Book Review: Million-Dollar Throw by Mike Lupica

Title: Million-Dollar Throw
Author: Mike Lupica
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Release Date: November 3, 2009
Series: N/A
Source: Paperback
Number of Pages: 244
Letter Size: Medium/Large

Synopsis:
Nate Brodie is nicknamed “Brady” not only for his arm, but also because he’s the biggest Tom Brady fan. He’s even saved up to buy an autographed football. And when he does, he wins the chance for something he’s never dreamed of—to throw a pass through a target at a Patriots game for one million dollars.

Nate should be excited. But things have been tough lately. His dad lost his job and his family is losing their home. It’s no secret that a million dollars would go a long way. So all Nate feels is pressure, and just when he needs it most, his golden arm begins to fail him. Even worse, his best friend Abby is going blind, slowly losing her ability to do the one thing she loves most—paint. Yet Abby never complains, and she is Nate’s inspiration. He knows she’ll be there when he makes the throw of a lifetime.


Review:

Nate Brodie is thirteen years old, and football is his life. He is considered one of the best quarterbacks in his league just like his idol Tom Brady. Now Nate has a chance to win a million dollars by throwing a football in a twenty inch hole from thirty yards away. Nate should be able to make that throw in his sleep, but lately the stress he has been under has been messing up his throws. His parents both work two jobs and they're on the verge of losing their house. So Nate knows that a million dollars could go a long way. Not to mention his best friend Abby is starting to go blind. Now Nate has to figure out how to throw like he used to, or else he'll never be able to make that throw.

Mike Lupica once again crafts a superb novel that should appeal to any sports fan. He accurately manages to portray the thoughts and feelings a teenager would feel all the way down to the moody "my life is over" thoughts. The way that the author describes the scene between Nate and his father is exactly the same conversation that many teenagers can describe. Where you finally attempt to tell your parents how much stress you feel like you have and they respond that you are just whining and that you have it easy compared to them. Sometimes I felt like I just wanted to shake Nate out of his funk and yell at him to stop being so moody. Then I would sit back and start laughing because now I realized what my parents have to go through sometimes. Being moody is a part of a teenager's life just like breathing is.

I recommend this book for: Younger readers and sports fans.

Rating: 4/5 Stars