Synopsis
All Jeremy wants is a pair of those shoes, the ones everyone at school seems to be wearing. But Jeremy’s grandma tells him they don’t have room for "want," just "need," and what Jeremy needs are new boots for winter. When Jeremy’s shoes fall apart at school, and the guidance counselor gives him a hand-me-down pair, the boy is more determined than ever to have those shoes, even a thrift-shop pair that are much too small. But sore feet aren’t much fun, and Jeremy comes to realize that the things he has—warm boots, a loving grandma, and the chance to help a friend—are worth more than the things he wants.- ★★★★☆
- ★★★☆☆
- ★★★★☆
- ★★★★☆
- Can shoes make you the fastest runner? Discuss the power of advertisements with older children. When do we see advertisements? How many advertisements do you see or hear in one day (television and radio commercials, social media ads or billboards). For instance, what does Adidas’ slogan “Impossible is Nothing” imply? Can purchasing their shoes really make the impossible possible?
- When someone laughs at the expense of others, they are often unknowingly showing arrogance, a serious vice of the heart. What does it mean to laugh with someone vs. laugh at someone?
- The cost of shoes. Discuss how some pairs of shoes can cost as much as a week’s worth of groceries.
- What is a thrift shop?
- Was it wise for Jeremy to spend his money on shoes that did not fit?
- Was it easy for Jeremy to give his shoes to Antonio? Sometimes it is difficult to do the right thing.
- In the end, did Jeremy have all that he needed? His grandmother was wise to buy what Jeremy needed instead of what he wanted.
- Participate in a shoe swap. What do you do with shoes that no longer fit? Have you donated them or given them to someone you know could use them?
- Needs vs. Wants. Think about how many pairs of shoes you have. Which pairs do you really need?
Mindful Muslim Review
In an age when we are constantly bombarded with advertisements, encouraged to blindly follow ever-changing trends and to think only of ourselves, we need to teach children the differences between needs versus wants, how to spend wisely and show empathy towards others. Using an easily relatable example of children who are obsessed with having the popular brand of shoes in a school setting, this book provides the platform to teach those lessons in a very tangible way. The grandmother’s love and patience shine through as those lessons are learned.
Teaching Tools
Genres: General Fiction
Publisher: Candlewick Press
*This review applies only to ISBN number noted above.
