Mystery; GRL N; AR pts: 1.0

N is for Nugget . . . Howdy from Montana, pardners! Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose are spending a week at a dude ranch. When they pan for gold, Josh finds a huge nugget. But gold fever has struck, and soon the nugget is stolen. It’s up to the kids to round up the thief.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Summarize the premise of this story and who the characters are (you don’t need to include the main characters). The friends are in Wyoming at a ranch; they won this experience from helping the person who lost the lottery ticket; Ma and Pa own the ranch, Jud is their son, Lulu is the cook and Thumbs (but we’re not sure who he is yet) p.1

Chapter 2

  1. Summarize Thumb’s story around the campfire. A fire was started in the woods with lightning. A bear cub came running from the woods and was burned; they caught him and took him to the vet the next morning and when he was better, he was sent to a zoo. The mama bear came running through destroying everything, looking for her cub but couldn’t find it. The mama bear is still looking for her cub and comes through the camp 2-3 times each summer p.18

Chapter 3

  1. What do you think the noises on the porch were from? Listen to your child’s answer p.25

Chapter 4

  1. Choose a word to describe Josh and explain what his reward was. Determined; patient; he found a potato sized gold nugget p.34

Chapter 5

  1. Who are the other guests at the ranch? Fiona, Ed, the Clydes p.15
  2. Who stayed back at the ranch during the horse ride? Ed, Fiona, Thumbs p.42

Chapter 6

  1. Why do you think the dinner bell is ringing when it’s the afternoon? Listen to your child’s answer p.51

Chapter 7

  1. Were you correct in your prediction? Listen to your child’s answer
  2. What was the emergency? Someone had tied up Lulu, Fiona and Ed and the large nugget was missing from the safe p.52

Chapter 8

  1. Why do the friends suspect Thumbs? He was the only one who wasn’t on the ride the entire time. He could have tied everyone up, stole the gold and raced out to the meadow on his horse p.62

Chapter 9

  1. Do you agree that Josh lied to Ma to get out of playing cards? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer p.71

Chapter 10

  1. Why is it suspicious that Ed is pacing and getting ready to leave the ranch? If he were the robber, he’d want to get off the ranch as quickly as possible so he wouldn’t get caught p.79

Chapter 11

  1. Use another word to describe Josh in this chapter and explain why you chose it. Selfless, charitable; he donated his nugget to the ranch to save it p.86

Comprehension Questions – A to Z Mysteries The Invisible Island

The Invisible Island

by Ron Roy

Grades 2-5; Genre - Mystery; GRL N; AR pts: 1.0

I is for Island . . . It’s picnic time! Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose pack up a basket and wade out to Squall Island. Right away, they find a hundred-dollar bill in the sand! But when they come back the next day, the entire island has mysteriously disappeared. What is the secret of Squall Island?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Where are the children exploring at the beginning of this story? Squaw Island p.1

Chapter 2

  1. Why should the children find the person who lost the $100 and give it back to him? It is the right thing to do p.14

Chapter 3

  1. Summarize this chapter. The children talk to Ron at the boat shop but still can’t figure out who the money could belong to. Ruth Rose writes a note to put on the bulletin board. They go get ice cream and then go see Officer Fallon. He puts the money in an envelope with Ruth Rose’s name on it and says that if no one claims the money in 30 days she can have it p.16

Chapter 4

  1. Why would someone put fake poison ivy on Squaw Island? To keep people away from it or to keep them from wandering around a certain part of the island p.34

Chapter 5

  1. Who do you think put the cement box and refrigerator on the island? Listen to your child’s answer p.40

Chapter 6

  1. Officer Fallon told the kids to stay away from the island. Would you have a hard time doing that? Why? Listen to your child’s answer p.48

Chapter 7

  1. Why does Ron make a good suspect? He owns boats; it’s easy for him to get to the island; he purchased calamine lotion at the store, so he probably has a rash from poison ivy; he had enough space at his shop to store a printing press

Chapter 8

  1. Summarize this chapter. The friends were spying on Ron and a man in a black car drove up and gave Ron a box that said Happy Heart Dog Food; Ron took the box into the shed then brought it back out and gave it back to the man in the black car p.56

Chapter 9

  1. What did the kids find in the Bent’s garage? Receipt for the calamine lotion, the Happy Heart Dog Food box, waders with boots, green paint p.67

Chapter 10

  1. Do you think the kids have enough evidence to catch the suspects? Listen to your child’s answer
  2. What will be the last piece of evidence? Catching the crook on Squaw Island where the counterfeit money is p.73

Chapter 11

  1. How did this mystery end? The Bents were captured and taken to prison and their dog was given to Josh; he was still thinking what name to call him p.78

Comprehension Questions – A to Z Mysteries The Deadly Dungeon

The Deadly Dungeon

by Ron Roy

Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose visit a castle in Maine and hear screams. They discover a hidden trap door leading to a secret tunnel and a dungeon, and must solve the mystery of who or what is making the noises, which might be a ghost.

Grades 2-5; Genre - Mystery; GRL N; AR 1.0

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What is the setting of this story and why are the friends there? Belfast, Maine; visiting the author they helped save in The Absent Author p.1

Chapter 2

  1. Describe Emory Scott and why was it unsettling to hear his ghost scream? The man who built the castle in the 1930’s; he died suddenly in the castle; Wallis said she hears the ghost; the kids heard a scream as they were leaving for a picnic p.13

Chapter 3

  1. Summarize this chapter. The friends had a picnic; they took a walk and met Rip; they discussed the ghost of Emory Scott p.19

Chapter 4

  1. Where did the friends go that creeped them out? An old playhouse and a cave with bats on the beach p.25

Chapter 5

  1. Who do you think is out near the playhouse? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 6

  1. Do you think the light in the woods was a firefly? Why or why not? Listen to your child’s answer p.41

Chapter 7

  1. How many green feathers have appeared throughout the story so far? 3 p.53
  2. What do you think they mean? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 8

  1. Summarize what the children found in this chapter. A trapdoor in the playhouse with stone stairs leading downward into darkness p.57
  2. Would you be brave enough to go down those stairs after hearing that scream? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 9

  1. What is scary about the friends being stuck in the tunnel with the parrots? The tide is coming in and will flood the tunnel; they could drown p.64

Chapter 10

  1. Do you agree with Dink? Is the person hiding the parrots Walker? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer p.72

Chapter 11

  1. How is Ripley deceiving them all? He is driving Walker’s Jeep and leaving green feathers to make Walker look suspicious p.80

Chapter 12

  1. Why was Ripley’s boat always so clean? He never catches lobster; he acted like he did, but used his boat to pick up the parrots from other countries p.84
  2. What was the loud screech from the mudroom if the parrots had been taken by the police? Listen to your child’s answer p.86

Comprehension Questions – A to Z Mysteries The Canary Caper

The Canary Caper

by Ron Roy

Grades 2-5; Genre - Mystery; GRL N; AR pts: 1.0

C is for Canary...Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose get an urgent call from Mrs. Davis. Her canary is missing! The little bird has vanished without a trace, and he's not the only one!

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What’s the mystery in this story? Mrs. Davis’s canary and Ruth Rose’s cat are missing p.5

Chapter 2

  1. What other animals are missing? A parrot and rabbit p.23
  2. What do you think happened to the pets? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 3

  1. What did Ruth Rose think was strange about the person returning the canary? She wondered how he knew to return the canary to p.33

Chapter 4

  1. Describe what was fishy about Fred Little? He was only at Mrs. Davis for a few minutes and had to use the restroom; didn’t take the reward; said he contacted Mrs. Wong, but the friends talked to her and she hadn’t heard anything p.38

Chapter 5

  1. What theory did the friends form that connected the lost pets to the burglaries? 1. The pets would get stolen. 2. When the pets were returned, the burglar would make an excuse to see the house. 3. The burglar would come back later to steal valuable items they saw p.48

Chapter 6

  1. Describe Ruth Rose’s mood and why she feels that way. Grumpy, sad; her cat is missing and she wants to solve the mystery so she can get her cat back p.62

Chapter 7

  1. Did the canary guy see the friends hiding in the bushes? Predict what will happen next! Listen to your child’s answer p.72

Chapter 8

  1. Was your prediction correct? Summarize what happened in this chapter. The friends stayed in the bushes; Fred Little used stilts to climb into a window on the second story; Mrs. Davis scared Fred little when he came into her room; when he was back outside on the ground, the police arrested Fred; Mrs. Davis came out of the house swinging a sword and the friends came out of the bushes p.73

Chapter 9

  1. Was Ruth Rose’s cat part of the burglar scheme? No p.86
  2. What happened to Ruth Rose’s cat, Tiger? She had been hiding under Rose’s bed, she had kittens p.87