Realistic Fiction - Those Shoes

Those Shoes

by Maribeth Boelts

Summary

Those Shoes is a heartwarming story about a boy who wants to have the same shoes that everyone else has. His family does not have the money to buy the shoes brand new, but he finds a pair of the shoes at a thrift store. The shoes he finds are to small, but he buys them anyways. When he notices his friend's shoes are held together with tape, the boy is faced with the dilemma of giving his friend the shoes or keeping them for himself. The boy finds joy in seeing his friend happy wearing the new shoes and learns a valuable lesson. 

Personal Response I chose this contemporary realistic fiction picture book due to its relatability and moral characteristics. The main character is faced with a touch decision of helping a friend by giving up something he really wanted. Even though the shoes were to small for him, he wanted to keep them to fit in with the other kids at school. This story connects young readers with the theme of generosity and the difference between needs and wants. 

Illustrations

Illustrations throughout the book are simplistic. This allows readers to create their own depiction of events happening in the story. The simplistic features of the characters also guide readers to connect with the emotions that are written in the text. 

Literary Elements The gene of Those Shoes is realistic fiction.  Books of contemporary realistic fiction are plausible in todays world (Galda, 2015). Events in the story are plausible, the characters are relatable, and the setting is realistic to todays society. The language used within the text is informal and suitable toward an young audience. 

Activities

Grade: 2nd 

Before/During/After Reading Activity

Before Reading: As a class discussion ask students what they think the difference is between wants and needs. Have the class collaborate the difference. Show the students the cover of the book and ask what they notice. (Students should point out that one of the characters on the cover has a different pair of shoes than the other characters.)

During Reading: Point to the picture of Antonio's shoes with the tape on them and ask students how they think Antonio feels about his shoes. On the following 2 pages ask students why they think Jeremey keeps saying 'I'm not going to do it.' 

After Reading: Show students the final illustration in the story and ask them how they would describe Jeremy and Antonio's friendship. 

Other Works by the Author

    

 

References

Boelts, M. (2009). Those Shoes. Candlewick.

Galda, L., Liang, L. A., & Cullinan, B. E. (2015). Literature and the Child (9th ed., pp. 202).

Cengage Learning.