Million Dollar Throw

Gr 5—8—Nate Brodie, 13, gets far more than he bargained for when the purchase of a long-coveted Tom Brady autographed football qualifies him to enter a contest for the chance to win a million dollars by making a once-in-a-lifetime throw in front of a national audience at a New England Patriots game. Cheered on by his best friend Abby, who is facing challenges of her own due to a progressive, and seemingly incurable, eye disease, and desperately hoping to secure the future for his parents who are struggling financially, Nate faces a staggering level of self-imposed pressure. Just when he needs his throwing arm the most, things seem to fall apart and he loses his position of team quarterback. Can he conquer his fear of failure to once again become the boy with "the golden arm?" Jeffrey Brick's strong narration delivers Mike Lupica's rousing sports tale (Philomel, 2009) filled with suspense, friendship, and humor. Despite teens who are too mature and the resolution of several major issues that are too pat, Lupica's novel is a worthy addition to his growing body of work.—Cindy Lombardo, Cleveland Public Library, OH