Those Shoes By Maribeth Boelts

 

About Book

Title: Those Shoes
Author: Maribeth Boelts    
Illustrator: Noah Z. Jones
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Major Book Awards: No major book awards
Recommended Age Range: 5 to 8
Appropriate Grade Levels: Kinder to 3rd Grade

Summary

This book written by Maribeth Boelts talks about a boy named Jeremy wanting a new pair of shoes. He asks his grandmother, but she is unable to buy them, reminding him that what he actually need are new boots for winter. When he comes to school the next day, he sees his schoolmates and everyone with the shoes he's been wanting. When Jeremy's shoes break, the guidance counselor gives him a pair and everyone laughed. The only person that didn't laugh was his classmate, Antonio. Because Jeremy needed a new pair of shoes, his grandma decided to go with him to check out the pair of shoes that he's been wanting, hoping she is able to afford it. But once they saw the price of the shoes, they were unable to get it. Devastated, Jeremy decides to go check out some thrift shops hoping there was a pair. He ended up getting the shoes for a cheaper price, but there was a problem, they were too tight. Still, Jeremy wanted them. At school hanging out with Antonio, he notices that his shoes were duct taped and were about to come apart. After some thinking he decides to give away those shoes to Antonio. As Jeremy and Antonio were hanging out, it snowed, reminding Jeremy that he has those new winter boots to take out.

Evaluation - Would I Incorporate this book in the Classroom?

This was such a wonderful book to read. It did an amazing job in incorporating a common problem that many children today may go through in their school life, which in this case is getting the new pair of shoes. I really liked how Maribeth Boelts turned this common experience from children into something that they can learn from. Many lessons from this book teaches children about giving, needs, wants, friendship, generosity, and thoughtfulness. And Boelts was able to hit those points throughout the story. The illustrations were pretty simple, but it did a great job on making the story come to life. I would definitely use this book in my classroom, as I feel like it contains many valuable lessons. I see myself using this book and doing some activities for kindergarteners to 3rd grade students. After the read-aloud my students can create a story map listing the setting, characters, problems, and solutions. This book is also great to read during anti-bullying week, reminding students not to laugh at others just because they don't have what they have. Another activity I can do is a fun need and want activity, where I will give them certain things and they glue it under needs or wants.