Questions and Answers
Who is Robin in 'Angel Fish'?
What event does Bright Dawn prepare for in 'Black Star, Bright Dawn'?
The Iditarod dogsled race.
Brian has a positive attitude towards learning in 'Brian's Hunt'.
True
In 'East', Rose agrees to go with the white bear to save her sister and family from ______.
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What disaster does Danna Press face in 'Flash Fire'?
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What was the House of Dies Drear known for?
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Izzy's life remained the same after her accident in 'Izzy, Will, Nilly'.
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How long does Aremis Slake live in the subway in 'Slake's Limbo'?
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Who is Slake?
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What does Slake do to survive while living in the subway?
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What job does the lunch counter manager offer to Slake?
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Slake enjoys the meals and warmth at the hospital.
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What happens to Slake's hideout in the subway?
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What does Stargirl carry around with her?
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What musical instrument does Stargirl play in the lunchroom?
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Leo Borlock finds Stargirl's behavior intriguing at first.
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How does Stargirl's popularity change throughout the story?
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Stargirl eventually changes her appearance to look like other girls.
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What event triggers Leo's struggle with his relationship with Stargirl?
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What happens during the Ocotillo Ball?
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In what year does Charlotte Doyle's story take place?
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What type of ship does Charlotte Doyle board?
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Charlotte Doyle's captain is described as caring and supportive.
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What is the primary focus of 'The Westing Game'?
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The central character _______________ in 'A Year Down Yonder' is Mary Alice.
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Study Notes
Angel Fish
- Main Character: Robin, a young ballet dancer of mixed Chinese and white heritage.
- Setting: Mr. Tsow’s fish store, a place filled with tension due to his harsh demeanor.
- Conflict: Mr. Tsow’s bitterness and accusations of Robin being a "half-person" highlight her struggle with identity.
- Plot Twist: Robin breaks a window, prompting her to work off the debt while navigating Mr. Tsow's challenging attitude.
- Character Development: Robin sees Mr. Tsow as a Beast from Beauty & the Beast, believing he harbors deep-seated pain.
Black Star, Bright Dawn
- Protagonist: Bright Dawn, a teenaged Eskimo girl, accompanied by her pet Black Star, a mix of husky and wolf.
- Event: They participate in the Iditarod dogsled race across Alaska's harsh terrain.
- Challenges: Bright Dawn faces extreme cold, dangerous wildlife, and accidents throughout the race.
- Themes: The journey emphasizes resilience, dependence on her dog, and survival instincts.
- Conclusion: Bright Dawn earns a reward for her sportsmanship despite the challenges faced during the race.
Brian's Hunt
- Backstory: Brian, now 16, previously survived a plane crash in the Canadian wilderness.
- Character Growth: His experiences have ignited a passion for learning and self-sufficiency in nature.
- Journey: Travels by canoe to visit friends, but discovers an injured dog that becomes his companion.
- Climax: Brian uncovers the tragic fate of his friends, leading to a quest for revenge against a bear.
- Resolution: Brian confronts and kills the bear, showcasing his evolution from vulnerability to strength.
East
- Protagonist: Rose, the eighth child in a superstitious Norse family.
- Magic and Mystery: A white bear offers a life-changing deal to save her sister and improve family fortunes.
- Transformation: Rose lives with the bear, learning of his true identity as a cursed prince.
- Conflict: A candle reveals the bear's human form, breaking the enchantment, and jeopardizing their bond.
- Resolution: Rose intervenes to marry the prince, leading to a new life together, overcoming both magical and familial challenges.
Flash Fire
- Setting: Pinch Canyon, Los Angeles during severe wildfires.
- Main Character: Danna Press, a teenager initially indifferent to the chaos, wishing for excitement.
- Inciting Incident: Danna breaks her leg while trying to escape a stable engulfed in flames.
- Community Challenge: The narrative explores the dynamics of privilege among residents facing a natural disaster.
- Themes: Themes of survival, cooperation, and the transformation of personal relationships emerge amidst crisis.
The House of Dies Drear
- Protagonist: Thomas Small, moving to a historically rich but eerie house in Ohio.
- Historical Context: The house served as a pivotal location on the Underground Railroad.
- Mystery Elements: Upon arrival, strange occurrences unfold, including eerie triangles left at doorframes.
- Community Tension: The family faces local hostility linked to the house’s past and treasure rumors.
- Resolution: Collaboration with caretaker Mr. Pluto leads to confrontation with antagonistic locals.
Izzy, Will, Nilly
- Protagonist: Izzy, a 15-year-old girl who loses a leg in an accident.
- Character Development: Trauma leads her to reevaluate friendships and family dynamics.
- Support: Izzy finds a true friend in Rosamunde, who helps her navigate emotional challenges.
- Themes: Exploration of grief, recovery, and the essence of genuine friendship as Izzy learns to embrace her new reality.
Slake's Limbo
- Main Character: Aremis Slake, a bullied teenager who escapes to live in the New York City subway.
- Survival Tactics: For 121 days, Slake navigates homelessness, establishing a routine of scavenging.
- Community Connections: Through survival, he builds relationships with subway store workers.
- Crisis Point: A train accident forces Slake back into the real world where he receives help but grapples with loss.
- Conclusion: Slake chooses to confront his problems instead of returning underground, signaling a shift towards facing reality.### Stargirl
- Stargirl Caraway is a unique new student at Mica High School, known for her distinctive clothing and carrying a pet rat.
- She gains attention by performing with a ukulele during lunch, singing "Happy Birthday" to random classmates.
- Leo Borlock, intrigued by Stargirl, learns about her through his friend Kevin Quinlan. Their friendship is tested when they consider featuring her on their local TV show, Hot Seat.
- Stargirl develops friendships with outcasts like Dori Dilson, while being largely ostracized by popular students.
- During a football game, she cheers for both teams and assists an injured player, which leads to negative backlash from the school.
- Stargirl’s popularity plummets after she ignores a request not to sing to Hillari on her birthday and faces hostility during her Hot Seat interview.
- Leo, initially enamored with Stargirl, suggests she normalizes her behavior which prompts her to change her name to Susan and conform to school norms.
- Despite her efforts to fit in, Stargirl remains an outsider and ultimately disappears after a school dance.
- The story concludes 15 years later with Leo reminiscing about Stargirl's elusive nature and her lasting impact on his life.
The True Confession of Charlotte Doyle
- Set in 1832, Charlotte Doyle is an American girl returning home from England who boards the Seahawk, a merchant brig.
- Upon boarding, Charlotte faces adversity as the families meant to accompany her cancel their plans, leaving her isolated with a hostile crew.
- Captain Jaggery is depicted as tyrannical, emphasizing strict order, while the crew expresses mutiny, complicating Charlotte's situation.
- Charlotte must rely on her inner strength and societal expectations of ladylike behavior to navigate her challenging environment.
The Westing Game
- Sixteen quirky tenants of a mysterious apartment compete to inherit the fortune of the deceased Sam Westing, drawing parallels to real-life legal mysteries.
- Themes of materialism and the pursuit of wealth are explored against the backdrop of American society and the search for identity.
- Characters represent various backgrounds, emphasizing the diversity of the American experience and the importance of personal legacy.
- Relationships develop among heirs, showcasing the transformative journey of love, individuality, and reconciliation in the face of adversity.
- The novel combines humor and complex social commentary, culminating in a surprising and uplifting resolution.
A Year Down Yonder
- The narrative follows 15-year-old Mary Alice, sent to live with her grandmother during the Great Depression in a quirky small town in southern Illinois.
- Grandma Dowdel exhibits a strong personality, confronting bullies and transforming mundane events into memorable experiences.
- Key events include Grandma's pranks, charitable acts during community events, and her protective nature over Mary Alice.
- Mary Alice encounters challenges in school, including bullying but gradually finds acceptance through her grandmother’s actions and support.
- Themes of resilience, family bonds, and personal growth are explored, culminating in Mary Alice’s reluctant departure but hopeful future with her new friend, Royce.
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Description
Test your knowledge of key characters and themes from the 2021 Battle of the Books. This quiz features flashcards that summarize crucial elements from various stories, focusing on plots and character dynamics. Join the fun and check your understanding of the material!
