Tag Archives: mystery

Comprehension Questions – The Westing Game

The Westing Game

by Ellen Raskin

Grades 6-8; Genre - Fiction; GRL V; AR pts. 8.0

Sixteen game players, heirs to Sam Westing's fabulous fortune, are all suspected of his murder. This book is part mystery story, part play-along game, and part do-it-yourself puzzle.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Summarize the introduction to this story. A mysterious salesman rented six apartments to previously chosen tenants in one day on Lake Michigan; some tenants were honest working people and others were fit for prison and one was a mistake p.1

Chapter 2

  1. What deal did Turtle make? Do you think it was a mistake? $2 for each minute she stayed in the Westing house; listen to your child’s answer; two high school boys went in and ran out; one ran off a cliff and died and the other had warm blood on his hands and is in the insane asylum p.8
  2. Describe Chris. He has an ailment; sits and looks out the window; observant; smart; waiting for his brother, Theo, to bring him food from the cafe they own; close to his brother and trusts him p.8

Chapter 3

  1. What did most everyone notice in this chapter? Smoke coming out of the Westing house chimney p.10
  2. List a character and why they’re intriguing. Turtle Wexler, Flora Baumbach, Doug Hoo, Sandy McSouthers, Judge Ford, Chris or Theo, Sydelle Pulaski; Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 4

  1. Summarize this chapter. Turtle went into the Westing house and lasted 12 minutes; she saw a dead body and read in the paper that it was Samuel Westing; the beneficiaries to the Westing estate p.16

Chapter 5

  1. What did everyone gather for in this chapter? The meeting to go over Westing’s will p.22

Chapter 6

  1. Summarize what the will said. Sam Westing was murdered, and he knows who it is; the other heirs need to figure out who it is so Sam can rest in peace p.28

Chapter 7

  1. Who would you want to be paired with if you were playing? Why? Listen to your child’s answer 

Chapter 8

  1. Why was someone after Sydelle’s short hand notes? She took them at the meeting; they will know what was said p.52

Chapter 9

  1. Why was Turtle’s mom nice to her? So she’d share her clues p.56
  2. Why did Mr. Hoo decide to go to the party? People may share their clues p.57

Chapter 10

  1. Why is Angela so upset in this chapter? She’s tired of being what everyone else wants her to be; she isn’t able to be herself p.59

Chapter 11

  1. What did the characters learn in this chapter? Turtle’s real name; why her mother nicknamed her Turtle; Sydelle’s shorthand notes are written in Polish p.64

Chapter 12

  1. Why are people’s prized possessions missing? There’s a burglar in the building p.70
  2. Why would Westing include a burglar in the game? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 13

  1. Define what a bookie is. A bookie, short or slang for “bookmaker,” is someone who facilitates gambling, most commonly on sporting events. A bookie sets odds, accepts and places bets, and pays out winnings on behalf of other people.
  2. Who do you think is planting the bombs? Why?  Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 14

  1. Do you know where the phrase, “may God thy gold refine” comes from? Listen to your child’s answer p.86

Chapter 15

  1. Why did Turtle always have a radio playing and an ear plug in? To listen to the stocks
  2. Why did she care so much about the stock market? She thought that’s what Samuel Westing wanted them to do with the money he gave them p.88
  3. Who is George Theodorakis? Theo and Chris’s father; he loved Violet Westing, but she couldn’t marry him p.94

Chapter 16

  1. Why did Angela think Turtle was lucky? She could do and be whoever she wanted p.96
  2. What observation did Chris make that connects Otis to the Westings? He limps p.99
  3. Do you think Angela was the bomber? Listen to your child’s answer
  4. What incriminating evidence do you think Turtle took from Angela’s bag? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 17

  1. Who do people think could be the murderer? Why? Otis; their questions lead back to him p.103

Chapter 18

  1. Explain what happened to Flora’s daughter. She has disabilities and died of pneumonia at 19 years old p.106
  2. What’s happening to each pair as they work together? They’re starting to become friends and help each other p.113

Chapter 19

  1. What mistake did Westing make? Explain. At the beginning of the story one person was invited to live at the tower but they were a mistake. Westing invited Sydelle Pulaski instead of Sybil p.119

Chapter 20

  1. What philosophy about this game do the judge and Sandy have? Westing’s out to punish one of the heirs p.123
  2. What do they know about Mrs. Westing? Not much, but that she was forcing her daughter to marry a crooked politician and decided to kill herself p.124

Chapter 21

  1. What’s the judge’s connection to Sam Westing? Her parents worked for him and she grew up in the Westing house; she played chess with Westing and he insulted her; he paid for her education and she never repaid him back p.127
  2. What has Sydelle figured out at the end of the chapter? What the clues mean; the clues are the song America, the Beautiful p.133

Chapter 22

  1. Who is the burglar? Why? Madame Hoo; to get money to go back to China p.134
  2. Why is Crow scared to go to the meeting at the Westing house? She knows she’s in danger p.141
  3. Who does Sandy and the judge think Crow is? Mrs. Westing p.141
  4. Who do they think Otis is? Do you think they’re correct? Sam Westing; listen to your child’s answer p.141

Chapter 23

  1. Why do you think Sandy glared at Crow in this chapter? Listen to your child’s answer p.148
  2. Who gave herself up as the murderer? Crow p.155

Chapter 24

  1. Do you think Sandy is really dead? Listen to your child’s answer
  2. Predict what’s going to happen. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 26

  1. Predict who the fourth person is Sam Westing impersonated. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 27

  1. What did Turtle need to do to win? Show up at the fourth persons home, Dr. Eastman; all of Westing’s pretend names included a direction p.174

Chapter 28

  1. Who got married in this chapter? Crow and Otis p.176
  2. Which character is getting help from the judge paying for their education? Chris p.177

Chapter 29

  1. Summarize this chapter. The heirs all arrive at a party to honor Doug who won an Olympic gold medal. There were updates given for each character p.179

Chapter 30

  1. What’s the conclusion of this story? Turtle never told anyone she won the prize and who Julian Eastman really was; she married Theo, they didn’t have children due to the possibility of passing on what Chris has; Julian, or Sandy, dies of old age and Turtle hurries home from the funeral to spend time with her niece Alice p.182

Comprehension Questions – The Hardy Boys #6 The Shore Road Mystery

The Shore Road Mystery

by Franklin W. Dixon

Grades 3-7; Genre - Fiction; GRL Q; AR pts. 5.0

Frank and Joe Hardy encounter a perplexing set of mysteries when they agree to help their friend Jack Dodd and his father locate a family treasure.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What mysterious happenings went on in this chapter? Someone was stealing cars; Jack’s boat hit something in the water that caused a hole; Jack said he had a 300 year old mystery his family wanted help with; their friend’s car was also stolen p.1

Chapter 2

  1. Define what a pun is. The usually humorous use of a word in such a way as to suggest two or more of its meanings or the meaning of another word similar in sound p.13
  2. What was the emergency at Jack’s farm? Jack and his dad were being accused of stealing the cars p.18
  3. What evidence did the police have? The car was on their property, they police received a “tip-off” that they were the ashore Road thieves; Jack’s fishing pole was in the trunk of the car p.18

Chapter 3

  1. How did the Dodd’s get out of prison? Mr. Hardy helped them post bail p.21
  2. Summarize the other mystery the Dodd’s need helped with. The Pilgrim mystery; their ancestor left the Plymouth Colony with his family in a boat in search of a horseshoe-shaped inlet ((Barmet Bay); there was a storm and a bottle with a message; they want to find out what happened to their ancestor, if he made it to the inlet and/or if he perished in the storm; there’s a treasure chest of gems and journals p.22

Chapter 4

  1. Why do the boys think that the Dodd’s might have been kidnapped? They were planning on being at the trial the next day; the boys were going to go over to the farm and discuss the Pilgrim mystery p.29
  2. Why wouldn’t the boys allow the New York businessman to talk? They didn’t want to be pulled into a scam; they didn’t believe him p.35
  3. Describe what happened at the boat house. The boys were attacked p.37

Chapter 5

  1. How does the beginning of this chapter remind you of what Mr. Hardy is working on? The boys were gassed, and their father is also studying gasses p.39
  2. What are the three mysteries the boys are solving and why do they think they’re all connected? The Dodd’s missing, the stolen cars, the Pilgrim mystery; the thieves could have kidnapped the Dodd’s because of the Pilgrim treasure p.44
  3. What’s happens in this chapter to conclude that things are getting dangerous? The boys receive letters from people complaining they’re support for the Dodd’s and a grenade was thrown into their clubhouse window p.42

Chapter 6

  1. What do you think the brown flecks of paint are? The paint from the car p.53
  2. Why do you think there is a crash? Listen to your child’s answer p.53

Chapter 7

  1. How is Chet’s study of plants coming in handy in this chapter? Hopefully Chet can identify the leaf in the Pilgrim mystery p.57
  2. Explain what getting “a birds-eye view” means. Flying in an airplane and seeing the ground as a bird sees it p.61
  3. Why did the boys think the last car in chapter 7 could be “a bite”? The car was racing wildly p.65

Chapter 8

  1. Why is George Birnham suspicious? He blocked the boys two different times from being able to chase a car; he said he didn’t have a phone, but is in the phone book; his car was the first one stolen; his land was given to him by a member of the Dodd family p.70
  2. Why is it a good thing that the boys checked out the fire before reporting it? Scratch was knocked unconscious in the middle of the fire and would have died if they had called the police first p.73

Chapter 9

  1. What happened in this chapter? The boys took some friends swimming in a cove; one of the girls dove under the water and someone underwater threw a net around her; Frank saved her; that night two boys watched the intersection while two others went onto the Birnham farm; Slagel came and talked to the farmer and left; the farmer climbed into his big tractor and drive it at the boys camping in the field p.77

Chapter 10

  1. Name two strange things that happened in this chapter. Slagel threatened the boys with a blade on the bottom of his cane; the boys found a note Slagel had telegraphed; the boys saw the spider human climbing a net; there was a fine steel-wire net string across the road the boys ran into p.89

Chapter 11

  1. What’s a concussion? A brain injury caused by a blow to the head p.94
  2. Did the boys find anything strange as they took their boat out on the water? They found rope netting; Tony saw a spider-man on the same cliff as the boys; heard a strange scraping noise under their boat; saw Carlton Melliman looking at them through binoculars p.99

Chapter 12

  1. Who did the boys meet in the chapter? Martin Dobb, Jack’s uncle p.106
  2. Why was he sneaking around and why did he keep himself disguised? So, he could go unnoticed while he figured out the Pilgrim’s clue p.107

Chapter 13

  1. What was Chet’s job in this chapter and what did he find? To reconnaissance Birnham’s produce truck; he found tire tracks in the back of the truck and heard that Slagel was going to finish off the Hardy boys p.115

Chapter 14

  1. Why do you think the boys got sleepy? Listen to your child’s answer p.125

Chapter 15

  1. What decoy were the boys going to use to trick Slagel? They were going to buy a car p.130
  2. What happened to the boys in this chapter? They followed the barge in their boat; Frank jumped out and swam to the barge; when he got there, someone hit him over the head, and he fell back into the water; Joe was there and got him back to their boat; someone in a diving suit came aboard their boat and knocked Chet out; Joe was ready to fight him at the end of the chapter p.132

Chapter 16

  1. Why were the boys relieved when Tony swam back up to the surface after looking at the Dodd’s boat? They were worried the Dodd’s had been in the boat when it sank, but they weren’t p.137
  2. Why are the boys leaving to Harpertown? Slagel threatened them and told them to leave town for 5 days; they’re going to purchase a car p.138

Chapter 17

  1. How many tries did it take to get Slagel to steal the car? Why? Two; the first time the car wouldn’t start p.147

Chapter 18

  1. Did the Trojan horse plan work? How? Yes; it got the boys to the hide out; they found the Dodd’s and figured out the operation p.156

Chapter 19

  1. Did Chet come to the rescue with the police? Why, or why not? No, he was captured before he could get them p.165

Chapter 20

  1. Did the car mystery have any correlation to the Pilgrim mystery? No p.174
  2. How did solving the car mystery help them solve the Pilgrim mystery? After solving the car mystery, they were in the right place to find the mysterious leaf and the treasure chest full of jewels and journals p.175

Comprehension Questions – A to Z Mysteries The Kidnapped King

The Kidnapped King

by Ron Roy

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

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

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

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

Chapter 2

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

Chapter 3

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

Chapter 4

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

Chapter 5

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

Chapter 6

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

Chapter 7

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

Chapter 8

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

Chapter 9

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

Chapter 10

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

Chapter 11

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

Comprehension Questions – Secret Agent Jack Stalwart #5 The Secret of the Sacred Temple: Cambodia

The Secret of the Sacred Temple: Cambodia

by Elizabeth Singer Hunt

Grades K-3; Genre - Fiction; GRL P; AR pts: 2.0

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Who was visiting Jack and his family? His cousin Lily p.1
  2. How does Jack feel about her? Thinks she’s annoying p.2

Chapter 2

  1. Why did Ronald Barter start the GPF? He was tired of crooks trying to destroy the things that mattered in the world p.6
  2. When did Jack join the GPF? When his older brother disappeared p.6

Chapter 3

  1. What country is Jack traveling to in this book? Cambodia p.12
  2. What was the code word for this mission? Temple p.12

Chapter 4

  1. What did Jack do when his parachute didn’t come out of his bag? He used The Dome, a disc made of elastic material that expanded and slowed his fall p.18
  2. Where did Jack land when the elastic material burst? In some water by a monument p.19
  3. Who was waiting for Jack? Kate p.21

Chapter 5

  1. Who is Kate’s mum? One of the chief archeologists watching over the ancient temple of Angkor Wat p.26
  2. Why did Kate call the GPF? Her mum was kidnapped p.26

Chapter 6

  1. What condition was Kate’s house in when Jack saw it? A mess; pictures ripped from the walls, furniture overturned, curtains shredded to bits p.28
  2. What did Jack find under the sofa? A voice recorder p.31
  3. Summarize what Jack and Kate heard on the voice recorder. Kate’s mom mentioned the map and her daughter, then a man appeared demanding the map, she wouldn’t give it to him, so they took her away to the Temple of the Trees to try and get her to talk p.33

Chapter 7

  1. Why did Kate trust Jack? Because her mother knew his brother and he was a good agent p.36
  2. Why was Jack eager to find Kate’s mum? To save her, but also to find out more information on his brother’s disappearance p.39

Chapter 8

  1. What did Jack give Kate before they left on the bikes? A Transponder, in case she got lost p.40
  2. What did the gadgets in Jack’s shoes warn him of? Landmines p.44

Chapter 9

  1. What time of day did Jack and Kate enter the temple looking for her mom? Night p.48
  2. Where was the map located? On Kate’s necklace p.51
  3. What did the man do to Jack? Threw a powder at him that blinded him, made him sick, and made him go to sleep p.54

Chapter 10

  1. How did Jack recover from the powder? He put some Electrolyte Dust on his tongue p.56
  2. Where had the crooks taken Kate and her mum? Back to the Temple of Angkor Wat p.59

Chapter 11

  1. Where did Jack find Kate? In the central well of the temple p.65
  2. Why did the crooks send Kate into the well? The well was too narrow for an adult p.69
  3. Where did Jack and Kate think the crooks went? To the airport p.70

Chapter 12

  1. How did Jack get a ticket to get passed the official? He had a Trick Ticket device that created a ticket and a Voice-Recognition Passport that he had programmed as well p.74
  2. What showed up in Jack’s backpack as it went through security? Gum, books and a gaming device p.77

Chapter 13

  1. How did Jack trick the man with the gold teeth? He said he got an important piece of the treasure from Kate, and the man released her mum p.81
  2. How did Jack get the treasure? He threw the object he was using to trick the man, the man tried to catch it and dropped the box of treasure, and Jack grabbed the box with an expandable hook p.84
  3. What did Jack use to capture the bad guy? The anti-bullet Net Tosser p.85

Chapter 14

  1. Why did Jack want to talk to Kate’s mum? To see if she knew anything about his brother’s disappearance p.92

Chapter 15

  1. Where did Max disappear from? Egypt p.93
  2. What was the object of Max’s mission when he disappeared? A mummy p.94
  3. How did Jack get back home? Went into Kate’s mum’s room, threw a pellet on the floor which released a smoke, and said, “off to England!”

Comprehension Questions – Secret Agent Jack Stalwart #5 The Search for the Sunken Treasure: Australia

The Search for the Sunken Treasure: Australia

by Elizabeth Singer Hunt

Grades K-3; Genre - Fiction; GRL P; AR pts: 2.0

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What was Alfie’s mission as he swam to the wreckage? He was to remove any sand covering the bow of the ship, bring up any relics he found, and hand them over to the State Maritime Museum p.4
  2. What happened to Alfie after he saw the sand removed from the bow? Someone came up and shot him in the leg with a spear p.5

Chapter 2

  1. What was Jack up to at the beginning of this chapter? He was at a swim meet getting ready to swim the breaststroke p.7
  2. How did Jack’s rivalry respond when Jack won the race? He wouldn’t shake hands with him p.12
  3. Why was Jack so worried to get home? He didn’t want to be late for his 7:30 appointment with Whizzy p.14

Chapter 3

  1. How did Jack feel after his race? Tired p.15
  2. Where was Jack going on his mission? Australia p.17

Chapter 4

  1. What did Jack take to stop from being sick on the boat? Anti-puke pills p.20
  2. What did Harry need Jack to do? Find Alfie and figure out what happened at the wreckage p.24

Chapter 5

  1. What did Jack use instead of the diving equipment Harry brought out for him? His own breathing apparatus and a morph wet suit complete with slippers p.26

Chapter 6

  1. How does the Time Capture device work? It tracked the heat left behind from objects that had previously been there p.31
  2. What did they see happened to Alfie? He was taken away by another human p.33

Chapter 7

  1. What’s a cay? A tiny island of sand p.35
  2. What was near the cay? A pirate ship p.37
  3. Why did Harry need to stay with the boat? In case Alfie escapes and comes back to the boat p.40

Chapter 8

  1. What gadget did Jack have that formed into a mini-submarine? A plastic toy boat p.42
  2. What’s it called? The Egg p.42

Chapter 9

  1. When were the pirates going to kill Alfie? At nightfall p.46
  2. How did Jack find out where Alfie was? He used his x-ray glasses to see into the boat p.47

Chapter 10

  1. What did Alfie tell Jack when he removed the tape off of his mouth? There were cameras in the cell and the pirates probably saw Jack and will kill him p.52
  2. Who was the Komodo Klan’s secret boss? The beautiful woman with giant lizard tattoos on her arms p.53
  3. What did the woman do to Jack? Shot him with a spear gun with poison goo p.55

Chapter 11

  1. What were the pirates going to do with Jack? Feed him to their Komodo dragon, Woody p.58
  2. Why couldn’t the pirates open Jack’s bag? They needed his fingerprint p.59
  3. Who did Jack think of when he was trapped? His brother, Max p.61

Chapter 12

  1. What did Jack do to free himself? Rubbed some ink from a pen in his watch onto the metal bar and watched it melt the iron bar p.63
  2. Where did he get the idea from? His brother Max had told him how he freed himself when trapped in a storage locker p.62
  3. Why was Jack sad to use the Disappearing Milk? This would be the only dose he would get his entire lifetime p.65

Chapter 13

  1. How did Jack free Alfie? Jack sprayed Dozing Spray into the guard’s face and the guard fell asleep. Jack then used the rest of the Disappearing Milk on Alfie, woke him up, then they ran for it p.67
  2. How did Jack and Alfie confuse the pirates? they ran zig zag on the sand p.70
  3. How did Jack and Alfie travel back to Alfie’s boat? They took the pirates boat p.73

Chapter 14

  1. Who captured Jack and Alfie? The leader of the Komodo Klan p.76

Chapter 15

  1. What happened to Alfie? The pirates threw him into the Komodo dragon’s cage, and he was bit p.80
  2. What did the pirates do with Jack? Pushed him overboard into the ocean with the jellyfish p.82

Chapter 16

  1. How did Jack survive the jellyfish stings? He dove passed the jellyfish deep in the water and pulled out his Oxygen Exchanger p.86
  2. What was Jack threatened by instead? Two sharks p.88

Chapter 17

  1. How did Jack free himself from the sharks? He shot a canister of blood out of his spray gun away from him and then called The Egg to come to him p.89

Chapter 18

  1. What did Jack give Alfie to help him recover from the lizard’s bite? An antibiotic serum p.93
  2. Predict how Jack is going to teach the boss lady a lesson on page 95. Listen to your child’s answers

Chapter 19

  1. How did Jack defeat the boss lady and Jake once and for all? He shot them both with tranquilizers using his spray gun then handcuffed them p.98

Chapter 20

  1. What was in the box marked Pandora? Treasure p.105

Comprehension Questions – Young Cam Jansen and the Ice Skating Mystery

Young Cam Jansen and the Ice Skating Mystery

by David A. Adler

Grades K-2; Genre - Fiction; GRL J; AR pts: 0.5

Cam Jansen and her friend Eric are going ice skating! They put their shoes in a locker, and Eric puts the key in a pocket. "I won't lose it", he tells his father. But he does. Can Cam use her amazing memory to find the lost locker key?

Comprehension Questions (by Steve)

Chapter 1

  1. What did Cam tell Eric about skates? They should be snug. Pg. 5.
  2. What did they do with their shoes? Put them in their locker. Pg. 6.
  3. What did Cam remember when she came in? The sign to rent a locker for 25 cents. Pg. 7.
  4. Where did Eric put the key? In his jacket pocket. Pg. 10.

Chapter 2

  1. How did Eric want to skate? Faster. Pg. 11.
  2. What was in Eric’s way? A large group of skaters. Pg. 12.
  3. Why did Eric fall? He skated into the rail. Pg. 13.
  4. What was the announcement from the loudspeaker? Three minutes left. Pg. 16.

Chapter 3

  1. Why did Cam think the key wasn’t in Eric’s pocket? It had a hole. Pg.17.
  2. How did Cam know where Eric fell? At the letters M L on the rail. Pg. 18.
  3. Who told them to leave? The man in the green jacket. Pg. 19.

Chapter 4

  1. What did Eric and Cam find? A red mitten and blue scarf. Pg 21.
  2. Where were items returned? To the office. Pg. 22.
  3. What did Mr. Shelton want to do? Go home for pizza. Pg. 23.
  4. How did Eric try to delay leaving? He asked for hot chocolate. Pg. 24.

Chapter 5

  1. What did Cam make Eric do? Sit next to her and look for the key in his pocket. Pg. 26
  2. Where did Eric really put the key? In Cam’s pocket. Pg. 28.
  3. Did Mr. Shelton know Eric lost the key? No. Pg. 30.
  4. What did Eric say he proved? He wasn’t a baby. Pg. 31.

Vocabulary

Rink (15, 16, 21) – a closed area for skating

Announcement (20, 21) - a public statement

Comprehension Questions Young Cam Jansen and the Lost Tooth

Young Cam Jansen and the Lost Tooth

by David A. Adler

Grades 1-2; Genre - Fiction; GRL J; AR pts: 0.5

Annie has lost her tooth during art class, and she cannot find it anywhere. Cam Jansen says she has a memory like a camera. Will Cam have the picture she needs to find the missing tooth?

Vocabulary

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Who are Cam’s friends? Annie, Eric, and Robert. Pg.5.
  2. Why does Cam close her eyes and go “Click”? She has an amazing memory; remembers everything. Pg. 7.
  3. What is Cam’s real name and why is she called Cam? Jennifer and her name is short for Camera. Pg. 9.
  4. What happened when Annie bit the apple? She lost a tooth. Pg. 10.

Chapter 2

  1. What did Robert tell Annie happens when you lose a tooth? You get money under your pillow. Pg. 12.
  2. Why did Mr. Fay ring the bell? It was cleanup time. Pg. 13.
  3. What did Mr. Fay say about the Turkey-stick puppets? They looked almost real. Pg. 15.
  4. Why did they look in the bead box for Annie’s tooth? It looked like a white bead. Pg. 16.

Chapter 3

  1. Why did Annie not want to leave the art room? Because she didn’t have her tooth. Pg. 18.
  2. When Cam said “Click”, what did she have? A picture in her head. Pg. 20.
  3. What did she find in the pocket of her smock? Two beads and a feather. Pg. 21.

Chapter 4

  1. Did Robert believe Cam could remember everything in her mind? No. Pg. 22.
  2. Why did Cam have to whisper “Click”? The teacher was having quiet reading time. Pg. 23.
  3. What did Eric think when Cam had her eyes closed? She was sleeping. Pg. 24.
  4. What did Eric say that made her remember where Annie’s tooth was? Lunch boxes. Pg. 25.

Chapter 5

  1. Why did Cam, Annie and Eric go back to the art room? To find the garbage cans. Pg. 28.
  2. Where did Cam find the tooth? In the apple in the garbage. Pg. 29.
  3. What made Cam think that the tooth was in the garbage? Lunch boxes -> eating -> apple. Pg. 30.
  4. Who made sure the bus didn’t leave? Robert. Pg. 31.

Comprehension Questions – A to Z Mysteries The Runaway Racehorse

The Runaway Racehorse

by Ron Roy

Grades 3-5; Genre - Mystery; GRL N; AR pts: 1.0

And they're off! Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose are excited to see Uncle Warren's new racehorse, Whirlaway, in action. But the night before the big race, the horse disappears! He shows up just in time to lose the race. Why is Whirlaway suddenly so slow? Can the kids figure it out- or is Whirlaway out of the winner's circle for good?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Where are Dink, Josh and Ruth Rose going?
    To Larchmont, New York to see a racehorse p.1
  2. How did they travel to get there? By
    train p.1
  3. What was missing when the kids went
    to see Whirlaway? Whirlaway p.11

Chapter 2

  1. Where does Forest think Whirlaway has
    disappeared to? Over to visit his mother p.13
  2. Why did Ruth Rose and Josh have so
    much fun in the back of the pickup? The road was bumpy p.15
  3. Was Whirlaway visiting his mom? No
    p.19

Chapter 3

  1. What did Whirlaway look like when he
    returned to the barn? Muddy p.26
  2. What did the kids find on Whirlaway
    when they were washing him? A mark like a stamp p.28

Chapter 4

  1. Why did Whirlaway refuse to go with
    Ruth Rose? He was spooked from being out in the storm and coming home to
    strangers p.31
  2. Who else was Whirlaway scared of? Sunny
    p.32
  3. What did Ruth Rose observe about Sunny
    after reading her book about horses? Sunny and she doesn’t have Whirlaway’s
    trust and scares him p.36

Chapter 5

  1. Where did the kids and adults travel
    to and why? Saratoga Springs; a horse race p.39
  2. Why does Sunny wear goggles during
    the race? The horses in front kick up mud, so it protects her eyes p.44
  3. How did Whirlaway react to Sunny when
    Ruth Rose wanted a picture? Scared; upset p.44

Chapter 6

  1. Where did the kids get to sit during
    the horse races? Forest’s private box p.45
  2. Who won the first horse race? Merry
    Mary p.49
  3. Why did Forest conclude that
    something was wrong with Whirlaway after the race? He had never run so badly
    before p.53

Chapter 7

  1. What did Sunny say about Whirlaway’s
    performance? She said he ran like a different horse p.55
  2. What can make a horse run slower? Their
    jockey p.56
  3. Who did Ruth Rose take a picture of? Josh,
    Dink and Dancer p.58

Chapter 8

  1. What did Josh find on his collar? A
    dark smudge p.62
  2. Why did Ruth Rose want to get her film
    developed so quickly? So she could see if the man in the cowboy hat was Mr.
    Bunks p.63
  3. If it is Mr. Bunks, what’s the
    problem? He said he wasn’t into racing horses anymore; he lied p.64

Chapter 9

  1. What was on Josh’s collar? Shoe polish
    p.69
  2. How did the shoe polish get there? From
    Dancer, the horse who nudged him from behind, it had shoe polish on its forehead
    covering up the white mark p.71
  3. How was Josh going to prove their
    horse wasn’t Whirlaway? Offer it a sugar cube, if the horse eats it, it’s
    not Whirlaway p.73

Chapter 10

  1. What was on Josh’s fingers after
    touching Dancer’s forehead? Shoe polish p.77
  2. Who’s responsible for trading the
    horses? Mr. Bunks p.78
  3. Why did it take Sunny so long to get
    home from the race? She stopped at the vet p.84

Comprehension Questions – A to Z Mysteries The Panda Puzzle

The Panda Puzzle

by Ron Roy

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

There's pandemonium in Green Lawn! The town is building a new park for a panda and her baby. But as soon as the pandas arrive, the baby is stolen! All the panda-nappers want in return is a million dollars...Can Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose collar the culprits before Green Lawn has to cough up the cash?

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What did the kids come to the petting
    zoo to see? A mama panda and her baby p.1
  2. What strange behavior did Ping show
    while the crowd was outside her cage? She ran into the fence p.6
  3. What’s missing from the panda cave? The
    baby panda, Winnie p.8

Chapter 2

  1. What did the kidnappers want in
    exchange for Winnie? A million dollars p.11
  2. What did Pal find the in the bamboo
    forest? a fishing knife p.13
  3. Why would the kidnapper have a knife?
    To cut down bamboo stalks to feed Winnie p.14

Chapter 3

  1. Why do the kids watch Ruth Rose’s
    video at the petting zoo? It might give them ideas who stole the panda p.19
  2. Who does Ruth Rose think suspects are?
    Irene Napper, Flip Frances, or Tom Steele; the people standing by the
    microphone p.21

Chapter 4

  1. Why did the three kids want to
    interview each of the three people that stood by the microphone? To try and
    get some answers p.23
  2. What was Irene doing when the kids found
    her in the park? Feeding the ducks p.24
  3. Who has a key to Ping’s gate? Only
    Irene p.28

Chapter 5

  1. Why does Josh think Irene kidnapped Winnie?
    She has large hands p.31
  2. Why does Josh think Tom Steele did
    it? He has a cut on his hand that could have been from Winnie and has a
    fishing pole p.37 & 38
  3. What was another clue Ruth Rose saw
    on Tom’s desk? There were newspapers all cut up; the ransom note was put
    together from newspaper clippings p.38

Chapter 6

  1. Where did the kids find Flip? At the
    fitness center p.40
  2. What made Josh think the kidnapper
    was Flip? He was great at doing flips; he would have easily been able to get
    over the fence of the panda enclosure p.45
  3. What’s another clue Flip could have kidnapped
    Winnie? He fishes p.46

Chapter 7

  1. What piece was missing when the twins
    were completing a puzzle together? The baby grizzly bear’s face p.50
  2. What did Ruth Rose realize they should
    be looking for? Winnie, not the person who took her p.51
  3. Why did the kids think the fitness
    center would be a good hiding place for Winnie? It’s smelly and loud p.53

Chapter 8

  1. What did the kids find when they
    slipped into the unmarked door? A wooden staircase p.60
  2. What explained the sounds of thunder
    they heard? The bowling alley was on the other side of the wall p.62
  3. What did the kids find under the mat
    they were sitting on? A trap door p.64

Chapter 9

  1. Who was in the room under the trap
    door? Winnie p.66
  2. How did the kids get locked in that
    room? Someone shut the door and locked it p.66
  3. What did the kids find that may help
    them get out of the coal room? A coal chute that leads to the outside p.71

Chapter 10

  1. How did the kids break the wood that
    blocked the chute? Dink found a shovel p.72
  2. Why did the boys choose Ruth Rose to
    go get the police? she was the smallest to fit in the chute p.76
  3. How did the boys find Winnie? She crawled
    up into Josh’s lap p.78

Chapter 11

  1. What is Flip’s consequence for kidnapping
    Winnie? Community service p.83
  2. What did the kids suggest could be
    Flip’s community service? Free gymnastics lessons for kids; do exercises with
    the old people in the senior center p.83
  3. How did Officer Fallon treat the kids
    for solving the mystery? He bought them ice cream cones p.85

Comprehension Questions – Calendar Mysteries New Year’s Eve Thieves

New Year's Eve Thieves

by Ron Roy

Grades 1-4; Genre - Fiction; GRL M; AR pts: 1.0

Bradley, Brian, Nate, and Lucy are looking forward to a New Year's Eve party. But someone is leaving clues that there might be more to this celebration than confetti and noisemakers. The year ends with a surprise in this exciting conclusion to the Calendar Mysteries series.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Why did the kids want to buy Socks a toy? So he could have something of his own to play with p.2
  2. What happened to Mrs. Wong’s house while she was on vacation? It was burglarized p.4
  3. Why is Lucy sad? It’s her birthday the next day on January 1st and her parents are going to miss it p.9

Chapter 2

  1. What were the man and woman wearing that was suspicious? A ski mask and red bandana and cowboy hat p.12
  2. What did the man and woman do while inside Ellie’s diner? Get hot tea to go p.19
  3. Why do you think the man and woman took pictures of the shops as they walked by? Listen to your child’s answers p.20

Chapter 3

  1. What did the kids think was on the note the woman dropped? A burglar code p.24
  2. Why can’t the kids tell the police about the strange couple? Because they aren’t doing anything illegal or wrong p.28
  3. What did the thieves do while inside the elderly-housing building? Changed their disguises so they looked like elderly people p.29

Chapter 4

  1. What information did Mr. Linkletter give the kids about the couple? They’re from Florida and come up to Green Lawn every Christmas to visit his sister p.35
  2. What did the strange couple do in the elderly housing building? Giggled like children, asked for the back door, then left p.39
  3. Why did the kids think the couple was headed to their New Year’s Eve party? The code gave directions to their homes and the receptionist overheard the couple talking p.43

Chapter 5

  1. What was going on inside Brian and Bradley’s house? everyone was setting up for the party p.48
  2. How did the kids’ parents react when they found out the kids were following thieves around town? Upset p.50
  3. Who disappeared while the kids were playing Scrabble? The parents, older kids and Pal; everyone p.52

Chapter 6

  1. What did the kids see in the barn? A light moving around p.55
  2. What did the kids find outside the barn door? The ski mask the woman was wearing earlier p.58
  3. What do you think is in the tall present? Listen to your child’s answers p.63

Chapter 7

  1. Who surprised Lucy for her birthday? Her parents p.66
  2. Why did Lucy’s mom take pictures of the buildings around town? To make a scrapbook for Lucy p.69
  3. Why did Lucy’s parents disguise themselves and lead the kids around town? They wanted to have some fun with them p.70