  | Ten thousand tries Author: Makechnie, Amy | |
| Price: $22.58 | ||
Summary:
Twelve-year-old Golden Maroni starts eighth grade determined to be master of his universe, but learns he cannot control everything on the soccer field, in his friendships, and especially in facing his father's incurable disease.
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| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 3.90 Points: 10.0 Quiz: 514568 |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (+) (06/01/21)
Booklist (+) (06/01/21)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (00/07/21)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 06/01/2021 *Starred Review* Golden Maroni is an eighth grader who dreams of being a great soccer player like his idol, Lionel Messi. When his dad, who is also a soccer player and local hero, is diagnosed with ALS, Golden refuses to acknowledge his dad's mortality. To make matters worse, Golden's best friend, with whom he shares a birthday, is moving to another state. Being a fervent believer that 10,000 hours of practice is what it takes to master something, Golden plans to put in many hours of work to achieve three goals: become the captain of his middle school soccer team, prevent his friend from moving away, and help his dad beat ALS. Despite his madcap attempts to maintain the status quo, Golden is forced to realize that even his best efforts may not be enough to prevent his life from changing. Under the surface of this sports story is a touching tale about family, love, and grief. The strength of this novel lies in Makechnie’s (The Unforgettable Guinevere St. Clair, 2018) ability to create a compelling protagonist who strives to persevere despite great odds. Whether or not they are a fan of soccer, this title is sure to make readers laugh and cry. An excellent read-alike for Gary D. Schmidt's Pay Attention, Carter Jones, 2019. - Copyright 2021 Booklist.
