A-Z Mysteries: The Bald Bandit

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What are the kinds of theft you know?

Have you witnessed any theft?

What should be done to avoid theft?

What should be done to thieves?

What do you think this story is about?

Vocabulary
1. Fang - noun \fa\
Definition: a long, sharp tooth
Sample Sentence: The fangs of a rattlesnake are sharp enough to tear off skin.
2. Curious - adjective \kyur--s\
Definition: having a desire to learn or know more about something or someone
Sample Sentence: The cat was naturally curious about its new surroundings.
3. Swamp - noun \swmp, swomp\
Definition: land that is always wet and often partly covered with water
Sample Sentence: Be careful in the swamp, because alligators sometimes lurk there.

6. Miniature - adjective \mi-n--chur, mi-ni-chur, min-y-, -chr, -tyur, -tur\

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5. Wander - verb \wn-dr\

Definition: to move around or go to different places usually without having a particular
purpose or direction
Sample Sentence: He wandered away from the trail and got lost.

4. Trample - verb \tram-pl\

Definition: to cause damage or pain by walking or stepping heavily on something or
someone
Sample Sentence: The children have trampled on my flower bed.

A-Z Mysteries: The Bald Bandit

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Definition: very small

Sample Sentence: The little boy looks like a miniature version of his father.
7. Shudder - intransitive verb \sh-dr\
Definition: of a person: to shake because of fear, cold, etc.; of a thing: to shake violently
Sample Sentence: The old car shuddered to a halt.
8. Terrify - transitive verb \ter--f, te-r-\
Definition: to cause (someone) to be extremely afraid : to frighten (someone) very much
Sample Sentence: The thought of dying alone terrifies her.
9. Stiff - adjective \stif\
Definition: difficult to bend or move
Sample Sentence: When I got out of bed this morning my back was stiff as a board.
10. Cupboard - noun \k-brd\
Definition: a piece of furniture used for storage that has doors and contains shelves
Sample Sentence: Dishes go in the cupboard next to the sink
11. Drape - verb \drp\
Definition: to loosely place or hang (something)
Sample Sentence: We'll drape strings of lights between the trees for the party.
12. spill the beans fig.
Definition: reveal secret information unintentionally or indiscreetly.
Sample Sentence: There is a surprise party for Heidi on Wednesday. Please don't spill the
beans.
13. Bandit - noun \ban-dt\
Definition: a criminal who attacks and steals from travelers and who is often a member of a
group of criminals
Sample Sentence: The bandit was recognized by witnesses because he didnt any disguise.
14. Persuade - verb \pr-swd\
Definition: to cause (someone) to do something by asking, arguing, or giving reasons
Sample Sentence: He persuaded his friend to go back to school.

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16. keep ones fingers crossed fig.

Definition: to wish for luck for someone or something, sometimes by actually crossing
one's fingers; to hope for a good outcome for someone or something.
Sample Sentence: I hope you win the race Saturday. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for
you.

15. Bald - adjective \bold\

Definition: having no hair or very little hair on the head
Sample Sentence: All of his uncles are completely bald.

A-Z Mysteries: The Bald Bandit

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17. Split - verb \split\

Definition: to separate or divide into parts or groups
Sample Sentence: She split the muffin and gave me half.
18. Beckon - verb \be-kn\
Definition: to signal (someone) with your arm or hand in order to tell that person to come
closer or follow
Sample Sentence: She beckoned the waiter to come over.
19. Embarrass - \im-ber-s, -ba-rs\
Definition: to make (someone) feel confused and foolish in front of other people
Sample Sentence: I would never do anything to embarrass my family.
20. hand over - verb
Definition: to yield control of
Sample Sentence: The police officer ordered the suspect to hand over his weapons.
21. Gasp - verb \gasp\
Definition: to breathe in suddenly and loudly with your mouth open because of surprise,
shock, or pain
Sample Sentence: Mom gasped in surprise at the sight of my sister's new haircut.
22. Dimple - noun \dim-pl\
Definition: a small area on a part of a person's body (such as the cheek or chin) that
naturally curves in
Sample Sentence: She noticed his dimples when he smiled.
23. Clever - adjective \kle-vr\
Definition: intelligent and able to learn things quickly
Sample Sentence:
24. Ditch - verb \dich\
Definition: to stop having or using (something you no longer want or need) : to get rid of
(something)
Sample Sentence: The thief ditched the purse in an alley.
25. Dizzy - adjective \di-z\
Definition: having a whirling sensation in the head with a tendency to fall
Sample Sentence: The children were dizzy after spinning in circles.

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27. Require - verb \ri-kw(-)r\

26. scot-free - adjective \skt-fr\

Definition: without the punishment that is deserved
Sample Sentence: Scot-free implies the person was guilty, but did not have to pay a
fine/penalty.

A-Z Mysteries: The Bald Bandit

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Definition: to make it necessary for someone to do something

Sample Sentence: The toy requires four batteries, which are not included.
28. Grab - verb \grab\
Definition: to quickly take and hold (someone or something) with your hand or arms
Sample Sentence: The little boy grabbed onto his mother's leg and wouldn't let go.
29. Deserve - verb \di-zrv\
Definition: to be worthy, fit, or suitable for some reward or requital
Sample Sentence: The team really deserved that victory after the way they played.
30. Nab - verb \nab\
Definition: to catch and stop or arrest (someone)
Sample Sentence: The officer nabbed the purse snatcher before he could escape.

Comprehension Check
Chapter 1
1. Who rang the doorbell of Dinks house?
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2. Who was the man looking for?
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3. How much would Detective Reddy give the children if they found the video?
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4. Why did Dink, Josh, and Detective Reddy cover their ears?
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Chapter 2

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2. What would the children give the boy if they gave him the video?
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1. What were the children doing at the high school?

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A-Z Mysteries: The Bald Bandit

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3. How were the children going to search the neighborhood?

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4. What special holiday was it?
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Chapter 3
1. What was Operation Redhead?
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2. Why did Dinks mom scream?
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3. What did the children do to find the kid with red hair?
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4. What did Dink say each time he went to a house?
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Chapter 4
1. What was wrong with Dinks hair?
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2. Where did Josh have to go?
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3. Why did Dink run to Howards Barbershop?
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5. What was the name of the boy with the red hair?

4. Why did the redhead want all his hair cut off?
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A-Z Mysteries: The Bald Bandit

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Chapter 5
1. Where did Lucky OLeary live?
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2. Who opened the door of Luckys house?
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3. Did Lucky OLeary have the video tape?
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4. At the end of the chapter, what did Lucky tell the children?
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Chapter 6
1. Why didnt Lucky want to give the detective the tape?
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2. What was Luckys real name?
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3. What did the children promise Lucky?
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4. Why was Lucky saving his money?
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1. Who did Dink call?

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Chapter 7

A-Z Mysteries: The Bald Bandit

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2. What did Detective Reddy tell the children?

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3. Why did Ruth Rose run out of the house?
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4. Whom did the bank robber look like?
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Chapter 8
1. When the doorbell rang, where did Josh hide the video?
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2. Where did Dink say the video was?
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3. What did Josh give Detective Reddy?
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4. Who suddenly arrived at Dinks house?
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5. Why did Ruth Rose scream?
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Chapter 9
1. What was the reward from the bank?
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3. How much money was Lucky OLearys half?

2. Why did the officers come to Dinks house?

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A-Z Mysteries: The Bald Bandit

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4. Why couldnt Lucky go to college?
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5. What were the children going to do with their money?

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A-Z Mysteries: The Bald Bandit

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CHARACTER PROFILE
Direction: Draw each character as described in the story and write his or
her trait/s.

Name: ______________________
Traits:
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Name: ______________________
Traits:
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Name: ______________________
Traits:
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Name: ______________________
Traits:
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Name: ______________________
Traits:
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Name: ______________________
Traits:
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Name: ______________________
Traits:
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Name: ______________________
Traits:
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A-Z Mysteries: The Bald Bandit

A-Z Mysteries: The Bald Bandit

I Can Academy

BOOK REPORT
Book Title: ____________________________________________________________________
Author: ______________________________ illustrator: ________________________
Characters:
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Setting:
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Plot/Synopsis (Beginning, Middle, Ending):
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What is your favorite part of the story?
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Do you like this book? Why or why not?

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