After the death of her mother, twelve-year-old Molly Parker decides it's time to meet her father--Josh Cameron, star of the Boston Celtics. Josh is uncertain where a daughter will fit in his life, and the story's pace stalls while lingering on this conflict. However, the strong characters and setting help move the action along. "When 12-year-old Molly Parker returns to America from England following her mother?s death from cancer, she harbors a secret: her father is the star point guard of the Boston Celtics, Josh Cameron. Molly confronts Josh, who reacts with ambivalence to the sudden news that he is a father, but as their relationship grows, he seems to want to make Molly part of his life. Still, he also seems worried about his good-guy, bachelor image. Adding further pressure to the situation are his warmhearted housekeeper and greedy, image-conscious agent. Despite a sentimental ending, Lupica delivers a winning novel, creating a realistic character in Molly by authentically capturing both her fragility and pluck. Young readers will also enjoy the look inside Josh?s pampered sports-superstar world. Ostensibly sports fiction, this could attract a wide range of readers." Gr 6-9-Molly Parker,12, lives in Boston with her recently deceased mother's best friend and family. She is on a mission to meet the Celtics' star player, Josh Cameron, to tell him that she is his daughter. With the help of her friend Sam, she sneaks into the athlete's car so that they will have the opportunity to talk. Self-centered Josh is skeptical of her claim, yet spends time with her. However, his sinister agent, Bobby, worries that knowledge of Molly's existence will destroy his client's clean-cut image, and he tells her to get lost. She almost despairs of ever convincing Josh of their relationship before she moves to California with her new family. But after finding an encouraging note her mother had left, she travels to New York, where Josh has a game, and the two reconcile at the Rockefeller Center skating rink. Lupica creates intriguing, complex characters in Molly, Sam, and Josh, and he paces his story well, with enough twists and cliff-hangers to keep the pages turning. Molly's relationships with others in Josh's life, such as a teammate and his housekeeper, contrast nicely with her up-and-down relationship with her father. In spite of a few implausible events, some sentimentality, and a bit of predictability, this is an entertaining work. The strong female character and the basketball tie-in will expand its appeal.-Jeffre A. French, Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library, Willowick, OH Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.