The Case of the Midnight Muncher
Leo adjusted his fedoraāactually a dusty sun hat heād found in the garageāand squinted through his magnifying glass. To anyone else, the kitchen floor was just a standard pattern of linoleum tiles. But to Leo 'The Shadow' Henderson, it was a map of a crime scene. A single, jagged crumb of chocolate lay near the base of the refrigerator, mocking him. It was a clear sign that the Triple-Chocolate-Chunk-Extravaganza cookies, delivered by Grandma only yesterday, were in grave danger.
Leo pulled a small notebook from his vest pocket. 'Entry forty-two,' he whispered into a plastic walkie-talkie that didn't have batteries. 'The suspect has struck again. The jar, which previously held a bakerās dozen, now sits at a devastating count of four. The trail is cold, but the chocolate is dark.'
- Meticulous:
- Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.
- Alibi:
- A claim or piece of evidence that one was elsewhere when an act is alleged to have taken place.
- Plausible:
- Seemingly reasonable or probable.
- Stakeout:
- The hidden surveillance of a person or place by the police or a detective.
- Cryptic:
- Having a meaning that is mysterious or obscure.
One passage, many ways to practice
Reading-skill questions, word work and writing prompts ā all built from this text.
Main Idea
Identify the central idea and explain how important details develop it.
Context Clues
Use clues in the passage to work out what words mean. A separate printable Vocabulary worksheet is also available.
Summarize
Select, organize, and restate the most important information without adding opinion.
Point of View
Identify who presents the text and analyze how perspective shapes what the reader receives.
Purpose
Analyze what the author aims to do and how choices serve audience and purpose.
Structure
Analyze how sections and organizational choices build the text's ideas or effects.
Language & Tone
Interpret nonliteral language and analyze how word choice shapes tone and meaning.
Vocabulary
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Writing Prompts
Use the passage as a springboard for short written responses, from personal reflection to evidence-based arguments.
Fix the Sentence
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What initial clue led Leo to believe a 'crime' had been committed in the kitchen?
- 2Why did Leo name his father 'The Caffeine Fiend' in his notes?
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About this short story passage for 5th Grade
āThe Case of the Midnight Muncherā is a short story reading passage about Mystery, written for 5th Grade. It takes about 8 minutes to read (1,226 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.