The Tallest Heart

Name: The Tallest Heart
Author: Joey Ignoffo

by Joey Ignoffo·illustrated by Hines Creative

Clark is the littlest goat in a basketball family. His sister can dunk over a fence, his brother never seems to miss, and Clark mostly likes his new sneakers because they squeak. On the way to his very first practice, Dad asks him a question: are you going to be a Thermometer or a Thermostat?

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Page 5In the Goat household, basketball was everything. Rosemary, the oldest, was a high-flying forward who could dunk over a fence. Nile, the middle brother, was a lightning-fast guard who never seemed to miss a shot.
Page 11Dad closed the tailgate. “Tell me something, Clark.” “Okay.” “Are you going to be a Thermometer or a Thermostat?” Clark blinked. “A what?” Dad laughed. “I’ll show you.”
Page 12When they arrived at the Knights Gym, it felt like a jungle. Gerry the Giraffe was tangled in his own legs. Ellie the Elephant had accidentally sat on a basketball. Leo the Lion was growling because he kept missing shots. Nobody looked happy. The whole gym felt cold and grumpy.
Page 18Then Clark noticed Gerry sitting alone. Gerry looked like he might cry. Clark remembered Dad’s lesson. He jogged over. “Nice rebound, Gerry!” Clark said. Zap! Gerry smiled.

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