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ABOUT THE BOOK
NO SPOILERSDyamonde Daniel is a super smart third-grader who loves numbers, especially even ones. The book calls her "a gem waiting to be discovered." After her parents' divorce, Dyamonde and her mom moved from Brooklyn to a tiny apartment in Washington Heights, a busy neighborhood full of shops and people. She likes the lively avenue, but she misses her old best friend, Alisha. After three whole weeks at her new school, she still has no new best friend. Then her teacher, Mrs. Cordell, introduces a new student from Detroit named Free. He is the tallest kid in the third grade. He grunts when the class says hello, and when Dyamonde invites him to sit with her at lunch, he tells her to leave him alone. Soon he is stomping everywhere and growling at people, and almost everybody is scared of him. In her head, Dyamonde calls him Rude Boy. But she can tell something is wrong with him, and she is determined to find out what it is.
Free Battle of the Books questions for Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel
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 Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel. 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 girl sit at lunch with the three T's?
✓ Answer
Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel by Nikki Grimes
Tanya, Tylisha and Tameeka are the three T's. They aren't about to let Dyamonde into their little group, but they are nice enough to her at school, and sitting at their table makes her feel a little less alone.
- First half
In what book does a mom stop her daughter at the door with one word, "Jacket"?
✓ Answer
Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel by Nikki Grimes
On a warmish Monday at the end of September, Dyamonde tries to slip out without a jacket so she won't cover up her Independence vest. Her mom says just one word, and Dyamonde rolls her eyes but goes back to her closet.
- First half
In what book does a girl hang around after the last bell to ask about a grumpy classmate?
✓ Answer
Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel by Nikki Grimes
Dyamonde hopes Mrs. Cordell can help, so one afternoon she hangs around after the last bell to talk to her teacher in private. She asks what's the matter with the new boy and how come he's mad all the time.
- Second half
In what book does a third-grader say she once switched her name to Diana for a week?
✓ Answer
Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel by Nikki Grimes
When Free asks her name again, Dyamonde says kids tease her about it all the time. It used to bug her when she was little, and she even changed it to Diana for a week, but she decided Dyamonde sounds so much more beautiful.
- Second half
In what book does a grumpy classmate answer a hello with a joke about horses?
✓ Answer
Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel by Nikki Grimes
When Dyamonde slides in across from Free at lunch and says "Hey," he answers "Hay is for horses," the same comeback she teased him with on the stoop. Dyamonde just smiles.
- Near the end
In what book does an old lady under a hair dryer stare at a girl passing the beauty shop?
✓ Answer
Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel by Nikki Grimes
As Dyamonde and Free pass the House of Beauty, Ms. Gracie Lee stares at Dyamonde from under the hair dryer, and Dyamonde waves. Dyamonde says Ms. Gracie Lee is the nosiest person on the block, and that her mom will know who she walked home with before she even gets there.
