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ABOUT THE BOOK
NO SPOILERSFourteen-year-old Anton Charles rules his South London secondary school through fear and a reputation built on his father's criminal past. When Anton's mum forces him into a youth volunteering group called the Happy Campers as punishment for his latest round of detentions, he finds himself reluctantly paired with Matthew, the oddest kid in his year. What starts as an embarrassing secret quickly becomes something more complicated: a camping trip that nearly kills him, a community renovation project, and a growing friendship he can't explain and doesn't want to admit. But with his dad newly released from prison, his crew growing suspicious of his changed behavior, and his loyalty to everyone around him being tested, Anton has to figure out what kind of person he actually wants to be.
Free Battle of the Books questions for King of Nothing
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 King of Nothing. 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 grandmother claim she was the under-sixteens captain known for her headers?
✓ Answer
King of Nothing by Nathanael Lessore
When Anton teases Nanna that she is too much of a liability on corner kicks, she brags that in her prime she had a stronger neck than him and any of his friends. Their teasing back and forth shows how close they are.
- First half
In what book does a boy collapse from an allergic reaction after being stung on the neck?
✓ Answer
King of Nothing by Nathanael Lessore
Anton slaps a carpenter bee on his neck and within minutes his throat tightens and he passes out from a severe allergic reaction. It is the most terrifying moment of the trip and his life is genuinely in danger.
- First half
In what book is a boy told his father has just been released from prison?
✓ Answer
King of Nothing by Nathanael Lessore
Just as Anton returns from the weekend trip glowing with new memories, his mum and Nanna break the news that his father was released that morning. The bombshell turns his world upside down.
- Second half
In what book does a boy secretly feed lines to his friend through a single earbud?
✓ Answer
King of Nothing by Nathanael Lessore
Anton hides at a distance and whispers compliments into Matthew's ear through an AirPod. The scheme collapses when Rochelle spots the earbud and realises exactly what is going on.
- Second half
In what book does a boy paint a small scene of one woman helping another into a lifeboat?
✓ Answer
King of Nothing by Nathanael Lessore
While experimenting with paint, Anton quietly creates a little scene to make the room feel special for the women who will use it. His mum tears up and asks him to paint a mural in the main hall.
- Near the end
In what book does a boy boast that he has the strength of a thousand baby antelopes?
✓ Answer
King of Nothing by Nathanael Lessore
Matthew insists he is athletic, claiming the power of a thousand baby antelopes. Anton points out he chose the very bottom of the food chain, and the table teases him about winning Olympic hopscotch.
