personifies the definition of GRIT. According to Angela Duckworth, the author of GRIT, "Grit has two components: passion and perseverance." I read her book as part of our Schechter summer professional reading through a generous gift from The B'Yadenu Project.
Armstong, one focused mouse, has a passion for rocketry. You first meet him through the lens of a telescope where you see the wonder in his eyes as he gazes at the starry sky. He tries to explain to his fellow mice what he has discovered about the moon but they stubbornly believe that it is truly made of cheese, their favorite food. We follow Armstrong as he pursues his explorations and education as they take him to a Grand Central type train station, the Smithsonian Museum, and into a Harvard style classroom. He tries and tries and tries again to create the best space suit and space catapult, each time realizing that there are, "So many problems to be solved." He adds something different each time to help him reach his goal, even when he fails.
Duckworth writes, "To be gritty is to fall down seven times, and rise eight." Armstrong, the mouse, epitomizes this and the words and illustrations gloriously, intricately, humorously and emphatically show this perfectly. I am excited about sharing this book with our students as it translates Duckworth's educational statement, "This is all you can do to Who knows what you can do?" through magnificent pictures and words. To whet your appetite go to the intriguing video link below.