BookBright
ABOUT THE BOOK
NO SPOILERSJuana is a girl who lives in Bogotá, Colombia. She loves drawing her own superhero, Astroman, eating Brussels sprouts, and reading in bed with the flashlight her grandfather gave her. Most of all she loves her dog, Lucas, her best amigo in the whole world. She does not love her itchy school uniform, math class, or dance class, and things get much worse when her teacher, Mr. Tompkins, announces that the whole class must start learning English. Juana cannot think of one good reason to learn it, so she starts asking everyone she knows, her elderly neighbors, the brothers who run the fruit shop down the street, and her favorite aunt, hoping someone can convince her it is worth the trouble.
Free Battle of the Books questions for Juana & Lucas
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 Juana & Lucas. 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 dog jump high enough to steal cookies off the counter and share?
✓ Answer
Juana & Lucas by Juana Medina
This is one of the reasons listed on Juana's labeled diagram of why she loves Lucas. The sharing part is what makes it a friendship instead of just a dog being naughty.
- First half
In what book does a mother smell as fresh as mint and as warm as cinnamon?
✓ Answer
Juana & Lucas by Juana Medina
Juana finishes her list about Mami by saying no one smells as good as she does, adding the jasmine flowers that bloom late at night. It is the softest detail on a page full of praise.
- First half
In what book does a teacher say the English word is "Ouch," not "¡Ayayay!"?
✓ Answer
Juana & Lucas by Juana Medina
Juana gets a nasty paper cut while sneaking a peek at how much reading is left in the lesson, and she yelps in Spanish. Mr. Tompkins corrects her on the spot, which stings almost as much as the cut.
- Second half
In what book is a city at night wrapped "in a blanket of stars"?
✓ Answer
Juana & Lucas by Juana Medina
Looking out her bedroom window, Juana sees stars above and city lights below, and the lights spread so far into the distance that Bogotá seems tucked under a starry blanket. Mami insists the ones below are only city lights, but Juana likes her own version much better.
- Second half
In what book does a grandfather hide a secret drawer packed with chocolate in his library?
✓ Answer
Juana & Lucas by Juana Medina
Abue loves chocolate more than anyone Juana knows, and she is the only person alive who knows which drawer is the secret one. They eat chocolates together while she tells him her troubles, which she says melt away just like the candy.
- Near the end
In what book does a waiter bring a huge Astro ice cream with one Saturn cherry on top?
✓ Answer
Juana & Lucas by Juana Medina
Mr. B. serves Juana that sundae at a Spaceland restaurant while she sits at the table in an antenna headband. She has been practicing her English on everyone she meets in the park, waiters included, while she waits to spot Astroman.
