BookBright
ABOUT THE BOOK
NO SPOILERSSeventh-grader Selah Godfrey has always felt out of step with the world around her. She attends Pebblecreek Academy, a private school she has loved for its familiar routines and predictable rules, but now the school feels different: her homeroom teacher mispronounces her name and mocks her drawing, her friend group leaves her feeling invisible at lunch, and loud noises, itchy uniforms, and unexpected touch press on her from every direction. To manage it all, Selah keeps a mental list of rules for being a Normal person, rules that help her hide the intense feelings inside her. When those rules start to crack under the pressure of seventh grade, Selah has to decide what it really means to be herself.
Free Battle of the Books questions for Good Different
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 Good Different. 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 classmate braid a girl's hair without asking and get punched in the nose?
✓ Answer
Good Different by Meg Eden Kuyatt
During study hall, Addie reaches over and starts braiding Selah's hair from behind. Selah, already maxed out, feels the fingers like electric spiders, swings out, and accidentally bloodies Addie's nose.
- First half
In what book does a grandpa walk over and kick dirt onto noisy neighbors' bonfire?
✓ Answer
Good Different by Meg Eden Kuyatt
After Pop shouts at the rowdy neighbors all by himself, he kicks dirt over their giant bonfire and walks back to his house. Sue is horrified, but Selah is briefly thrilled that someone finally stood up to them.
- First half
In what book does a girl describe herself as a package mailed to the wrong planet?
✓ Answer
Good Different by Meg Eden Kuyatt
Riding home from the dentist, Selah wonders whether her mom ever felt like a dragon dressing up as a human. Then she says she feels like an Amazon package mailed to the wrong planet, words for a feeling she cannot name yet.
- Second half
In what book does a girl wish she could wear a sign that says "Please Don't Touch Me"?
✓ Answer
Good Different by Meg Eden Kuyatt
The poem Selah reads out loud at the FantasyCon open mic describes wanting a sign that warns strangers not to touch her. It's part of her honest description of being the weird girl, including how hugs from strangers burn like blacktop on a sunny day.
- Second half
In what book does a girl skip her best friend's birthday party fearing the noise will be too much?
✓ Answer
Good Different by Meg Eden Kuyatt
Selah does not tell her mom about Noelle's birthday party because even with earplugs and sunglasses, the noise and lights and people in one room might be too much. The next day she shows up alone at Noelle's door to try to repair their friendship.
- Near the end
In what book does a mom sew a cushion from old pillowcases for her daughter's school chair?
✓ Answer
Good Different by Meg Eden Kuyatt
After Selah explains how hard the new school chairs are, her mom sews her a cushion from old pillowcases. It's one of the first accommodations Selah brings to class, and it actually helps her focus, even though Ezra teases her about her royal throne.
