Miracle on 49th Street

This is the third Lupika book I've read, and I've liked them all. I enjoy his fresh way of describing things. For example: "Sigh. Getting rid of Kimmy was like telling the wind not to blow." pg. 35 or "I'm pretty sure you've run out of things to say about the way I look. I just look at it as somebody shooting spitballs at a battleship." pg 116

Molly Parker is twelve years old when her mother, just before dying of cancer, reveals that Molly's real father is none other than Josh Cameron, MVP for the Boston Celtics. Molly is determined the two of them get to know each other, but after they do, she despairs that things will never works out the way she hoped.

Opinion: "Miracle on 49th Street" is a great book for late elementary school aged children. The plot is relatable for a lot of students who do not have typical family situations, or for students who play basketball. The book is written in the third person as it follows Molly on her journey to meet up with and be with her estranged father (Lupica). He is a star player on the Celtics, who is faced with a decision between family and his career. The story is structured well, and containing dialogue that carries the tone of realistic conversations. The big idea is that no matter how far you go in your career, you are never too important to go back to the people that made you who you are.

Molly Parker's mom, Jen, has just lost her battle with cancer. Before she died, she gave Molly a series of letters. One of the letters reveals the identity of Molly's father, who happens to be none other than Josh Cameron, one of the biggest stars in the NBA.
Molly is determined to get to know Josh. She is resourceful, persistent, and sneaky when she feels it necessary. She develops a relationship with Josh that goes through a series of ups and downs. Molly is looking for family, and Josh doesn't really seem to believe her story.

This is a feel-good read that kept me turning pages to discover if Molly and Josh ever learned to accept each other and make peace.

I've read and enjoyed Travel Team by Mike Lupica and always recommend it to reluctant readers who like sports. This book was even better!

I was immediately interested in this story when Josh Cameron drove away from Molly. I had to know what was going to happen. I hid in my office so that I could finish it! The characters were believable and engaging. It was even better than Travel Team. There wasn't a lot of basketball in this book, which was great for me, but my boy readers will not go for this! That's my only beef with this book - middle grade boys will pick it up and be a little disappointed because it's very character driven.

Molly Parker, age 12, has a secret. Her father is Celtics’ star player, Josh Cameron, and he doesn’t know she exists. Now living in America after her mother’s death, Molly is determined to meet Josh and tell him he has a daughter. With help from her friend Sam, she manages to meet Josh, but it doesn’t turn out the way she hoped. Josh isn’t sure he wants a daughter, and his agent knows that he doesn’t want Molly wrecking Josh’s clean-cut image. Josh and Molly’s up-and-down relationship drives this novel while giviving readers an inside look at the pampered sports-star world. No sequels, but you may enjoy Travel Team, Heat, Summer Ball, Comeback Kids also by this author. Appropriate for 5th grade and above.

The book Miracle on 49th Street is the best book I have read so fair. The author of this book, Mike Lupica draws you into the book so much. He also does a great job with describing the characters in a way that makes you feel like you are in the book with them.
Molly Parker goes on the biggest adventure in her life trying to find out if Celtic superstar Josh Cameron is her real father. The book will have you clenching your teeth and your palms sweating on how interesting this book is.
Miracle on 49th Street is not for everyone but if you are a fan of the Celtics or basketball in general then you will love the book Miracle on 49th Street by Mike Lupica, Because I know I did!

I think it's a very sweet, very nice book, however the ending seemed a bit rushed, and actually kind of came up on me by surprise. Occasionally, it felt kitschy, almost like a Disney Channel movie. Still, I liked it.