BookBright
ABOUT THE BOOK
NO SPOILERSTwelve-year-old Nora has spent the year since a mass shooting at a restaurant killed her mother trying to hold herself together while her father, injured in the same attack, has retreated from the world. On Nora's birthday, the anniversary of the shooting, her dad surprises her with a trip to a remote slot canyon in the Arizona desert. The two rappel down and spend the morning exploring, but their fragile peace is shattered when a flash flood roars through the canyon and sweeps Nora's dad away, leaving her stranded at the bottom with no supplies, no water, and no way out.
Free Battle of the Books questions for The Canyon's Edge
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 Canyon's Edge. 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 say her mom died at Cafe Ardiente exactly one year ago on her birthday?
✓ Answer
The Canyon's Edge by Dusti Bowling
The hiking trip is timed to the one year anniversary of the restaurant shooting that killed Nora's mom on her birthday. Her dad planned the trip to distract them both from the memories.
- First half
In what book does a girl mistake the trilling of red-spotted toads for her father whistling for her?
✓ Answer
The Canyon's Edge by Dusti Bowling
Hopeful at the sound of a whistle, Nora sits up and listens, only to realize it is amphibians digging themselves out of the soaked ground. The sound becomes a screeching chorus all around her.
- First half
In what book does a girl chew dirt-flecked mesquite beans and call them sweet like syrup gone bad?
✓ Answer
The Canyon's Edge by Dusti Bowling
Starving, Nora discovers an animal's hoard of mesquite pods and gnaws at them for any calories she can. She saves a few for later by stuffing them into her pockets.
- Second half
In what book does a foothold crumble away beneath a barefoot climber and plummet to the rocky ground below?
✓ Answer
The Canyon's Edge by Dusti Bowling
Just as Nora reaches up for the rim of a small cave during a thunderstorm, the rock beneath her foot breaks away and falls. She slams into the wall and dangles there, kicking and flailing until she finds another foothold.
- Second half
In what book does a girl in a tent dream hear her friend Danielle whisper "It's a monster, Nora"?
✓ Answer
The Canyon's Edge by Dusti Bowling
In a scorpion-fever dream, Nora is back in a tent with Danielle laughing about the bluegill. Then Danielle's smile drops and she points at the wall, warning that something is outside.
- Near the end
In what book does a fox with a black-tipped tail and triangular ears stare at a thirsty hiker?
✓ Answer
The Canyon's Edge by Dusti Bowling
Nora's father had said he had never seen a fox in the desert. Now Nora, near collapse, finally spots one watching her with curiosity. When she reaches out, it darts away.
