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ABOUT THE BOOK
NO SPOILERSEleven-year-old Leo Ross sells newspapers on the streets of San Francisco to get by after his father's death. He carries a gold nugget that once belonged to his grandfather, a gold rush pioneer whose adventurous stories have always given Leo courage. When two vicious neighborhood bullies, Fletch Sikes and Wilkie Barnes, steal the nugget, Leo hatches a desperate plan to get it back: he will sneak into their hideout before dawn and frighten them into returning it by pretending to be the ghost of Corey Drew, a murdered man said to haunt Rincon Hill. But before Leo's trick can play out, the ground begins to shake, and the great San Francisco earthquake of 1906 tears the city apart.
Free Battle of the Books questions for I Survived the San Francisco Earthquake, 1906
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 I Survived the San Francisco Earthquake, 1906. 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 boy keep a gold nugget in his right-hand trouser pocket?
✓ Answer
I Survived the San Francisco Earthquake, 1906 by Lauren Tarshis
Leo always carries his most prized possession, a gold nugget, in his right-hand trouser pocket. His grandfather found the nugget during the gold rush, and it was passed down to Leo's papa and then to Leo.
- First half
In what book do dogs howl and dart everywhere in the streets before the ground starts shaking?
✓ Answer
I Survived the San Francisco Earthquake, 1906 by Lauren Tarshis
As Leo walks through the dark streets toward Rincon Hill, dogs seem to be everywhere, darting in and out of doorways and howling. Later, Morris explains that animals can sense earthquakes before they happen because they feel the vibrations deep underground.
- First half
In what book does a boy imagine a hideout with velvet couches and fine rugs but find a dump instead?
✓ Answer
I Survived the San Francisco Earthquake, 1906 by Lauren Tarshis
Leo expects Fletch and Wilkie's hideout to look like a pirate den with fancy stolen goods. But when he sneaks inside the abandoned saloon, he finds broken chairs, piled garbage, and stinking air. The place is worse than his own tiny basement room.
- Second half
In what book does a boy brace for a beating but realize the shaking is coming from the ground?
✓ Answer
I Survived the San Francisco Earthquake, 1906 by Lauren Tarshis
Leo closes his eyes expecting Fletch to beat him up. His body starts shaking, but then he realizes it's not him shaking. The entire building is trembling because the earthquake has just begun.
- Second half
In what book does a bully learn that his partner ran away and left him buried under rubble?
✓ Answer
I Survived the San Francisco Earthquake, 1906 by Lauren Tarshis
After Wilkie frees himself, he asks where Fletch is. When he realizes Fletch escaped the saloon and left him for dead without trying to dig him out, Wilkie is furious and heartbroken. He starts hurling bricks in a rage.
- Near the end
In what book does a boy climb into a horse trough and soak himself from head to toe?
✓ Answer
I Survived the San Francisco Earthquake, 1906 by Lauren Tarshis
Leo figures that where there are horses, there must be water. He dashes into a nearby stable and finds a trough full of dirty water. He climbs right in and soaks himself completely, then soaks a blanket to protect himself from the fire.
