BookBright
ABOUT THE BOOK
NO SPOILERSNine-year-old Iggy Frangi is a kid who gets in trouble, and he knows it. The book opens with Iggy lying facedown on his bedroom rug, grounded until dinnertime and owed a written apology, while he tries not to laugh about how he ended up there. Told by a narrator who speaks directly to the reader, the story walks through three separate bad things Iggy did, ranging from mildly regrettable to genuinely awful, and introduces the idea of extenuating circumstances, which are the facts you need to know before deciding whether a person is good or bad.
Free Battle of the Books questions for The Best of Iggy
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 The Best of Iggy. 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 do three parents come outside just as a boy is screeching, "You're dead, Jeremy Greerson"?
✓ Answer
The Best of Iggy by Annie Barrows
The parents step onto the porch at the worst possible moment and see the hero charging up a ladder while shouting threats at the visiting boy. The narrator says the real problem with the whole scene is the timing.
- First half
In what book does a kid cover his head in shaving cream to pretend he is an old man?
✓ Answer
The Best of Iggy by Annie Barrows
After making the foam beard and mustache, the hero rubs shaving cream into his hair to make it white. He pictures himself as an old guy and starts groaning "Arrrrr" in front of the mirror.
- First half
In what book does a teacher spin a globe to decide where each kid will live as an adult?
✓ Answer
The Best of Iggy by Annie Barrows
For Global Studies, Ms. Schulberger spins a globe and wherever a student's finger lands becomes their pretend future home. They have to learn three words in the local language, and she doesn't mind if two are "Bathroom! Quick!"
- Second half
In what book does a boy cradle the bottom of his desk like a baby and walk forward driving it?
✓ Answer
The Best of Iggy by Annie Barrows
Iggy slips his arms under the desk, leans back, and walks forward with only the chair legs and his feet touching the floor. This is the birth of desk driving.
- Second half
In what book is a boy famous for almost falling into a baboon pit?
✓ Answer
The Best of Iggy by Annie Barrows
Iggy is famous for being fast at running, great at soccer, and for almost falling into a baboon pit. His friend Owen is famous for drawing, and Diego is famous for building go-karts with his dad.
- Near the end
In what book does a teacher scream "AIIEEEEEE!" as kids ride their desks straight at her?
✓ Answer
The Best of Iggy by Annie Barrows
Ms. Schulberger turns from the whiteboard to find four desks blasting toward her. Her scream comes just as Iggy realizes too late that this was a bad idea.
