CJ's Big Dream
illustrations by
on Goodreads (25)
What’s inside...
With his dreams set on the NBA, CJ must now prepare for his biggest basketball game thus far! From pep talks to lucky socks, when the final buzzer sounds, CJ will find out if he can win the big game and get closer to his dreams once and for all.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-10
Length
26 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think CJ's biggest dream is and why is it important to him?
How did CJ feel when he faced challenges during his basketball game? Have you ever felt the same?
What did CJ learn by the end of the story? How can you apply this lesson in your own life?
Who helps CJ achieve his dream and how do they support him?
If you were CJ, would you have done anything differently in the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the story, promoting a deeper understanding of the emotional journey of CJ.
Relate the challenges CJ faces to real-life situations your child might encounter, fostering empathy and problem-solving skills.
Discuss the importance of perseverance and hard work as seen in CJ's story to motivate your child towards achieving their own dreams.
Ask your child to imagine and talk about their own big dreams, and discuss practical steps they could take to achieve them like CJ did.
Use the supporting characters in the story as examples to illustrate the importance of having a supportive community or team.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Pursuing dreams
Explanation: CJ shows resilience and dedication as he works towards his goal of playing basketball despite challenges.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of setting goals and persistently working towards them, understanding that perseverance is key to achieving dreams.
Example Lesson: Positive attitude
Explanation: Despite obstacles and setbacks, CJ maintains a positive attitude, which ultimately helps him succeed.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the power of maintaining a positive outlook in the face of difficulties, promoting resilience and mental wellness.
Example Lesson: Support system
Explanation: CJ's journey highlights the importance of having supportive friends and family who encourage and believe in him.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and seek support from those around them, understanding that it’s okay to rely on others when pursuing personal goals.
Example Lesson: Learning from failures
Explanation: CJ experiences setbacks but uses them as learning opportunities to improve his skills.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to view failures as stepping stones to success, teaching them not to fear making mistakes as they are part of learning and growing.