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ABOUT THE BOOK
NO SPOILERSNine-year-old twins Emma and Martín disagree about almost everything, but they agree that moving from Cuernavaca, Mexico, to Chicago for Dad's new job is a terrible idea. Before they go, Abuela gives them a very old book of legends and hints that it might be magic. She also sends each twin a gift with a note, an abalone shell for Martín and a black obsidian necklace for Emma. Their new house has a broken shutter and splotchy brown carpet, the twins must share one small room, and the moving truck is stuck at the border with their boxes. Then the book of legends turns up in the middle of their floor, even though it was packed on the truck. Emma's necklace blazes with light, and a glowing archway opens in the wall. On the other side, a flash flood is washing away a jungle village. A girl named Nelli helps pull Emma from the rushing water, and Nelli's grandmother, a Seer, says the God of Rain is angry. To save the village, the twins and Nelli set off for his faraway mountain, where they learn that something has been stolen from him.
Free Battle of the Books questions for Wrath of the Rain God (Legendarios)
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 Wrath of the Rain God (Legendarios). 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 lucky maneki-neko statue a boy's most valuable possession?
✓ Answer
Wrath of the Rain God (Legendarios) by Karla Arenas Valenti
On moving day, Martín bursts into Emma's room asking if she has seen his maneki-neko, a Japanese statue of a white cat with its paw up as if waving. He loves it because it's a cat, it was a Christmas present, and it is supposed to bring good luck.
- First half
In what book does a hut's fire burn blue and green instead of yellow and orange?
✓ Answer
Wrath of the Rain God (Legendarios) by Karla Arenas Valenti
Inside Nelli's grandmother's hut, Martín notices the fire sending out sparks of blue and realizes it is not an ordinary fire. The room is warm and dry, but there is no smoke.
- First half
In what book is a small statue carved by a master stonecutter and blessed by the priests?
✓ Answer
Wrath of the Rain God (Legendarios) by Karla Arenas Valenti
Nelli whispers that her cihtli's little stone statue of Tlaloc was carved by the master stonecutter and blessed by the priests, which means it's magic. She tells Emma her necklace should activate when she touches the statue.
- Second half
In what book is a missing lightning bolt shaped like a gold spear wrapped by a serpent?
✓ Answer
Wrath of the Rain God (Legendarios) by Karla Arenas Valenti
When Emma asks Tlaloc to describe what was stolen, he says it holds all the lightning in the sky, so it gleams brighter than the sun. Nelli says something like that must be hard to hide.
- Second half
In what book does a shy boy pet a giant jaguar until it purrs?
✓ Answer
Wrath of the Rain God (Legendarios) by Karla Arenas Valenti
The jaguar sighs that all he has up in his temple is his mirror and cold stone walls, and Martín whispers, "That is sad." Emma can't believe her eyes when her brother sits right down next to the giant cat and puts his hand on its smooth fur.
- Near the end
In what book does a girl at a kitchen faucet say, "You have a river in your home!"?
✓ Answer
Wrath of the Rain God (Legendarios) by Karla Arenas Valenti
Martín turns the knob, and a gush of cold water pours into the sink. Nelli puts her hand under it and turns it over and over like she can't believe what she is seeing.
