The Final Jeopardy question (8/2/2012) in the category “Book Series” was:

In the 8th book in a series by L. Frank Baum, this character begins to speak. He simply chose not to before.

We continue with Kids Week on Jeopardy! Today’s players are: Katie O’Meara from Plano, TX; Alex Johnson, from Indianapolis, IN; and Larkin Breitner, from Fleming Island, FL.

Alex found the Jeopardy! round Daily Double in “In Case You’re Thirsty.” He was in the lead with $5,000, $3,200 more than his closest competitor, Larkin, who had $1,800. He bet $2,500 and he was RIGHT.

Glaceau makes a bottled beverage called “Vitamin” this. show

WHAT IS WATER?

Alex finished in the lead with $10,100. Larkin was second with $2,400 and Katie was last with $2,000.

Katie found the first Double Jeopardy Daily Double in “Art Class.” She was in third place with $2,000, $12,900 less than Alex in the lead. She bet $1,500 and she was RIGHT.

This term for a painting depicting outdoor scenery was first used in English in the early 17th century. show

WHAT IS A LANDSCAPE?

Alex found the last Daily Double in “General Science.” He now had the lead with $20,100, $11,300 more than Larkin, in second place. He bet $4,000, and he was RIGHT.

In most other parts of the world, this scale, not Fahrenheit, is used for measuring temperature. show

WHAT IS CELSIUS?

Alex finished in the lead with $28,900. Larkin was next with $8,800 and Katie was in third place with $3,500.

NONE of the contestants got Final Jeopardy! right.

WHO IS TOTO?

All the animals in the Wonderful World of Oz can speak, but Dorothy always thought Toto couldn’t because he is a “Kansas dog.” At the very end of the last chapter of “Tik-Tok of Oz,” Dorothy pulls out a whistle and summons Toto, who will only say “bow wow” for “yes” and “woof” for “no.” Dorothy asks him to say just one word and then he can go. “All right. Here I go!” he said, and darted away as quick as an arrow. (Tik-Tok of Oz)

L. Frank Baum wrote 14 books in the series between 1900 and 1920. After his death, other authors continued the series. This was actually the second clue in the game that was WAY before Alex Trebek’s time, let alone these kids.

The other clue was in the category 1910s: “The October 1912 All Story Magazine featured the tale of this “Man of the Apes”, his debut in print,” and Alex seemed surprised that none of the kids knew it. Johnny Weismuller made 12 Tarzan movies between 1932 and 1948, and we bet Trebek has seen ’em all, but we doubt these kids have seen even one. We think Alex makes secret bets that the contestants won’t know the answer and often find his reaction a bit condescending when they do know.

Katie wrote down Aslum. Presumably, she meant Aslan from “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe”, the children’s classic by C.S. Lewis, but at least she took a shot at it. She bet it all and finished with zero.

Larkin wrote down three question marks. She lost $5,000, finishing with $3,800.

Alex wrote down the letters SR and bet a big $11,300 which he had to kiss goodbye. He still won the game with a very respectable total — $17,600.

What a great story that will make to tell his grandkids someday (and anyone else in the meantime): I lost over $11,000 on Jeopardy when I was 11 years old. Then he can add the punchline – how he won the game with more than he lost.