BookBright
ABOUT THE BOOK
NO SPOILERSCam Boxer is a thirteen-year-old who has spent his whole life perfecting one thing: doing as little as possible so he can play video games. When he accidentally lets a casserole burn and the fire department axes down his family's front door, his parents deliver an ultimatum: get involved in something real before they get a new door, or lose his gaming system. Desperate to protect his lifestyle without actually doing anything, Cam hatches a plan to create a fake community service club called the Positive Action Group, complete with a flashy school website, a made-up membership list, and zero intention of ever holding a meeting. The plan seems perfect until a girl named Daphne Leibowitz actually reads the web page, shows up at his house, and refuses to take no for an answer.
Free Battle of the Books questions for Slacker
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 Slacker. 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 create a fake school club to convince his parents he is getting involved?
✓ Answer
Slacker by Gordon Korman
After Cam's parents threaten to take away his video games unless he joins an activity, he and Pavel hack the school website to create a page for a group that doesn't actually exist. The idea is to look like a student leader without ever doing anything.
- First half
In what book does a football player spike his shovel and do a touchdown dance on rhubarb plants?
✓ Answer
Slacker by Gordon Korman
String treats the garden cleanup like a competition, digging so fast he bombards elderly ladies with dirt. When he finishes, he spikes his shovel and performs his signature touchdown dance right on top of someone's rhubarb.
- First half
In what book does a boy find a perfumed note in his locker with all the i's dotted with hearts?
✓ Answer
Slacker by Gordon Korman
Cam opens his secret locker and gets hit with a wave of sickly-sweet floral perfume. Inside is pink stationery from Katrina, his sister's friend, with hearts over the i's and a lipstick kiss in the corner. His friends tease him mercilessly.
- Second half
In what book does a boy find leaf shreds and torn lawn bags in his dad's pickup truck?
✓ Answer
Slacker by Gordon Korman
Chuck notices leaves and shredded bags in his father's truck and realizes how the Friends of Fuzzy undid all the P.A.G.'s leaf-raking at Sycamore House. High schoolers, including his own sister Emma, had driven to the town dump, loaded up the bags, and scattered the leaves back on the lawn.
- Second half
In what book does a boy's face form a "Grinch-like grin" when his club gets canceled?
✓ Answer
Slacker by Gordon Korman
When Mr. Fanshaw breaks the news that the P.A.G. is canceled, Cam's face breaks into what looks like a giant Grinch-like grin. The guidance counselor interprets it as Cam struggling to keep his emotions in check, but really Cam is thrilled to have his lifestyle back.
- Near the end
In what book does a boy shut off a video game right before winning because his friends' voices are missing?
✓ Answer
Slacker by Gordon Korman
Cam is on the verge of beating an entire alien game with his Swedish friend Borje when he suddenly powers off the console. He realizes that without Pavel and Chuck, gaming just isn't good anymore. It's a turning point where Cam starts to see that his lifestyle isn't everything.
