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 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.