640.Resource, Gordon, Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon: Mentor Text for Identity and Agency (Grades 3-5)

Identity is our self-concept. Agency refers to our capacity to act. The theme of Identity and Agency begins with the self-awareness of one’s own strengths and weaknesses and expands to our capacity to take action and attain goals. This theme includes self-efficacy (believing in oneself), the self-confidence to try difficult or new tasks, perseverance, and resilience. Identity and Agency are affected by our experiences.

Molly Lou Melon, thanks to her grandmother’s guidance, is self-aware and self-confident. Ronald, a bully, belittles her looks, her size, her voice—and she simply responds with a display of her strengths. Her quiet confidence and the approval of all her classmates win him over.

Heart of Georgia RESA teachers may request a free copy of the book to use with their classes by listening to the short VoiceThread about the book, reading a brief handout that includes the ELA standards and suggested strategies for using the mentor text, and completing a request form.