The Million Dollar Putt [Paperback]

Dan Gutman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 24, 2007 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Blind golfing, anyone? 

Edward Bogard – Bogie for short – may be blind, but he can learn just about anything he sets his mind to: riding a bike, parasailing, playing guitar. Even though many things come easily to him, he stunned when he hits at a driving range and finds he has the swing of a pro.  But blind golfing is a team sport, and Bogie needs a coach. 

Enter Birdie, the kooky and mysterious girl next door. A bit of a loner, Birdie creates elaborate worlds in miniature in her basement, and has managed to make it to age twelve without learning to ride a bike. 

Then someone anonymously enters Bogie in a golf tournament—with a million dollar prize.  If he can team up with Birdie to conquer the greens of Hawai’i, could she be the unlikely key to victory?

 

"Gutman has another winner here...younger YAs and reluctant readers will enjoy this suspenseful and often funny tale."--KLIATT

"[A]n excellent picture of a loving father-son relationship. Highly recommended.--Children's Literature

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-8–A sweetly told story about the budding friendship between two young people and their understanding of one anothers differences. Bogie is a blind teenager with a lot of insight when it comes to taking chances, seeing the world, and eventually mastering the game of golf. Birdie has asthma and lacks the confidence even to ride a bike, until she finds her purpose: assisting Bogie with his game. When they consider the idea of entering a golf tournament, Bogies family secrets are divulged, helping to clear up some of the mysteries surrounding his mothers death and his fathers lack of interest in golf. This novels appeal is enhanced by humorous, lively dialogue; the innocence of the main characters; and the positive portrayal of their relationship and disabilities. An interesting read.–Hope Marie Cook, Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Dan Gutman is the author of many novels for children, including four other Million Dollar books. He is also the author of theFunny boy books,andVirtually Perfect(winner of the Nevada Young Readers' Award and a Virginia Young Readers' Award Nominee). He lives with his family in New Jersey.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion Book CH (April 24, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786836423
• ISBN-13: 978-0786836420
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #72,210 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #19 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Issues > Special Needs > Fiction
  • #25 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Sports & Activities > Sports > Football
  • #27 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Sports & Activities > Sports > Miscellaneous

More About the Author

This is hard. I'm a pretty regular Jersey guy who spent fifteen years trying to write newspaper articles, magazine articles, screenplays, books for adults, and just about everything else before I discovered the one thing I'm good at--writing fiction for kids. I aim for kids who DON'T like to read, and hopefully the kids who DO like to read will enjoy my stuff too. For all the gory details about me, check out my web site.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Million Dollar Putt, February 8, 2012

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Million Dollar Putt (Paperback)

Can a blind boy win a golf tournament for a million dollars? Edward Bogard (Bogie) is blind and has never touched a golf club in his life, so when his enemies ask him to go golfing with them, he's quizzical. When they get there, Bogie finds out that he's a lot better than he thought. The manager at the golf course tells him that he's a pro, but needs a coach to get even better. Bogie turns to his weird neighbor Birdie for help. Then, someone signs him up for a golf tournament with a first place prize of a million dollars. Do Bogie and Birdie have what it takes to win?

One of my favorite things about this book is the author's message: even if you're different, you can still do great things. Also, I like how it's realistic so you can connect to the characters better. The topic was one of my favorite things too: the unique idea of a blind 13 year old training to win 1,000,000 dollars at a golf tournament. You should really read this book - you won't regret it! '

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars read this great golf adventure, January 3, 2009

By 

Mid-Prairie Teen - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Million Dollar Putt (Paperback)

The Million Dollar Putt had a lot of things in common with me. This book is mainly about golf, and I like golf a so that is the main reasons I chose this book in the beginning. There were many things that made this book interesting; however, there were parts that got a little boring.

The two main characters are Birdie, and Bogie. Birdie is a girl that is a neighbor of Bogie and is kind of weird. The blind man Bogie, likes playing guitars and playing golf. Bogie makes this book really good because you always think he is going to mess up, or something bad is going to happen. You have many doubts about him, for example, most people would predict that a blind man would never go out for golf, and if they did they would be horrible. He makes the book a lot more interesting

Overall, this book had a lot of ups and downs, but it was still good. You might like this if you like unpredictable books. I think anyone that does play golf would like this, especially people that like putting. I think blind people are underestimated and can do a lot more than people would think. That is why I think the point Dan Gutman was trying to make is you can do almost anything if you really try.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Million Dollar Putt, February 22, 2008

By 

K. Mantych "is the teacher for this NMS student" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Million Dollar Putt (Paperback)

Bogie was able to do many things even though he is blind. This made me wounder if i could do all the things i do if i was blind or not. He was able to tech himself to play the guitar and even learned how to golf. being blind did not stop him from competing. I wounder if bogie was more determined because he si blind and felt that he had to prove he could do what other kids could do. I rated this book 4 stars because it left you wanting to know more about Bogie and what he would accomplish with the rest of his life. I think anyboby that has dreams would enjoy this book. It makes you feel like you can do anytyhing if you set your mind to it. I can tell you if Bogie won the golf tournament you will have to read the book your self to find that out. Which I recomened you do. The Million Dollar Putt by Dan Gutman is a fantastic book for all ages of kids. THis book is a sports-fiction so if you like sports books go and get this book at your local book store today.

by: Jake G.



Read This Inspriational Book!!
The Million Dollar Putt, written by Dan Gutman, is a powerful book that shows that blind or disabled people can do more than they think they can do. He has courage stand up to bullies, and enters the golf tournament with the help of BIrdie. This sports fiction tells the tale of a blind kid named Bogie taking the unbelievable challenge. I gave this book a 5/5 rating because it was a very well written book with a good message to disabled people. Children of all ages will enhoy The Million Dollar Putt. I would highly recoomend reading this inspirational book.
By: E.G.