Million-dollar throw
Mike Lupica
Million-dollar throw
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Mike Lupica
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
The roar of the crowd fills the chilly stadium air, and the leather football feels rough and heavy in Nate’s hands. Everything depends on one perfect throw under the bright lights—and the weight of his family’s worries and his best friend Abby’s fading sight presses on him. Can Nate rise to the challenge when so much is on the line?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows eighth-grader Nate Brodie, a star quarterback facing family financial stress and the emotional challenge of his best friend Abby’s impending blindness. The story explores themes of friendship, resilience, and coping with change, making it suitable for readers ages 9 to 12. Parents should note the book sensitively addresses disability and family hardship without graphic content.
Why we rated Million-dollar throw 11ME
Million-dollar throw is written at a Level 6 reading level across 244 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Million-dollar throw works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Million-dollar throw as 11ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. The strongest signals come from emotional weight — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Million-dollar throw explores friendship, family, sports, disability representation, and coming of age — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, family, sports.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
The Big Field
Mike Lupica
The Big Field
Mike Lupica
Million Dollar Shot, The
Dan Gutman
Million Dollar Shot, The
Dan Gutman
The underdogs
Mike Lupica
The underdogs
Mike Lupica
Two-minute drill
Mike Lupica
Two-minute drill
Mike Lupica
Million Dollar Goal, The
Dan Gutman
Million Dollar Goal, The
Dan Gutman
The million dollar kick
Dan Gutman
The million dollar kick
Dan Gutman
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780545291446
- Pages
- 244
- Publisher
- Scholastic
- Published
- 2010
- Type
- Fiction