Tag Archives: mystery

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

Comprehension Questions – Jigsaw Jones Mysteries #1 The Case of Hermie the Missing Hamster

The Case of Hermie the Missing Hamster

by James Preller

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

Wingnut's hamster is missing! Jigsaw and his partner, Mila, are on the case.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe Wingnut. 6-year-old neighbor to Jigsaw: his nickname came from his large ears; his hamster is lost p.2

Chapter 2

  1. Why does Jigsaw and Mila think Jake’s pet snake is a suspect? Snakes eat hamsters p.13

Chapter 3

  1. What resources are available if you need to do research like Jigsaw and Mila? Library; internet; people
  2. Why didn’t Ms. Gleason give Jigsaw and Mila the information they needed? It’s important to learn how to find information

Chapter 4

  1. What did Jigsaw learn at the pet store? Snakes eat rabbits, mice and hamsters; hamsters can escape if the lid of their cage is off; they can’t climb walls, but they can jump high and hang on to the lid p.23

Chapter 5

  1. Define the word constricting. To squeeze or wrap around 

Chapter 6

  1. What could be a clue in this chapter. The new vacuum that sucks everything up p.36

Chapter 7

  1. What happened to Jigsaw when Jake held the snake up to his face? He threw up p.44

Chapter 8

  1. How is Billy a good brother? He’s kind and supportive; a good friend; takes care of Jigsaw; encourages him p.45
  2. Find a simile on page 49. “Then it hit me. KLUNK! Like a baseball bat smashed on my head.”

Chapter 9

  1. Have you used a phone book before? Describe one. White and yellow pages; tiny writing to fit all the numbers; residential and business numbers; used before we had the internet to look things up

Chapter 10

  1. Why is Wingnut’s mom upset at the end of this chapter? They took apart her new vacuum cleaner; broke plastic on the vacuum and spilled dust everywhere p.62

Chapter 11

  1. Summarize this chapter. Mila is allergic to fur and because of her sneezing, they found Hermie in the closet; Hermie’s a girl and had babies p.63

Chapter 12

  1. Why is Jigsaw student of the week? He made the class a nicer place by donating two baby hamsters p.74

Comprehension Questions – Flavia de Luce Series #1 The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

by Alan Bradley

Contains infrequent mild swearing.

Grades 6-8; Genre - Mystery; GRL Z; AR pts. 16.0

Eleven-year-old Flavia loves chemistry puzzles and taking chances, so when a dead snipe is left at her kitchen door and a body is discovered in the garden, she is determined to get to the bottom of it.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe Flavia. She’s 11 years old; has two older sisters, Ophelia 17 and Daphne 13; her mother died from a mountaineering accident when she was 1; her father seems like a grumpy man; she and her sisters fight and are mean to each other; she stole from Ophelia and experimented with her lipstick; she loves chemistry and working in her lab; she has glasses, but only uses them in her lab to protect her eyes or when she wants sympathy p.1

Chapter 2

  1. Recount the events in this chapter. Flavia saw Dogger in the garden and helped him; she partially overheard a conversation her father had with a stranger during the night in his study about murdering someone; Dogger caught her and sent her away; she awoke early and went to the garden; she tripped and found a body in the cucumber plants; before dying the man said “vale”; she smelled something on his breath that was familiar but she couldn’t place it p.16

Chapter 3

  1. Who’s the dead man in the cucumber bushes? The man who was in the study the night before
  2. Describe how people are responding to the situation? Her sisters pretended indifference, no one has told her father, the cook is hiding in the kitchen, Dogger acts like nothing happened the night before p.34

Chapter 4

  1. Do you think Flavia’s father is guilty of the murder? Explain. Listen to your child’s answer. 

Chapter 5

  1. What did Flavia learn in this chapter? Twining was a housemaster at the school her father attended; he jumped off the clock tower and died; he shouted “vale” before he fell; the same stamp that was in the bird’s beak was also missing, but was reported as unrelated to his death; Ms. Mountjoy is Twining’s niece p.66

Chapter 6

  1. Predict who Flavia wants to talk to and what she’s searching for. Listen to your child’s answer p.80

Chapter 7

  1. What did Flavia find out? Ned didn’t leave the dead bird; the man staying at the inn has red hair and is Mr. Sanders; he was the one who had grabbed Mary and told her to be quiet; he’s a diabetic p.83

Chapter 8

  1. What did Flavia find in the trash and why is it significant? Crust of a pie and the feather of a snipe; she thinks Sanders brought the dead bird in a pie to get it across customs in Norway p.93
  2. What else did she find at the inn? Two stamps just like the one they found on the bird’s beak; she saw Sanders’ name in the register and he put he’s from London p.97

Chapter 9

  1. How do you think Mrs. Hulett’s pie plays into the mystery? Listen to your child’s answer p.112

Chapter 10

  1. Were you correct in your assumption of the pie? Explain. Listen to your child’s answer; Flavia thinks the stranger who died ate the piece of pie and it killed him p.123
  2. Who did Flavia meet during the rainstorm? Why did he want to meet Flavia? Frank Pemberton; he’s writing a book on stately homes in England and wants to ask her father about their historic home p.126

Chapter 11

  1. Recount what Ms. Mountjoy said to Flavia. her father had been one of the boys that murdered her uncle; her father gave evidence at the inquest and he denied taking the stamp; the man with the red hair is Horace Bonepenny p.139

Chapter 12

  1. Where did Flavia find the stamp and what did the letters on the bottom of it mean? In the clock; B one penny H = bonepenny and the H = Horace; it was a warning for her father since her father’s nickname was Jacko and the dead bird was a Jack snipe p.155

Chapter 13

  1. Summarize this chapter. Flavia rides her bike to see her father in jail; she sees her sister’s old piano teacher on the way; she talked to the detective and he wouldn’t let her see her father; her bike was stolen; Flavia admitted she had murdered Horace Bonepenny p.157

Chapter 14

  1. How did Flavia accomplish talking to her father privately? Due to her confession; before she gave the inspector more details, she told him she needed to speak with her father p.172
  2. Who does Flavia’s father think is the murderer. Listen to your child’s answer; Dogger p.178

Chapter 15

  1. Summarize this interaction between Flavia and her father. He’s telling her of his school days and interactions with Horace Bonepenny p.179
  2. Describe Flavia and her father’s relationship. Not close; he is distant and barks orders; never talk with one another; only now in the prison cell is he opening up to her and she feels like they’re having a real conversation p.191

Chapter 16

  1. Recount how the orange stamps came into origination? It was a plot against the Royal Family; one sheet of orange stamps were made to serve as a signal to cause personal attacks against them p.198
  2. Why did Flavia’s father call her Harriet? He’d been thinking of his late wife as he told this story; telling the story reminded him of sharing it with his late wife; listen to your child’s answer p.199

Chapter 17

  1. What advice did Flavia’s father give during this chapter and why? Silence is sometimes the most costly of commodities; if he hadn’t stayed silent when he knew Horace stole the stamp, Dr. Twining would still be alive p.219
  2. Do you think this advice applies to Flavia? Explain. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 18

  1. Why did Flavia conclude Dr. Twining didn’t jump to his death? Someone else had been on the roof; she found a school cap and gown in a tile on the roof of the building with the tower p.240

Chapter 19

  1. Summarize Dogger’s story of the night Horace Bonepenny was murdered. He heard shouting in the study so came to see who it was, saw Flavia and sent her away, hid when Horace came out of the study, followed him to the garden, there were fireworks (he got hit with a shoe), woke up on the grass later p.254
  2. Who do you think hit Dogger? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 20

  1. Why is Flavia’s father in jail? He’s taking the blame for Dogger p.265
  2. If Mrs. M knew the de Luce’s didn’t like her pie, why do you think she asked Flavia how she enjoyed it? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 21

  1. Summarize this chapter. Flavia called to find Mr. Pemberton and he wasn’t at the inn; Flavia found Dr. Kissing; he knew she was coming to see him and that she had the stamp; he asked for it and she gave him the envelope with both stamps; he took his stamp out and gave back the other; he burned his stamp with his cigarette and said that the other stamp (it belongs to the king) was worth double now that it was the only one p.272

Chapter 22

  1. How do you think Frank Pemberton was involved in Twining’s and Bonepenny’s deaths? Do you think Flavia is correct? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 23

  1. Why is Flavia worried she is going to die? Pemberton tied her up and left her in the pit of The Pit Shed p.309

Chapter 24

  1. Describe Flavia’s experience in the pit? She tried to explore the pit tied up, but exhausted herself; she fell asleep and dreamed, then awoke to a rat crawling over her feet; she’s trying to stay calm and not freak out p.313

Chapter 25

  1. What do you think Pemberton will do since he probably found the false stamp? Predict what will happen to Flavia. Listen to your child’s answer p.336

Chapter 26

  1. Summarize the rescue. Before Pemberton could inject the poison into Flavia, a car came crashing into The Pit Shed, Pemberton tried to climb out but Dogger knocked him down, Ophelia came to Flavia and helped her out; Dogger saw Pemberton at the house and followed him p.344

Chapter 27

  1. Summarize the conclusion of this story. Flavia told the inspector everything; he agreed to let her father have the stamp for 24 hours; she tried to give it to her father, but he refused saying she needed to give it to the king; Flavia wrote a letter and mailed it to the king and he responded with a thank you note p.351
  2. What did you enjoy about this book? Listen to your child’s answer
  3. Were you correct in any of your predictions or assumptions? Listen to your child’s answer

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.