The Million Dollar Race presents the opportunity of a lifetime for Grant--if his lovable, free-spirited parents didn't ruin it for him with an unofficial birth certificate.
This story features themes of sports and family, with a relatable portrayal of the good and bad of social media and the drive to be the best.
It's a fun, fast-paced read, perfect for young athletes and any other kids with big dreams.

This fast paced book follows Grant Falloon, from falling on his face at the Penn Relays, to competing in the Million Dollar Race for a sneaker company. This fast-paced book is full of unexpected plot twists. The Falloon family is unique and comes to life, for all their love and internal squabbles. Grant's friendship with Jay is tested by their competition, but their bond easily comes through. While I don't want to reveal the twists, every time I expected the plot to unfold in one direction, it switched course. This fun and fresh story is engaging and made me think - I can't wait to share it with my students. I am also thrilled to have such a developed middle grade read that is 200 pages.

The Million Dollar Race is a unique middle grade book about male friendships, sports, unconventional families, and identity. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and the touch of mystery and activism at the end. Grant and his brother also have an interesting dynamic, and we're seeing more and more kid vloggers in middle grade books, which I quite enjoy. If you love funny books with male protagonists, this is an excellent one to try.

This book combines a couple of standard elements that we don't often see together: sports (and the prospect of competing against your best friend) and navigating your unusual family when you want to be "normal". Kids in middle school tend to feel like outsiders to begin with. Add in a family that actively rejects societal norms and that's the perfect set-up for a lesson in finding your place in the world. Smith goes beyond the expected lessons though. We see Grant's relationship with Jay stretched to the breaking point by competition, secrets, and fame. There's the pressures of that fame and discovering motivations of big companies. And an element of what the future looks like for modern kids, redefining success in the social media era. Add in some quirky details and I can see where this will appeal to a young reader.

Grant and his friend Jay love the run and when they hear about a race where they can win 1 million dollars, they of course have to run in it. But things are never as simple as they seem at the outset. This is a story about friendship, family, chasing your dreams, and making the morally right choice even when it isn't easy. A mix of narrative fiction and an oral history style of writing, this book was entertaining and contains some great life lessons.