BookBright
ABOUT THE BOOK
NO SPOILERSFerris Wilkey is about to start fifth grade, and it is already a strange summer at her house. Her grandmother Charisse says a ghost keeps appearing at the threshold of her bedroom, a sad woman in a long dress holding a handkerchief, and even the family dog Boomer refuses to go anywhere near her when she is there. Ferris's little sister Pinky has decided she wants to become an outlaw, and Uncle Ted has moved into the basement after leaving Aunt Shirley, determined to paint a history of the entire world, starting with a single lonely foot. Ferris tries to make sense of it all with her best friend Billy Jackson, who hears music running through his head and spends his afternoons playing piano at his father's steakhouse. When Charisse starts feeling unwell and tells Ferris that the ghost wants something from her, Ferris and Billy decide to find out what it is, and just how far they are willing to go to get it for her.
Free Battle of the Books questions for Ferris
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 Ferris. 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 is a huge furry dog called part sheepdog, part German shepherd, and part woolly mammoth?
✓ Answer
Ferris by Kate DiCamillo
Nobody in the Wilkey house is sure what kind of dog Boomer really is, so the woolly mammoth guess comes from the girls' father. Boomer follows the family everywhere and is one of the only others who can sense the ghost.
- First half
In what book do a grandmother and granddaughter decide they need forty candles and a ladder?
✓ Answer
Ferris by Kate DiCamillo
Charisse counts the chandelier holders at supper and hands Ferris the plan for helping the ghost. Billy Jackson signs on immediately, and Uncle Ted becomes the grownup they recruit for the ladder and the matches.
- First half
In what book does a boy say he remembers his mother singing to him before he was born?
✓ Answer
Ferris by Kate DiCamillo
Billy Jackson's mother died the day he was born, but he tells Ferris he can still feel her hand resting on him and hear her singing. He believes that is where the music in his head comes from, so he never feels lonely for her.
- Second half
In what book does a girl nail an X-ray of her own stomach to her bedroom door?
✓ Answer
Ferris by Kate DiCamillo
The X-ray shows the paper clip folded in on itself and floating inside Pinky, and the doctor says the only thing to do is wait. Pinky treats the picture like a trophy and hangs it where everyone in the house will see it.
- Second half
In what book does a girl deliver a love letter to a beauty salon and wait for a reply?
✓ Answer
Ferris by Kate DiCamillo
Uncle Ted calls it an errand of mercy and coaches Ferris on exactly what to say when she hands Shirley the envelope. Shirley reads it, bursts into tears, and answers yes, which means she is taking her husband back.
- Near the end
In what book has a man spent almost sixty years gathering courage to tell a woman he loves her?
✓ Answer
Ferris by Kate DiCamillo
Mr. Buoy admits to Ferris that he always knew Charisse was the one, but he never spoke up and she married Fred Wilkey instead. Standing on the porch with his bouquet, he decides there is no time left to waste or fritter away.
