BookBright
ABOUT THE BOOK
NO SPOILERSWhen seventh grader Link Rowley sneaks into Chokecherry Middle School one evening to retrieve his forgotten phone, he discovers a red swastika spray-painted on the atrium wall and calls the custodian over in shock. By the next morning, the school of six hundred students is buzzing, the principal is holding an emergency assembly, and tolerance education is underway. Link is a popular athlete and class prankster who was supposed to be across town pulling a different stunt that night, and nobody knows he was ever inside the building. As more swastikas appear on banners, dumpsters, lockers, and lab tables, the mystery of who is behind them tightens around the whole town of Chokecherry, Colorado, while Link finds himself suddenly pulled into questions about identity, heritage, and what it means to do the wrong thing and then try to make it right.
Free Battle of the Books questions for Linked
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 Linked. 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 man dream of turning a dumpy mountain town into the next Orlando using dinosaurs?
✓ Answer
Linked by Gordon Korman
George Rowley, Link's dad, owns most of the local real estate and wants the dinosaur dig to make the town a tourist destination with a museum, a theme park, and resorts.
- First half
In what book does a popular athlete decide to learn Hebrew prayers written out phonetically over Zoom?
✓ Answer
Linked by Gordon Korman
Link commits to a bar mitzvah crash course with Rabbi Gold, who spells the Hebrew out so Link does not have to learn a new alphabet. The star jock surprises everyone with his dedication.
- First half
In what book does an art club president suggest a chain of six million paper loops to honor Holocaust victims?
✓ Answer
Linked by Gordon Korman
Michael stands up at the meeting and proposes interlocking construction paper loops, one for each life lost. The idea becomes the school's symbol of unity against hate.
- Second half
In what book does a principal find a wet paintbrush and a can labeled "Lilac/Purple" in a girl's locker?
✓ Answer
Linked by Gordon Korman
After the paint stain on Jordie's shirt is traced to Pamela, Mr. Brademas has her locker cut open and finds the paint and brush inside. It reveals the popular cheerleader was the vandal.
- Second half
In what book do middle schoolers cry while video chatting with elderly Holocaust survivors in Florida?
✓ Answer
Linked by Gordon Korman
The kids Zoom with survivors at a Jewish Community Center who share heartbreaking stories of the camps. The survivors say they admire the students for keeping their memory alive.
- Near the end
In what book do scientists hunting for dinosaur bones keep tossing aside burnt lumber without realizing what it is?
✓ Answer
Linked by Gordon Korman
The paleontologists ignore the charred planks because they only care about Jurassic fossils. It takes a bored seventh grader to recognize them as the remains of burned crosses.
