Stories for Growing
Cover of Those ShoesAges 4 to 8
Priorities

Those Shoes

Maribeth Boelts, illustrated by Noah Z. Jones

Ages 4 to 8
About this age guidance

Publisher description: 4–8

The age tag follows Publisher description via Google Books. Other sources may suggest different ages. This is audience guidance, not an independent reading level.

Recommended for discussing poverty, peer pressure, and a child’s choices.

Jeremy wants the shoes that confer status at school, but his family must buy what he needs. A too-small secondhand pair does not solve the problem. Recognizing a friend’s need gives him a different use for the shoes and a different account of what matters.

Good forJealousy

Recommended by Pragmatic Mom

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What children see in the story

The opening contrast between wants and needs leads to a choice that values comfort and friendship over the coveted shoes.

Why it’s on these shelves

Priorities
Jeremy wants the black high-tops everyone has, but his grandmother has to spend their money on winter boots. After a too-small pair hurts his feet, he gives them to his friend Antonio and sees what his boots, his grandmother and his friendship are worth.

Why pick it up?

Jeremy helps Antonio and appreciates what he already has.

A note for parents

The book includes poverty and embarrassment; giving away shoes does not solve structural inequality.

Where this recommendation comes from

Pragmatic Mom

Recommended for discussing poverty, peer pressure, and a child’s choices.

Read Mia Wenjen’s recommendation
Sources and review status

We have checked source descriptions and drafted the value mapping. We have not personally reviewed the full book. The value labels, situation assignments, and parent notes remain provisional.

Publisher or literacy resource · Original recommendation

Our explanation of the value fit is separate from the original reviewer’s judgment. Their inclusion here does not imply an endorsement of Stories for Growing.

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