The Million Dollar Strike

Million Dollar #4

by Dan Gutman

Ouchie and Squishy love bowling, even if it isn't the coolest sport. And their favorite place to bowl is Bowl-A-Rama. Squishy especially likes it because it's the perfect setting for a gory horror movie. Then again, he tends to imagine zombies and killer clowns around every corner. When the city council wants to condemn the decrepit bowling alley, Ouchie and Squishy are devastated. Then the boys meet Gazebo Zamboni, the rich, reclusive, totally nutty owner of Bowl-A-Rama. Despite Mr. Z's insistence that the world is ending soon-a ghost told him so-Ouchie and Squishy manage to convince Mr. Z to keep Bowl-A-Rama open. He allows the boys to restore the old alley, and even sponsors a million dollar strike contest to bring in customers. Just when things start looking up, the most nightmarish scenarios of Squishy's overactive imagination come to life. Someone-or something-wants Bowl-A-Rama's doors to close. Forever.

Genres: Mystery, Childrens, Realistic Fiction, Juvenile, Fiction, Middle Grade, Humor

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

The author of over 80 books in a little over a decade of writing, Dan Gutman has written on topics from computers to baseball. Beginning his freelance career as a nonfiction author dealing mostly with sports for adults and young readers, Gutman has concentrated on juvenile fiction since 1995. His most popular titles include the time-travel sports book Honus and Me and its sequels, and a clutch of baseball books, including The Green Monster from Left Field. From hopeful and very youthful presidential candidates to stunt men, nothing is off limits in Gutman's fertile imagination. As he noted on his author Web site, since writing his first novel, They Came from Centerfield, in 1994, he has been hooked on fiction. "It was fun to write, kids loved it, and I discovered how incredibly rewarding it is to take a blank page and turn it into a WORLD."

Gutman was born in New York City in 1955, but moved to Newark, New Jersey the following year and spent his youth there.

Reviews

[Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that a huge part of my enjoyment of this book is that I am a bowler too (although I love the Canadian 5-pin version WAY better)! Some of the book related specifically to people who bowl, which I thought was fun.

The overall novel is about as far fetched as can be, but that added to the enjoyment. It kept me turning pages, which is the purpose of a book, is it not?

[Omar · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is these 2 boys named Squishy and Ouchie that are ready to bowl. They love bowling at a place called Bowl-a-rama. They get out of school and go straight to the bowling place. They get there but there is a sign that says its closed. But Bowl-a-rama is always open at 3:00? Well im going in there and see whats going on. "No, Squishy dont!" He opened the door and nothing happened.

What I thought of this book was it was the best book I ever read in my life. I gave the book 5 stars because I like books that have action in them and that involve sports. Bowling is not my sport but I still love reading and playing it. I like how the author made the funny names and the flow of the story. I had never read a fabulous book in my life. Glad my friend recommeded it!

I recommend this book to kids that love action and sports. Kids around 10 to 13 years old will love this book especilly the other books written by the author which is Dan Gutman.

[Chazzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Parkfield City Council had decided that Bowl-a-Rama is to be torn down. The owner, Gazebo Zamboni, hasn't done much to keep it up and it has become an eyesore. But in the eyes of Ouchie and Squishy it is the best place to be. They are two boys who love bowling, even if it isn't the coolest sport around.

To save Bowl-a-Rama, the boys come up with a plan to renovate it and make it the must up-to-date place to be. When Gazebo Zamboni reveals that money is no object and the boys can have free rein they go crazy and make their plans come true.

There is a little glitch in that Gazebo Zamboni is a bit crazy and believes that the world will come to an end New Years Eve. He was told by the ghost that haunts the place.

It is a wild ride as the boys renovate the place. Throw into that the mysterious Pinhead the Clown who seems to be planning his own end of the world scenario, Squishy's overactive imagination that life is really a horror movie, and some of the other characters and it is quite a lively book.

It may be a book for kids, but adults can enjoy it too!

[TheSuperKim · Rating 4 out of 5]

How two 13-year-old kids ever managed to pull off redecorating, refurnishing, and relaunching a decrepit old bowling alley is beyond me.

[Jacob H · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a very good book and very much you all should read it cause it was very dank and will make you cool if your read it

[Pexify · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gud I guess. Kinda confused

[Max Yeshnowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Way to unbelievable

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really good and I was interested in it because I love bowling. It is my favorite sport!

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually like bowling but this just got bizarre

[Zach Jaccarino · Rating 3 out of 5]

i thought this book was pretty good even tough it was made for younger kids. Because it has a pretty good story of how two kids didn't give up on something that they loved. I can relate this ook to my life because there have been things that i love that i have not wanted to lose or give up on. I would reccomend this book for kids ages ten to fourteen because it is more of a kiddybook. This book uses a lot of similes and metaphors becsude the boys are always comparing Mr. Zamboni to a mass murderer and a cerial killer and all kinds of outrageous things. Also squishy alwasys compares the horror movies that he watches to the situations the boys are in. The deeper meaning is saying not to give up on something you love. Because if you keep fighting for it than you might be able to keep the thing you love.

[Matt]

Ouchie and Squishy, the main characters in the Million Dollar Strike, work to save their favorite bowling alley, the Bowl-a-Rama. Owned by the wealthy Gazebo Zamboni, the Bowl-a-Rama has been condemned by the city council. Zamboni is bald and to shine his head he puts it in the ball shiner. Ouchie and Squishy become friends with Zamboni, despite his weirdness, and work with him to save the bowling all from destruction, even though it soon becomes clears that someone doesn’t want that to happen. Zamboni even sponsors a million dollar strike contest. Who will bowl for the million dollars? Will the alley be closed down for ever? Or will Ouchie and Squishy help save Bowl-a-Rama? You’ll have to read the book to find out.

[Alwyns8 lim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is nice as it shows bowling to people,I learned from this book that a story has its beginning its middle and end.What happened was that two boys ,Ryan Ouchie miller and Squishy Mcfeeters loved bowling. Ouchie is a "tweener and Squishy is a horror movie fanatic, the two boys met Mr.Zamboni who is a complete psycho to Squishy and is rich.but one day the town council wand to codenmthe bowling alley.Will they be able to save the alley?


this book is hilarious and recommended to fans of bowling

[Arno · Rating 5 out of 5]

the million dollar strike is a book that i will recommend to anybody. this book has comedy mystery and a little scary. the book is about how a boy finds this abandoned bowling place. and he try's to reopen it and he dose. so they have a bowling challeng wich is the firs to make a strike wins million dollers. that is all i am going to tell you because then i am going to spoiel it. there are some stuff in the book that in the beging is wierd but at the end you will get it. that is why i like this book.

[Derick · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's really really interesting and it is really creepy when I read about Ouchie and his friend went into the dark building.The things came out from Ouchie's friend(I can't remember the name) is very humourous. The description of Mr.Z is exactly what I think a psycho look and act like.

If we all believe in fate, no one will try to strive for goal that is in his/her mind. Is that a possible way to live? I don't think so.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a creepy mystery involving some very scary situations (an attempted bombing that might have killed hundreds, the attempted destruction of a building by fire, a massive earthquake, a murder, a sick clown). With our contemporary fear of terrorism, some of these situations strike me as too adult and anxiety-producing for elementary school kids. Nonetheless, my nine year old son rates the book four stars.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny story about two boys, Ouchie and Squishy, who love to bowl. They meet the very odd owner of the bowling alley and then learn that the city intends to tear it down. So they decide to try to save it. In the meantime, the pinhead clown is trying to destroy the bowling alley and kill many people. It's a cute little children's book, but kind of strange and scary. Probably for 3rd to 5th graders.

[Jonna VanWienen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wasn't sure about this one at first. Although it was fun and filled with My Weird School lingo it was on the creepy side- psychos, ghosts, etc. Then about half way in it started to get really good. Squish and Ouchie try to save the bowling alley and expose the evil Pinhead. It had a very cleaver ending. Dan Gutman's bowling puns and comments about English teachers and literature make me smile.

[Will Devane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought Million Dollar strike was an ok book. I liked the charectars in the book and i liked the plot. But overall it was kind of a boring and dull book. I liked how they loved bowling and their passion for bowling. I disliked the fact that Ouchie ended up winning the competition. I would have liked to see Mr Z win even though it was his competition.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 What a cute book. Definitely a page turner. A fast read. This was my first experience with Gutman's writings and he certainly kept me reading. I would definitely recommend this book for the pre-teen age group. I think it would get them excited about reading. As an adult, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was even surprised at the ending, which doesn't really happen that often anymore.

[Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is a good book for bowlers cause thats what the book is about i liked this book cause it has action it has some humor and the author talking about bowling and about this one kid thats a great bowler!!!!

[Carie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a huge Gutman fan, and this is the only book I've read in his Million Dollar series, but I love this book! It's quirky, funny, and suspenseful. It was on our state award list a few years ago, and was a huge hit. I recommended it to a 3rd grade teacher for a read-aloud and they LOVED it!

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ouchie got picked to throw the million dollar strike.
What will happen?

[Brionie]

i love this book it was very good. well it really about ouchie ans squisht trying to save the bowl a rama and making the million dollar strike all he had to do washit down all the pins

[Melia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was soooooooo good it leaves you hanging on an edge when you read just one chapter! I loved this book!

[Tashi · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a very good book and kind of wierd.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so much!

[Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great scary story full of laughs and a great ending

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bowling Alley kids, murderers and terrorist clowns. Quite funny. Excellent for kids.

[4Sean B · Rating 1 out of 5]

cool

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book. Love all the suspence, but it should have gone longer (the story should have been longer)