BookBright
ABOUT THE BOOK
NO SPOILERSMolly is a Jewish girl who recently immigrated from Russia and now lives in Winter Hill, where she is the only Jewish child in her third-grade class. Her English is not perfect yet, and a classmate named Elizabeth leads the other girls in teasing her with a cruel song about her looks. When Miss Stickley assigns everyone a Thanksgiving project, asking students to make Pilgrim dolls at home, Molly's mother takes on the task and creates something no one in the class expects.
Free Battle of the Books questions for Molly's Pilgrim
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 Molly's Pilgrim. 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 classmate sing a mean song about a girl's eyes being small and nose being tall?
✓ Answer
Molly's Pilgrim by Barbara Cohen
Elizabeth and the other girls tease Molly by singing a cruel rhyme that makes fun of her appearance. The song goes "Jolly Molly, your eyes are awf'ly small. Jolly Molly, your nose is awf'ly tall." It becomes a recurring form of bullying throughout the story.
- First half
In what book does a girl sit in row two, so she has to make a woman doll?
✓ Answer
Molly's Pilgrim by Barbara Cohen
Miss Stickley assigns man or woman dolls based on which row students sit in. Molly sits in row two, which means she has to make a Pilgrim woman. This small detail sets up the whole clothespin doll plot.
- First half
In what book does a mother ask, "What kind of homework is a clothespin?"
✓ Answer
Molly's Pilgrim by Barbara Cohen
When Molly tells her mama she needs a clothespin for homework, Mama is confused because she can't imagine what a clothespin has to do with schoolwork. Molly then has to explain the whole Pilgrim doll assignment.
- Second half
In what book is a doll dressed in a long full red skirt and tiny black felt boots?
✓ Answer
Molly's Pilgrim by Barbara Cohen
Mama dresses the clothespin doll in traditional Eastern European clothing, including a long red skirt, tiny black felt boots, and a bright yellow high-necked blouse. The doll looks nothing like a traditional Pilgrim.
- Second half
In what book does a bully say, "How can anyone be as dumb as you" about a handmade doll?
✓ Answer
Molly's Pilgrim by Barbara Cohen
Elizabeth cruelly mocks Molly when she sees the clothespin doll dressed in Eastern European clothing instead of traditional Pilgrim attire. Elizabeth insists the teacher will be really mad, making Molly feel terrible.
- Near the end
In what book does a teacher touch a girl's shoulder and ask what her mama said?
✓ Answer
Molly's Pilgrim by Barbara Cohen
When Molly starts to explain that her mama said something about the doll and Elizabeth giggles, Miss Stickley puts a comforting hand on Molly's shoulder. She encourages Molly to share Mama's reasoning with the class.
