BookBright
ABOUT THE BOOK
NO SPOILERSPie Pennelli is a right wing on his youth hockey team, the Penguins, but he has two problems making his season miserable: his hand-me-down skates are two sizes too big (they belonged to his older brother Pat), and his center, Terry "the terrible" Mason, never stops criticizing him. Things get strange when the twins next door, Jody and Joliette Byrd, discover an old handmade hockey game in their attic, dated 1896 and carved with the name SKXROT, and announce that the game they played the night before perfectly predicted every goal, penalty, and play in Pie's real game that morning.
Free Battle of the Books questions for Ice Magic
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 Ice Magic. 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 boy wear hand-me-down skates two sizes too big from his older brother?
✓ Answer
Ice Magic by Matt Christopher
Pie inherits his older brother Pat's skates, which his dad says his feet will grow into. The loose skates slow him down all season and drive much of the plot.
- First half
In what book does a boy scold an injured pet, "You dumb cat! You want to get killed?"
✓ Answer
Ice Magic by Matt Christopher
Terry scolds his cat after it is hit by a car, his gruff words hiding how worried he really is. He tells the concerned drivers he can take care of the animal himself.
- First half
In what book does a code reveal that SKXROT shifts six letters back to spell Merlin?
✓ Answer
Ice Magic by Matt Christopher
Jody and Joliette figure out that if you shift each letter of SKXROT six places to the left, you get Merlin, the magician from King Arthur. The discovery suggests the toy may carry real ancient magic.
- Second half
In what book do friends search a basement for a missing antique game and notice an open window?
✓ Answer
Ice Magic by Matt Christopher
When Pie comes over to help look for the missing game, he notices the basement looks different. Jody explains their dad opened the window to air the room out, and Joliette insists the screen behind it means no one climbed in.
- Second half
In what book is a Saturday hockey game canceled because the rink loses electric power?
✓ Answer
Ice Magic by Matt Christopher
Pie's mom calls up the stairs to tell him not to bother dressing because Coach Hayes phoned. The power is out at the rink and the game has to be postponed, which the kids see as more proof of magic.
- Near the end
In what book does a small wooden hockey figure come loose from its rod during a toy game?
✓ Answer
Ice Magic by Matt Christopher
While Pie plays with Jody, the little figure that represents Pie suddenly won't move when he twists the lever. The staples have worked loose from the wooden player, and the kids worry it predicts disaster the next day.
