BookBright
ABOUT THE BOOK
NO SPOILERSNine-year-old Jaxon, called Jax, is dropped off for the day with Ma, a gruff old woman in Brooklyn who his mother grew up with. Jax expects a boring day stuck in a dark apartment, but a mysterious box covered in stamps from Madagascar, a talking squirrel, and a small red mint tin that seems to move on its own quickly convince him that something very strange is going on. When Ma finally admits she is a witch with three newborn dragons to deliver to another world, Jax has to decide whether to play it safe or go with her on the most unusual errand of his life.
Free Battle of the Books questions for Dragons in a Bag
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 Dragons in a Bag. 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 an old woman serve a peanut butter sandwich and offer a child a beer?
✓ Answer
Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliott
Ma teases Jaxon by saying he needs a beer to wash down the thick peanut butter. He opens her fridge planning to pour milk instead and finds a wilting cabbage and a six-pack of root beer. It's a moment that shows Ma's gruff sense of humor and starts to thaw the awkward meeting between them.
- First half
In what book is a man invisible underneath all his coats and hats?
✓ Answer
Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliott
Jaxon notices a gap of empty air between the elastic cuff of Ambrose's bubble coat and his glove. Ambrose is wrapped head to toe so no one can see he has no visible body. He acts as the keeper of the magical doorway at the park entrance.
- First half
In what book does an erupting volcano spew dark ash while long-necked creatures flee below?
✓ Answer
Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliott
From the cliff top in the wrong era, Ma and Jax watch a volcano blow with red lava snaking down. A herd of long-necked sauropods runs from the disaster below. Ma later uses the volcano's energy to power her own time jump back home.
- Second half
In what book does a friend tell a story about finding a phoenix in a Brooklyn backyard?
✓ Answer
Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliott
When Jax warns that his own story will sound crazy, Vik jumps in with an unbelievable story of his own first. He says Carlos and Tariq found a phoenix on Barkley Street that eventually went up in flames. Vik keeps his eyes open for the new bird born from the ashes.
- Second half
In what book does a girl named Kavita feed three magical creatures pieces of milk and sugar cake?
✓ Answer
Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliott
Vik's little sister opens the mint tin and feeds the tiny creatures peda, a sweet Indian treat made from milk, sugar, and cardamom. Her snack causes them to grow fast and bond with her instead of their proper guardian.
- Near the end
In what book do enormous baobab trees mirror an avenue from Madagascar in another realm?
✓ Answer
Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliott
Trub tells Jax that the realm of magic mirrors the most beautiful places in the human world. The road of giant trees they walk down is just like the Avenue of the Baobabs in Madagascar.
