The Million Dollar Kick

by Dan Gutman Narrated by Christina Moore

Overview

The great news: The prize is $1 million! With it, 13-year-old Whisper Nelson could buy jewelry, clothes, and pay for college. She could even send her sister to college! To win, she must kick a goal past a professional soccer player. The bad news: She hates sports--all sports--with a passion! After her infamous soccer goal four years ago, to the other team's advantage, Whisper vowed to never play sports again. Afraid of, yet again, looking like a total failure in front of a crowd of people, Whisper has a tough choice to make. Will she try the kick? Dan Gutman not only succeeds in writing an exciting play-by-play sports story, but also captures the essence of middle-school life. Narrator Christina Moore scores big with the right mix of emotions--from insecurity to confidence--from loss to victory.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

Dan Gutman's The Million Dollar Kick does for soccer what his The Million Dollar Shot did for basketball. Whisper Nelson, a seventh grader living in Oklahoma City, enters a competition to create the best slogan (the Million Dollar Kick Contest at the Donut City) and wins "the chance to take a single shot against the Kick goalkeeper Carmen Applegate for a million dollars." Once again the author works into the story line a plethora of tips and facts about the game, making this a book for reluctant players and soccer fans alike. (Sept.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

School Library Journal

Gr 5-8-Seventh-grader Whisper can't stand soccer. Her little sister is the family sports star. However, Whisper is the one who is tapped for a contest promotion and she must try to kick a goal past the town's leading professional star in front of a whole stadium full of soccer fanatics. The prize is one million dollars, but Whisper isn't sure the potential humiliation is worth it. She suspects that no one in her family really believes she can do it. Her classmates don't offer much support either. It seems her only ally is Jesse, a self-styled "computer nerd," and Whisper doesn't know if she wants to be seen with him, even if he has created a laptop simulation that could help her succeed. Gutman paints a sharp, funny portrait of middle-school society. The dialogue rings true and the various cliques and subgroups will strike a familiar chord with adolescent readers. This is an exciting sports story with a compelling message about individuality and self-confidence, as well as a touch of romance.-Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170530199
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	08/14/2009
Series:	Million Dollar Mysteries , #2
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

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