42 pages 1 hour read

Dan Gutman

The Million Dollar Shot

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1997

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Background

Series Context: The Million Dollar Series

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.