Author: Deloris Jordan and Roslyn M. Jordan

Grades: Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd

Synopsis: As a child, Michael Jordan almost gave up on his hoop dreams, all because he feared he’d never grow tall enough to play the game that would one day make him famous. That’s when his mother and father stepped in and shared the invaluable lesson of what really goes into the making of a champion — patience, determination, and hard work.

Debrief Questions:

• What was the real reason Michael was able to win the game at the end of the story? Was it because he put salt in his shoes?
• Was Michael good at basketball because he was born that way or because he worked hard? Which do you think is more important: talent or hard work?
• What’s something you wish you were better at? What can you do to improve?