Michael Lillard

Jalen: He's a Winner on the Field but Feels Like a Loser in the Classroom Michael Lillard

Jalen's only twelve years old, but he's forced to grow up a lot faster than Mama would like. Jalen's an only child, which means he tries to spend most of his time playing with kids in the neighborhood. He manages to make a friend or two along the way, and he gets himself into some unbelievable situations. He's never stuck around long enough to develop a strong bond with any other kid. He doesn't blame Mama for that because Mama works hard to keep a roof over their heads. On the football field he's a winner; he rarely loses, and his confidence is always at its best. The chip on his shoulder weighs just as much as he does. In the classroom, things are different. He's scared, confused, and seldom answers any questions. All those feelings changed when he met Sarah. She figured out how to bring his confidence on the field into the classroom.