Mack McGinn's Big Win [Hardcover]

Coleen Murtagh Paratore (Author)

Book Description

Mack McGinn comes from a long line of winners: Gramp, the football hero; Dad, the (almost) Olympic soccer star; and Mack's older brother, Rory, who has enough trophies to start his own hall of fame. After Mack joins Rory at Danville Middle School, his own jock stock is starting to rise. Mack is running faster, getting stronger, and taking tips from his best friend Digger's dad, who might be the greatest soccer coach in the whole state.

And if Mack can just steer clear of creepy Pope Banker next door, convince his mom that Digger's a good kid, keep his concentration on the track, and manage not to strangle Rory before Danville Day, he might make his family prouder than any eleven-year-old athlete ever dreamed possible.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Mack McGinn, who comes from a line of outstanding athletes, feels overshadowed by his older brother, Rory, who is a star soccer player. Particularly upsetting is the way Mack's dad dotes on Rory. Adding to Mack's troubles is his social-climbing parents' decision to move to an upscale neighborhood; the move is made worse by the dictum that Mack must stop seeing his best friend from the old neighborhood. Things turn out well in the end, however, with Mack saving the life of a little girl and his parents recognizing (after the neighbor's boy is revealed to be dangerously deranged) that expensive neighborhoods are not always what they are cracked up to be. Paratore effectively captures Mack's jealousy toward his older brother and the sense of insecurity that these feelings breed. Despite the somewhat clichéd ending (Mack's dog, in the Lassie tradition, alerts Mack to the girl's peril), readers will find much about middle school and family life that rings true here. Morning, Todd

About the Author

Coleen Murtagh Paratore is the author of the acclaimed The Wedding Planner's Daughter and its brand-new sequel The Cupid Chronicles. For younger readers, she has also written How Prudence Proovit Proved the Truth About Fairy Tales. She's a believer in community rent, Cupid, and the magic of Cape Cod. Look for Mack McGinn's Big Win -- in which two all-American sports-star brothers battle to be the best -- in Summer 2007. Learn more about Coleen at http://www.coleenparatore.com/

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers (July 10, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 141691613X
• ISBN-13: 978-1416916130
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,915,068 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mack McGinn Wins Big!, September 18, 2007

By 

Eric Luper "author" (Albany, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mack McGinn's Big Win (Hardcover)

It's usually said that it is difficult to write across genders and that writers should usually avoid it. Whenever I read a book by a male author with a female protagonist or vice versa, my radar goes up and I read with a more discerning eye. However, Coleen Paratore wins big with her story of the upwardly mobile McGinn family.

Ms. Paratore captures the all-boy family with a verve and authenticity that I don't see in most boy books. The competitive spirit, the jealousies, the adolescent boy "yuck factor", and the love shine through on every page. And it's such a fun read.

Mack McGinn's Big Win is a big win in my book!

5.0 out of 5 stars Quick, fun read for sports-minded boys, January 12, 2008

By 

Reader (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mack McGinn's Big Win (Hardcover)

Sixth grader Mack competes with his older, sports-star brother to try to live up to parental expectations to win. Reluctant readers will eat this one up - like mac 'n' cheese.

4.0 out of 5 stars Sporty and Fun, October 9, 2007

By 

Butterscotch (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mack McGinn's Big Win (Hardcover)

This story was enjoyable, and should definitely appeal to young boys (maybe 3rd - 5th grade), and reluctant readers. The narrative is quick and interesting and so is the storyline. Mack lives in the shadow of his older brother Rory, and makes several unsuccessful attempts to 'best' his brother when it comes to sports. The McGinn family is a bit of a sports legacy in the town of Danville, so Mack has a lot to live up to. The author tried hard to make Mack and the other boys' language realistic and, at times, educational. I cannot see this book being a good series - it struck me as a one-time book for this character. It was a good book though, and might even engage some boys enough to read it through.