Henry Aaron's Dream

Author: Matt Tavares

Illustrator: Matt Tavares

Publisher: Candlewick Press, copy write 2010
Page Count: 40

Lexile Level: 920L

Overview: 

"Before he was Hammerin’ Hank, Henry Aaron was a young boy growing up in Mobile, Alabama, with what seemed like a foolhardy dream: to be a big-league baseball player. He didn't have a bat. He didn't have a ball. And there wasn’t a single black ball player in the major leagues. But none of this could stop Henry Aaron. In a captivating biography of Henry Aaron’s young life – from his sandlot days through his time in the Negro Leagues to the day he played his first spring training game for the Braves – Matt Tavares offers an inspiring homage to one of baseball’s all-time greats."--Barnes and Noble 

Suggested Delivery: Read Aloud

Words or Phrases to Describe the Book:

1. Diversity

2. Overcoming Obstacles

3. Segregation 

4. Heroes

5. Achieving Dreams 

Electronic Resources:

1. Fact Monster

http://www.factmonster.com/biography/var/hankaaron.html
Fact Monster is a site with biographies, and interesting facts about people and events.  This link is to the "Hank Aaron" biography, and has links to stats and facts of his time playing baseball.

2. Mini Bio

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m66lmbROA58

This is a link to a YouTube video of a mini biography of the life of Henry (Hank) Aaron. 

Key Vocabulary: 

1. Perseverance 

2. Contract

3. Leagues

4. Exhibition

5. Threatening

6. Mesmerized 

Reading Strategies:

Before:   This book has beautiful illustrations that enhance the text.  Before reading, the class should take a picture walk through the book, and analyze the illustrations on each page.  

During: Discrimination is a topic which can be tricky to teach.  Many students will have a wide range of emotional reactions to some of the topics and language in the book.  Encourage students to ask questions, or state how they are feeling, as the book is being read.  

After: Students will understand the underlying concepts in this book more if they can relate it to the "real world."  Show students video clips of Henry Aaron's games, or biographies to give them a connection to the text.   

Writing Activity:  During Henry Aaron's journey to becoming a baseball star, he often thought of his hero, Jackie Robinson.  Imagine you are Henry.  Write a letter to Jackie explaining how you are feeling, and how he has helped you persevere through the challenges.  

Resources:

Barnes and Noble, . (n.d.). In Henry Aaron's dream. Retrieved August 27, 2012, from http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/henry-aarons-dream-matt-tavares/1014686253

Scholastic, . (n.d.). In Henry Aaron's dream. Retrieved August 27, 2012, from http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/henry-aarons-dream

Tavares, M. (2010). Henry Aaron's dream. Somerville, Mass.: Candlewick Press.