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ABOUT THE BOOK
NO SPOILERSSeven fifth graders at Snow Hill School in Connecticut are about to share the most important year of their lives, though they don't know it yet. Peter is a class clown who pushes every boundary; Jessica is a new girl from California who finds comfort in books; Luke is the class brain who thrives on every challenge their rookie teacher throws at them; Alexia rules the social scene with charm and cruelty; Jeffrey is angry and closed off, hiding a painful secret; Danielle is a farm girl caught in the middle of Alexia's girl wars; and Anna is quiet and watchful, loyal to her young single mom. Their teacher, Mr. Terupt, is fresh out of college and nothing like anyone they've had before: funny, fair, and full of ideas that turn math class into adventures and force them to see each other differently. By turns funny and moving, the story unfolds through all seven voices as the class bonds under a teacher who believes in them more than they believe in themselves.
Free Battle of the Books questions for Because of Mr. Terupt
SPOILERSEvery one of these has the same answer, and that is the point. In a real battle the question is read aloud with a dozen other books in play, and students have a few seconds to place it. Here is what a battle might ask about Because of Mr. Terupt. Use them as a quiz, a trivia round, or BOTB practice.
Where in the book they come from
- Early in the book
In what book does a math project ask students to find words whose letters add up to exactly one dollar?
✓ Answer
Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea
Each letter is worth its place in the alphabet in cents, so a equals one and z equals twenty-six. Luke loves the challenge and ends up breaking the class record with fifty-four dollar words on his poster.
- First half
In what book does a normally angry boy quietly play Memory with a younger child named Joey?
✓ Answer
Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea
Jeffrey, who hides his secret about his late brother Michael, lights up around the special needs kids. He tells Joey, that's a great job, you're really smart, and earns a big hug.
- First half
In what book does a principal slip in a puddle and accidentally show the class her flowery underwear?
✓ Answer
Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea
Peter sprays water from the drinking fountain across the floor with his thumb. Mrs. Williams steps in, falls backward in her navy suit, and the kids see her multicolored flower underwear and a wedgie.
- Second half
In what book does a brother drive an old red farm pickup with a dent in the driver's side door?
✓ Answer
Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea
Charlie drops Danielle off in the family's red Ford, and Anna's mother instantly recognizes the dent. It turns out Terri put that dent there years ago when she kicked the truck after Charlie was unkind to her.
- Second half
In what book does a girl ride her bike alone to the hospital after school?
✓ Answer
Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea
Alexia visits the comatose teacher on her own because her mother works late and there is nobody to stop her. Her tearful confession at his bedside is one of the turning points in her change of heart.
- Near the end
In what book does a mother on a car ride blame the teacher himself for his own injury?
✓ Answer
Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea
Driving home from the hospital, Jessica's mom argues that asking fifth graders to handle that much responsibility was unfair. It is a complicated lesson Jessica isn't sure she wants to accept.
