School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-6-Eleven year-old Eddie Ball has a problem. He and his mother have dreamed of moving from the trailer park where they live, but now she has lost her job with Finkle Foods. Eddie and his friend, Annie, learn of a poetry contest sponsored by Finkle Foods. The winner of the contest gets an opportunity to sink a foul shot during halftime at the NBA finals and win one million dollars. Eddie is a good basketball player, and with coaching from Annie's father, he becomes even better. Mr. Finkle tries to get Eddie to throw his chance at winning the money because Finkle Foods is in financial trouble. Another complication arises when it appears someone is trying to sabotage Eddie's practice sessions. Eddie's friendship with Annie, the mystery of the sabotage, and the growing relationship between Eddie's mother and Annie's father create several interesting storylines. Narration by Johnny Heller is clear, and he does an excellent job portraying Eddie and the other characters. His reading enhances the humor and excitement of the story. The suspense and sports action will especially hook reluctant readers. A good choice for school and public libraries.-Ginny Harrell, William M. McGarrah Elementary School, Morrow, GA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
When eleven-year-old Eddie Ball wins a poetry contest sponsored by a local candy factory, he also wins the opportunity to hit a 'million dollar shot' at the NBA Finals. Suspense builds as the company's owner tries to bribe Eddie to take a dive. A light but enjoyable, fast-paced read. From HORN BOOK 1997, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
Gr. 4^-6. When Eddie Ball wins a poetry contest sponsored by a local candy company, he gets a chance to earn a million dollars by sinking a free throw at an NBA finals game. Gutman succeeds in generating plenty of excitement for the big moment, but he isn't afraid to slow the pace to focus on Eddie's relationships with his widowed mother; with his best friend, Annie, an African American girl who lives in his trailer park; and with Annie's dad, who blew his chance to make it to the NBA and is determined to see Eddie succeed. Younger readers will enjoy trying to figure out who is behind a series of mysterious pranks designed to unnerve Eddie, but the mystery is too obvious to challenge older kids. Overall, this is a solidly written story that will appeal to a larger audience than most sports novels do. --Lauren Peterson