The Million Dollar Putt

Gutman, D. (2006). The Million Dollar Putt. New York: Hyperion Paperbacks for Children.

Plot Description:  In this book Ed Bogart, known as Bogie, develops a unique relationship with his next door neighbor Birdie.  He is blind and she becomes his coach as he begins to learn golf.  He helps her learn many things, like riding a bike and playing the guitar, that she was previously afraid of.  Bogie ends up winning his first golf tournament and in the process he improves his relationship with his father.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Age Group: This would be appropriate for grades 4-7.

Series Information: The Million Dollar Strike, The Million Dollar Goal, The Million Dollar Kick and The Million Dollar Shot all by Dan Gutman.

Personal Thought: This is one of the few books that deal with a disability but in order to make up for the disability the main character is given extraordinary sport skills.

Subject/Themes: Golf, Relationships, Disabilities

Character Description: Bogie is in middle school and he is blind.  Many of the kids pick on him.  His mother died when he was younger.

Birdie is Bogie’s next door neighbor.  Her parents are never around and she is afraid to try most things.

Annotation: Blind people can do everything that sighted people can do except drive.  Read along to see if Bogie and Birdie are able to sink a put to win one million dollars.