1.
What is NOT true about Fell?
a) It's based on a true story.
b) It's about fraternal twin brothers.
c) It's set at the Gardner School.
d) The characters plant trees.
(Note: Remember, to see the answer, highlight the blank space after "Answer" with your mouse.) Answer: Everything is true about Fell except for "b." There are two characters who are almost twins but not really. You'll have to read the book to find out!
2. What was "M. E. Kerr's" first pen name?
a) Slater Burr
b) M. J. Meaker
c) Eric Ranthram McKay
d) Vin Packer
Answer: They are all pen names although "b" is very close to her real name: Marijane Meaker. Her first pen name was "c" a play on her father's initials "ERM." After she finished writing a story as Eric Ranthram McKay, she would send it off with a cover letter written on her father's stationery on which was printed "ERM." See ME ME ME ME ME: Not a Novel for more stories about M. E. Kerr's life.
3. During Marijane Meaker's career as a literary agent, one of her client's, Laura Winston, was:
a) her sorority sister
b) later Michael Crichton's agent
c) her paternal aunt
d) another pen name
Answer: Point of interest: MEK admits she did send out stories under her sorority sisters'/roommates' names. However, the correct answer is "d." Laura Winston's first published story, "Devotedly, Patrick Henry Casebolt," appeared in Ladies Home Journal in September of 1951 with a picture of Marijane Meaker credited as "Laura Winston."
4. These books share the same primary setting except one - which one?
a) Frankenlouse
b) Linger
c) Fell
d) Is That You, Miss Blue?
Answer: Linger ("b") is set in a restaurant while the other three books are set at boarding schools. Clearly, M. E. Kerr has many memories from her own boarding school days at Stuart Hall in Virginia.
5. Sydney Cinnamon : Little Little La Belle ::
a) John Fell : Dinky Hocker
b) Buddy Boyle : Skye Pennington
c) Pete Rudd : Evie Burrman
d) P. John : Opal Ringer
Answer: This one was tricky because I know most people haven't read every single M. E. Kerr book out there. The correct answer is "b" because Buddy Boyle and Skye Pennington are both characters in the same book (Gentlehands) as are Sydney Cinnamon and Little Little La Belle (Little Little). The other names are also characters from various Kerr books just not from the same books.
6. The name "Gentlehands" was inspired by which musical source?
a) Maybe I'm Amazed
b) O Dolci Mani
c) Pink Moon
d) Don Giovanni
Answer: Okay, I know this one was on the easier side, but I wanted to send you off with a bang. Yes, the correct answer is "b." Gentlehands used to listen to the aria O Dolci Mani or "Gentlehands" from Tosca. Pink Moon is the song in the Volkswagen commercial. M. E. Kerr is a fan of Nick Drake, but she referred to his song Know in What Became of Her. Don Giovanni is referred to in Slap Your Sides. Maybe I'm Amazed, this is a toughie, was referenced in If I Love You, Am I Trapped Forever? How many of you have read that one? It's worth tracking down!
I hope you enjoyed this quiz! Feel free to e-mail me your own ideas for questions: webmaster@mekerr.com.