SYNOPSIS

After losing her mom to a rapid battle with cancer, Molly Parker moves in with mom’s best friend in Boston, Massachusetts.

Letters from mom and stories from mom’s youth convince Molly that her dad is a superstar Celtics player, Jason Cameron.

When Molly and her best friend ambush Jason and give him the news he in turn dismisses, ridicules and runs away from the kids.

Molly’s persistence in wanting to be close to her dad results in friendship with Celtics players and Jason’s housekeeper.

But she also makes a big enemy – Jason’s manager who worries that the presence of an out-of-wedlock daughter would make sponsors run.

Slowly, reluctantly and surprisingly Jason becomes fascinated by Molly, attached to her and committed to his role as a father.

(The reference to 49th St is the Rockefeller Center skating rink where watershed events happened for Molly’s mom, Molly and Jason.)

PERFECT AGE 11 – 14

We love

• Engrossing story, albeit completely unrealistic, with interesting young characters.
• A fun read for young basketball fans, even though Jason Cameron is not in fact a Celtics player (but overall, the basketball bits are legit, as they’re written by a sports journalist…!)
• Nice lessons in commitment, perseverance and kindness in a young protagonist, despite various obstacles.

WATCH OUT FOR (Language, Big / Sensitive Topics, Outdated Concepts):

• Molly’s mom dies shortly after being diagnosed with cancer; Molly is 12 and doesn’t have extended family so moves in with her mom’s friend’s family.
• If single-parent households is an unfamiliar concept for your child, it may be worth previewing.
• 12yo Molly sneaks around in the middle of night; takes a train trip to NYC with another 12yo without permission; is frequently in the company of virtual-stranger adults; and seems to hide the truth from the grown ups in charge quite often.

CONVERSATION STARTERS

• Who is your favorite character in the book? Why?
• Why do you think Molly hides from her adoptive family that she’s trying to make contact with Jason Cameron?
• What might be some reasons why Jason avoids and distrusts Molly at first? What do you think changes his attitude over time?
• Do you know what characters are referring to when they talk about genetic / paternity testing?
• Why does Molly not want to undergo a paternity test? What is more important to her in her relationship with Jason?
• Do you think Jason will find out what his manager said to Molly? If you were to write the part of the story telling what happens to the manager, how would that go?