Young Michael Jordan would spend every Saturday at the park courts with his older brothers, Larry and Ronnie. Since he was the youngest, that also made him the smallest. One boy, Mark, would pick on Michael and take the ball from him. Michael would take this really hard and feel bad that he's the reason his team lost. He thought if only he was taller and then his team would win. Michael asked his mom how he could grow taller and she replied with salt. She told them if he sprinkled salt in his shoes every night and say his prayers that he would grow taller. Michael decided that he should stay home from the park and practice so he would be taller next time he went. After time went on and he hadn't grown, Michael began to get down. His father told him he didn't need to grow in order to be a great player because he already was. Michael decided to go back to the park to play with his brothers and their friends. Michael was able to go in at the end of the game. The score was tied and Micheal got the ball inbounds. Did he let Marks voice keep him from being a great player??

I think this is a cute story! I'm glad the salt didn't work to make Michael grow, it showed him that everything he needed was already inside of him.

This would be a good book to teach others not to listen to bullies and to teach others that you determine what you can and cannot do. Underlying themes of this book teach patience from Michael and kindness from his brothers.

Based on a true story about Michael Jordan. Loved reading about how his family taught him to work hard, be patient, and pray!

We must all find our gifts and pursue our dreams. This story is told my Rosalyn Jordan, Michaels, sister. The sheer faith, hard work and determination is what
made Michael Jordan so successful. The artwork is magnificent and everyone that reads this work will be inspired. Maybe I need some salt on my shoes....

This picture book tells the story of young Michael Jordan, who dreams of being a great basketball player despite feeling discouraged by his height. With encouragement from his family and a lot of practice, he learns that hard work pays off. The salt in his shoes symbolizes the effort he puts into pursuing his goals. I enjoyed this book for it's message on facing challenges. I would use this in my classroom as a read aloud followed by a class discussion about students dreams and what they aspire to do when they are older.

It's cute.

As a short person, I’m tempted to put salt in my shoes after reading this book.

We've read this 3 times in 12 hours as requested by the 4 (nearly) and 8 year olds. The illustrations are beautiful and appealing to kids. The faithfulness and reference to daily prayer are welcome and uncommon. And taking the opportunity to discuss this American legend was so fun. Thanks, Jim Trelease Treasury, for the recommendation. We also loved Oliver's Game which we also checked out.

Who better to give us a nugget of inspiration from the life of Michael Jordan than is mother and his sister? I love this story and the conversations depicted in the book when Michael is discouraged about his height and basketball skills. His mother sprinkles salt in his shoes to remind him of the prayers she is sending up on his behalf. He still has to put those shoes on and practice, practice, practice. If he had just sat around and waited to grow taller, we would not have the basketball legend we all know today. This small glimpse at the family life of Michael Jordan is heartwarming and inspiring.

Booklist (February 1, 2001 (Vol. 97, No. 11))

Ages 5-9. Who better to tell the story of young Michael Jordan than Michael's mother? This fictionalized tale finds Michael ready to give up his basketball dreams because he is the shortest boy on his team. His brothers try to encourage him and tell him what a good player he is, to no avail. Finally Mrs. Jordan offers her wit and wisdom: put some salt in your shoes and say a prayer every night. Of course what really makes him "grow"is his hard work and determination, as his father reminds him. This is an inspirational tale, tailor-made for young fans of the superstar. The large format and the bold, handsome illustrations will also delight those fans--or anyone who loves a good story.



Horn Book (Spring 2001)

Michael Jordan's mother and sister share a story from his childhood. Young Michael worries that his small size will hold him back when playing basketball with his older brothers. His mother advises him to put salt in his shoes and say a prayer every night, while his father tells him that practice and determination, not height, are what he needs. Detailed illustrations capture the story's warm and supportive family atmosphere.



Kirkus Reviews (December 1, 2000)

Mother and sister combine to tell of a sweet-natured family reminiscence based on the childhood of America's most famous athlete: the one and only Michael Jordan. In this fable, Michael's own special brand of hoop dreams begins on a Saturday morning. Older brothers Larry and Ronnie play a regular pick-up game on a local court, which Michael is desperate to join. The tallest boy in the game, Mark, seems to sense Michael's intensity and strong competitive urge. In fact, every time "Mikey" joins in, replacing no-show older kids with longer legs and far greater reach, Mark focuses especially on him--stealing the ball and winning the game. Michael feels the loss acutely. He even apologizes to his brothers, who understand and remind that after all, he's the smallest player in the game. Once home, Michael takes a time-out with Mama, who's cooking dinner for their large and active family. When Michael confides his desire to be tall. Mama, as usual, has the answer. "We'll put salt in your shoes and say a prayer every night. Before you know it, you'll be taller!" Young Michael does what his Mama suggests. Salt and prayers. But he adds one more thing--practice, practice, practice. Michael wore "his game shoes everywhere." But after a few months, downhearted that he hasn't grown as fast as he'd hoped, he has a one-on-one talk with Daddy. His counsel is as wise as Mama's: " ' . . .you've already got everything it takes to be a winner: right in here.' Daddy tapped Michael on his chest." Buoyed, Michael rushes to the court and scores the game-winning two-pointer--over the head of Mark. Nelson's paintings add zest and child appeal though the book's design and look makes it seem like a companion to dancer-choreographer Debbie Allen's Dancing in the Wings (p. 1190), which Nelson also illustrated. This can be a source of soul-satisfying inspiration for kids who will probably read it as pure fact. But is it? Probably not. Professional athletes of Jordan's caliber and talent have already achieved mythic proportions. Put this next to the shoes, ball, and Bulls jersey under the tree. (Picture Book. 6-9)




Publishers Weekly (December 8, 2003)

Michael Jordan's mother and sister team up for an inspirational story about this athlete's earliest on-court efforts. "The authors offer authoritative insight into the hoopster's boyhood spunk as well as reassurance to young athletes impatient for a growth spurt," wrote PW. All ages. (Nov.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.



School Library Journal (June 1, 2001)

Gr 2-4-Deloris Jordan tells of an episode in her famous son's childhood in which the future superstar yearned to be a better basketball player. Michael wished to be taller so that he could compete with the bigger kids, particularly one member of an opposing team. His mother suggested that a combination of salt in his shoes, patience, and prayer would do the trick. Michael, seeing his mother's success with plants, agreed to give it a try, but after several months, he was disappointed to see that he was still the same size. While his mother prayed, he practiced instead of playing but still he didn't grow. When he told his father that he needed to be taller, his father explained that he was already a great player because of his heart, and that "practice, determination, and giving your best" were the things that made someone a winner. Michael returned to playing basketball and made the winning basket for his brothers' team. This readable and entertaining story will delight the superstar's fans. Nelson's illustrations bring the right blend of vivid color, realism, and personality, giving youngsters plenty of details to pore over between readings. It should read aloud well for younger children and their parents, and independent readers will enjoy it on their own.-Jeffrey A. French, Euclid Public Library, OH Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Very inspirational.

This was a positive and inspiring story. Michael has a loving family and has to work for his goal. It's a great teaching book.

Non-fiction Biography
Grades 2-5

This is an inspirational story about Michael Jordan's life as a child. He was very determined to be the best at accomplishing his goals and dreams. With the support of his parents he became a phenomenal athlete that we know of today.