Those Shoes Activities and Graphic Organizers

Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts promotes generous and kind attitudes. It also supports the understanding of the difference between ‘wants’ and ‘needs’.

In Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts, Jeremy has to make an important choice between what he wants and what he needs. The book gives you the opportunity to promote:

Self-esteem
Self-reflection
Generosity
Appreciation for what you have
How appearance can influence opinions
Empathy
Materialism
Poverty and socio-economic inequality
The difference between needs and wants

You can also use the book to teach

Scroll down for Those Shoes activities, discussion questions and videos.

Those Shoes Summary

Jeremy really wants a pair of the new, trendy black shoes. It’s not fair that all his classmates have a pair, and he doesn’t. When he tells his grandmother he wants these shoes, her no-nonsense response leaves him wishing he had what his friends have. “There’s no room for ‘want’ around here – just ‘need’. And what you need are new boots for winter.”

When his old shoes fall apart at school, the guidance counselor gives him an unstylish replacement pair from the lost and found. He is embarrassed when he returns to his class and everyone laughs. Except for his friend Antonio.

Jeremy and his Grandma go shoe shopping and visit a thrift store. In the window, Jeremy sees “those shoes”! Excited, he tries them on, but there is just one problem. They are too small. His grandmother refuses to buy them, so Jeremy buys them with his own money, even though they hurt his feet.

Back at school, Jeremy sees Antonio’s shoes are wrapped in tape. After some thought, he gives the sneakers to Antonio, who Jeremy realizes needs more than him. Soon after, the weather changes to snow and Jeremy puts on his new winter boats from his grandma.

US/UK Differences
Thrift Store – charity shop
Guidance counselor – deputy head
Antonio – Tony

Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts
Illustrator: Noah Z. Jones
Publisher: Candlewick (2009)
ISBN: 9780763642846

Take a look inside

Maribeth Boelts Official Website

Related Books

A Bike Like Sergio’s by Bob Shea
A Chair For My Mother by Vera B. Williams
Fly Away Home by Eve Bunting
Last Stop On Market Street by Matt de la Pena
Something Beautiful by Sharon Dennis Wyeth
Ada's Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay by Susan Hood

Those Shoes Activities & Resources

I have created literacy graphic organizers for Those Shoes. You can find them at my Teachers Pay Teachers store. There are many activities for each literacy area to differentiate depending on your student’s ability/age. They include activities for:

Author’s Purpose
Cause & Effect
Character Traits and Analysis
Comprehension Questions and Writing Prompts
Inferring and Predicting
Main Idea and Theme
Making Connections
Point of View
Problem and Solution
Retelling, Sequencing and Summarizing

*Click on these links to discover book recommendations on these topics.

External Those Shoes Activities & Links

Candlewick Press: Teachers’ Guide
Embracing Our Differences: Reading into Character: Those Shoes
Learning to Give: Those Shoes Literature Guide
Library Sparks: Activities for Those Shoes
Money as You Grow Book Club: Parent reading guide for “Those Shoes” by Maribeth Boelts
The Prindle Institute for Ethics: Guidelines for Philosophical Discussion

FREE Those Shoes Graphic Organisers

Would you like free graphic organisers for Those Shoes?

I have a freebie that is part of a larger resource so you can try it out before buying anything!

Fill in the form below to get access to the FREE pack. Click on the image to see the full pack on Teachers Pay Teachers.

Those Shoes Read-Aloud Questions

Read aloud sessions are a wonderful way for children to understand the connection between written text and spoken language. You can model reading habits and strategies, reading fluency, tone and eye contact. You can also introduce different genres, authors and illustrators.

Why did Jeremy want the same shoes as everyone else? Have you ever felt like this about something your friends have?
Have you ever saved money as Grandma did for Jeremy’s new boots? How did it feel to buy the thing you saved up for?
Why does Jeremy want them so badly? How is he feeling?
Grandma says there is no room for “want,” there is only room for “need.” What do you think she means?
Why does Grandma let Jeremy make his own decision about buying the shoes?
What do you think of Jeremy’s decision to buy the shoes? What would you have done?
Why was it so difficult for Jeremy to give his shoes to Antonio?
Have you ever given something to someone that they needed but didn't ask for? How did that feel?
How should Jeremy’s classmates have reacted to his Velcro shoes? What would you have said to make Jeremy feel better?
Do you think Jeremy and Antonio will stay friends? Explain your answer.

You can find a full set of discussion cards in the Those Shoes Literacy Bundle or as a separate pack.

Those Shoes Book Videos

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase anything through them, I will get a small referral fee and you will be supporting me and my blog at no extra cost to you, so thank you! You can find more information here.