Game and the Glory, The
on Goodreads (121)
What’s inside...
A celebrated midfielder of the phenomenal United States women's soccer team chronicles her life, discussing the difficulties she overcame, including a strange career-threatening illness and a painful divorce, and exploring the re-found faith that helped her realize her dreams.
Age
8-9
Length
192 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Michelle Akers
Discussion points
What challenges did Michelle Akers face and how did she overcome them?
Can you think of a time when you had to work hard to achieve something? What did you learn from that experience?
Michelle’s team worked together to achieve their goals. Why is teamwork important, and how can it help us in different areas of our lives?
How do Michelle's dedication and passion inspire you in your hobbies or interests?
What qualities do you admire most about Michelle Akers and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to draw parallels between their personal experiences and Michelle’s perseverance in the story.
Discuss the importance of setting goals and the steps needed to achieve them, relating them back to the progress seen in Michelle’s journey.
Highlight the importance of teamwork by discussing moments in the book where collaboration led to success.
Ask your child how they feel about the obstacles they face and discuss ways Michelle’s strategies can be applied to their situation.
Celebrate the themes of courage and commitment, prompting your child to reflect on and share instances when they exhibited these traits.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance in the face of challenges
Explanation: The story showcases the protagonist's relentless pursuit of her goals despite various obstacles, illustrating the importance of determination and hard work.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by staying committed to their tasks, whether it’s completing homework, learning a new skill, or participating in sports, even when it gets difficult.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and cooperation
Explanation: The narrative emphasizes the significance of working together and supporting teammates, which is essential in achieving common goals.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to collaborate effectively with their peers in group projects at school or in team sports, promoting a harmonious relationship and shared success.
Example Lesson: Importance of setting goals
Explanation: The protagonist's journey illustrates how setting clear, achievable goals can provide direction and motivation in one's endeavors.
Real-World Application: Children learn to set their own goals, such as improving grades or mastering a new hobby, which helps them focus and measure their progress.
Example Lesson: Handling success and failure
Explanation: Through the ups and downs faced by the characters, the book teaches that both success and failure are parts of life and learning from them is crucial.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand that setbacks are not permanent and that they should embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: The protagonist exemplifies resilience by bouncing back from setbacks and continuing to pursue her passion, showcasing the power of mental strength.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to adopt a resilient mindset in their daily challenges, understanding that persistence is key to overcoming difficulties.