BookBright
ABOUT THE BOOK
NO SPOILERSRenata Wolfman, a girl who wears nothing but white T-shirts and overalls and prefers books about sea turtles to just about anything else, has exactly zero friends and likes it that way. She spends a Saturday home alone building an elaborate pretend submarine out of a refrigerator box, complete with a porthole made from a popcorn popper dome, a control panel built from old switches and dials, and a propeller made from two wooden spoons. Her peaceful project is interrupted when Livingston Flott, the chatty, guitar-playing boy from next door, shows up at her door needing to hide from his angry big brother, and somehow ends up inside the submarine with her. What happens next is something neither of them planned for.
Free Battle of the Books questions for Wolfie and Fly
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 Wolfie and Fly. 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 go shopping and buy three new white T-shirts and two pairs of overalls?
✓ Answer
Wolfie and Fly by Cary Fagan
When Renata's parents tell her she can buy whatever clothes she wants, she takes them at their word and buys exact copies of what she already owns. It's pure Renata, technically obeying while completely ignoring the spirit of the request.
- First half
In what book does a boy carry a plastic guitar with only four strings?
✓ Answer
Wolfie and Fly by Cary Fagan
Livingston's guitar is plastic and has only four strings, but he plays it constantly. He uses it to make up impromptu songs, which is one of the running gags throughout the story.
- First half
In what book does water gush into a house through open windows during a pretend voyage?
✓ Answer
Wolfie and Fly by Cary Fagan
As soon as the kids start the engines, real water rushes into the living room through the windows. The pretending becomes real, and the cardboard sub starts moving through the rising water in the house.
- Second half
In what book does a kid throw a cookie like a Frisbee across a cardboard submarine?
✓ Answer
Wolfie and Fly by Cary Fagan
When Renata finally agrees to a snack, Livingston holds the cookie like a Frisbee and tosses it. She just manages to catch it before he later bonks her on the head with a flying juice box.
- Second half
In what book does a girl shake herself like a dog coming in from the rain after getting back inside?
✓ Answer
Wolfie and Fly by Cary Fagan
Soaking wet from her ocean swim, Renata pulls off the bin helmet and shakes off inside the cardboard sub. Livingston complains she's dripping all over the place.
- Near the end
In what book does a sea pirate demand a small white round object he says is special treasure?
✓ Answer
Wolfie and Fly by Cary Fagan
Pirate Bob describes the baseball without naming it, calling it white and round. Renata is willing to hand it over to avoid a fight, but Livingston refuses.
