The Million Dollar Shot

The Million Dollar Shot is the first installment in the Million Dollar series of sports novels for young readers explores topics such as the coming-of-age journey, family dynamics, and life-changing opportunities. Each book features a different sport, and the conflicts focus on a wide variety of topics, such as disabilities or even fake supernatural tricks. Eddie’s journey is a prime example of the plot patterns that dominate the next four books as well. In the second book, The Million Dollar Kick, a young girl who hates sports wins the chance to score a soccer goal for $1 million. Like Eddie, the girl must rediscover her confidence in order to succeed in a stressful situation that can change her life for the better. Likewise, The Million Dollar Goal (the third book) focuses on twins who are the only ones in their family with an appreciation for hockey. When they get the chance to make a goal for $1 million, they are determined to prove that their interests are just as valid as anyone else’s. Like Eddie, the twins must assert themselves and stand up for what they believe in.

The latter two books of the series bring new twists to the Million Dollar series formula. The fourth book, The Million Dollar Strike, focuses on two young protagonists who love bowling: a far less glamourous sport than those featured in the other books. Thus, the children find themselves fighting pressure to close down their favorite bowling alley even as they struggle with the challenge of pursuing the sport they enjoy despite criticism. Unlike the earlier books, The Million Dollar Strike features the children pairing up with the sponsor of the million-dollar contest rather than being the ones set on winning it. This book adds a level of responsibility not seen in the earlier books and shows that children have the power to bring change and protect the things they value. The final book, The Million Dollar Putt, centers around golf and features a blind protagonist who is determined to demonstrate that he is just as skilled and able as anyone else. When he gets the chance to make a putt for $1 million, however, he realizes that he does need help and enlists a sighted neighbor in exchange for helping her to learn to ride a bike. Together, the children in this novel demonstrate that everyone struggles and that all people need help sometimes, whether they have a disability or not. Together, the five books of this series offer a diverse set of tales designed to help young readers gain confidence in their ability to succeed and to fight for what they believe.