BookBright
ABOUT THE BOOK
NO SPOILERSReha is a thirteen-year-old Indian American girl growing up in a small midwestern city in 1983, caught between two worlds: her weekdays at a private school with her best friend Rachel, and her weekends in the close-knit Indian community with her childhood friend Sunny. She loves science, wants to be a doctor someday, and quietly longs to fit in with American life while honoring the Indian culture her parents hold dear. When her mother, Amma, starts showing signs of illness just as Reha begins navigating a school dance, a new friendship with a classmate named Pete, and the ordinary pressures of eighth grade, the life Reha has always known is about to change in ways she cannot prepare for.
Free Battle of the Books questions for Red, White, and Whole
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 Red, White, and Whole. 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 an eight-year-old scrape the skin off her shin and decide to become a doctor?
✓ Answer
Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca
Reha trips falling down three brick stairs outside her apartment. The emergency room doctor explains how the wound will heal, sparking her dream of becoming a doctor. The catch is she cannot stand the sight of blood.
- First half
In what book do two eighth graders write four rules of heroism for an English project?
✓ Answer
Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca
Reha and Pete work two weeks on a project about heroes. They decide a hero is brave but not without fear, speaks what they believe, works to make the world better, and acts out of love.
- First half
In what book does a worker shout "DO YOU SPEAK ENGLISH" at the narrator ordering fries?
✓ Answer
Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca
After shopping for a dance dress, Reha tries to order fries and the pimple-faced kid behind the food court counter shouts at her. Sunny snaps back that Reha speaks English better than he does.
- Second half
In what book does a girl celebrate Thanksgiving with Tandoori Turkey marinated overnight in yogurt and spices?
✓ Answer
Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca
Instead of mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie, Reha's Indian community gathers for a Thanksgiving feast featuring spicy pulao, samosas, and a turkey marinated until it is deep crimson. The dads all work together to prepare the bird.
- Second half
In what book does an aunt arrive from India bearing the scent of sandalwood and coconut and silk?
✓ Answer
Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca
On the Sunday before Christmas, Daddy surprises Reha by bringing Prema Auntie to Sunny's house. She is the same height as Amma, and her arrival is followed by the surprise that Amma is finally off the breathing machine.
- Near the end
In what book does a sick mother finally come home in February after more than three months in the hospital?
✓ Answer
Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca
After three rounds of chemo, Amma finally reaches remission on a cold February day. Although Reha doesn't get to be a hero through donating marrow, her mother comes home and life slowly returns to almost normal.
