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ABOUT THE BOOK
NO SPOILERSSuds Morton has spent three grades being a well-behaved third-grade angel, but on the first day of fourth grade, the older kids chant the schoolyard rhyme that puts him in a new category: rats. His best friend Joey Peterson is thrilled about it, convinced that being a rat is nature's way of growing up, the necessary step between being a baby and becoming a man. Joey starts pushing Suds to toughen up, say no to his mom, act cool around spiders, and stop caring what anyone thinks. Suds isn't so sure he wants any of this, but his hopeless crush on Judy Billings, who has suddenly started paying attention to the fearless Joey, makes him wonder if maybe being a rat is exactly what he needs to be.
Free Battle of the Books questions for Fourth Grade Rats
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 Fourth Grade Rats. 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 character say, "Angels finish last"?
✓ Answer
Fourth Grade Rats by Jerry Spinelli
On the tire swings, Joey tries to convince Suds that being nice has never gotten him anything. He uses this line to argue that Suds should start taking care of Number One.
- First half
In what book does a dad say his weights helped him look like a man?
✓ Answer
Fourth Grade Rats by Jerry Spinelli
While his dad puts away the lawn mower, Suds asks if the dusty weights in the garage helped make him a man. His dad Elmore makes a muscle that feels smooth and hard like wood, and lifts Suds off the ground by one arm.
- First half
In what book does a boy trash his own neat room by flipping out drawers and dumping a hamper?
✓ Answer
Fourth Grade Rats by Jerry Spinelli
Joey works through his bookshelf, dresser, hamper, and desk, scattering everything until you can hardly see the floor. He stands in the middle of the mess turning and smiling because finally it feels like his.
- Second half
In what book does a coach send a boy to a playground to steal a Twinkie from a little kid?
✓ Answer
Fourth Grade Rats by Jerry Spinelli
As part of toughness training, Joey points out a little kid holding two of the snack cakes and tells Suds to grab one. Suds snatches it, the kid howls, and Suds quickly shoves it back.
- Second half
In what book does a bully drag a chair backward and tip its rider onto the floor?
✓ Answer
Fourth Grade Rats by Jerry Spinelli
While Suds is humiliating himself trying to talk to his crush in the lunchroom, the school thug sneaks up behind him and yanks his chair away. Suds slides off in front of everyone.
- Near the end
In what book does a boy tie his little brother to a bathroom doorknob?
✓ Answer
Fourth Grade Rats by Jerry Spinelli
On his rotten rampage, Suds grabs his baby brother Bubba for making rat noises at him. He says badness is his game, then hauls the toddler over and ties him to the bathroom doorknob.
