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ABOUT THE BOOK
NO SPOILERSMarcus Vega is the biggest kid at Montgomery Middle School, so big that classmates call him things like the "Mastodon of Montgomery Middle," and he has turned that reputation into a string of side businesses, charging younger kids to walk them home safely and collecting a garbage tax from litterbugs. At home he takes care of his younger brother Charlie, who has Down syndrome and wears his own top hat everywhere in honor of Willy Wonka, while their mom works long shifts at the airport. When a bully named Stephen Hobert uses a cruel word about Charlie, Marcus punches him and lands himself an indefinite suspension, one that threatens Charlie's spot at the school too. Hoping to reset things, Marcus's mom takes both boys to Puerto Rico using her free airline flights, and Marcus has his own reason for wanting to go: his father moved there ten years ago and never came back. As the family stays with relatives Marcus never knew he had, he keeps emailing his dad, hoping he will finally show up.
Free Battle of the Books questions for Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish
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 Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish. 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 boy punch a classmate for using the R word about his brother?
✓ Answer
Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish by Pablo Cartaya
Marcus absorbs almost everything Stephen says without reacting, but that one word sets off what he calls an avalanche inside him. The punch gets him suspended and sets the entire trip to Puerto Rico in motion.
- First half
In what book does a boy rewrite an email to his father over and over before sending it?
✓ Answer
Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish by Pablo Cartaya
Marcus tries formal greetings, cheerful ones, and even a goofy one before settling on a plain hello. He has not seen his dad in ten years, and he has no idea how you start a message like that.
- First half
In what book is a window patched together from plastic bags and tape?
✓ Answer
Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish by Pablo Cartaya
Marcus points out the missing doorknobs and the taped up window the moment the family arrives at the old building. His mom refuses to be embarrassed and insists the place has character.
- Second half
In what book does a horse named Magic gently nudge a twelve-year-old's outstretched hand?
✓ Answer
Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish by Pablo Cartaya
Marcus is sure the horse is about to bolt and hurt Charlie, so he keeps warning him to back away. Magic touches Charlie's hand instead, and Tia Darma explains that the horse only responds to someone she can see clearly.
- Second half
In what book does a man refuse gas money by saying, "Your money is no good here"?
✓ Answer
Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish by Pablo Cartaya
Sergio has driven Marcus's family all over the island and will not take a cent from their mom. He tells Marcus that they are family, and that is simply what family does.
- Near the end
In what book does an airport back home sound like someone hit the mute button?
✓ Answer
Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish by Pablo Cartaya
After five loud, warm days on the island, Marcus lands in Philadelphia to gray sky and silence. He notices that cold makes you close everything up while heat makes you open.
