1. Allie’s Basketball Dream
Name ______________________________
Allie’s Basketball Dream
By Barbara E. Barber
Illustrated by Darryl Ligasan
Prediction
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Author’s Purpose
inform persuade entertain

2. Allie’s Basketball Dream
Focus Skills:
Narrative Elements- characterization
Synonyms
Using a dictionary
To read and understand a realistic fiction selection; to compare realistic fiction with expository text
Subjects and predicates
Genre
Realistic Fiction- tells about characters and events that are like people and events in real life.
Summary
Allie can’t make a basket with her new basketball. She keeps on trying, however, and finally shows that basketball is not just a game for boys.
Reading Strategy
Summarize
One way to keep track of what is going on in a story is to summarize. Good readers pause every few pages or chapters and think about what has happened in the story so far. Ask yourself who are the main characters, what are they doing and what has happened to them? Keeping track of story elements will help you remember parts of a story.

3. Discussion Questions
*How does Allie feel about the gift her father gives her? How do you know?
How do you know that Allie likes the game of basketball?
*Did the boys start their game before or after Allie and her father got to the playground? How do you know?
How do you think Allie feels about practicing basketball for the first time near older kids who are already good players?
*Why do you think Allie misses her first two shots?
How would you describe how the boys are acting toward Allie? Explain your answer.
What detail does the author include that shows Allie has some basketball skills?
8. *How does Allie feel when she hears what Keisha’s brother thinks about girls playing basketball? How do you know?

4. Does the author tell you directly what kind of a person Allie is
Does the author tell you directly what kind of a person Allie is? How does she let you know that Allie is determined to make a basket?
*How do you think Allie feels when Julio won’t play with her? How does the author help you to know Allie’s feelings?
*If you were Allie, would you be tempted to accept Buddy’s trade? Why or why not?
Why do you think the author describes Allie’s memory of the professional basketball game she went to with her father?
What is Allie’s main problem?
*What do you learn about Allie when she says, “Someday I’m going to be the best basketball player ever!”?
Why do you think Allie talks about boys jumping rope to Buddy?
*What does Allie learn about playing basketball?

5. How have the attitudes of the boys on the playground changed by the end of the story?
What kind of professional basketball player would Allie be? How can you tell?
Do you think it is important to have a dream, as Allie does? Why or why not?
A Guide to Basketball
*Why did James Naismith invent basketball?
How is the offense different from the defense? How do you know?
*What happens after the ball is thrown in the air during the tip-off?
Why do the players rest during half-time?