One Last Shot

Gr 4 Up–Malcolm, a quirky kid who hears voices in his head, feels like he just keeps falling short. He’s torn between his parents, who are on the brink of separation, and wrongly assumes he is the reason for their unhappiness. When Malcolm’s father commandeers his son’s newfound interest in miniature golf, Malcolm reluctantly agrees to sign up for a tournament. Malcolm hopes that if he can ace the tournament, his parents might reconcile. Along the way, he finds a new best friend in Lex, who helps him navigate the ache of divorced parents. And then there’s Frank, a washed-up golfer turned golf coach who seems to be in it just for the lesson payments, but transforms into a confidant and role model. Malcolm soon learns that golf has a lot more to do with life than he ever thought, and that he’s not responsible for fixing his family. As in his previous novels, Anderson beautifully blends tough topics and humor, perfecting the recipe for young readers. Malcolm’s struggles with his love and heartbreak for his parents, and the news of the loss of a premature brother, will resonate with readers as he negotiates the new roles in his family.