‘The Million Dollar Put’
By Dan Gutman (juvenile fiction)
Ed Bogard can learn just about anything he sets his mind to learn. He parasails and plays the guitar. He even rides a bike. Normally none of this would be out of the ordinary for a middle-school student. What makes Ed different is that he’s blind.
One day Hunter, a semi-bully, challenges Ed to a driving contest at one of the local golf courses. Ed has never been to the course; this is the one sport his dad refuses to encourage. Much to everyone’s surprise, Ed drives his ball the furthest. Ed seems to be a natural golfer.
With the help of Birdie, Ed’s nextdoor neighbor and new golf coach, Ed sneaks off to practice his swing and learns to putt. While practicing at the local course, one of the pros tells them about an upcoming competition just for kids with the winner earning $1 million. Ed doesn’t want to participate but changes his mind when he gets a personal invitation.
With Birdie’s help and encouragement, Ed makes it to the competition only to have Birdie suffer from heat stroke and rushed to the hospital. The competition ends in a tie between Ed and Hunter. With Birdie out, who will be Ed’s coach and eyes? Can Ed beat Hunter?
A wonderfully written sports book with characters you will cheer on to the very end.
‘One-handed Catch’
By MJ Auch (juvenile fiction)
Norman is any ordinary 11-year old going to school and working in the family store following World War II until one day, while helping his father behind the meat counter, Norm gets his hand caught in the grinder.
Norm is rushed to the hospital where the grinder is surgically removed. It takes him a couple of days to realize that, yes, he has lost his left hand. At first this is hard to accept. After all, Norm has dreams of playing big-league baseball. How will he do that now?
Norm’s mom refuses to let him slack off. He still has to take out the garbage and restock shelves. She even talks to his teachers the week before school starts to make sure they don’t let him off easy. This frustrates Norm but he soon learns that just because he has lost an arm, it doesn’t mean he can’t live a normal life.
Although fictionalized, this story is loosely based on the author’s husband’s life. MJ Auch’s husband, Herm, did lose a hand while working in his father’s meat market as a child and his mother refused to let him believe he was handicapped.
‘One the Wings of Heroes’
By Richard Peck (juvenile fiction)
Davy Bowman idolizes his dad and his older brother. His dad loves Halloween more than any kid in the neighborhood and Bill, his brother, flies B-17s.
All is well until World War II pulls the United States into war. Bill goes off to war, there are air-raid drills at school, food and gasoline is rations and Davy and his friend, Scooter, start collecting various things to help with the war effort.
Richard Peck does his usual wonderful writing, combining humor with the seriousness of the war to give a look at how this war affects Davy and his friends.
Susan Wray is the director of Joplin Public Library.
Globe Life
Related Photos
Discussion
Book review: Readers will cheer for sports-themed title
- Globe Life
-
-
Tornado victim builds place where she, others can begin recovery
For the past year, Ann Leach has been making lemonade out of lemons. Last May, she was looking forward to expanding her grief and loss counseling business, Life Preservers, and attending a fall conference in Hawaii.
-
Frankie Meyer: Historical societies need volunteers
Even with the tough economic times, dedicated volunteers at genealogy societies, historical societies and museums continue to help their communities. Please show your support by contacting your local groups and asking how you can help.
-
Jacque Gage: Relationships between animals, kids subject of heartwarming book
Until just recently, I was unaware the phrase “A dog is man’s best friend” has its origins in Missouri.
-
Danya Walker: Authors star in historical mystery series
I am a huge fan of mysteries, especially historical ones, reading a wide variety and always on the lookout for a new author. So I was delighted to discover a new series featuring Oscar Wilde, Arthur Conan Doyle and a cast of other historical figures by Gyles Brandreth.
-
Frankie Meyer: Fort Smith’s vast history creates family destination
The best way to get relatives and descendants interested in their family history is to organize trips to sites where ancestors lived, and to also visit historic sites that significantly affected their lives.
-
Teachers cherish nominations by members of Globe’s All-Area Academic Excellence Team
Being chosen to the Globe’s team is difficult. It is based on a score developed from a student’s grade point average and ACT or SAT score. The formula used to pick winners ensures that top quality students make the team -- not just those who test well.
-
Lisa Brown: Cookbooks filled with tasty ideas
I have a weakness for cookbooks. The colorful pictures, recipes and reliance on fresh ingredients call to me, so much so that nearly every evening you will find me in the kitchen making dinner from scratch.
-
Frankie Meyer: Researchers can help index 1940s Census data
So far there is no index, however. Without an index, a search of the records is difficult, because more than 132 million people are included in the surveys. If all the survey pages were put in a stack, it would be over half a mile thick.
-
Successful soirees: Friends of St. Avips to hold 50th ball
Maridan Kassab doesn’t need the scrapbook from the first St. Avips Ball to recall exactly what she wore that night, what the decor looked like and where it was held. Her memories are as fresh as if it were yesterday.
-
Jeana Gockley: Story links two teens across 200 years
This is the story of two revolutions -- an internal one for modern day Brooklyn teenager Andi and the French one for 18th-century Parisian teenager Alex.
- More Globe Life Headlines
-
Raw Video: Deadly Bombing at Yemen Parade Preps
Professor: Chinese Activist's 'Spirit Is Good'
Ring of Fire Eclipse Seen in U.S., Asia
Golden Gate Bridge Celebrates 75 Years
G-8 Seeks Unity on Euro-debt Crisis, Iran
Prosecutors: Trio Planned to Attack Obama's HQ
Obama: G8 Unified in Stance on Iran, Syria
