INTRODUCTION
This reading guide is designed to accompany Maribeth Boe and Lauren Castillo’s picture book Happy Like Soccer. We hold the belief that anti-racist practice is a process of learning (and unlearning) over time. Reading Is Resistance sees reading as an opportunity to seed deeper conversations and possibilities for action around racial justice in our communities.
Lesson content was written by MaKenna Smith and was designed to start and deepen anti-bias/anti-racist conversations in families and other learning communities. Editors were Robert Raffaelly and Katelynn Sagendorf.
BOOK THEMES
Courage. Honesty. Love. Family. Perseverance. Identity. Diversity.
THE READ ALOUD
BOOK SUMMARY
Happy Like Soccer is about a young girl who is apprehensive about joining a new soccer team. Sierra struggles with not being able to have her aunt’s support on game days due to conflicting schedules. In a turn of events, Sierra’s aunt is able to make it to the final game of the season. Unfortunately, the game gets canceled due to rain. Facing the overwhelming sadness knowing her aunt will not be able to attend, Sierra comes up with an idea to reschedule for a different day and location that works for everyone. The story is about a young girl's perseverance and courage to achieve her goals and overcome difficult emotions.
FULL READING GUIDE (download here)
For the full reading guide including discussion questions based on anti-oppression capacity building, download below!
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