Heat Review Flashcards
Flashcards to help you recall important themes, relationships, and scenes in the book Heat by Mike Lupica.
What is being described?
The first person introduced in Heat, they are walking down River Avenue and they get their purse stolen by a boy named Ramon.
Mrs. Cora
Where is Micheal originally from, and how did he arrive in the Bronx?
Micheal is from Pinar del Rio, Cuba, and he and his brother Carlos arrived illeagally by boat.
How is Carlos supporting the family after their father’s death?
He works two jobs
What do Micheal and Carlos tell everybody after their father’s death?
Their father is away in Florida visiting a sick brother
What role does Mrs. Cora play in Micheal and Carlos’s life?
She acts as a guardian, providing emotional and practical support
Why does Micheal question the existence of real angels?
He feels frustrated that they never seem to be around when he and Carlos need help
Who is Manny, and what is his relationship with Micheal?
Micheal’s best friend, his catcher, and a constant source of humor and support
How does Micheal first meet Ellie?
Micheal notices her watching one of their pickup games
What is Micheal’s biggest challenge throughout the book?
Dealing with the absence of a valid birth certificate and the pressure from other teams questioning his eligibility to play in Little League
What does Carlos resort to after losing his job at Hector’s Bronx Café?
He resorts to scalping tickets to make ends meet
What essential role does Uncle Timo play in the story?
He impersonates Papi during a crucial meeting with Mr. Gibbs from ACS
How does Micheal react when he learns Ellie’s true identity?
He feels betrayed and lashes out at Ellie for not being honest about being El Grande’s daughter
What does Micheal find most comforting during difficult times?
Baseball
What mistake does Micheal make during the game against the Rosedale Park Robins?
Hint: Micheal is coaching from the sidelines
He sends Kel home on a hit, resulting in him being tagged out at the plate, almost costing the game
How old is Micheal during this book?
12
How is Micheal allowed to continue playing in Little League?
El Grande secures Micheal’s birth certificate from Cuba
What is the outcome of the Clippers’ semifinal game against Westchester South?
The Clippers win, securing their spot in the District 22 finals at Yankee Stadium
Which character in the book showed the best example of resilience?
Micheal
How does Micheal’s view on angles change by the end of the book?
He realizes that angels, like Mrs. C and other supportive figures, have always been around him
What is being described?
Serves as a central location where Micheal practices, plays baseball games, and first meets Ellie
Macombs Dam Park
What does Papi’s dream for Micheal involve?
He dreams Micheal will someday play in the Little League World Series and eventually in the World Series itself
How does Micheal cope with his father’s death?
He pours himself into baseball, using it to stay connected and keep his father’s dream alive
What is being described?
A reference to a childhood song that connects Micheal to El Grande, allowing Micheal to pass a note to him.
El gato Misifuz
What role does the Bronx Borough President play in the story?
He wants to recognize Micheal as a hero, but this brings unwanted attention to his family’s situation
What is a house rule that is shown throughout the story?
Do not answer the phone if Carlos isn’t home
How does Micheal’s understanding of friendship evolve?
He learns the importance of trust and honesty in friendships
Fill in the blanks:
Carlos and Micheal’s ______________ strengthens as they both face ____________ together.
relationship, challenges
What is being described?
He represents the adult world that could separate Micheal and Carlos, increasing the tension and stakes in their lives
Mr. Gibbs
What is the significance of the title “Heat”?
It refers to the pressure Micheal faces and his powerful pitching arm
What are two reasons why the discovery of Ellie’s true identity so significant to Micheal?
- It challenges his views on trust and forces him to reconsider people’s motives.
- El Grande is who Micheal looks up to the most, so naturally, Micheal felt seriously hurt.
Fill in the blanks:
The pressure to pay _______ and provide for Micheal drives Carlos to take desperate measures, even if they’re __________.
bills, illegal
How does the theme of perserverance appear in the story?
Micheal is constantly determined to keep playing baseball despite numerous setbacks
Fill in the blank:
Even though Manny can be annoying at times, his sense of _______ helps Micheal throughout the story.
humor
Micheal’s understanding of family changes throughout the book. How?
He learns that family is not just blood but also the people who support and stand by you in difficult times
How does the book explore the concept of sacrifice?
Carlos is willing to sacrifice his own comforts and safety to provide for Micheal
Why is baseball so important to Micheal?
It’s a connection to his father, a source of identity, and a way of coping with life’s challenges
How does Mrs. Cora’s worsening health affect Micheal?
He notices her swollen ankles and slow movements, adding to the fear of losing another loved one
What does Micheal’s final pitch at Yankee Stadium represent?
The fulfillment of his father’s dream and the beginning of a new chapter in his life
Who is the coach of the South Bronx Clippers?
Mr. Minaya
How did Papi end up dying?
From saving a woman being assaulted by her ex-boyfriend
Who came up with the ruse to fool Mr. Gibbs?
Manny
When Micheal saw Carlos being escorted by the police, he was frozen with fear. Why?
He looked up to Carlos as a responsible and law-abiding person who worked tirelessly to keep them both together
These quotes were most likely said by…
- “While scalping is illeagal, loving and caring for your brother is not.”
- “Ellie valued her friendship with you and Manny because you liked her for herself, not her father’s fame.”
Mrs. Cora
When Micheal originally saw Uncle Timo, he felt crushed. Why?
Uncle Timo had an extremely American accent, and used modern, American slang, making him believe that the plan wouldn’t work one bit
What did Uncle Timo do to make the plan sucessfully work?
He transformed himself into a clone of Papi, with his old clothes, beard, tattoo, accent, and mannerisms
How does Micheal help Bobby Cameron in the playoff game?
Micheal encourages Bobby to believe in himself and bunt, leading to the game-winning run
What does Micheal do with his transistor radio?
He listens to Yankee games, often imagining himself playing in Yankee Stadium, helping him feel connected to the game and his father
What nickname do the other teams sometimes use for Manny, and how does he respond?
The other teams sometimes call Manny “No Neck Cabrera,” but he doesn’t take it personal, always smiling and staying positive
What does Carlos tell Micheal about having hope and faith?
If all answers were known, there would be nothing left to ask of God
Why do people question Micheal’s age?
His impressive pitching skills lead other teams to question his age
