Magic Tree House #52: Soccer on Sunday



Last updated Monday, July 3, 2017

Author: Mary Pope Osborne
Date of Publication: 2014
ISBN: 0307980537
Grade Level: 3rd    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jul. 2017

Synopsis: Goal! Jack and Annie have tickets to one of the most exciting soccer games ever — the 1970 World Cup! They are sure the famous soccer player Pelé will tell them a "secret of greatness." The game is nonstop action and the stands are packed. But how will they find Pelé in a crowd of 100,000 soccer fans? Have they failed their mission? Or will the answer come when they least expect it?

Note to readers:
•  You will probably only get halfway through the book. Try to get to halftime of the World Cup Game (page 52 in Chapter 5)
•  The illustrations in this book are particularly nice. Even though there are not a lot of them, it would be worth it to take the time to look at some of them.
•  Page13 - Mexico City
•  Page 42 - Aztec Stadium (Mexico City)
•  Page 68 and 80 - kids playing outside - see if the kids recogize the move illustrated on page 80

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Have you ever played soccer?
•  What other kinds of sports do you play?
•  What outdoor activities will you do this summer?

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  (page 7) These are 3 of the secrets of greatness. (In the book it says there are 4 secrets of greatness - near the very end of the book it says that #4 is Enthusiasm.) How many “secrets to greatness” are there really? What do you think the other secret(s) of greatness are?
•  (page 18) Taking the bus, train Metro - where do you go on them? Who in your family uses public transit (bus, train, Metro). There is a really nice drawing of the Metro system on page 36.
•  Where would you like to go this summer? Can you get there on a bus or train? (if possible, use your mobile device and plan a trip to the zoo or beach using public transit)

Craft ideas:
•  Make a paper soccer ball using a paper plate or cut out round paper.
•  Make a magic scroll
•  Draw a picture of fun things you want to do this summer. (go to the beach, the game, the zoo ....)
•  Check our craft ideas for July on Pinterest!
https://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids/july-2017-summer-fun-games/

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!