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ABOUT THE BOOK
NO SPOILERSJax is a short, scrappy seventh grader at Hopson Middle School who has been cut from the basketball team two years in a row, but he refuses to give up on his dream of playing. When he and his best friend Nic get cut again after a summer of grueling practice, Jax storms into Coach Sullivan's office and does something no kid has ever done: he challenges the school's JV and varsity teams to a game, promising to put together his own squad and prove they all belong on the court. Across alternating chapters, the story also follows Luke, a tall theater kid who got cut from the school play and is desperately looking for a way to prove himself to his dismissive drama teacher, and Miley, a quiet, math-obsessed girl whose therapist has pushed her to join a school activity. The three unlikely characters are about to get tangled up in each other's problems in ways none of them expected.
Free Battle of the Books questions for The Playmakers
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 The Playmakers. 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 nervous kid joke that he wakes up early to shoot around in the gym?
✓ Answer
The Playmakers by Chad Morris
Jax cracks jokes when he's nervous, and the opening scene at tryouts is full of his sarcasm. He waves off Marshall's question with a quip, even though he's terrified of being cut.
- First half
In what book does a girl use the word "myopic" and define it as shortsighted?
✓ Answer
The Playmakers by Chad Morris
Martina tells Jax it would be myopic not to consider girls for his team. When Jax asks what the word means, she explains and credits books, life, and general intelligence as her sources.
- First half
In what book does a tall boy trade his basketball skills for a partner in a theater contest?
✓ Answer
The Playmakers by Chad Morris
Luke finally finds his courage and asks Jax for a trade. He'll suit up for the underdog squad only if Jax will be in a regional theater competition with him. Jax goes pale, then says he'll think about it.
- Second half
In what book does a kid sincerely ask if pantyhose is a hose that shoots underwear?
✓ Answer
The Playmakers by Chad Morris
Nic asks the question seriously after the word comes up in Luke's script. Luke had meant to cross the line out, and the whole rehearsal dissolves into laughter.
- Second half
In what book does a girl propose naming her team Swish because it is also a dance move?
✓ Answer
The Playmakers by Chad Morris
Charlotte rebounds a ball and swishes her hips while suggesting the name. The naming session also produces ideas like the Friends, the Dominators, and eventually the Immortals.
- Near the end
In what book does a statistician burst into tears at halftime and run out of the locker room?
✓ Answer
The Playmakers by Chad Morris
Jax asks Miley for help at halftime against the powerhouse team. She just stares at her notebook, then bolts in tears, leaving the team without guidance.
