A biography for young readers about the famous basketball player Michael Jordan. This story is told by Michael Jordan’s mother and she sister about the challenges that Michael faced while wanting to accomplish his goal and the lessons they taught that took him far. This is a wonderful read that teaches about character development, grit and the need for perseverance to accomplish goals when feeling defeated.

After hearing so much about this book I am so glad that I finally had the chance to read it for myself. I thought that this was a really great and encouraging book. Salt in His Shoes is an autobiographic memoir written by Deloris Jordan about her son Micheal Jordan. This story focuses on Micheal as a young boy and the trials he went through wanting to pursue basketball but being frustrated because he was shorter than his brothers and his other players. His mom encourages him to pray and put salt in his shoes each night. After doing this for a while and not seeing any results Micheal begins to get even more discouraged. After a talk with his father, Micheal finds the courage he needs to keep playing the game he loves. Micheal Jordan goes on to become one of the greatest and most influential basketball players of our generation.

This book would be a great read aloud for a 3-5th grade classroom because of the beautiful pictures and vocabulary involved but also because it includes lessons on courage, patience, determination, and following your dreams. I think that this book would also be a great read for grades 3-5 because this book can help tie in a lot of other lessons and concepts that I think would be important for children around this age. Overall I really enjoyed this book! It is one that I will definitely be incorporating in my future classrooms.

I would say this book is intended for four to eight year olds. The common themes are support and power of hard work. I picked this book because it has a real life model and shows positive outcomes. I would want this book in my classroom to inspire my students to keep fighting for their rights.

“Being taller may help you play a little better, but not as much as practice, determination, and give your best will.”

A young Michael Jordan is focusing on getting taller before he goes back to play basketball with his brothers at the park. His mother tells him that he must be patient, listen to what she says and pray. But it doesn’t seem to be working. He’s not growing any taller. It’s his father who tells him he’s focusing on the wrong thing.

An inspirational story from the life of a remarkable player.

My students loved this story about Michael Jordan! Such a great reminder to have a growth mindset and never give up! His mother wrote the story. Throughout the story you can feel the warmth and love his parents surrounded him with. Without them, he wouldn’t have become one of the greatest basketball players!

This book is about a boy named Michael that wanted to be grow tall. His mama told him how to grow by putting salt in his shoes and pray, however he wanted to grow fast and not being patient. I like this story for early childhood grades, because it can be used as inspiration but also as an example of perseverance and patience. First and Second graders would probably enjoy the content more than earlier grades but some preschoolers and kindergarteners would also like this story.

I like it because M.J tells me how to never stop trying or giving up.

I shelved this book as historical fiction because it accurately tells the story of how Michael Jordan became a successful basketball player but takes some liberty in assuming real conversations that may have taken place in Michael Jordan's life. This story tells about how Michael Jordan was a child trying to play basketball at the park with an older group of players who continually knock the ball down when Michael tries to take a shot. Michael has the support of his older brothers as well as his mother and father. When Michael appeals to his mother for help in growing taller to match the older boys, she suggests that he simply put salt in his shoes and pray to be taller. Michael isn't sure how salt will help, but he follows her directions while he stays home from the park for many months to practice shooting hoops at home. When Michael returns to the park, he hasn't grown any taller, but his practice and determination have made all of the difference. He makes the shot against the bigger team and wins the game for his brothers.

This book is about Micheal Jordan and for some reason he can’t find a way to get tall. One day he asked did she know a way he could get taller. She replied to pray every night and put salt in his shoes but he had to be patient. He realized that he wasn’t getting any taller but his father told him, it’s not about what’s on the outside, it’s what’s on the inside.

I liked this book not because it has the best basketball player of all times in it. But it shows kids that you become great in whatever size or shape you are in. You just have to believe in yourself and work hard.

I will teach my students to never give up on anything in life, sometimes things don’t go your way but that’s the way the cookie crumbles.

A young Michael Jordan struggles while playing basketball with his brothers because an opponent is too tall. When he confides in his mother, she says a little salt in his shoes and prayers will do the trick. But Michael Jordan also spends time practicing. After a couple of months, he returns to the court and shoots the game-winning throw.

A great choice for sports lovers who might want more of a story than what you would find in a non-fiction book.

Kids and I loved this—very inspiring, and I had no idea that Jordan had failed so spectacularly before becoming such an historic success! Definitely a must-read for motivating kids to work hard and pursue their dreams

Salt in His Shoes: Micheal Jordan in Pursuit of a Dream by Deloris Jordan is a great read for young kids looking to be inspired by one of the greatest NBA players of all time. Jordan, who is known for his famous years with the Chicago Bulls and his world renowned brand of shoes, was brought up differently than most kids. This story does a great job at captivating the authenticity of his come-up while also shining light onto the important values he learned. This biography type picture book is filled with facts stretching from the town he was born into to the goals and desires he had as a young boy. The author uses real life facts and puts it into an understandable and short story. Jordan was one to emphasize that if he can make it to the level he did, anyone can. The young audience reading this book can appreciate all the interesting facts, characters, and messages buried within this amazing text. To kids who love sports and biographies, this is a great place to start since it is filled with very interesting facts and is very well written.