The Million Dollar Goal facts for kids
The Million Dollar Goal is an exciting children's book about sports. It was written by an American author named Dan Gutman. The book first came out in 2003. This story is part of a series called the Million Dollar series. In each book, kids compete in a different sport for a huge prize: one million dollars! This book is all about the thrilling sport of ice hockey.
Contents
Story Overview: The Million Dollar Goal
This book tells the story of twin siblings, Dawn and Dusk Rosenberg. They are huge fans of hockey and have played the sport since they were very young. The twins live near Montreal, a city famous for its love of hockey.
Hockey Dreams and Family Fun
Unlike his children, Mr. Rosenberg is not a big hockey fan. He prefers baseball. He even makes Dawn and Dusk buy their own hockey gear. The twins are so dedicated that they write haiku poems about hockey. Dusk's poems often focus on the rougher side of the game.
One night, something surprising happens. Mr. Rosenberg gets free tickets to a Montreal Canadiens game. A client couldn't use them, so the family gets to go!
The Big Game and a Shocking Winner
The game starts badly for the Canadiens. They are losing 4-0 in the first period and things get worse. The team ends up losing by a score of 8-1.
After the game, it's time for the Million Dollar Goal Contest. A special screen, called a JumboTron, spins around. It first picks a section, then a row. Section 203 is chosen, which is where the Rosenbergs are sitting! Then, Row L is picked. The lucky winner is none other than Oma, Dawn and Dusk's funny grandmother, who is fast asleep!
Oma's Challenge: A Million-Dollar Shot
Mrs. Rosenberg is worried about Oma taking the shot. She thinks Oma might fall and break a hip. Dawn tries to explain all the cool things they could buy with the money. But Mr. Rosenberg still doesn't want his mother to take the shot. He even jokes about it just being for "a cool new video game system."
Dawn then suggests making the shot easier for Oma. For once, Dusk agrees with her sister.
Training Oma for the Big Day
Dawn and Dusk start training Oma for the big hockey shot. They practice on a special layer of plastic ice. During one practice, Oma accidentally slips and falls. Dawn tries to catch her, but can't.
Oma is rushed to the hospital. Luckily, she didn't break anything serious. However, the doctors say she is not a good hockey player. They joke that she wouldn't make it to the NHL if she falls just trying a slap shot. Oma refuses to take painkillers. She says her hero, Elvis Presley, died from them.
Oma's walker is taken away, and she has to use a wheelchair every day. But she is still determined to take the shot!
Finding Motivation and Hope
Oma needs to rest in bed for two days without any physical activity. Dawn and Dusk are scared to try training her again after her fall. Mrs. Rosenberg then talks to them about how people need something important to live for. She gives an example of Dawn and Dusk's other grandmother. Her big wish was to live long enough to see the 21st century, and she did! This helps the twins understand the importance of Oma's dream.
