MACK MCGINN’S BIG WIN

Sixth-grader Mack McGinn’s family has a tradition of winning. Gramp won at football for Notre Dame. Dad won at soccer until an injury took him out of the game. And everyone knows Mack’s older brother Rory wins at everything. This year, Mack has a plan to best his brother and finally (he hopes) win the attention of their father. Mack also just wants to spend time with his best friend Digger, but his high-powered real-estate agent, social-climber mother keeps pushing him to hang out with their repugnant well-to-do neighbor Pope. Mack’s plan to win the town’s annual 5K race is derailed when he leaves the race to save Digger’s accident-prone younger sister, thus reminding his family that winning isn’t everything. Paratore’s first foray into boy’s lit is a strong one. Mack’s believable narration and ample sense of humor make this sports story a cut above the rest, especially for the more sensitive sports readers. (Fiction. 9-12)