The Game — Complete Study Guide
By Walter Dean Myers
Summary • Vocabulary • Theme • Characters • Close & Critical Reading • Discuss • Exam Practice
Detailed Summary
The excerpt “The Game” tells the story of a group of boys playing a tense championship basketball
game. They had practiced tirelessly: “We had practiced and practiced until it ran out of our ears” (p.10).
The narrator describes how the other team looked sharp and fast, scoring quickly with “Zip! Zip! Zip!
Two points!” (p.11). At first, the narrator’s team struggles, with Chalky missing shots and Sam losing
the ball. Mr. Reese, their coach, calls a time out after a foul: “You make a basket, you take your time
and you make a basket—don’t rush it” (p.13). His calm guidance helps the boys settle down. Slowly,
they improve; the narrator makes a shot: “It didn’t touch the rim or anything. Swish!” (p.15). The biggest
surprise comes when Mr. Reese puts Turk in, even though Turk often failed in practice: “Turk once
missed seven lay-ups in a row in practice and no one was even guarding him” (p.16). But in the game
Turk makes an important lay-up. The narrator also gets a chance to play, describing: “My heart was
beating so fast I thought I was going to have a heart attack” (p.14). By the last minutes, the team works
together, rebounding and controlling the ball. They tie, then pull ahead: “We were the champs. We got
the first-place trophies and we were all jumping around and slapping each other on the back” (p.19).
The story shows how teamwork, persistence, and belief in each other lead to success.
Vocabulary (from the margins)
• defense: group or team that prevents the opposing team from scoring
• rebound: catching a ball after a missed shot
• starting five: the five best players
• setting picks (from the outside): blocking to free a teammate
• controlled: had power over
• dribbled: moved a ball forward by bouncing it
• guarding: staying close to block an opponent
• boo-hooing: crying
Themes, Tone, Symbols, Setting, POV
• Themes: Teamwork and unity; overcoming doubt; persistence in the face of challenges.
• Tone: Excited, tense, hopeful — captures the narrator’s nervousness and thrill of the game.
• Symbols: The basketball game represents life’s challenges; trophies symbolize recognition of effort.
• Setting: A gym/community court with spectators and energy.
• Point of View: First-person, allowing readers to feel the narrator’s nerves and excitement directly.
Character Analysis
• Narrator (#17): Nervous but determined player, eager to prove himself, grows with experience.
• Sam & Chalky: Strong players, carry much responsibility, lead in scoring.
• Leon & Clyde: Support players, rebound and set picks.
• Turk: Weak in practice but surprises everyone by scoring in the game.
• Mr. Reese (Coach): Calm, strategic leader, uses hand signals and advice to guide his team.
Close Reading Questions & Answers
Q: Compare the two teams. What evidence shows which team is better?
A: The opponents seemed stronger at first: “Zip! Zip! Zip! Two points! They could pass the ball better
than anybody I had ever seen” (p.11). But the narrator’s team improves by listening to Mr. Reese and
scoring key shots: “Swish!” (p.15). This shows teamwork made them better in the end.
Q: What evidence in the story explains why Mr. Reese calls a time out?
A: Chalky misses a steal and fouls: “Chalky missed a steal and fouled his man. That’s when Mr. Reese
called time out” (p.13). He reminded them: “You make a basket… don’t rush it,” showing he wanted
them to stay calm.
Q: What details show that the mood of the team is changing?
A: At first they were anxious: “I didn’t even know how they could see the ball” (p.11). Later, confidence
grew: “Swish! … We were coming back” (p.15). Their improvement lifted morale.
Q: What does Mr. Reese do that surprises the narrator?
A: He puts Turk in: “Now I didn’t really understand why he did this… But this one he made” (p.16). The
narrator was surprised that Turk succeeded after failing in practice.
Q: Compare Turk’s skills during practice to his skills during this game.
A: In practice, Turk was weak: “Turk once missed seven lay-ups in a row in practice” (p.16). But in the
game he made a lay-up, proving he could perform under pressure.
Critical Viewing Questions & Answers
Q: Page 13: What caption would you write for this illustration?
A: Caption: “Coach Reese calms the team with hand signals.” It shows Mr. Reese signaling to keep
players cool (p.13).
Q: Page 17: What part of the story does this illustration show? How can you tell?
A: It shows the second-half comeback. You can tell from the intense expressions and description: “My
heart was beating so fast I thought I was going to have a heart attack” (p.14).
Discuss Question
The story portrays a group of boys who work together to overcome a challenge. Yes, I have relied on
teamwork during a school project. At first we struggled because not everyone participated equally. But
by communicating and encouraging each other, we succeeded. I learned that, like in “The Game,”
teamwork means trusting each other and believing everyone has something to contribute.
About the Author: Walter Dean Myers
Walter Dean Myers (1937–2014) was a highly respected author of children’s and young adult books.
He grew up in Harlem and wrote about African American experiences, sports, family, and challenges of
growing up. He won multiple Coretta Scott King Awards and served as National Ambassador for Young
People’s Literature. His works inspire young readers to value identity, determination, and responsibility.
Exam Practice
Multiple Choice
1. What does Mr. Reese tell his team during the first time out?
a) To play harder and faster
b) To just trade basket for basket and not rush
c) To let Turk play
d) To foul the other team
Answer: b
2. Which player surprises the narrator by scoring in the game?
a) Leon
b) Sam
c) Turk
d) Chalky
Answer: c
3. What does the narrator mean when he says his heart was “beating so fast I thought I was going to
have a heart attack”?
a) He was physically ill
b) He was nervous and excited to play
c) He wanted to quit the game
d) He was tired from running
Answer: b
Short Answer
4. How does the narrator’s team show growth from the beginning to the end of the story? Use evidence.
5. What role does Mr. Reese play in the team’s victory? Support with a quote.
Essay Prompts
6. Explain how teamwork helps the narrator’s team overcome their stronger opponents. Use examples
and quotes.
7. Compare Turk’s practice performance to his game performance. What lesson does this teach about
judging people too quickly?
8. How does Walter Dean Myers use first-person narration to make the story exciting and realistic?
