MODULE

Teamwork
“Talent wins games, but teamwork
and intelligence win championships.”
—Michael Jordan

356
 Essential Question

What can sports teach us

about working together?

Video
357
Knowledge
Map

Skills

Working
Together as
a Team

Supporting
Each Other

358
 Beating
the Odds

359
collaboration
Collaboration is
working together in a Short
group to accomplish Read
a task.
symbiosis
Symbiosis happens
when two individuals
closely work together
and both benefit
from it.
unity Unity is when
people join together
for a common idea or
cause.
determination
When you keep
trying until you
succeed, you show
determination.

myNotes

360
 myNotes
1 Everyone knows teamwork is important in 4 No one expected the Owls to outshine
basketball, yet fans often focus on only the their opponents. The Ravens’ Yasmin Vergera
star players. Stars are the ones who score was the league’s highest-scoring player all
all the points. Many fans stand and cheer for season. She rarely missed an opportunity
only their favorite players. But every player’s to take a shot. Cheyenne Jamison is an
success depends on the collaboration of the ace defensive player. She set the record for
whole team. stealing the ball this season. She’s known
2 Those fans might have been surprised for trying to shoot from the far end of the
last night. The Thompson High School girls court instead of passing the ball. When she
basketball team won the state championship, succeeds, fans go wild.
beating Marshland High 65–47. The 5 But last night wasn’t about big stars and
Thompson Owls don’t have any big stars. flashy moves. “It was all about unity,” said
The Marshland Ravens do. So how did the the Owls’ coach, Malia Stephens. “Playing as
Owls win? Working together was the key. a team, not as individuals, got us the win.
3 Sheila Ramirez scored 30 points, making Well, determination helped, too. Our
her the Owls’ high scorer last night. But players never quit!”
Ramirez isn’t known for being a high-scoring 6 The Owls fell behind early. Still, they
player. She tends to pass the ball as often as refused to give up. They figured out how
she shoots it. Kate Na of the Owls stole the to stop Yasmin Vergera from scoring. Their
ball from the Ravens ten times, passing it defense was on fire! They also found a way
to Ramirez or to Haley Sears to score. They to get around the Ravens’ defense with a
had an unstoppable symbiosis. Each player strong passing game. Look at the Owls’
helped the others to be their best. statistics, and you’ll see the story.

Player Points Rebounds Steals

Sh eila Ramirez 30 6 2
Haley Sears 15 3 0
Kate Na 8 4 10
Lin Littleton 6 1 3
Luisa Okeha 6 2 0
Rach el Healey 3 1 1
Shyla Burdock 2 1 2
Teanna O’Connor 2 1 0
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 my Notes
Notice &
Note
Contrasts and
Contradictions

Prepare to Read
GENRE STUDY Realistic fiction tells a story about
characters and events that are like those in real life.
• Authors of realistic fiction tell the story through the
plot—the main events of the story.
• Realistic fiction includes characters who act, think,
and speak like real people.
• Realistic fiction includes dialogue and informal
language to make the conversations seem real.
• Some realistic fiction includes a theme or lesson.

SET A PURPOSE Think about ways an author makes the

characters and events seem real. What are some ways that
you might relate to the characters in the story? Write your
response below.
CRITICAL
VOCABULARY
apprehensive

technical

deflected

competition

intercepted
Meet the Author:
Jake Maddox sprawling

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 myNotes

M A D DOX ipley
E
by JAK d by Matthew S
h
te
illustra

363
 A
myNotes
1 fter helping to win their school’s first ever state soccer
championship against the Cosmos, Peter and Berk are
looking forward to another soccer season. At spring
tryouts, both boys are working hard to practice their skills. Peter
is a star forward. Berk is the goalkeeper who had saved the day
in the state championship. Peter tells Berk that he heard there
is a new student at school who will also be trying out for
goalkeeper. Berk meets the new boy, Ryan, who is very confident.
Berk is worried and a little apprehensive going into tryouts.

TRYO U TS
2 It didn’t take long for the differences between Berk and
Ryan to become clear during tryouts.
3 As they worked on various drills, Berk was clearly better at
many of the technical parts of the game.
4 He made good decisions on when to come out of the goal
to challenge a shooter or to pick up a loose ball. He always
seemed to be in the right place at the right time.
5 When shots were taken on him, Berk made solid saves and
controlled the rebounds.
6 Ryan was a little wilder in the goal. He took unnecessary
chances, coming out of the net to challenge a player when it
would have been smarter to stay back. He often found
himself out of place.

apprehensive If you are apprehensive, you are worried something bad might
happen.
technical The technical parts of a sport are the basic skills and understanding
that are needed to play.

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7 But Ryan was a better athlete than Berk. So he often

covered his own fundamental mistakes by making spectacular
diving saves.
8 On the second-to-last day of tryouts, Coach Davis broke
the Titans into two teams for a scrimmage.
9 The teams were pretty evenly matched. Berk was in one
goal, Ryan was in the other. Peter was on Berk’s team.
10 Before the scrimmage, Peter ran up to Berk. “Don’t worry,
buddy,” he said. “I’ll score on him and then you’ll have the
keeper job.”
11 At first, the scrimmage was going just as the drills had
gone. Berk was always in the right place.
12 When any shots were taken at him, Berk was ready, so the
saves were pretty easy to make.

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13 Ryan was running all over the field. At one point, he

charged a forward who had the ball in the corner. That left
the whole goal wide open, so the forward lofted a pass
toward Peter.
14 Peter met the pass in the penalty area. He controlled the
ball with his left foot, then blasted it with his right toward
the open net. But Ryan’s quickness allowed him to get back
to the net. He dove across to his right and deflected Peter’s
pass toward the right post.
15 Another forward pulled the rebound in on the right side
of the net.
16 Again Ryan charged, and the forward put the ball
out front.
17 This time Peter tried to redirect the ball toward the left
post. He didn’t aim it perfectly, and Ryan dove back on top
of the loose ball.
18 Berk’s heart sank. He knew that if the same play had
happened to him, neither of those shots would have
been taken.
19 He would have stopped the first pass, and the play would
have been over. But Ryan’s wild style allowed him to make
two spectacular-looking saves. Even Coach Davis was
clapping and yelling.
20 Neither team scored in the scrimmage. Afterward, Coach
Davis called Berk over to the sideline. “Berk,” he said. “I have
an idea.”
21 Idea? Berk wasn’t sure what to say.
22 Then the coach continued: “Have you ever thought about
playing another position?”

deflected If you deflected something that was moving, you

made it go in a different direction.

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N E W P O S IT IO N ?
23 Berk decided to be honest with his coach.
24 “Um, no, Coach,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to be
a goalkeeper.”
25 Coach Davis put his arm around Berk’s shoulder.
26 “Well, you have such great footwork, and you’re always in
the right place at the right time,” Coach Davis said. “I think
you might make for a great sweeper.”
27 The sweeper plays right in front of the keeper. He is often
the keeper’s most trusted teammate.
28 The sweeper helps protect the goalkeeper and clears away
loose balls in front of the net.

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29 It was a very important position, Berk knew. And since

Michael Swenson, the boy who played it last season, had
moved, the position was open.
30 Still, Berk wasn’t interested in it. “I’d rather play keeper,”
he said.
31 “I know,” Coach Davis said. “But I think I’m going to go
with Ryan in goal.”
32 Berk was shocked.
33 It had been a long time since he’d cried about anything to
do with sports, but he felt like it now.
34 “You’ll be the backup keeper,” Coach Davis continued.
“And you’ll still play all the time, because you’ll be
the sweeper.”
35 Berk managed to mutter something that sounded like
“Okay,” but he was still fighting back tears.
36 As the players left the field, he ran off ahead of the group.
37 He changed clothes quickly and got on his bike for the
short ride home.
38 One more day of tryouts remained, but Berk already knew
where he stood.
39 On the final day of tryouts, he didn’t even bring his
goalkeeper gloves to the field. He practiced the entire time
with the defenders.
40 During a break, Peter ran up to Berk.
41 “What the heck are you doing?” Peter asked. “Why aren’t
you fighting for the keeper spot?”
42 “Coach told me yesterday,” Berk said. He couldn’t bear to
look at his friend. He kept his eyes fixed on the ground. “I’m
going to be sweeper.”

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43 “That stinks,” Peter said. “At least you’ll be on the field

all the time with me.”
44 Berk smiled a little. Just then, Ryan ran over for a drink of
water. He walked right up to the boys. Berk cringed as he
prepared for Ryan to gloat.
45 “Hey, Berk,” Ryan said. “You’re a good keeper. I’m sorry
tryouts didn’t turn out the way you wanted.”
46 Berk was sure Ryan didn’t mean what he said. “Yeah,”
Berk said. “Whatever.”
47 “It was a good competition,” Ryan said. He held out his
hand to Berk. “No hard feelings?”
48 Berk shook Ryan’s hand for a quick second. “No hard
feelings,” he forced out. Ryan trotted away.

competition If you are in a competition, you are in a contest against

another person or team.

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LE T TH E G A M E S B E G IN
49 After just a few weeks of practice, the Titans were ready
to begin their season.
50 It would be a long schedule. There were twenty-four
league games, plus four weekend tournaments.
51 “Well, boys, we’re ready for another great season,” Coach
Davis began. “Last year, we won the state tournament. I
know some things are different this year, but I think we can
do it again. And we have a new opportunity this year.
Whoever wins the state title this year will be invited to play in
a national tournament!”
52 Now the players were pumped. They couldn’t wait to get
on the field.
53 When the game began, Berk felt strange. Playing as
sweeper meant moving around the field a lot and doing
things that he wasn’t used to doing.
54 Still, he handled the position well, so Ryan didn’t have
much work at the net.
55 The Titans controlled play for most of the game.
56 Peter scored a goal late in the first half to give the team a
1–0 lead against their opponents, the Storm.
57 Midway through the half, the Storm pushed the ball down
into the left corner of the field. Ryan charged out of the net
to challenge the forward. That left the net empty.
58 “Ryan!” Berk yelled. “Get back in the goal!”
59 It was too late.

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60 A Storm player hit the ball into the middle of the field.
61 Berk couldn’t get to it, and the Storm’s center forward
pounded the ball into the open net. Ryan dived, but couldn’t
reach the shot.

A LI TT LE H E LP
62 The Storm and the Titans ended the game in a 1–1 tie.
63 The rest of the Titans’ season was a lot like that
first game.
64 Ryan made some great saves, but his poor fundamental
play cost his team several goals.
65 The Titans were scoring as many goals as they had the
year before, but they were giving up a lot more.
66 After that first game, when Ryan didn’t seem to like Berk’s
advice, Berk stopped giving it. He did his best job as sweeper,
trying to protect Ryan. But he didn’t offer Ryan any help in
how to play goalkeeper.

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67 The Titans were barely able to make the league playoffs.

68 After the last game of the regular season, Coach Davis
took Ryan aside for a private talk. Berk couldn’t hear what
they were saying.
69 When the talk was over, Coach Davis called to Berk.
70 Berk ran up to him.
71 “Berk, I think we need to make a change,” Coach Davis
said. “I’d like to put you back in goal for the playoffs.”
72 Berk wasn’t sure what to say.
73 “Are you sure?” Berk said. “Ryan’s been playing there
all year.”
74 “It’s not working out,” Coach Davis said. “If we want to
go to nationals, we need you in goal.”
75 It was a huge compliment, and Berk knew it.
76 Still, he felt uneasy. “Um, thanks, Coach,” he finally said.
77 As the coach walked away, Peter approached. “I heard the
great news!” he yelled. “That’s awesome!”
78 “Yeah, awesome,” Berk mumbled. “So why don’t I
feel better?”
79 That night at home, Berk pulled out his goalkeeper gloves.
He tried them on. This time, they felt a little funny.
80 Berk stared at the gloves, and things suddenly
became clear.
81 That night, Berk phoned Peter and asked if he could meet
at the soccer field.
82 “Trust me,” Berk told his friend. “I have an idea.”

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H E LP IN G O U T
83 Berk walked over to Ryan’s house. He rang the doorbell
and waited.
84 He wasn’t sure how Ryan would react to him coming over.
After all, they weren’t exactly friends.
85 Ryan came to the door. When he saw Berk, he paused for
a moment. Then he opened the door and stepped out.
86 “So, did you come over to gloat?” Ryan said.
87 “Not exactly,” Berk said. “I have an idea.”
88 Ryan looked confused.

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89 Berk didn’t worry about what he was about to say.

90 He decided direct honesty was the only way.
91 “Look, you make better saves than I do,” Berk said.
“But you’re not a better goalkeeper than me.”
92 “So you did come over to gloat,” Ryan shot back.
93 “Just listen,” Berk replied. “If we put our skills together,
we’d have an awesome goalkeeper. So that’s what we
need to do.”
94 “Huh?” Ryan said. “What are you saying? Are you nuts?”
95 “We need to combine our skills into one keeper,” Berk
said. “I’ll never be able to make some of the amazing saves
you make, because you’re a better athlete than I’ll ever be.
But you can learn how to play goalkeeper as well as I do.”
96 It was all becoming clear to Ryan. “So, you’re going to
help me with the fundamentals?” he said.
97 “Exactly,” Berk said.
98 Throughout that weekend, Berk and Peter drilled Ryan on
the fundamentals.
99 It wasn’t easy, but Ryan was starting to get it.
100 At the next practice, Berk and Ryan approached Coach
Davis together.
101 They presented their idea, and told the coach what they
had already done.
102 Coach Davis seemed pleased.
103 “I’m not sure if this will work,” he said. “But I’m proud
of you boys for working together to solve this problem.
Let’s do it!”

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P LA N IN AC TI O N
104 It wasn’t always smooth, but the plan worked.
105 Berk shouted “Goal!” whenever Ryan needed to stay
put, and “Now!” when he needed to charge.
106 After a few games, Berk didn’t need to make the
calls anymore.
107 Ryan was figuring it out on his own.
108 Ryan kept making spectacular saves.
109 The Titans easily advanced through the league playoffs
and the first two rounds of the state tournament.

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110 In the state championship, they again faced the Cosmos,

just as they had the year before. This was it, their chance to
go to nationals for the first time ever.
111 Early in the second half, Berk intercepted a pass at the top
of the penalty area.
112 Looking ahead, he heard Peter yell “Send it!” as he took
off down the sideline. Berk booted the ball high down the
field, ahead of Peter.
113 With his speed, Peter beat the defense and controlled
the pass.
114 He closed on the Cosmos goal and boomed a heavy shot
toward the far upper corner.

intercepted If you intercepted something, you stopped it from getting

where it was going.

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115 As the ball hit the webbing of the net, Berk and the rest
of the Titans yelled.
116 They were ahead!
117 Now they only needed to protect their lead. Against the
Cosmos, it wasn’t going to be easy.
118 In the final minute, the Cosmos made one last rush up the
field. They moved the ball into the corner, and a Titans
defender rushed to challenge.
119 Berk moved to cover a player. But with the game on the
line, the Cosmos brought more players into the zone.
120 The Titans defenders couldn’t cover them all.
121 The Cosmos player kicked the ball toward the front
of the goal.
122 Ryan froze. Berk could tell he was trying to decide if
he should run out to try to play it or if he should stay in
the goal.
123 Ryan stayed put. He saw the ball going toward an
unguarded player near the penalty-kick dot.
124 Ryan prepared for the shot. He crouched low and kept
his hands ready.
125 When the ball bounced off the player’s foot, Ryan was
ahead of it.
126 His sprawling dive met the ball perfectly. And, instead of
knocking it away, Ryan caught it. He clutched it tightly as
time expired.

sprawling If you move in a sprawling way, you spread out your arms
and legs.

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127 The Titans were champions again!

128 Peter and Berk rushed to their keeper. Ryan still held the
ball to his chest.
129 “You did it!” Berk yelled. “You did it!”
130 Ryan looked him in the eye. “No, we did it,” Ryan said.

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myNotes

Respond
to the
Text
Collaborative Discussion
Look back at what you wrote on page 362. Discuss your
X
MADDO ipley
by JAKEd by Matthew Sh
illustrate

response with a partner. Then work with a group to discuss 373

the questions below. Refer to details in Soccer Shootout and

3re_se_m5_soccer.indd 373 4/17/2018 12:42:19 PM

take notes for your responses. As you discuss, keep good eye
contact and make sure each person gets a chance to speak.
Listening Tip
Listen for reasons
1 Reread pages 364–365. In what ways is Ryan different speakers give when
from Berk as a goalkeeper? answering a
question. What
questions could
you ask to help
them explain more
about their ideas?
2 Review pages 367–368. What words and actions show
how Berk feels about being the sweeper on the team?
Speaking Tip
Think about the
questions speakers
ask. In your answer,
include specific
3 How does the way Berk and Ryan think of each other details from the
change by the end of the story? selection that will
help you explain
what you think.

379
Cite Text
Evidence
Write a Response
PROMPT

Respond to the Text In Soccer Shootout, you read about two soccer
players who must work together to make their team better. Although Berk
and Ryan are on the same team, they are competing against each other.
Why? How do they overcome this challenge? What happens when they
work together? Cite evidence from the text to support your response.

EVIDENCE

List details and ideas from Soccer Shootout that tell what happens
when Berk and Ryan work together. Note what they learn from
that experience.

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myNotes

WRITE

Now write your response in a paragraph.

X
MADDO ipley
by JAKEd by Matthew Sh
illustrate

Make sure your response 373

3re_se_m5_soccer.indd 373 4/17/2018 12:42:19 PM

uses evidence from the text to answer the questions.

explains how the boys overcame their challenges.

tells what the boys learn from working together.

is written in complete sentences.

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 my Notes
Notice &
Note
Contrasts and
Contradictions

Prepare to View
GENRE STUDY A humorous fiction video tells an
entertaining story in visual and audio form.
• The purpose of a humorous fiction video is to tell a
story that makes the viewer laugh.
• Humorous fiction videos might use real people and
places to tell the story with or without animation.
• Sound effects or music may be added for interest.

SET A PURPOSE As you watch, recall what you know

about story elements to help you understand the
characters and the plot in the video. How does the video
create humor? What makes Bianca different from the
other members of the team? Write your answers below.

CRITICAL
VOCABULARY
captain

force

finals
Build Background:
The Idiom “Bend It like . . .”

382
 myNotes

Bend It Like
Bianca

383
 As you watch Bend It Like Bianca, notice the visuals and sounds that are
used. How do the visuals and sounds make the video humorous or
entertaining? Do the visuals and sounds help you understand the story
better? Why or why not? Take notes in the space below.

Listen for the Critical Vocabulary words captain, force, and finals for clues
to the meaning of each word. Take notes in the space below about how
the words were used.

captain If you are the captain of a team, you are the team’s leader.
force Force is the pushing or pulling effect that one thing has on
another.
finals In sports, the finals are the last games of a competition to
show which team or player is best.

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myNotes

Respond
to the Bend It Like
Bianca
Video
Collaborative Discussion
Work with a group to discuss the questions below. Give
examples from Bend It Like Bianca to support your ideas. Take
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3re_se_m5_bianca.indd 393 2/27/2018 7:51:05 AM

notes for your responses.

Listening Tip
1 Why does Bianca offer to join the team? Turn toward the
speaker as you listen.
You will understand
comments better if
you can see the
expression on the
speaker’s face and
2 What details show that Bianca has never played soccer any gestures the
before? person makes.

Speaking Tip
Say your words
clearly and speak
loudly enough to be
3 Review this part of the video: 1:45–2:42. What does
heard. Look toward
Bianca learn to focus on when she kicks the ball? each listener to help
you know if he or
she understands
what you say.

385
 Cite
Evidence
Write a Response
PROMPT

Respond to the Video In Bend It Like Bianca, you saw how the players on
a soccer team must make sure everyone understands the game. How
would you describe Kelly? How would you describe Bianca? How does
Kelly help Bianca during their game? What happens after that? Cite
evidence from the video to support your response.

EVIDENCE

List details from Bend It Like Bianca that describe Kelly and Bianca.
Note how they work together and what happens as a result.

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myNotes

Bend It Like
WRITE Bianca

Now write your response in a paragraph.

Make sure your response

393

3re_se_m5_bianca.indd 393 2/27/2018 7:51:05 AM

uses evidence from the video to answer the questions.

describes Kelly and Bianca.

tells how the girls work together and what happens as a result.

is written in complete sentences.

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 my Notes
Notice &
Note
Contrasts and
Contradictions

Prepare to Read
GENRE STUDY Realistic fiction tells a story about
characters and events that are like those in real life.
• Authors of realistic fiction tell the story through a
plot that includes a conflict and its resolution.
• The events in realistic fiction build on each other.
• Realistic fiction includes characters who act, think,
and speak like real people.
• Some realistic fiction includes a theme or lesson
learned by the main character.

SET A PURPOSE Think about the title and genre of this

text. This text is about a track meet. What do you know
about track? What would you like to learn?
Write your responses below. CRITICAL
VOCABULARY
meets

upset

concentrated

disappointed

personal
Build Background:
Track Running

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by JAKE MADDOX illustrated by Oriol Vidal

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BOUNCING BACK

1 My name is Amy Reid, and I was one of the top two track
stars in the district. My biggest competition was Madison
Palmer. During the last race of the season, I hurt my knee in
a race against Madison, and I’ve been out for all of this
track season.
2 Finally, my doctor gave me permission to start running
again, just in time for our last two track meets. I was very
nervous about whether or not my knee was actually healed.
It didn’t help when I saw Madison training one day and I
heard her coach say she had run the lap in a minute and five
seconds. That is faster than I could run the 400-meter dash
when I was at my best.
3 I trained and practiced all weekend, but after trying my
best at the first meet, I still came in third place. I had run my
slowest race ever and wondered how I’d be ready for the
race against Madison just three days later.
4 I went home and rushed right to my room. Almost
immediately, my dad knocked on the door and asked me to
come to the kitchen. Dad looked at me. We were both quiet
for a long time. Finally, before I could change my mind, I told
him everything.
5 I told him about my first thoughts of nervousness, about
worrying about my knee, about seeing Madison in the park,
about my false starts, and finally, about my really huge fear
that I wouldn’t be ready for Friday’s meet. It was the final
meet of the year. It was a really big deal.

meets When swimmers or runners take

part in races, the events are called meets.

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6 “Madison has had two months of practice more than me,”

I finished. “She’s been running faster than I’ve ever run. Today I
tried as hard as I could and ran slower than ever.”
7 Dad looked at me for a few seconds. He seemed to be
thinking hard.
8 “Have you talked to Coach Joseph about any of this?” he
asked finally.
9 “Dad, I haven’t talked to anyone about any of this,” I said.
10 “Oh, honey. I don’t know what to tell you,” Dad said with a
sigh. “All you can do is your best. And you still have Friday’s
meet, right? I’m sure your slow run tonight was just you being
nervous. Plus, you’re still getting back into shape.”
11 “Yeah,” I said.

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12 My dad didn’t seem to understand how upset I was. I

needed to talk to Natalie. My sister was always really good at
solving problems.
13 “Dad?” I asked. “I need to talk to Natalie,” I said. “No
offense or anything,” I added quickly.
14 “I understand, Amy. I’ll go get her for you,” Dad said as he
stood up. He even looked a little relieved.
15 Soon, my sister walked into the kitchen.
16 “Okay, Amy,” Natalie said, sitting down next to me. “Dad
told me everything, and I have an idea.”
17 She took a deep breath. Then she went on, “Why don’t you
go to the track in the park and talk to Madison? Maybe you
can practice with her or something.”
18 That wasn’t exactly what I had in mind. “Are you kidding?”
I asked.
19 “No, I’m not. She’s just a girl who likes to run, like you are,”
said Natalie.
20 I sat for a few seconds to let the idea sink in. “Will you come
with me?” I asked finally.
21 “Yeah,” she said. Then she smiled. “I’m not running,
though.”
22 I laughed. “Deal,” I said. “We’ll go tomorrow after dinner.”

upset If you are upset, you are sad or unhappy about something.

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MY BIGGEST COMPETITION

23 The next day, Natalie picked me up after practice. “Are you

ready for tonight?” she asked.
24 “No,” I said.
25 “Amy!” exclaimed Natalie. “We talked about this yesterday.
Did you change your mind?”
26 “No,” I said again. “Madison just makes me really nervous.
She always wins.”
27 “I bet she’s just as impressed by you,” said Natalie.
28 But I didn’t think so.
29 After dinner, I put on my running clothes. Ten minutes later,
Natalie and I were heading for the track.
30 As soon as we reached the track, I saw Madison. She was
sprinting through the last hundred meters of a lap.
31 I started to turn around, but Natalie held onto my elbow
and guided me toward the track.
32 Madison stopped running as we walked up. She squinted at
us through the fence. “Amy Reid? Is that you?” she asked.

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33 “Yeah,” I said, surprised. “How do you know my name?”

34 Madison laughed. “Because you’re my biggest competition!”
she said. “What are you doing here?”
35 “Well, I live near here,” I told her. “This is my sister,
Natalie.” Natalie and Madison smiled at each other.
36 I took a deep breath and went on, “So anyway, I was running
near the track last week and saw you practicing.” I looked at my
sister for help.
37 “Amy had a rough meet last night. I suggested she come to
ask you for some advice,” Natalie said. “I mean, I know you’re
on different teams and everything, but . . .” She stopped.
Madison had started to blush.
38 “Are you kidding?” asked Madison. “I should ask Amy
for advice!”
39 I was shocked. “About what?” I asked.
40 “Your form!” Madison said. “Your form is always so perfect.”
41 Then Natalie said, “If you two are going to practice, you
should really get started.”
42 Madison and I went to the starting line. We decided to run
the first lap in our own styles, so that we could see the
differences side-by-side.

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 myNotes

43 We were really close for the first half, but I was in the lead.
44 I noticed that Madison’s elbows seemed to fly out from her
body a little. It was almost as if she was having trouble
keeping her arms in close like you’re supposed to.
45 We went around the second turn. That’s when Madison
sped up.
46 I tried to keep up with her, but I was out of energy. Plus,
my knee was bugging me again.
47 Madison beat me by about two meters. That’s a lot in such
a short race.
48 After we caught our breath, I asked, “What’s your secret?”
49 “I used to try to sprint the whole thing, but I was always so
wiped out by the end. My coach suggested I try it a different
way,” Madison explained. “If you run a little slower than
normal for the first half of the race, you can speed up for the
second half and pass everyone.” She shrugged. ‘’It works
really well.”
50 I thought for a minute. “Okay,” I said. “Let’s run it again.
This time I’ll try it your way.”

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397
 myNotes
51 We ran another lap. That time, I actually beat her!
52 After we cooled down a little, I gave Madison some tips on
keeping her elbows in close to her body. “See, I just pretend I’m
on one of those ski machines, you know?” I told her. “Like on
TV? It takes some getting used to, but keeping your elbows in
really makes a difference.”
53 Finally, I noticed that the sun was below the trees, so we
decided to call it a night.
54 “See you Friday!” called Madison as Natalie and I headed
back down the trail toward home.
55 “See you then!” I yelled back.
56 I felt happier than I had in days.

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 myNotes

PERSONAL BEST

57 Friday morning was chilly and sunny. But by the time we

changed and boarded the bus to drive to the meet, the sky had
clouded over, the wind had picked up, and the rain was coming
down in sheets.
58 The drive to Emeryville didn’t take long, but it felt
like forever.
59 The rain had let up a little by the time we got there, but the
wind was still blowing. To make matters worse, it seemed like
the rain and cold were making my knee stiff.
60 Soon, we arrived at the school. Little butterflies started to
form in my stomach. I was so nervous.
61 This meet was a really important meet. Anyone who finished
first or second in their event would compete in the State Finals.
62 I took my position in the lane. Madison was right next to me,
in lane two. We smiled at each other.
63 “On your marks!”
64 I crouched down and faced forward.
65 “Get set!”
66 I pushed my toe as close as I could to the starting line
without actually touching it.
67 BANG! The starting gun went off.

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 myNotes

68 I concentrated all of my thoughts and effort on keeping up

with Madison.
69 When we hit the second curve, Madison put on a burst of
speed. I was surprised to find myself right next to her.
70 I was using Madison’s method for running. So far, it was
making a big difference. We were neck and neck. My knee hurt
a little, but I ignored it. Then Madison pulled ahead. I pulled
ahead of her for a few meters, but I couldn’t keep my lead.

concentrated If you have concentrated on something, you

have focused all your thoughts on it.

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 myNotes

71 Suddenly, it was over. Madison had won.

72 For a second, I felt really disappointed. Yet again, Madison
Palmer had beaten me.
73 But then Katie, my training partner, came running over.
“Amy!” she called, sounding excited. “You ran a 1:05!”
74 “Are you serious?” I asked. I felt shocked. That was my
fastest time ever. “Did I really?” I couldn’t believe it. How had I
run a 1:05 with a healing knee?
75 “Yeah, you really did,” a girl’s voice said.
76 I turned around. It was Madison. “Congratulations,” I told
her. “You were great.”

disappointed If you are disappointed, you are sad that

something didn’t happen the way you wanted it to.

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 myNotes

77 Madison smiled. “You were too! Personal best, right?

Your best time ever?” she asked. “That’s got to feel great!”
78 I smiled back. “Yes, it was,” I admitted. “It feels
pretty good.”
79 Madison laughed. “Wait till the next meet,” she said.
80 “You wait till the next meet,” I joked. “Then my knee will be
totally healed, and I’ll be some serious competition!”
81 Everyone cheered as the official read our times into a
microphone. I could see my dad and Natalie in the stands,
jumping up and down.
82 “You already are serious competition,” Madison said,
smiling. “I can’t wait till the next meet.”

personal If something is personal, it is connected to and

only about one person.

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myNotes

Respond
to the by JAKE MADDOX illustrated by Oriol Vidal

Text
Collaborative Discussion
Look back at what you wrote on page 388. Tell a partner what
you learned. Work with a group to discuss the questions
399

3re_se_m5_running.indd 399 2/27/2018 7:55:22 AM

below. Use details in Running Rivals to explain your answers.

Take notes for your responses. After listening to others,
restate the important ideas you heard before responding.

1 Reread pages 394–395. Why is Amy uneasy about talking

Listening Tip
to Madison? Listen for the main
point each speaker
makes. Think about
how each idea can
support or change
what you think.
2 Review pages 396–398. What makes the meeting helpful
for both runners?
Speaking Tip
When sharing your
thoughts, help
listeners notice
your key ideas. Be
3 Which lesson from Madison helps Amy run her fastest sure to use a
time ever? complete sentence
to state your most
important idea.

403
Cite Text
Evidence
Write a Response
PROMPT

Respond to the Text In Running Rivals, you read about two track stars
who are also competitors. Why is Amy worried about her performance and
about racing Madison? What happens during practice? In the end, how
does the rivalry between Amy and Madison help both girls? Cite evidence
from the text to support your response.

EVIDENCE

List details and ideas from Running Rivals that tell about the
rivalry between Amy and Madison. Note what the girls learn
from their rivalry.

404
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myNotes

WRITE
by JAKE MADDOX illustrated by Oriol Vidal

Now write your response in a paragraph.

Make sure your response

399

3re_se_m5_running.indd 399 2/27/2018 7:55:22 AM

uses evidence from the text to answer the questions.

explains the rivalry between Amy and Madison.

tells what the girls learn from their rivalry.

is written in complete sentences.

405
 my Notes

Notice &
Note
3 Big Questions

Prepare to Read
GENRE STUDY Narrative nonfiction gives factual
information by telling a story.
• Narrative nonfiction presents events in chronological
order, or in the order in which they happen.
• Narrative nonfiction includes real people.
• Narrative nonfiction may tell about historical events.

SET A PURPOSE Think about the title and genre of this

text. The title includes the word baseball. What do you
know about baseball? What would you like to learn? Write
your responses below.
CRITICAL
VOCABULARY
littered

rivalry

disbanded

donated

generations

soared

Meet the Author and Illustrator:

Audrey Vernick and Steven Salerno

406
 myNotes

THE TRUE STORY OF AN AMAZING ALL-BROTHER BASEBALL TEAM

written by Audrey Vernick

illustrated by Steven Salerno

407
 myNotes

408
 myNotes

1 WHEN WINTER’S CHILL melts into spring, back doors

swing open and slap shut as kids just home from school run
outside—mitts, bats, and balls in hand.
2 In one New Jersey town near the ocean, back in the 1920s
and ’30s, you could hear the same door slam over and over.
Three brothers raced out.

3 Out went three more.

4 And more:

5 And still more.

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 myNotes

6 It sounds like a fairy tale: twelve baseball-playing brothers.

But Anthony, Joe, Paul, Alfred, Charlie, Jimmy, Bobby, Billy,
Freddie, Eddie, Bubbie, and Louie Acerra were real.
7 They had four sisters, too: Catherine, Florence, Rosina,
and Frances. And a white dog . . . named Pitch! The sisters
didn’t play ball. Back then, most people thought sports were
just for boys.

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 myNotes

8 The Acerras had so many kids that they slept two to a bed
and sat three across in their outdoor bathroom. They ate
dinner wherever they could find a seat. Even on a baseball
field, there were more boys than positions.
9 But that didn’t stop them from playing.
10 Baseball set the rhythm of their lives.

411
 myNotes

11 “Every spring,” Freddie said, “you would take your glove

out, go in the yard, and play.” Neighbors couldn’t recall a time
when there weren’t Acerra boys outside tossing the ball,
hitting it hard, racing around—with the young ones
watching, wishing they were old enough to play.
12 Their high school baseball team had an Acerra on it
twenty-two years in a row!
13 In 1938, the brothers ranged in age from seven to thirty-
two. The oldest nine formed their own semi-pro team and
competed against other New Jersey teams. Their father
coached them and never missed a game.
14 Their uniforms all said the same thing:

Acerras.

412
myNotes

413
 myNotes

15 The infields they played on were dirt; outfields

were littered with rocks and sand. The brothers
loved to talk about the day they played at “the old
dog track,” an oceanfront stadium that had once
been an auto raceway. It was there that Anthony,
the oldest, hit a couple of home runs right into the
Atlantic Ocean.

16 They called Anthony “Poser” because of the way

he’d stand at the plate—as if his baseball-card
photo were being taken.

17 Charlie, the fifth oldest, was the slowest brother.

He was a good player, but a terrible runner. The
brothers often joked about the time he hit a ball
nearly out of the park, but only made it to second.

18 Jimmy, the sixth brother, had a knuckleball

people still talk about. “You couldn’t hit it,” Eddie
said. “You couldn’t catch it, either.” That ball
danced in the air. Jimmy was a great hitter, too,
probably the best player on the team.

littered If an area is littered with items, those items are

scattered all around.

414
 myNotes

19 But there was no jealousy, no rivalry, no fighting. As the

younger brothers grew up, the older ones shared playing time.
If someone dropped a fly ball or struck out, no one screamed
or threw down his glove or stomped off the field. “We stuck
together,” Freddie said.
20 The team played around New Jersey, in New York,
Connecticut, wherever they could find a good game. Paul sent
out letters, looking for new teams to play. The all-brother
team always drew big crowds.

rivalry A rivalry is a competition between teams or people who want to

win the same thing.

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 myNotes

21 In 1939, at the New York World’s Fair, the Acerras were

honored as the biggest family in New Jersey. They were taken
to the Newark airport, where they boarded a plane and were
flown over the fairgrounds. They couldn’t believe it—no one
they knew had been on a plane before! Most of the people at
the World’s Fair, looking up at that small plane in the sky, had
no idea there was a whole team of brothers aboard.
22 But it wasn’t all fun and games and sunny skies. Their
darkest day occurred on the field, too.

416
 myNotes

23 Freddie was on third base in a scoreless game. Alfred was at

the plate. He touched his shoulder—the signal that he was
going to bunt.
24 Then things went wrong.
25 The pitch came in high, and somehow the ball bounced
off the bat and hit Alfred hard, right in the face.
26 They rushed him to the doctor, but he lost an eye.
27 For the next few months, Eddie took Alfred’s place as
catcher. Everyone thought Alfred’s baseball days were over.
28 But when you have eleven brothers willing to throw you
balls in the yard—gently at first, then a bit harder—you get
your skills back. You get your courage back, too. Alfred was
soon wearing the Acerras uniform again.
29 “He was a pretty good catcher for a guy
with one eye,” Freddie said.

417
 myNotes

30 In the 1940s, something pulled the brothers’ attention

away from baseball. American soldiers were fighting in the
Second World War across the Atlantic—that same huge ocean
Poser had hit baseballs into.
31 Battles were raging and soldiers were dying, but the
brothers knew it was important to fight for their country.
32 The team disbanded as six Acerra brothers joined the
service. Poser was the first to go. He, Charlie, Eddie, and
Bobby all served in the Army. After Billy joined the Marines,
Freddie did, too.

disbanded If a group disbanded, its members no longer work together.

418
 myNotes

33 Those six brothers traveled far from home. After a lifetime

of talking and playing together every day, they now went
months—years!—without seeing one another. They longed
for the salty-stew smell of the Atlantic Ocean.
34 They dreamed of their childhood home, of the back door
slap slap slapping as they ran outside to play. And of long
afternoons, throwing a ball in high, soaring arcs from glove to
glove to glove in a field full of brothers.
35 Back in New Jersey, their parents and siblings waited for
news. It took a long time for letters to reach them from
overseas. There was a lot of time to worry.

419
 myNotes

36 When the war finally ended, everyone was so happy.

Eddie, out in California with the Army, was so excited that he
went up to women he didn’t even know and kissed them!
37 Many American soldiers died in World War II, but the
Acerras were very lucky. One by one, all six brothers returned
from their time in the service. Mama Acerra cried each time a
boy walked in the door.

420
 myNotes

38 By the summer of 1946, the family was ready to get back to

baseball. They were all older, of course, and Poser’s heart had
grown weak, so now he coached the team.
39 They joined the Long Branch City Twilight Baseball
League and over the next six years won the league
championship four times.
40 Every Sunday, crowds filled the stands to watch the all-
brother team play.

421
 myNotes

41 As time passed, the Acerras got married and

moved into their own homes. They worked hard at
their jobs—at the water company, at the post office,
selling insurance. They started having children of
their own.
42 In 1952, they played their last game as a team.
But they had already made history.

History?

It’s true.

43 The Acerra brothers were the longest-playing

all-brother baseball team ever.

422
 myNotes

44 In 1997, the Baseball Hall of Fame held a special ceremony

to honor them. Only seven were still alive. Paul, Alfred,
Bobby, Billy, Freddie, Eddie, and Bubbie all made the trip,
along with more than a hundred relatives, including their
sister Frances.
45 Jimmy’s son donated his father’s uniform and glove, which
were put on display, right there in the same museum that
honored Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb and Willie Mays. “They
treated us like we were kings,” Freddie said.

donated Something that is donated is freely given as a gift to a charity,

organization, or other group.

423
 myNotes

46 After such a thrilling day, you could picture them driving

off into the sunset, happily ever after.
47 But their bus broke down.
48 They could have sat on the curb, grumbling in the summer
heat. But someone found a bat and ball, and as three
generations of Acerras waited for a new bus, they played ball.
49 That ball soared from grandfather to granddaughter, from
father to son.
50 From brother to brother.

generations A generation is all the people in a family, social group, or

country that are about the same age.
soared If something soared, it flew quickly through the air.

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myNotes

THE TRUE STORY OF AN AMAZING ALL-BROTHER BASEBALL TEAM

Respond
to the
written by Audrey Vernick
illustrated by Steven Salerno

Text
Collaborative Discussion
Look back at what you wrote on page 406. Tell a partner what
you learned. Work with a group to discuss the questions 417

below. Refer to details in Brothers at Bat for your answers. Take

notes for your responses. Share your ideas as you discuss.

1 Review pages 411–412. What details show that baseball

Listening Tip
was important to the Acerra family? Listen politely and
look at the person
who is speaking.
Wait until the
speaker is finished
before sharing your
ideas.
2 Reread page 417. How do the Acerra brothers help Alfred
return to baseball after his injury?

Speaking Tip
Look at the other
members of your
group when you
3 How did the Acerra brothers’ lives change as time went speak. Speak
on? In what ways did the family stay the same? clearly and loudly
enough so that
everyone can hear
you.

425
Cite Text
Evidence
Write a Response
PROMPT

Respond to the Text In Brothers at Bat, you read the true story of twelve
brothers who played baseball together throughout their lives. What other
events took place in the Acerras’ lives? How did this family demonstrate
teamwork? Cite evidence from the text to support your response.

EVIDENCE

List the events and details from Brothers at Bat that tell about
important events in the Acerras’ lives. Note how the family
demonstrated teamwork.

426
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myNotes

THE TRUE STORY OF AN AMAZING ALL-BROTHER BASEBALL TEAM

written by Audrey Vernick

illustrated by Steven Salerno

WRITE

Now write your response in a paragraph.

Make sure your response 417

uses evidence from the text to answer the questions.

tells about events in the lives of the Acerra brothers.

explains how the family demonstrated teamwork.

is written in complete sentences.

427
Performance
Task

Essential Question

What can sports teach us about

working together?

Write an Expository Essay

PROMPT Think about how the characters and people in this module
worked together to accomplish a goal. What challenges did they face?
What lesson did they learn about teamwork? Write an expository essay
that explains how the authors use sports to teach readers about
teamwork. Use evidence from the module selections in your ideas.

Make sure your expository essay

introduces the topic.

explains how authors use sports to teach us about

working together.
describes the challenges the characters face and the
lessons they learn about teamwork.

uses text evidence from the selections.

provides a conclusion.
428
 PREWRITE Map your ideas.

How do the characters work together to accomplish a goal? What

challenges do they face? What lessons do they learn about teamwork? Use
the map below to plan your writing.

Examples of Teamwork Challenges Lessons

429
Performance
Task

DRAFT Write your expository essay.

Use the information you wrote on page 429 to draft your expository essay.
Write a beginning paragraph that introduces your topic.

Write one or more paragraphs that explain how authors use sports to
teach readers about teamwork. Use text evidence to support your ideas.
Connect your ideas with transition words and phrases.

Write a conclusion that summarizes your ideas.

430
 REVISE AND EDIT Review your draft.

The revising and editing steps give you a chance to look carefully at your
writing and make changes. Work with a partner to determine whether you
have explained your ideas. Use the questions below to help you.

PURPOSE/ EVIDENCE/
ORGANIZATION ELABORATION CONVENTIONS
FOCUS SUPPORT

Do I answer the Do I have a clear Have I used text Have I explained Have I spelled all
questions? introduction to evidence to my ideas clearly? words correctly?
the topic? support my
Do I explain how ideas? Have I used Have I used
authors use Does my transitions to correct end
sports to teach conclusion connect my marks?
readers about summarize my ideas?
teamwork? topic? Have I used
capitalization
correctly?

PUBLISH Create a finished copy.

Make a final copy of your expository essay. Use your cursive

writing skills.

431