My Name Is Not Alexander (2 page)

“Dinner’s over, Fred,” the father said. “I need your help.”

“My name is not Fred!”
said the little boy.

“Then who’s going to help me with the dishes?” asked the father.

“I am
JACKIE
, the greatest, bravest ball player who ever was!”

“Well, Jackie, you
STOLE
my heart, now clear
HOME PLATE
.”

“PJ’s on Jackie,” the father said. “It’s almost time for our campout.”

“My name is not Jackie!”
said the little boy.

“Then who’s going to help me pitch the tent?” asked the father.

“I am
DADDY
, the greatest, coolest father who ever was!”

“Well, Daddy, give me a
HIGH FIVE
and get those pj’s on.”

“Tent time, Daddy,” the father said. “Bring your sleeping bag.”

“My name is not Daddy!”
said the little boy.

“Then who’s going to sleep under the stars with me tonight?” asked the father.

“It’s me,
Alexander
, the coolest, bravest, smoothest, proudest, brightest, grandest, greatest boy that ever was,” said the little boy as he fell asleep and dreamed about who he would be...

...
tomorrow
.

THEODORE “TEDDY” ROOSEVELT (1858–1919):

Teddy Roosevelt was born in New York City to a wealthy family. As a boy Teddy was often sick. With his father’s help, he worked to improve his body by doing exercises and playing sports. He put all his effort and enthusiasm into everything he did. As an adult he had many government jobs, including police commissioner. He often walked dangerous streets to meet police officers and the people they protected to learn what needed to be done to keep everyone safe. During the Spanish-American War he raised a volunteer group of fighters known as the “Rough Riders.” He led this brave group in an attack straight up San Juan Hill and became famous for his leadership and daring. Teddy was eventually elected vice president to President William McKinley. When McKinley was assassinated, Teddy became the 26th president of the United States. As president he worked hard to save beautiful natural areas of the United States as open parks for everyone to enjoy. Teddy loved to hunt and be outdoors. One of his most famous hunting trips was in Mississippi. He was unable to shoot anything, so his guides tied an old bear to a tree to give him an easy shot. Teddy thought this was awful and refused. The event was all over the news and a toy maker made a stuffed toy bear in his honor. “Teddy” Bears have been favorite toys of children ever since.

A
PRESIDENT
is a person elected to lead the country.

THOMAS ALVA EDISON (1847–1931)

Thomas Alva Edison was a famous inventor. He was a curious kid and his experiments often got him into trouble. One time he accidently set his father’s barn on fire. His teacher did not think he was very smart because he did not pay attention in class and he asked so many questions. His mother took him out of school and taught him at home. Thomas eventually worked at a telegraph company before he started his own company to make devices. He built a large lab and was called “the Wizard” of Menlo Park, New Jersey. His lab tried more than 3,000 kinds of materials before using baked carbon thread to make the very first light bulb. Thomas invented many things besides the light bulb, including the phonograph (record player), the first movie camera and projector, a cement mixer, a copying machine, and a battery. He holds a record number of 1,093 patents for his inventions. After Thomas died, everyone turned off their lights (including the Statue of Liberty) on the night of his funeral to honor his most famous invention.

An
INVENTOR
is a person who comes up with ideas for new things and then tries to make them work.

CHIEF JOSEPH (1840–1904):

Chief Joseph was the leader of the Nez Percé Native American tribe of Northwest Oregon. The U.S. government wanted the tribe to leave their home in the Wallowa Valley and move to a small reservation in Idaho. The Nez Percé did not want to leave, but Chief Joseph thought it would be better than to fight with the powerful U.S. Army. But some of the younger tribesmen were angry at the government and joined a raid that killed several U.S. soldiers. Chief Joseph knew this would be seen as an act of war and decided to escape to Canada with his tribe. For over four months they traveled about 1,600 miles with the U.S. Army in pursuit They were finally trapped during the Battle of Bear Paw, only 40 miles from the Canadian border. After five days in the bitter cold and the loss of many warriors, Chief Joseph negotiated with the army to let his people return home and surrendered with a famous speech. He said, “I am tired; my heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever.” The government sent the Nez Percé to reservations in Kansas and Oklahoma. Many died before the tribe was finally allowed to return to the Wallowa Valley ten years later. Chief Joseph remained the leader of his people and spoke about the unjust treatment of Native Americans and how he hoped for free and equal treatment. He died in September 1904, still in exile from his homeland. His doctor said he died of a broken heart.

A
WARRIOR
is a person who shows strength and courage during battle.

FRED ASTAIRE (1899–1987):

Fred Astaire was a famous dancer on Broadway and in Hollywood movies. When he was little, his mother brought him along for his older sister Adele’s dance lessons. Soon Fred started dancing too. They moved to New York and started performing on the traveling vaudeville routines. Fred was very dedicated to practicing his dances and inventing new moves. His sister called him “Big Brother” for making her practice too. Fred and Adele danced together for 30 years and starred in many shows on Broadway and in London. In 1932, Adele retired and Fred decided to try something new. He moved to Hollywood to dance in the movies. He loved the creativity of dancing in different spots with different objects. He danced with a golf club, a coat rack, and his most famous dance partner, Ginger Rogers. Dancing for the cameras allowed Fred to make his dances perfect and then make up something new.

A
DANCER
is a person who moves their body, usually with music, to tell a story or to entertain people.

JACKIE ROBINSON (1919–1972):

Jackie Robinson was the first African American baseball player to play in the Major Leagues after it had been segregated in 1867. He was born in Georgia and was the youngest of five children. His grandfather had been a slave and his family was very poor. When Jackie was a baby, his father left and his mother moved the family to California. As Jackie got older, he loved to play games, and he always played to win. He also began to get into trouble, so his local pastor got Jackie to focus his energy on sports.

After spending a few years in the army, Jackie played baseball in the Negro Leagues for the Kansas City Monarchs. Jackie was then scouted by the Brooklyn Dodgers because the owner thought it would be good to have black players in professional baseball. Jackie was warned that it would be difficult. He would be bullied, and the owner said he needed someone with the guts not to fight back. In April 1947, Jackie joined the Brooklyn Dodgers. In the beginning, some of his teammates threatened to quit, fans booed him and even spit at him, and he had to stay in separate hotels when the team traveled. But Jackie remained calm and gradually gained acceptance. After that tough first season Jackie’s performance on the field earned him the record for most stolen bases and the honor of “Rookie of the Year.” Throughout his career Jackie stole 197 bases, 19 of which were home plate.

A professional
BALL PLAYER
is someone who plays the sport of baseball for a living.

DADDY:

Daddy was once a little boy with a big imagination and big dreams. Daddy imagined growing up to be a doctor, a robot, a sculptor, a paleontologist, a dolphin trainer, a construction worker, a jet pilot, and more. He dreamed about having wonderful children and being a fun dad. Now he is a dad and proud of his inner geek. Daddy loves his children and plays fun games with them. He is smart and funny, and he tells great stories.

A
FATHER
is a person who uses love and wisdom to raise children to be caring, accomplished adults.