The Million Dollar Kick

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Gutman, Dan. 2001. The Million Dollar Kick. New York: Hyperion Books for Children.

PLOT SUMMARY:

Whisper Nelson is a middle school student who feels isolated. She hates sports, has no close friends, and is not particularly close with her parents. When her sister enters Whisper into a contest, Whisper never in a million years thinks she will win. However, Whisper is chosen out of thousands of entries to kick a soccer goal for a one million dollar prize. When Whisper decides to participate she only hopes she does not embarrass herself too badly. While learning to kick a soccer ball, Whisper manages to learn a few things about herself and that life is not as bad as she believed after all. Middle school students, especially girls, everywhere can empathize with Whisper and her middle school woes.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

The Million Dollar Kick by Dan Gutman features a female everyman struggling with the horrors of middle school. Thrust into the spotlight by winning a contest she did not want to enter, Whisper Nelson begins a journey that will see her evolution from an insecure middle school student to a mature young woman. Gutman uses language that young readers can relate to while telling a story that allows them to share in her pain and suffering. The main character experiences the growing pains that everyone does and comes out the other side a more confident, more knowing person. Gutman also weaves relevant information about the 1999 Oklahoma City Bombings into the story that has poignant meaning for both the readers and the novel.

AWARDS AND REVIEWS:

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
Booklist:
Gr. 5-8. Thirteen-year-old Whisper Nelson hates soccer--and many other things about her life as a middle schooler at the bottom of the social food chain. One day she allows little sister Briana, a soccer ace, to enter her in a contest to make up a new slogan for Oklahoma City's women's soccer team. The winner is allowed a kick against the team's professional goalkeeper, with a $1 million prize for a successful goal. Of course, shy, unhappy Whisper writes the slogan that wins, and her dealing with the publicity blitz and training for the kick once she decides to take the risk pull the story along to a highly satisfying and terrifically suspenseful conclusion. Gutman captures Whisper's pain and dry wit beautifully in this strong story about a teen getting through tough times. Anne O'Malley