BookBright
ABOUT THE BOOK
NO SPOILERSJoey is a red bay foal born in rural Devon, England, and sold at auction to a struggling farmer who buys him out of spite rather than need. The farmer's teenage son, Albert, immediately bonds with Joey, names him, trains him to plow alongside the old farm mare Zoey, and promises to look after him always. When World War I breaks out and money grows tight, Albert's father secretly sells Joey to a British cavalry officer named Captain Nicholls, who ships the horse off to France. Albert, too young to enlist at fifteen, swears he will find Joey again no matter what it takes.
Free Battle of the Books questions for War Horse
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 War Horse. 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 is a colt harnessed beside an old mare in a loose collar and trained to plow?
✓ Answer
War Horse by Michael Morpurgo
Albert harnesses Joey beside Zoey on Long Close, with the collar hanging loose around Joey's shoulders. After a week of hard work, Joey learns to plow well enough to save his life.
- First half
In what book does an apprentice blacksmith say he feels like "one of those knights in armor" on his bay?
✓ Answer
War Horse by Michael Morpurgo
Trooper Warren confides that after his first battle he never thought he could mount again. Riding Joey gives back his courage and makes him feel like a medieval champion in shining steel.
- First half
In what book does a girl use a captive bay as a stepping stone to mount his taller stallion friend?
✓ Answer
War Horse by Michael Morpurgo
Recovering from her pneumonia, Emilie sometimes uses Joey as a stepping stone to climb onto the taller Topthorn. She rides without reins, saddle, or spurs, treating the pair as friends.
- Second half
In what book does a German butcher from Schleiden say he is the only sane man in his regiment?
✓ Answer
War Horse by Michael Morpurgo
Friedrich the kind old gunner longs to return to his butcher's shop. He tells the two animals he is supposed to be crazy, but it is the others fighting without knowing why who are truly mad.
- Second half
In what book does a Welshman call rugby "a religion" and dismiss cricket as a barbarous game?
✓ Answer
War Horse by Michael Morpurgo
When the German jokingly invokes cricket as a way to settle their dispute, the short Welshman bristles. He insists rugby is no mere game where he comes from but a religion.
- Near the end
In what book does Sergeant Thunder collect coins in a tin box to outbid a butcher?
✓ Answer
War Horse by Michael Morpurgo
On the rainy evening before the auction, the veterinary unit pools every coin they can spare. Even Major Martin secretly gives every penny of his saved pay so that Thunder can bid.
