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ABOUT THE BOOK
NO SPOILERSValentina Marí Camacho, called Vale, is a Puerto Rican seventh grader and a nationally ranked épée fencer who has always lived by the motto o todo o nada, all or nothing. After a motorbike accident broke bones in her left leg and kept her away from fencing for four months, she is heading back to school and to her fencing gym, Fencing Paradise. She still has metal in her leg and pain that flares up without warning, but she won't take her pink cane. Her worried Mami thinks she probably shouldn't fence at all, and her competitive Papi insists she's fine. Then Vale walks into her first practice and finds a new girl in her place. Myrka, a friendly Cuban fencer with a long pink ponytail, is now the best in the class, and she beats Vale in every drill. Told in short poems in Vale's voice, this is the story of a girl fighting to win back her spot and wondering who she is if she can't be the best.
Free Battle of the Books questions for It's All or Nothing, Vale
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 It's All or Nothing, Vale. 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 friend with a soft Mexican accent bring a bag full of 3 Musketeers?
✓ Answer
It's All or Nothing, Vale by Andrea Beatriz Arango
Amanda surprises Vale with the candy on her first day back and says "Te extrañé, Vale" like she really means it. Amanda isn't a fencer and has never brought up Vale's leg in texts, so when she offers her arm, Vale links hers through it.
- First half
In what book does a sidelined athlete daydream she's a roaring lioness or a hummingbird dodging lunges?
✓ Answer
It's All or Nothing, Vale by Andrea Beatriz Arango
Alone in her room after an uncomfortable dinner, Vale imagines being the winner, the champion, the hero. In her daydreams she can also pretend there isn't a glittery pink cane in her closet.
- First half
In what book does a rival's flowery-scented ponytail smack a girl in the face?
✓ Answer
It's All or Nothing, Vale by Andrea Beatriz Arango
While Mami goes to get food at the competition, Myrka plops down next to Vale and flips her hair so fast it hits Vale's face. Myrka admits she didn't know who Vale was until the others told her Vale qualified for Summer Nationals last year.
- Second half
In what book does a father's counted salsa step skip four and eight with a pause?
✓ Answer
It's All or Nothing, Vale by Andrea Beatriz Arango
Papi gives Vale her first salsa lesson on the living room rug, counting out the basic step from right leg back to left leg back next to right, with a PAUSE where four and eight would be. It sounds complicated at first, but after a few tries her great-grandfather's music starts to make sense.
- Second half
In what book does a rival offer guava pastries from her backpack during a car ride?
✓ Answer
It's All or Nothing, Vale by Andrea Beatriz Arango
After whispering that Vale looks like she wants to run away, Myrka pulls a Tupperware out of her backpack and offers her a pastelito. The flaky golden guava pastries are Vale's favorites, and Myrka says she made them in the air fryer with her mom.
- Near the end
In what book does an ex-best friend, left eyebrow raised, ask two rivals if they're friends?
✓ Answer
It's All or Nothing, Vale by Andrea Beatriz Arango
After Myrka beats Stephanie in a full timed match while the two joke around, Stephanie walks over and asks if Vale and Myrka are friends. When Myrka happily mentions their museum trip, Stephanie warns her that Vale will dump her too.
