Mack McGinn's Big Win

by Coleen Murtagh Paratore

Book Overview

Mack McGinn comes from a long line of winners: Gramp, the football hero; Dad, the (almost) Olympic soccer star; and Mack's older brother, Rory, who has enough trophies to start his own hall of fame.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 141691613X
• ISBN13: 9781416916130
• Release Date: July 2007
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
• Length: 182 Pages
• Weight: 0.63 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.9" x 7.7"
• Age Range: 10 to 14 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 9

Customer Reviews

Quick, fun read for sports-minded boys

Sixth grader Mack competes with his older, sports-star brother to try to live up to parental expectations to win. Reluctant readers will eat this one up - like mac 'n' cheese.

Sporty and Fun

This story was enjoyable, and should definitely appeal to young boys (maybe 3rd - 5th grade), and reluctant readers. The narrative is quick and interesting and so is the storyline. Mack lives in the shadow of his older brother Rory, and makes several unsuccessful attempts to 'best' his brother when it comes to sports. The McGinn family is a bit of a sports legacy in the town of Danville, so Mack has a lot to live up to. The author tried hard to make Mack and the other boys' language realistic and, at times, educational. I cannot see this book being a good series - it struck me as a one-time book for this character. It was a good book though, and might even engage some boys enough to read it through.

Mack McGinn Wins Big!

It's usually said that it is difficult to write across genders and that writers should usually avoid it. Whenever I read a book by a male author with a female protagonist or vice versa, my radar goes up and I read with a more discerning eye. However, Coleen Paratore wins big with her story of the upwardly mobile McGinn family. Ms. Paratore captures the all-boy family with a verve and authenticity that I don't see in most boy books. The competitive spirit, the jealousies, the adolescent boy "yuck factor", and the love shine through on every page. And it's such a fun read. Mack McGinn's Big Win is a big win in my book!