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Joshuaand the Tigers

Copyright by Harcourt, Inc.

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ISBN 10: 0-15-350650-4ISBN 13: 978-0-15-350650-5

Ordering OptionsISBN 10: 0-15-350599-0 (Grade 2 On-Level Collection)ISBN 13: 978-0-15-350599-7 (Grade 2 On-Level Collection)ISBN 10: 0-15-357831-9 (package of 5)ISBN 13: 978-0-15-357831-1 (package of 5)

If you have received these materials as examination copies free of charge, Harcourt School Publishers retains title to the materials and they may not be resold. Resale of examination copies is strictly prohibited and is illegal.

Possession of this publication in print format does not entitle users to convert this publication, or any portion of it, into electronic format.

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by Kate Meadillustrated by Richard Hoit

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3Joshuas family loved music.

There was always music playing in

their house. Everyone was terrific at

doing something with music, except

Joshua. He wondered why.

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4Joshuas sister played the violin.

When she moved the bow over the

strings, the warm sound of the violin

filled the house. She liked to entertain

people when they came to visit.

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5Joshua tried to play the violin.

He tucked the violin under his chin

and held the bow just like his sister

did. When he rubbed the strings with

the bow, it sounded like a screeching

seabird. He never entertained people!

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6Joshuas brother was a dancer.

When he moved to the beat of the

music, his arms and legs seemed to

fly like a kite in the wind. His feet

were so light on the floor that they

barely seemed to touch it.

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7Joshua tried to dance like his

brother. He stomped to the music

and made the floor shake. His steps

were so heavy that even the cups in

the cupboard shook.

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8One weekend, Joshua went to

the park with his dad. Some boys

were playing basketball, and Joshua

watched them run up and down the

court. He wanted to play basketball

with them, but he was too timid

to ask.

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9When Joshua got home, he

searched for a ball. When he found

one, he threw it into the air. He

spread out his fingers to catch it. He

felt carefree as he caught the ball.

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10

Joshua brought his ball to

school. He raced up and down the

schoolyard with his friends. They

threw the ball to each other. Joshua

dribbled, jumped, and made a basket.

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11

Mrs. Diaz watched the boys

playing. She noticed that Joshua

could run fast and that Joshua was

good at catching the ball.

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12

That evening, Joshuas parents

had their conference with Mrs. Diaz.

She sipped hot tea as she told them

how good Joshua was at playing ball.

Perhaps in a few years he can

join the school basketball team, the

Tigers, she said.

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13

Is that something you would like

to do, Joshua? Joshuas mom asked

him when they got home.

Id love to! he said excitedly.

Its great to have an athlete in

our familyits a nice change from

music and dance! said Joshuas dad.

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14

Joshua grinned. At last, he had

found what he was good at. He

couldnt wait to be a Tiger!

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Think Critically

1. What were the three different settings in the story?

2. What were Joshuas sister and brother good at doing?

3. How do you think Joshua felt when he couldnt play the violin or dance well?

4. Why do you think Mrs. Diaz was important in the story?

5. Would you like to play basketball? Why or why not?

Social Studies

Write a Paragraph Mrs. Diaz noticed what Joshua was good at doing. Write a paragraph about someone who has helped you fi nd out what you are good at doing.

School-Home Connection Talk about the story with family members. Then talk about things they are good

at doing and things they fi nd diffi cult.

Word Count: 401

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