'It's very inspiring': Quad-Cities 2nd graders review 'Just Like Caitlin' book (2024)

Last week, second-graders across Iowa received a free copy of the book that tells the story of Hawkeye icon Caitlin Clark's impact as an athlete and role model.

"Just Like Caitlin" was written by Ally Obermeier and illustrated by Makenzie McCarthy.

Obermeier's dad, Dickson Jensen, was Clark's AAU basketball coach on the All-Iowa Attack in West Des Moines. He and his wife, Luann Jensen, donated 50,000 copies of "Just Like Caitlin" to more than 600 schools across Iowa and the Indianapolis area.

At the University of Iowa, Clark led the women's basketball team to consecutive NCAA Championship appearances; was a two-time Naismith and Associated Press Player of the Year; set the NCAA all-time leading scorer record and broke several others. She was the first overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft this spring, joining the Indiana Fever.

Clark was named 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year after her debut season with the Fever, also becoming the first rookie to make the All-WNBA First Team since Candace Parker in 2008.

Most of the students received their free copies of "Just Like Caitlin" on Wednesday, Nov. 13, coinciding with World Kindness Day.

The book highlights Clark's pioneering influence on women's basketball and sports overall, but it also touches on the importance of positivity and resilience in athletics through lens of a young basketball player named Eden and her grandfather.

Quad-Cities second-graders said other key takeaways from "Just Like Caitlin" include the importance of hard work, the value of family and that losing is a natural part of any sport — what matters is how you respond.

Local students had more to say, but we'll let them review "Just Like Caitlin" in their own words:

Chloe Assifuah, John F. Kennedy Catholic School in Davenport

First time reading "Just Like Caitlin"

"We read it (individually) in class," Chloe said, adding the book donation came as a surprise to her class. Fortunately, her favorite subject is reading.

"I was really excited," Chloe said. "It was a good book."

Chloe's favorite part of the book

"One of my favorite parts was reading that (Clark) went to the National Championship twice," Chloe said. "And she won three Big 10 Tournaments in a row."

How Chloe aspires to be "Just Like Caitlin"

"I just want to kind of help people in the way she did," Chloe said, whether it be via philanthropic efforts — like Clark's promotion of the "Iowa Wave" shirt, which benefitted the Stead Family Children's Hospital — or bybeing a role model to other young girls.

Noting Clark's competitiveness, Chloe also aspires to be a hard worker.

"She also likes winning; but it doesn't matter if you lose, because family always goes first," Chloe said, reflecting on lessons learned from the book. "At the beginning of the book, (Eden) lost and she was mad, but after her grandpa told her the story of (Clark) she was happy again … It's very inspiring."

She plans to use this inspiration in her own athletic endeavors, which right now include soccer and dance.

Annika Young, Ed White Elementary School in Eldridge

First time reading "Just Like Caitlin"

"We read it (together) in class," Annika said. "I didn't know we were gonna get it and be able to take it home."

Annika's favorite part of the book

Despite being an Iowa State fan, Annika said her favorite part of "Just Like Caitlin" was learning how many NCAA records Clark broke during her career with the Hawkeyes.

"I like how some of the pages (have) things Caitlin Clark says to herself," she added, pointing to a page depicting the following Clark quote:

"When you dream big and work really hard, really cool things can happen."

How Annika aspires to be "Just Like Caitlin"

"I like how if she loses, she doesn't get sad – well, she gets sad – but she always never gives up," Annika said. "It's OK to lose."

She also aspires to reach Clark's level of athletic prowess.

"I want to be as good at basketball as her," Annika said, adding she also participates in softball, dance and tumbling.

AnnaEliopulos, Neil Armstrong Elementary School in Bettendorf

First time reading "Just Like Caitlin"

Coincidentally, Anna read the book for the first time on the way to basketball practice after school.

"It was a surprise," she said, describing her initial reaction as "happy."

Anna's favorite part of the book

"Learning about Caitlin Clark," she said. "She won a lot of trophies."

Anna said she also liked the illustrations.

How Anna aspires to be "Just Like Caitlin"

Anna put it simply: "By shooting a hoop (and making it) on the first try."

She is also a volleyball player, and she – like others – learned that it's OK to make mistakes during a sports game, even if you feel sad about it. Because just like Caitlin, they can improve with hard work and resilience.

Max DeForest, Hayes Elementary School in Davenport

First time reading "Just Like Caitlin"

"We read it individually in class," Max said. "I thought it was pretty good."

Like other Quad-Cities second-graders, he said his teacher surprised their class with the book.

"When I first saw (the book), I thought it looked kind of fun," Max said, adding that he knew who Clark was before reading "Just Like Caitlin,” but not much more.

Max's favorite part of the book

"When the little girl (discovered) she loved playing basketball after learning about Caitlin Clark," he said.

Max also liked reading about all the "scoring" Clark did.

"It's just pretty cool," he added. "She is really good."

How Max aspires to be "Just Like Caitlin"

"Hard work," he said.

Max, a wrestler, said he's not sure if competitive basketball is for him—but one of his takeaways from the book is that sports aren't just about winning or losing.

"I learned that basketball was fun," he said. "I'll probably play at school … and you can actually play without having (a winner), since it's all about fun."

Estelle Ewers, All Saints Catholic School in Davenport

First time reading "Just Like Caitlin"

"As a class, it was a surprise," Estelle said. "I was so excited."

She was already a die-hard Clark fan before reading "Just Like Caitlin," and the book only upped her fandom.

"I think it was really cool that my favorite (athlete) made her appearance in a book," Estelle said. "That made me so happy."

Estelle's favorite part of the book

"When Eden's grandpa was her biggest fan," she said. "My grandpa is my biggest fan, and he's coming to my (basketball) game on Saturday."

This portion of the book reminded Estelle quite a bit of Grandpa Mike, likely why it was her favorite.

"You should love your family more than just a (sports) game," she said.

How Estelle aspires to be "Just Like Caitlin"

"I want to be like as (athletic) as she can be," she said. "She's also Catholic, and I'm Catholic, so I think (that's) a match."

Other than basketball, which she became interested in thanks to Clark, Estelle plays soccer and, in the backyard with her mom, volleyball sometimes.

While she continues her own athletic career, she'll take one lesson from "Just Like Caitlin" forward:

"Girls can do anything," Estelle said.

Copies of "Just Like Caitlin" can be bought atwww.justlikecaitlin.com. All proceeds go to the Iowa Youth Foundation.

Reporter's note: Pleasant Valley elementary schools each received one copy of "Just Like Caitlin," but second-graders did not receive individual copies.