I just thought it was important to say - the layout in “Main Street“ is different than the other writing! When thinking of ways to get students to read, I feel like we have to break their expectations. Changing the layout of a text or the structure of it is a good way to grasp students. Plus, most of her breaks leave sentences isolated, and this makes the text less intimidating for readers who otherwise would struggle.

In “Sol Painting. Inc.,“ the moment where the girls disturb the paint is so interesting to me because a lot is going on. For one, the stereotype of “protective“ manhood is challenged - the narrator expects her father to be angry; he instead reacts passively. This is further complicated by the motivation for him acting this way: he doesn't want to ruin things for his children. I think there is an argument about how racism emasculates individuals.

“For people like you, ball is more than just ball.
It's a way out.“

Right off the bat, as an aspiring educator, I can see how the stories within this book are going to make an impact. The idea of a sport being “a way out“ will resonate with students who are not high achievers or have their own “ways out.“ Students like to relate to characters, and this can be helpful in engaging those students who do not feel academically able.