Teacher Activities

To maintain story flow and interest it is suggested that the novel be read in segments of three chapters per assignment. Following is a brief resume and some general discussion questions for each chapter.

Chapter 1: Hockey Night
We meet a group of mice that live in the Forum and play hockey after hours. They decide to revive the past glory of the MHL and the Cheddar Cup, which, unfortunately has been stolen by the Rink Rats.
 

• Name the characters you have met so far.
• Give a few details about each character's personality.
• Where is the story taking place?
• What important decision is made?

Chapter 2: Trapped
The mice go off in search of the Cheddar Cup and by eavesdropping discover its location. Big Boris who issues the challenge, "Well, if you want the Cup, come and get it," interrupts their scouting mission. Anytime."
 

• Why is the Cheddar Cup so important to the mice?
• How did the mice manage the travelling in the MHL?
• How was the Cheddar Cup lost?

Chapter 3: Never Venture! Never Win!
A skateboard becomes the vehicle for the great rescue plan.
 

• Briefly outline the plan to recover the Cheddar Cup?
• Explain the skateboard being compared to a Trojan horse?

Chapter 4: Shinny
The Rink Rats watch a mouse practice and laughingly decided that maybe they will play the mice for the Cup again. However, the heist plan is already in effect.
 

• Discuss the two new characters introduced.
• How realistic is the game of shinny as compared to a real game?
• What challenge did Boris issue?
• How did the mice react to the challenge?

Chapter 5: The Skateboard
The great heist plan is launched.
 

• What preparations were made for the heist?
• What obstacles did the mice meet on the way to the Cheddar?

Chapter 6: A Close Shave
A loudspeaker and subterfuge are the tools for tricking the guard rats into loading the Cup and moving it themselves. Boris returns, the ruse is discovered and Benny offers himself as the lure and leads the rats on a merry chase - right into a Zamboni.
 

• This chapter ends in a 'cliffhanger'. Discuss.
• What are the possible outcomes?

Chapter 7: The Great Zamboni Machine
A 'chilling' life and death battle with the Zamboni ensues. Benny survives only to fall into the clutches of Jake - the cleanup man.
 

• The Zamboni presented more than one danger to Benny. Discuss.
• This is another 'cliffhanger'. What do you think will happen?

Chapter 8: The Garbage Truck
From a garbage container to a garbage truck! Benny's trials continue as he finally ends up at the dump.
 

• Would you describe Jake as a kind or a cruel man? Why?
• How did it appear to Benny?

Chapter 9: The Big M
Benny meets the Big M - another hockey playing mouse. They plan a return to the Forum on Truck 51.
 

• Describe Benny's new surrounding. Describe the Big M.
• Why was the Big M excited to hear about the Cheddar Cup?
• What plan did Benny and the Big M decide upon?

Chapter 10: The Dump
the Big M takes Benny home to rest up for the next night's adventure.
 

• This Chapter reminds us of "The City Mouse and the Country Mouse". Discuss.

Chapter 11: The Cat
A cat stakes out the Big M's home - an abandoned car. Benny dekes out the cat in a mad dash for the dump truck.
 

• Continue "City Mouse/Country Mouse" discussion.
• How did Benny's hockey training help him?

Chapter 12: The Hero Returns
Benny and the Big M return to the Forum in time to interrupt Benny's funeral service.
 

• What is a eulogy?
• How did Benny's friends react to his return?

Chapter 13: The Challenge
The mice meet the Rats in a championship Cheddar Cup game.
 

• Discuss the MHL Players' Creed (p101)
• Is it a reasonable creed for human hockey players to follow?

Chapter 14: The Big Game
In spite of unfair and rough play on the part of the Rats, at the end of the second period the score is tied.

Chapter 15: The Cheddar Cup
The Cup is won!
 

• Describe the dirty tricks tried by the Rats
• How did the ice overcome them?
• In spite of superior size and unfair play on the part of the Rats, the mice still won. Why?
• Does this suggest a moral? If so, what?
• Why was Benny so sure he'd never see the Big M again?