Share this book
After sharing Seven Million Steps: The True Story of Dick Gregory’s Run for the Hungry, get students thinking about ideas both big and small for standing up for something they believe in.
Ask students whether they think anyone of any age can make a difference in the world or in their community. Help students search online for some examples in the news of kids helping others. Have students read and/or watch the reports and talk about how and why those kids got involved in helping others. How did they know that help was needed? Why did they decide to take action?
Do your students think they can make a difference? How could they use their passion and creativity to take action to address an issue? Have students compare Dick Gregory’s Run for the Hungry with one of the news articles to think about all the different forms helping others can take. Then ask each student to think of and share one way they plan to use their own interests, talents, or voice to help meet a need they see and encourage others to take action, too.
Questions for Discussion or Reflective Writing
- The book begins with the question, “…What would you do if you knew someone who goes to bed every night hungry?” Why do you think the authors ask readers to think about this question?
- Why do you think Dick Gregory chose to run across the country to share his message about hunger? What does he hope his journey will help people understand?
- How do the book’s creators put the reader in Dick Gregory’s shoes? Whose shoes does Dick Gregory believe you have to put yourself in?
- Dick Gregory used running and his voice to bring attention to the problem of hunger. What issues are you passionate about? How can you use your own talents, voice, or actions to bring attention to problems you care about? “Will you simply stand still... or will you run until you can’t run anymore?”
Related Resources
Seven Million Steps: The True Story of Dick Gregory Educator’s Guide from HarperCollins Children’s Books
Everyday Young Heroes from Youth Service America
Time for Change from First Book
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