More Than Socks: A Book, A Toolkit, A Movement

By Jamaar Blanchard

Let me tell you something real: I didn’t write More Than Socks just to be clever. I wrote it because I had something on my heart that couldn’t be ignored.

I’ve spent over a decade working with students that many folks had already written off. I’ve taught in schools where test scores felt like death sentences. I’ve stood in classrooms filled with untapped brilliance, watching kids walk in heavy with expectations they never agreed to. And I’ve looked them in the eyes and told them, “You are more than your mistakes. You are more than a grade. You are more than socks.”

That’s where the title comes from.

What the Book Is About

More Than Socks is part creative nonfiction, part practical curriculum companion, and all heart. It’s a short, impactful narrative centered around a young boy in a classroom who—like so many of our children—is misunderstood, overlooked, and written off too soon.

The story unfolds in one school day, but what it uncovers runs far deeper: the tension between potential and perception, the daily miscommunications between students and adults, and the deep need for culturally affirming education that sees the whole child—not just their behavior.

“He wasn't loud because he didn’t care. He was loud because nobody ever taught him how to speak softly and be heard.”

This book is for the child who’s been suspended for "talking back," the one who reads below grade level but understands life like a poet. It's also for the educator who wants to do better but doesn’t always know how.

What You Get With the Toolkit

When I created the More Than Socks Deluxe Toolkit, I didn’t just want to sell a book. I wanted to build a resource that teachers could use immediately, with real strategies and activities that align to standards and center the soul of the student.

Here’s what’s included:

• The Full Book (PDF) – printable and classroom-friendly

• Chapter-by-Chapter Lesson Activities – aligned to ELA standards across grades 3–10

• Custom Worksheets & Graphic Organizers – tailored to comprehension, vocabulary, writing, and connection

• Reflection Prompts & Writing Extensions – perfect for morning meetings or literacy blocks

• Editable Slide Decks – to guide class discussion and visualization

• Certificates of Completion – because celebrating growth matters

• Licensing for Individual or Schoolwide Use – depending on your purchase level

I also offer live facilitation, teacher workshops, and student-centered presentations based on the book and toolkit.

Why It Works

This book isn’t just about a student—it’s about a system. It’s a mirror and a blueprint.

Educators have told me:

“I used this story with my reluctant readers—and they didn’t just read it, they felt it.”“My whole class ended up in a real conversation about their needs.”“This helped me see my students differently—and myself too.”

Because here’s the truth: More Than Socks helps open doors that too often stay closed in education—empathy, reflection, cultural awareness, and student voice. It offers structure without shame, standards without erasure, and literacy with love.

Who It’s For

• Parents who want their child to feel seen and heard

• Educators looking for better tools to engage struggling readers

• Schools seeking a book that bridges literacy and social-emotional growth

• Youth organizations, counselors, and enrichment programs that need engaging, thoughtful content

  
  

How to Use It

✅ Use it in small group tutoring✅ Incorporate into whole-class novel studies✅ Facilitate restorative circles or SEL check-ins✅ Host a family literacy night or PD session using the materials✅ Let students write their own “More Than…” narratives

This isn’t just a resource—it’s a relationship-building tool.

Ready to Bring It to Your School or Space?

If this resonated with you, if you saw a student’s face as you read this, then I invite you to bring More Than Socks into your world.

You can:

• Purchase the book only

• Download the full educator toolkit

• Book me to teach, train, or speak

Visit the store section of this site to get started—or reach out directly. I’d love to work with your classroom, your staff, or your community.

Because at the end of the day, this work is bigger than socks. It’s about who we become when someone finally sees our worth.