Tag Archives: The Swindle Series

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 – Swindle Series #2 Zoobreak

Zoobreak

by Gordon Korman

Grades 4-7; Genre - Fiction; GRL T; AR pts. 5.0

After a class trip to a floating zoo where animals are mistreated and Savannah's missing pet monkey is found in a cage, Long Island sixth-grader Griffin Bing and his band of misfits plan a rescue.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

  1. Describe Griffin. A man with a plan; determined; doesn’t like people to disagree with him; stands up for what he believes in p.2
  2. What does Savannah need help with? Her pet monkey is missing p.4

Chapter 2

  1. Describe Luthor. A dog owned by Savannah; he used to belong to the pawn shop owner in the first book, but he is in prison, so Luthor is with Savannah p.6
  2. How are Luthor and Griffin similar in this chapter? They will lose their best friends p.11

Chapter 3

  1. How did Darren know about Griffin’s Dad’s top-secret invention? Darren’s mom is Griffin’s dad’s lawyer and she must have told him about it (even though it’s top-secret) p.15

Chapter 4

  1. Describe All Aboard Animals. A floating streamer with animals in cages p.22
  2. Why was Savannah outraged while going through the animal exhibits? The cages hadn’t been cleaned, water hadn’t been changed, there wasn’t enough warmth and the cages were too small p.24
  3. What animal do you predict is the newest addition to the zoo? Listen to your child’s answer p.25

Chapter 5

  1. Predict how Griffin will respond to his question at the end of this chapter. Listen to your child’s answer; he’s going to come up with a plan to get Savannah’s pet back p.31

Chapter 6

  1. Were you correct in your prediction? Listen to your child’s answer p.37
  2. What plan did Griffin come up with? Operation Zoobreak p.37

Chapter 7

  1. How did Griffin talk Ben into doing Operation Zoobreak? Convinced him this would be the last chance for them to work on a plan together since Ben was changing schools p.40

Chapter 8

  1. What do you think will be Griffin’s job on the team? Listen to your child’s answer; ex. He’s the one who comes up with the plan, so he’ll be the one who adapts the plan if anything goes wrong p.48

Chapter 9

  1. What was accomplished during the trip to the floating animal zoo? Melissa was able to put up the webcams; Pitch was able to explore the area; Ben and Griffin found another way onto the boat if it’s locked p.50
  2. Is the floating zoo a good business venture for the people who own it? Why or why not? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 10

  1. What did Logan do to accomplish the task he was given and what did he learn? He fell into the water so Klaus would rescue him and drew the attention away from Griffin and Ben; he found out that Klaus sleeps on the boat and is a light sleeper p.64

Chapter 11

  1. Summarize this chapter. Pitch was climbing and researching the climb in, with the conclusion that the team couldn’t do it; everyone gathered on the dock and Logan and Pitch reported their bad news: they can’t climb the fence to get into the preserve and Klaus is a light sleeper; Griffin got the idea to approach the boat by water p.67

Chapter 12

  1. What do you think caused the webcam to go dark? Listen to your child’s answer p.78
  2. Explain why there could be a potential problem if Griffin doesn’t figure out why the webcam stopped working. They don’t know what caused the webcam to go dark, so Klaus or Mr. Nasty could be onto them, and their plan may not work p.78

Chapter 13

  1. What helped Griffin come up with a way to get to the zoo since Darren didn’t show up? Ben fell asleep in a rowboat p.86

Chapter 14

  1. What was the first hiccup in their plan once they reached the boat? Klaus was sleeping beneath the vent in a compartment and Ben woke him up as he was climbing through the vent and shined the flashlight into his eyes p.92

Chapter 15

  1. Predict the danger Cleo is trying to warn Savannah about? Listen to your child’s answer p.97

Chapter 16

  1. List two hiccups to the plan that manifested during this chapter. 1) Savannah wouldn’t leave the boat without rescuing all the animals 2) the rowboat was gone, so they had no way to escape p.99

Chapter 17

  1. Describe the reunion between Cleo and Luther. They saw each other, jumped toward each other, and collided in midair; they were thrilled to see each other p.110

Chapter 18

  1. What’s the next plan Griffin is coming up with? What to do with the animals they stole from the zoo; the zookeeper they reached out to is out of town for two weeks p.116

Chapter 19

  1. Why is the new operation called Operation Houseguest? They were dividing up the animals from the floating zoo, and each member of the team will house a few of them; the animals will be houseguests at each team member’s home p.119

Chapter 20

  1. Why doesn’t the team want Darren to know they stole the animals from the floating zoo? They don’t trust him; he stood them up when he told them he would help them p.135

Chapter 21

  1. Summarize this chapter in less than 30 words. Savannah and Griffin went to each team members’ home to check on the animals. Darren wanted to get in on the plan p.137

Chapter 22

  1. What proof does Klaus have that Mr. Nastase is a thief? He stole the lamp from a hotel p.152

Chapter 23

  1. Give an example of how the zookeeper is a hypocrite? He said he knew everything there was to know about animals, yet he didn’t recognize his own loon in the pond next to Savannah’s house and called it a pigeon p.161

Chapter 24

  1. How did Darren’s plan backfire? Darren caught the owl and wanted to sell the owl back to the zookeeper, but the zookeeper told him to find out where his animals are, or he’ll tell the police Darren stole them p.169

Chapter 25

  1. How can the lost paper with the plan turn their plan into a catastrophe? Listen to your child’s answer p.173

Chapter 26

  1. List two reasons why it was risky for the kids to take Griffin’s dad’s invention? If his dad found out, he’d call the police; the police might see them traveling to the zoo and stop them p.178

Chapter 27

  1. When Darren’s parents found out about the plan putting the animals in the zoo, they were concerned for the safety of the six kids. How would your parents have reacted? Listen to your child’s answer p.187

Chapter 28

  1. Who are the two extra security guards wandering around the zoo? Klaus and Mr. Nastase p.195

Chapter 29

  1. Describe Klaus’s attitude towards his boss stealing more animals? He doesn’t like it; he has morals and values and doesn’t agree with stealing p.202

Chapter 30

  1. What brave thing did Klaus do to protect the boys? Jumped in front of the gun so he would get shot if Mr. Nastase shot it p.207
  2. Choose a word to describe how Klaus felt when his boss shot him with the tranquilizer gun? Hurt; betrayed p.208

Chapter 31

  1. The kids were arrested! Predict what you think will happen with them, the zoo, the floating zoo, Klaus and Mr. Nastase. Listen to your child’s answer p.213

Chapter 32

  1. Choose a character and describe how they have grown in this book? Listen to your child’s answer p.223 examples: Melissa: growing in confidence; Darren: growing in compassion; Griffin: realizing he needs to be careful with his plans

Chapter 33

  1. This question is for parents: In explaining where the animals ended up, he described the owl making his home in a bell tower at a church on First Avenue. Why is his comment “Hoo was on First” so funny? “Who’s on First” is a comedic routine Abbot and Costello did back in 1956 p.226
  2. How did Ben benefit from the Zoobreak? The ferret that they freed from the floating zoo was an animal Ben took care of during the “Houseguest” plan. The ferret kept him awake in the day which led to him sleeping better at night. He didn’t need to go to the special school for narcolepsy if he always had the ferret with him, so his parents let him keep Ferret Face p.228
  3. What did you like about this story? Listen to your child’s answer

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