The Legend of Gravity
on Goodreads (413)
What’s inside...
In his author-illustrator debut, Charly Palmer spins a tall tale about a neighborhood basketball hero named Gravity, the greatest ball player to ever lace up a pair of sneakers. As a new member of the Hillside Projects basketball team, the Eagles, Gravity's exceptional skills make the team feel unstoppable as they aim to win Milwaukee’s biggest pick-up basketball tournament, 'The Best of the Best.' However, in the final round against the winningest team, the Flyers, the Eagles realize that winning may require more than just Gravity's prowess.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think made Gravity feel like he had to prove himself on the court?
How do Gravity's friends and family support his dreams throughout the story?
What challenges does Gravity face and how does he overcome them?
In what ways do you think basketball changed Gravity's life?
How would you help a friend who was trying to achieve a big goal like Gravity?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the book, mirror the emotions conveyed in the story to help your child understand and connect with Gravity's experiences.
Encourage your child to relate the story to their personal experiences, such as times they faced challenges or worked hard to accomplish something.
Ask your child to imagine alternative endings or scenarios in the story, encouraging creative thinking and deeper understanding of the characters' motivations.
Use the themes of the book such as perseverance, friendship, and ambition as a springboard to discuss these values in your child’s daily life.
Celebrate your child's insights or connections they make during the discussion, reinforcing their critical thinking and engagement with the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage and perseverance
Explanation: In 'The Legend of Gravity', the protagonist faces numerous challenges but continues to pursue his dreams with bravery and determination.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by not giving up easily in their quests, be it in sports, studies, or personal goals.
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: The story highlights how working together with others can lead to greater achievements, as shown by the protagonist's collaboration with his friends to overcome obstacles.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to collaborate with siblings and peers in group projects or team sports, understanding that collective effort often brings success.
Example Lesson: Respect for diversity
Explanation: Characters in the book come from diverse backgrounds. Their unique perspectives and skills contribute significantly to the story’s outcome, teaching that differences should be celebrated and can be beneficial.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to appreciate and respect people from different cultures, backgrounds, and abilities, fostering a more inclusive community at school and in their neighborhood.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: The book portrays how the main character overcomes setbacks and failures but doesn't let them deter his spirit or goals.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand that setbacks are a part of life and learning how to cope with them is crucial for personal growth.