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Ten Thousand Tries Hardcover – July 13, 2021

by Amy Makechnie (Author)

4.5 51 ratings

Editors' pick Best Books Ages 9-12

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A middle school soccer whiz’s determination to keep things from changing is tested when his father’s ALS symptoms worsen in this “heart-tugging and uplifting” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) story about growing up and facing loss, perfect for fans of Shouting at the Rain.

Twelve-year-old Golden Maroni is determined to channel his hero, soccer superstar Lionel Messi, and become captain of his soccer team and master of his eighth grade universe…especially since his home universe is spiraling out of orbit. Off the field, Golden’s dad, once a pro soccer player himself, is now battling ALS, a disease that attacks his muscles, leaving him less and less physically able to control his body every day. And while Mom says there’s no cure, Golden is convinced that his dad can beat this, just like any opponent, they just have to try.

Golden knows that if you want to perfect a skill you have to put ten thousand tries in, so he’s convinced if he can put that much effort in, on and off the field, he can stop everything from changing. But when his dad continues to decline and his constant pushing starts to alienate his friends and team, Golden is forced to confront the idea that being master of your universe might not mean being in control of everything. What if it means letting go of the things you can’t control so you can do the most good for the things you can?

Reading age

8 - 12 years
Print length

384 pages
Language

English
Grade level

3 - 7
Lexile measure

590L
Dimensions

5.5 x 1.3 x 8.25 inches
Publisher

Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Publication date

July 13, 2021
ISBN-10

1534482296
ISBN-13

978-1534482296
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Editorial Reviews

Review

* "A heart-tugging and uplifting story about never giving up—on the soccer field, on loved ones, and on life." -- Kirkus Reviews - starred review ― June 2021

* "A touching tale about family, love, and grief....Whether or not they are a fan of soccer, this title is sure to make readers laugh and cry. An excellent read-alike for Gary D. Schmidt's Pay Attention, Carter Jones, 2019." -- Booklist - starred review ― June 1, 2021

"A warm-hearted sports story about a kid learning to accept the painful limitations and also unexpected glories of passionate determination." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books ― July 2021

* "Makechnie (The Unforgettable Guinevere St. Clair) breathes life into both soccer scenes and contemporary struggles in this emotional tour de force centering family, love, grief, and death." -- Publisher's Weekly - starred review ― July 2021

About the Author

Amy Makechnie is an author of books for young people of all ages. Her novels include The Unforgettable Guinevere St. Clair, Ten Thousand Tries, and The McNifficents. Stay in touch with Amy by subscribing to her newsletter at AmyMakechnie.com.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

1. The Back-to-School Physical The Back-to-School Physical

When you saw him you would think: this kid can’t play ball.… He’s too fragile, too small. But immediately you’d realize that he was born different, that he was a phenomenon and that he was going to be impressive.

—ADRIÁN CORIA ON HIS FIRST IMPRESSION OF TWELVE-YEAR-OLD LIONEL MESSI, SOCCER PHENOM

Every time Lionel Messi scores a goal, there’s literally a small earthquake, an actual seismic shift. The crowd loves him so much that when he scores, they go completely nuts. They scream, stomp, and jump so hard that the earth actually moves under their feet. Some people call it a footquake, but I like Messiquake better.

When I dream, I become like my idol. The crowd loves me that much. Golden, Golden, Golden! Lucy passes me the ball, her blond hair flying. Benny sprints to the corner flag just in case I need him, giving me the assist. The ball is at my feet. I’m the dribbling maestro, faking out three defenders (it’s sick, man). Three seconds on the clock. Left foot plants, right leg swings. Like a rocket, my shot spirals forward, the ball soaring above the goalie’s fingertips. The crowd is on their feet, leaning forward, ready to shake the world. Time slows. Just before the ball hits the back of the net…

… a small chattering squirrel pounces on me.

I open my eyes to see the jaws of death—well, minus the two front teeth—a mere two inches from my face.

“Your breath smells like a dragon,” the squirrel says.

“Get off, Roma!”

“Golden!” Mom yells from downstairs. “Let’s go!”

My family has yet to recognize the greatness in their midst.

When my six-year-old sister doesn’t move, I push past her and stumble down the stairs, consoling myself that even Messi, greatest soccer player in the world, probably has to have a yearly physical.

My last year of middle school officially starts with the annual visit to Dr. Arun. Which is fine except for shots and the whole let’s-see-what’s-going-on-down-there part. And of course that Mom and my two little sisters—Whitney and Roma—aka the Squirrels, are with me.

“Oooh, I like your dress,” Roma says admiringly.

“It’s a gown,” I say before realizing that doesn’t sound much better.

I’m wearing a small hospital gown printed with trains, the same one I’ve been wearing for every physical since age three. It has one useless tie in back that doesn’t stop it from showcasing my bony spine and underwear.

Dr. Arun is a train fanatic. He’s built a suspended track that travels the perimeter of the room, while an actual train chugs around the ceiling on it. When I was little, I couldn’t wait to visit Dr. Arun because it was the coolest thing.

Actually, it’s still the coolest thing, but when the nurse comes in to take my temperature and blood pressure, I pretend I wasn’t looking at it and put a bored face on.

My older sister, Jaimes, says that everything for me is broken down into two categories: cool and uncool. For instance:

Cool: I’m starting eighth grade, so I’m finally gonna be THE MAN.

Uncool: Smallest boy in eighth grade. BY FAR.

Cool: I’m getting bigger stronger faster.

Uncool: Yesterday Jaimes called me a small furry rodent.

Cool: My comeback—“Your legs look like a small furry rodent!”

Oh, get wrecked, Jaimes!

“Mom,” I say. “I’m going to ask Dr. Arun a question today and I need you to not interrupt.”

“What is it?” Whitney asks.

“How intriguing,” Mom says, raising an eyebrow and turning a page of her book.

“Mom, for real.”

The door opens, the Squirrels exit to the waiting room for stickers and coloring, and in walks Dr. Arun. He’s followed by a woman wearing a white doctor’s jacket and a stethoscope around her neck like a boss.

“This is Hazel, a med student,” Dr. Arun says. “Mind if she shadows me today?”

Hazel is so pretty that I find myself turning red and starting to sweat. Super uncool. To cover, I cough and pound on my chest as if I swallowed wrong.

“That’s fine.” My voice cracks. Uncool again. I start praying that Dr. Arun will not utter the words “Let’s see what’s going on down there” until Hazel is gone. Like, in a galaxy far, far away gone.

“What’s your favorite subject in school?” he asks, listening to my heart.

“Gym?”

He laughs. “Favorite sport?”

I can’t help but grin. “Soccer is why I’m living and breathing on planet Earth.”

Mom smiles as Dr. Arun continues.

“Favorite player?” he asks, checking my ears.

“Uh, Messi, of course.”

Which reminds me. I give Mom a warning look to not talk.

I clear my throat. “Could I get a… growth hormone prescription?”

Mom mouths WHAT?

“Messi took it as a kid,” I continue. “?’Cause he was small too.”

Hazel smiles at me, showing straight white teeth, while Dr. Arun laughs again and tells me to stand.

I take that as a no.

Super uncool.

“Touch your toes.” Dr. Arun turns me around so he can trace my spine with his gloved finger.

“You don’t need growth hormone,” Dr. Arun says, motioning for me to stand up straight. He glances at my chart. “Your growth is following a normal—and upward—trajectory. Besides, even with growth hormone Messi was always small and underrated, but look what he did anyway!”

“True,” I say, brightening. “People used to call him a dwarf, said he was too fragile and small to play.”

“And then?” Dr. Arun prods, feeling my lymph nodes.

“And then you’d watch him and know he was born to be the greatest of all time!”

“There you go,” Dr. Arun says. “So don’t worry. You’ll grow. And your parents have some height. How tall is your dad?”

I glance at Mom.

“Five-ten,” she answers, sounding totally normal.

“What position do you play?” Dr. Arun asks, and pats the table for me to sit.

“Forward, mostly.”

“Ah, you must be fast.”

I shrug like it’s no big deal, like I haven’t been training like crazy to be Messi fast.

“You like your coach?”

“He adores her,” Mom says with a wave of her hand.

“You’re eating fruits and vegetables?” Dr. Arun asks, switching back to boring health stuff.

“Yep.” In addition to being a soccer fanatic, Mom’s also become a vegetable freak.

“How’s your dad doing? Everything all right?”

The silence that follows feels loud in my ears.

“He’s good!” I say too loudly to fill it.

“All right then!” Dr. Arun says, turning to make a note. I’m filled with relief, no mortifying finale. Megacool.

Hazel takes over, asking Mom questions.

Anyone smoke? No.

Screen time limited to less than two hours a day? Yes.

Does Golden wear a helmet? Yes.

I accidentally laugh out loud. The three adults look at me strangely.

If Dad was here, we would discuss the word “irony.” All these safety questions, all these things we do to prevent bad things from happening, when Dad always wore a helmet. He ate fruits and vegetables. He never smoked. He’s, like, the biggest, strongest, fastest, healthiest person I know. He can do 111 push-ups in less than three minutes—that’s in the extraordinary category. And, well…

“Any changes in the household this past year?” Hazel continues.

“You could say that,” Mom says. What she could have said: Changes? More like a massive upheaval, thanks for asking.

Dr. Arun nods, claps a hand on my shoulder, and shakes my hand for the first time.

I stand up straighter, puffing out my chest slightly.

“All set. Good luck, Golden.”

“Thank you,” I say, looking him right in the eye like Dad taught me.

Luck?

The odds might not look like they’re in my favor, but actually? Destiny is about to deliver the best year of my life. I’m sure of it.

Dr. Arun turns to go.

“Uh… Doctor?” Hazel asks, pointing to something on my chart.

“Oh, right,” he says. “Last thing. Can you drop your drawers?”

Drawers? For a second I look around the room for a dresser.

“Huh?”

“We’ll take a look down there.”

I feel my face grow hot.

Hazel doesn’t move to leave and geez, nothing about today is cool.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Atheneum Books for Young Readers (July 13, 2021)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1534482296
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1534482296
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 8 - 12 years
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 590L
Grade level ‏ : ‎ 3 - 7
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1.3 x 8.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #693,933 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #752 in Children's Books on Death & Dying
- #2,106 in Children's Parents Books

Customer Reviews:
4.5 51 ratings

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Amy Makechnie

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Amy Makechnie is the author of the critically acclaimed novels, THE UNFORGETTABLE GUINEVERE ST CLAIR, TEN THOUSAND TRIES, and THE MCNIFFICENTS.

Find Amy on Instagram, Twitter, and amymakechnie.com. Author newsletter: https://amymakechnie.substack.com/

Customer reviews

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A MUST READ for any middle-schooler

Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2022

Verified Purchase

There's something for everyone in this beautifully crafted book by Amy Makechnie which follows Golden and his family during one tumultuous middle-school year. Whether you're an avid soccer fan or fascinated by sport psychology or how the brain functions or just seeking some insight into the middle-school mind, you'll love this book about conquering the unconquerable on the field and in life through hard work and the support of those who love you most.
Amy Makechnie's ability to write the character of Golden and so vividly describe his middle school struggles with everything from his best friend moving away to his father battling ALS and his insatiable drive to perfection on the soccer field will have you flashing back to your middle school days. You'll fall in love with Golden's passion and you'll feel a swell of pride and compassion for any middle-schoolers in your own life as you spend time in his world.
We read this book to our kids ages 6-12 and they all absolutely loved it. Previously unfamiliar with soccer or super star Messi, we soon found them cheering out loud from their beds when Golden made a gutsy play or scored a goal. Begging for just one more chapter when it was time to close the book each night.
This is a wonderful book full of gut-wrenching obstacles, hilarious mischief, memorable and valuable life lessons, and a boy who is determined to overcome everything thrown his way even if it takes ten thousand tries.

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KimHK

Heartwarming story of friendship, growing up, change and ultimately hope

Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2021

Verified Purchase

Ten Thousand Tries was a true gem of a read. I laughed, cried, and cheered Golden on as he tried relentlessly to try to keep things from changing around him-the ALS disease that increasingly sapped the body but not the mind and heart of his father (the local town soccer legend) and one of his childhood best friends, Lucy, from moving away. At the outset, he feels and displays little empathy and compassion for his soccer team coach/mom as she heroically juggles raising Golden and his siblings, coaching the middle school soccer team, keeping the household going, and caring for Golden's dad. The three-way friendship between Golden, Lucy and Ben was lovely to behold, and the sibling interactions between Golden and his sisters was both funny and easily imaginable. As someone who has some familiarity with the New Hampshire setting that the story takes place in, it was easy to picture the soccer practices and games, and to have a glimpse of the unfolding anticipation of the team and Golden's family over the course of the soccer season...I think I wanted Mudbury to win as much as Golden and his teammates and family did! The ending was perfect, drawing Golden's coming of age story to a satisfying and hopeful close.

One person found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Thoughtful and timely middle grade novel!

Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2021

Heartfelt middle grade novel about family, loss, friendship, and growing up quickly when a parent is diagnosed with a terminal illness. Golden’s life is focused on his triplet friendship and his soccer skills until those two parts of his life struggle at the same time that his dad’s life is being diminished by ALS. Filled with soccer references, this is a touching and thought-provoking novel that will bring a tear or two to the reader’s eye.

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Lindsey A

Loved this book - Great for middle grade and adults alike!

Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2021

Verified Purchase

Even as an adult, this Middle Grade novel struck a chord with me. As a soccer lover and someone who lost my father (a soccer-obsessed, girls high school coach) far too young, I’ve never related to a middle school boy more. Amy Makechnie wove a story of friendship, love and loss that both my 6th grade son and I found we couldn’t put down. From his beautiful friendship with Lucy and Benny, his passion for all things soccer and Messi, his questionable and humorous interactions with The Dark Lord, and his difficult journey of coming to grips with his beloved father’s diagnosis as he learns to take on more responsibility in his family and navigate the choppy waters of middle school, I found myself cheering for Golden with every turn of the page. Ten Thousand Tries will make you laugh and cry...and ultimately remind you that the love of your family and friends can help you get through even your most difficult days.

One person found this helpful

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Kindle Customer

Absolutely one of the best! Great read.

Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2021

Verified Purchase

Loved it, great book. Touches all your heart strings and every character becomes a favorite. Makes you feel like you could be a winner too!

One person found this helpful

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alibaba

Wonderful

Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2021

Verified Purchase

Thoughtful, deep, inspiring, well-written. I recommend without reservation.

One person found this helpful

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Kate Johnston

A beautiful and heart-tugging read

Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2024

AMAZING!!! Ten Thousand Tries, by talented author Amy Makechnie, is a coming-of-age story that introduces Golden, a middle-schooler who is a diehard soccer player and struggling with major fears such as his BFF moving away and his dad’s diagnosis of ALS.

Prepare yourself to FEEL just about every emotion possible when you read this book. It’s sad and funny and hopeful. The author handles the tougher parts of the book with tenderness and inspiration, so don’t be surprised if you cry. And, even if you’re not a soccer fan, you might find yourself getting pumped up along with Golden and his teammates as they forge their way toward the championship.

There is so much to love about this book! If you’re looking for a story with fantastic writing, relatable characters, and a compelling storyline, then you NEED to read Ten Thousand Tries.

Helpful

Housewifespice

Passionate and compassionate portrayal familial love

Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2024

This book broke my heart. Golden loves his dad so hard, and just wants to help him get better. Golden's family helps him to accept his dad's diagnosis and condition. The author masterfully depicts a middle school kid dealing with big feelings in realistic ways. I loved getting to know the Maroni family and teared up at their love and loss.

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