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ABOUT THE BOOK
NO SPOILERSIn April 1880, fourteen-year-old Hanna Edmunds and her white father, Papa, reach LaForge, a new railroad town in Dakota Territory, after nearly three years of travel since leaving Los Angeles. On their last night on the trail, Hanna shares her soup with a group of Sioux women and girls, who give her a braid of dried roots called timpsina. Hanna's late mother, Mama, was a talented seamstress who stitched a tiny lotus inside every garment she made, and Hanna has done all the family's sewing for three years. Now Hanna wants two things: to graduate from school, as Mama always wished, and to make dresses in Papa's new dress-goods shop. Papa thinks she is too young to sew for grown women, and many people in town do not want a half-Chinese girl in their school. On her first day, Hanna walks into the schoolhouse with her face hidden in a deep bonnet, hoping to make just one friend before anyone sees who she is.
Free Battle of the Books questions for Prairie Lotus
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 Prairie Lotus. 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 ask whether students are allowed to keep their hats on in the schoolroom?
✓ Answer
Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park
Hanna asks Mr. Harris this at the end of his visit. It isn't actually a rule, and he agrees to tell the teacher that Hanna will wear her bonnet so her classmates won't learn right away that she is half-Chinese.
- First half
In what book does a girl save a frayed scrap of red ribbon barely long enough for a bow?
✓ Answer
Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park
While sorting the shop supplies they brought from Cheyenne, Hanna finds a reel of red ribbon almost used up. She trims the frayed ends of the last bit, about nine inches, and sets it aside, sure she'll find some way to use it.
- First half
In what book does a teacher declare, "I will fulfill my duty by teaching any pupil in attendance!"?
✓ Answer
Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park
When most families keep their children home rather than have them in school with Hanna, Miss Walters teaches the few who come anyway. Hanna realizes the teacher has made a choice, and that she is free to choose, too.
- Second half
In what book does a girl smack her lips noisily to show an elder she likes timpsina?
✓ Answer
Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park
When Wichapiwin mimes eating and gestures toward her, Hanna says they did eat the turnips and that she likes timpsina. Soon she is helping by twisting the tubers from their stems and removing some of the soil.
- Second half
In what book are gold buttons etched with daisy-like flowers rejected because a green fabric has a silvery undertone?
✓ Answer
Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park
Choosing twelve buttons for the sample dress, Hanna lays out three rows from Mama's button box on the green sprigged lawn. She passes over the safe pearl buttons too and picks domed white glass ones with an iridescent sheen.
- Near the end
In what book does a girl filling a kettle remember, "For the person who is sour, do something sweet"?
✓ Answer
Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park
When Bess's mother comes to see the workroom, Hanna offers to make tea and recalls one of Mama's sayings. She serves black tea and a few of the cookies she baked for the opening.
