BookBright
ABOUT THE BOOK
NO SPOILERSTen-year-old Emmy Addison tries hard to be perfect, because her nanny, Miss Barmy, has convinced her that good behavior is the only way to win back her parents, who are almost always traveling somewhere without her. The one bright spot in Emmy's lonely days at Grayson Lake Elementary is the classroom rat, a sharp-tongued creature that seems to talk, though only Emmy ever hears him. When she finally works up the courage to set him free during recess, she follows him through a back alley and stumbles into a hidden antique shop full of caged rodents that seem to have real powers, along with a man desperate to get her new friend back. From there, one accidental bite turns her classmate into a pocket-sized soccer star, and Emmy finds herself pulled into a fight to protect her friends, her family, and herself from a nanny who wants far more than anyone around her realizes.
Free Battle of the Books questions for Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat
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 Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat. 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 squirrel throw an acorn at a talking rodent's head?
✓ Answer
Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat by Lynne Jonell
The Rat climbs a tree to introduce himself to a squirrel, insists the squirrel was about to invite him to lunch, and gets an acorn flung at his skull for his trouble. He tumbles down and Emmy catches him in her hands, which is the first time she really feels tenderness for the rude little creature.
- First half
In what book does a boy trip into the bushes and land his elbow on a tail?
✓ Answer
Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat by Lynne Jonell
Joe crashes through the brush chasing a stray soccer ball, tumbles over Emmy, and crushes the Rat's long pink tail. The Rat snaps in pure reflex and bites Joe's arm, and seconds later Joe is small enough to fit in a backpack.
- First half
In what book do two chipmunks in work gloves fire cockleburs at a cat?
✓ Answer
Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat by Lynne Jonell
Buck and Chippy roll a wooden catapult out of the hole under the art gallery steps and drive Muffy howling down the street with two well aimed shots. Their rescue is how Emmy and Joe get invited underground for cocoa with Mrs. Bunjee.
- Second half
In what book does a girl tell a screaming maid that a dead rodent is a science project?
✓ Answer
Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat by Lynne Jonell
Maggie walks in with a tray, shrieks, and Emmy flips Raston onto his back to play dead. He rolls his eyes back and holds his paws stiff in the air, and even Emmy has to admire the acting.
- Second half
In what book does a nanny let loose a thunderous fart every single time she tells a lie?
✓ Answer
Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat by Lynne Jonell
Brian slipped Miss Barmy Oil of Beaver instead of Scent of Shrew, because the chart said it was guaranteed to sniff out a lie. Mrs. Brecksniff declares the resulting smell in the entryway was enough to choke a buffalo.
- Near the end
In what book does a nanny claim a girl bit all ten of her fingers like a wild animal?
✓ Answer
Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat by Lynne Jonell
Miss Barmy holds up her bloody gauze for the Addisons and Dr. Leander as proof of delusions and terrible rages. Emmy listens through a crack in the study door as the lie nearly gets her committed and hands the nanny control of the fortune.
