Grade 2Reading: grades 3-4AdditionPlace valueSubtractionSkip countingMissing addends
The Sky Reach Balloon Mystery
The Golden Compass has been stolen from the Sky Reach Museum! A sneaky Sky Thief flew off into the clouds. We must track the thief down before they map the secret island!
Suspects
Possible suspects
Cross off a row as each clue rules it out. On screen, tap a row.
21 of 21 still in play
| Name | Airship Gear | Sky Tool | Watch Wrist | Hair Color | Deterrent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sky-Scout Jax | steam balloon | magnet glove | wears compass watch on right wrist | sandy blonde hair | bright flashlights |
| Amelia Earhart | steam balloon | wind blaster | wears compass watch on left wrist | sandy blonde hair | bright flashlights |
| Calamity Claire | cloud glider | wind blaster | wears compass watch on left wrist | rusty red hair | bright flashlights |
| Captain Barnaby | solar wing | grappling hook | wears compass watch on left wrist | rusty red hair | bright flashlights |
| Gale Grayson | solar wing | grappling hook | wears compass watch on left wrist | sandy blonde hair | loud whistles |
| Pilot Amelia | cloud glider | wind blaster | wears compass watch on left wrist | rusty red hair | loud whistles |
| Baron Von Cloud | turbo zeppelin | smoke bomb launcher | wears compass watch on right wrist | rusty red hair | loud whistles |
| Windy Wendy | propeller pack | spyglass goggles | wears compass watch on right wrist | sandy blonde hair | shiny mirrors |
| Rusty Ridge | solar wing | magnet glove | wears compass watch on right wrist | sandy blonde hair | loud whistles |
| Wilbur Wright | steam balloon | wind blaster | wears compass watch on left wrist | sandy blonde hair | shiny mirrors |
| Breezy Betty | steam balloon | magnet glove | wears compass watch on left wrist | cloud white hair | loud whistles |
| Navigator Noah | solar wing | magnet glove | wears compass watch on right wrist | sandy blonde hair | shiny mirrors |
| Goggles Gordon | steam balloon | spyglass goggles | wears compass watch on left wrist | sandy blonde hair | bright flashlights |
| Charles Lindbergh | cloud glider | smoke bomb launcher | wears compass watch on right wrist | rusty red hair | bright flashlights |
| Bessie Coleman | solar wing | spyglass goggles | wears compass watch on left wrist | cloud white hair | shiny mirrors |
| Zephyr Zack | propeller pack | smoke bomb launcher | wears compass watch on left wrist | rusty red hair | shiny mirrors |
| Orville Wright | cloud glider | grappling hook | wears compass watch on right wrist | sandy blonde hair | bright flashlights |
| Penny Propeller | propeller pack | grappling hook | wears compass watch on left wrist | sandy blonde hair | bright flashlights |
| Aero Arthur | cloud glider | wind blaster | wears compass watch on right wrist | sandy blonde hair | bright flashlights |
| Skyler Smith | cloud glider | grappling hook | wears compass watch on left wrist | sandy blonde hair | bright flashlights |
| Jet Jenson | steam balloon | smoke bomb launcher | wears compass watch on left wrist | sandy blonde hair | bright flashlights |
Clue 1
Addition
The museum guards are counting up the dropped cargo boxes. They need to add the boxes from the north dock and the south dock to see how much gear is missing.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
T
79
84
78
T
79
84
54
78
32
42
91
78
57
48
91
T
79
89
57
78
57
50
91
81
78
73
91
50
73
57
39 + 40 =T
28 + 22 =M
19 + 29 =N
47 + 26 =B
20 + 37 =S
28 + 26 =I
26 + 58 =H
12 + 20 =F
43 + 46 =U
15 + 27 =D
44 + 37 =K
29 + 49 =E
56 + 35 =O
0/13 letters found
Clue 2
Place value
A technician is reading the code on a broken control panel. The digits in the tens and ones places will unlock a locked storage cabinet with a clue.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
T
70
61
54
25
69
25
52
54
63
T
70
29
54
12
44
25
T
70
61
54
27
44
29
12
T
70
63
61
30
98
T
70
61
54
67
54
51
T
70
What number has 7 tens and 0 ones?T
What number has 5 tens and 1 one?F
What number has 5 tens and 4 ones?E
What number has 4 tens and 4 ones?R
What number has 5 tens and 2 ones?P
What number has 9 tens and 8 ones?N
What number has 2 tens and 9 ones?W
What number has 3 tens and 0 ones?O
What number has 6 tens and 3 ones?C
What number has 2 tens and 7 ones?I
What number has 2 tens and 5 ones?S
What number has 1 ten and 2 ones?A
What number has 6 tens and 7 ones?L
What number has 6 tens and 1 one?H
What number has 6 tens and 9 ones?U
0/15 letters found
Clue 3
Subtraction
The dock master had a full rack of safety ropes. Someone stole several of them, and we must subtract to find out exactly how many are gone.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
T
78
24
33
T
78
24
74
33
31
31
33
51
26
49
43
26
74
71
24
T
78
31
30
51
49
24
30
74
71
24
T
78
49
89 - 11 =T
83 - 32 =A
107 - 33 =I
41 - 11 =L
68 - 35 =E
72 - 1 =G
73 - 30 =B
64 - 40 =H
45 - 19 =R
66 - 17 =S
37 - 6 =F
0/11 letters found
Clue 4
Skip counting
To reach the high lookout tower, we have to climb the wooden steps. We count them by steps of five to find our way up in the dark fog.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
W
60
15
16
40
18
35
14
130
22
35
14
110
25
80
40
35
14
15
10
22
39
30
22
24
24
10
15
130
42
15
35
15
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, ___, 65, 70W
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, ___, 45, 48C
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, ___, 26, 28T
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, ___, 24, 26A
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, ___, 140, 150S
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, ___, 90, 100L
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, ___, 12, 14H
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, ___, 40, 45N
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, ___, 40, 50R
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, ___, 50, 60O
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, ___, 18, 20F
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, ___, 16, 18D
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, ___, 20, 22U
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, ___, 18, 21E
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, ___, 30, 35B
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, ___, 120, 130Y
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, ___, 42, 45I
0/17 letters found
Clue 5
Missing addends — the last clue
The backup engine needs a total of fifteen coal pieces to start. We only have nine pieces in the bin, so we must find how many more we need.
First solve each problem. Then find each answer in the list below and cross that sentence out. One sentence will be left — that's exactly what the villain did!
Step 1 — solve these
10 + ___ = 17
3 + ___ = 4
1 + ___ = 13
1 + ___ = 5
9 + ___ = 17
9 + ___ = 20
1 + ___ = 11
10 + ___ = 12
4 + ___ = 10
7 + ___ = 12
1 + ___ = 10
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain drifted off in a steam balloon, then pushed back guards with a wind blaster.
2.The villain soared off on a solar wing, then pushed back guards with a wind blaster.
3.The villain zipped by with a propeller pack, then swung to safety with a grappling hook.
4.The villain sailed away in a turbo zeppelin, then snatched a metal box with a magnet glove.
5.The villain zipped by with a propeller pack, then snatched a metal box with a magnet glove.
6.The villain sailed away in a turbo zeppelin, then peered through spyglass goggles.
7.The villain zoomed away on a cloud glider, then swung to safety with a grappling hook.
8.The villain sailed away in a turbo zeppelin, then escaped using a smoke bomb launcher.
9.The villain zoomed away on a cloud glider, then pushed back guards with a wind blaster.
10.The villain drifted off in a steam balloon, then swung to safety with a grappling hook.
11.The villain soared off on a solar wing, then swung to safety with a grappling hook.
12.The villain drifted off in a steam balloon, then peered through spyglass goggles.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Sky Reach Balloon Mystery
Culprit: Penny Propeller (propeller pack · grappling hook · wears compass watch on left wrist · sandy blonde hair · bright flashlights)
- Clue 1 (Addition): "THE THIEF DOES NOT USE SMOKE BOMBS"39 + 40 = 79 (T) · 28 + 22 = 50 (M) · 19 + 29 = 48 (N) · 47 + 26 = 73 (B) · 20 + 37 = 57 (S) · 28 + 26 = 54 (I) · 26 + 58 = 84 (H) · 12 + 20 = 32 (F) · 43 + 46 = 89 (U) · 15 + 27 = 42 (D) · 44 + 37 = 81 (K) · 29 + 49 = 78 (E) · 56 + 35 = 91 (O)
- Clue 2 (Place value): "THE SUSPECT WEARS THEIR WATCH ON THE LEFT"What number has 7 tens and 0 ones? = 70 (T) · What number has 5 tens and 1 one? = 51 (F) · What number has 5 tens and 4 ones? = 54 (E) · What number has 4 tens and 4 ones? = 44 (R) · What number has 5 tens and 2 ones? = 52 (P) · What number has 9 tens and 8 ones? = 98 (N) · What number has 2 tens and 9 ones? = 29 (W) · What number has 3 tens and 0 ones? = 30 (O) · What number has 6 tens and 3 ones? = 63 (C) · What number has 2 tens and 7 ones? = 27 (I) · What number has 2 tens and 5 ones? = 25 (S) · What number has 1 ten and 2 ones? = 12 (A) · What number has 6 tens and 7 ones? = 67 (L) · What number has 6 tens and 1 one? = 61 (H) · What number has 6 tens and 9 ones? = 69 (U)
- Clue 3 (Subtraction): "THE THIEF FEARS BRIGHT FLASHLIGHTS"89 - 11 = 78 (T) · 83 - 32 = 51 (A) · 107 - 33 = 74 (I) · 41 - 11 = 30 (L) · 68 - 35 = 33 (E) · 72 - 1 = 71 (G) · 73 - 30 = 43 (B) · 64 - 40 = 24 (H) · 45 - 19 = 26 (R) · 66 - 17 = 49 (S) · 37 - 6 = 31 (F)
- Clue 4 (Skip counting): "WE FOUND SANDY BLONDE HAIR AT THE SCENE"Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, ___, 65, 70 = 60 (W) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, ___, 45, 48 = 42 (C) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, ___, 26, 28 = 24 (T) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, ___, 24, 26 = 22 (A) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, ___, 140, 150 = 130 (S) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, ___, 90, 100 = 80 (L) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, ___, 12, 14 = 10 (H) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, ___, 40, 45 = 35 (N) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, ___, 40, 50 = 30 (R) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, ___, 50, 60 = 40 (O) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, ___, 18, 20 = 16 (F) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, ___, 16, 18 = 14 (D) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, ___, 20, 22 = 18 (U) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, ___, 18, 21 = 15 (E) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, ___, 30, 35 = 25 (B) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, ___, 120, 130 = 110 (Y) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, ___, 42, 45 = 39 (I)
- Clue 5 (Missing addends): surviving statement (box 3) → Penny Propeller10 + ___ = 17 = 7 · 3 + ___ = 4 = 1 · 1 + ___ = 13 = 12 · 1 + ___ = 5 = 4 · 9 + ___ = 17 = 8 · 9 + ___ = 20 = 11 · 1 + ___ = 11 = 10 · 10 + ___ = 12 = 2 · 4 + ___ = 10 = 6 · 7 + ___ = 12 = 5 · 1 + ___ = 10 = 9
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 2 math
- Math topics
- Addition, Place value, Subtraction, Skip counting, Missing addends
- Reading level
- grades 3-4
- Theme
- The Sky Reach Balloon Mystery — set in Floating Islands of Sky Reach
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects