Soccer on Sunday
by Mary Pope Osborne
Grades 2-4; Genre - Historical Fiction with Fantastical Elements; GRL N; AR pts: 2.0
Jack and Annie find themselves in the streets of Mexico where they must find the final secret of greatness for Merlin. There they meet a young soccer player who dreams of one day playing just like his hero, the great Brazilian soccer player, Pele.
Comprehension Questions
Chapter 1
- How did Annie know the Magic Tree House was back? She saw a streak of light in the night p.4
- What time of day do Jack and Annie go to the tree house? Early morning; dawn p.5
- Where was the World Cup going to be? Mexico p.9
Chapter 2
- Describe Mexico City. Hot; many cars honking and tires screeching; busy street; trees; tall buildings; a big city p.12
- How did Jack feel about being in Mexico and going to The World Cup? Excited p.15
- What’s the metro? Public transportation; like a subway p.18
Chapter 3
- When Jack and Annie were lost what did they do? Asked people for help p.25
- Why did it take so long for Jack and Annie to get on the train? There were a lot of people and the doors didn’t stay open very long p.27
- Why were Jack and Annie unsure which stop to get off the metro? Jack lost the paper with the directions p.29
Chapter 4
- Who helped Jack and Annie which stop to get off the train? A Mexican boy; Roberto p.33
- Why was Roberto going to the soccer game alone? His parents couldn’t afford it; they gave him the ticket for his birthday; he has 8 brothers and sisters p.35
- How did Roberto get to the stadium so quickly if he’d never been there before? He’d practiced it in his mind many times; his father told him what to do p.39
Chapter 5
- Where were Jack and Annie’s seats for the game? On the second row, right on the aisle p.44
- Where was Roberto’s seat? Up at the top of the stadium p.45
- In what way were Annie and Jack generous? They gave Roberto one of their tickets and decided to trade seats at halftime p.47
Chapter 6
- Why wasn’t Jack able to trade seats with Annie as they had planned? It took a long time to get down to the right section, but he couldn’t find them in time before half time was over and an official told him to go back to his seat p.55
- How was Jack feeling about not being able to find Annie at the end of the game? worried p.56
- Why do you think it was hard for Jack to sit so high in the stadium and come down and see Annie and Roberto have a wonderful time? Because he couldn’t see the game p.61
Chapter 7
- When the soccer team got on the bus, what was Annie’s solution for finding them? Go to the city and look for them p.65
- What did the kids playing soccer in the mud say that made Roberto sad? That they didn’t want him to play soccer with them p.70
- What was Annie’s solution to help them all play soccer better? Merlin’s magic mist p.72
Chapter 8
- Who made all of the goals on Miguel’s team? Roberto p.80
- After the game was over, and somebody asked what the score was, what did the referee say? Who cares? That was amazing! P.82
- Why did Jack and Annie think it was a good idea to leave the neighborhood while the magic was still working? They wouldn’t be so light footed and amazing as just their regular selves; it was better for them to run away from the kids chasing them while they still had the magic p.83
Chapter 9
- What made the ring explode with light? Roberto’s comment, “enthusiasm is everything” p.89
- What did Jack and Annie teach Roberto when he got sad about not being able to play soccer? To have humility, showing hard work, have meaning and purpose in your life & enthusiasm (the four things they’ve learned on Merlin Missions p.92
- Why did Jack and Annie think Roberto was such a great kid? He was polite, he was helpful, he was a good friend p.96
Chapter 10
- Why were so many people gathered when Jack and Annie got to Camelot? They were all grateful for Jack and Annie p.102
- Name three of the people gathered in Camelot? Merlin; Morgan; King Arthur; Teddy; Kathleen p.105
- Why did Jack and Annie want to invite their friends over? To play soccer p.111