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The Contest #1
Stay in the Game
The $10 million
The Be the first to complete ten tasks assigned by the Benefactor. Do not ask questions. Do not tell anyone what you're doing. Do not fail.
The Unknown
James's grandpa is dying. An experimental treatment has a chance of saving him, but James's family can't afford it. Not unless James competes in the Contest. The rules are sketchy, and the tasks seem dangerous...and definitely wrong. James has the feeling this contest is about a lot more than the prize money. But he can't back out now―can he?
The Be the first to complete ten tasks assigned by the Benefactor. Do not ask questions. Do not tell anyone what you're doing. Do not fail.
The Unknown
James's grandpa is dying. An experimental treatment has a chance of saving him, but James's family can't afford it. Not unless James competes in the Contest. The rules are sketchy, and the tasks seem dangerous...and definitely wrong. James has the feeling this contest is about a lot more than the prize money. But he can't back out now―can he?
104 pages, Library Binding
First published January 1, 2016
3 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Megan Atwood
108 books22 followersMegan Atwood lives and works in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she teaches creative writing at a local college and the Loft Literary Center. She has an M.F.A. in writing for children and young adults and was a 2009 Artist Initiative grant recipient through the Minnesota State Arts Board. She has been published in literary and academic journals and has the best cat that has ever lived.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
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January 3, 2026I got three books of this series a while ago, and thought I should read one to be sure it was okay for my middle schoolers. I'm aware these are for so-called "reluctant" readers, and it was definitely fast-paced.
February 28, 2018
Personal Response
I liked this book because James had a series of tasks that he had to do to earn ten million dollars. James was not doing the tasks for himself, he was doing it so his grandpa could get better and that is all he cared about. I also liked the book because it was always leaving you wonder what the next task was going to be, and if he was going to complete the one that he had at hand. The part I did not like about the book was the ending because it had Anna pulling him out of the room then, the book ended and never mentioned if he got the money for the tasks.
Plot Summary
At the start of the book it tells about how James is just a normal high school kid but his grandpa is not doing well. James then finds out that his grandpa has about 6 months to live, if he does not get the treatment he needs. James gets very scared because he will not have a place to live then. One night James got a weird email saying if he does ten certain tasks he will be awarded 10 million dollars to pay for the treatment his grandpa needs. He thinks for about a day and finally decides he is going to sign up for this and his first task was very easy just to give a note to the principal. As the tasks went on they got harder but James kept up doing them and he finally got to the tenth task. It was simply just to take a envelope from a girl's office and bring it to Benofactor, the guy from the email. He gets the envelope and starts heading towards the door and gets caught, but there is someone there that helps him get away. The person that helped him get away he notice from earlier it was Anna.
Recommendation
I recommend this book to middle school and above because it was fairly easy read and was fun to read always leaving you wonder what's next. I also recommend this book to the male gender because I don't think females would enjoy it as much.
Characterization
I think that the person that progressed the most throughout the book was James. I don't think he was proud of what he did in the book, but he also realized what he was capable of throughout the ten tasks. In the end all james did was do the tasks for his grandpa that was dieing. I think he was proud that he wasn't doing the tasks for the money he was doing it strictly for the medication.
I liked this book because James had a series of tasks that he had to do to earn ten million dollars. James was not doing the tasks for himself, he was doing it so his grandpa could get better and that is all he cared about. I also liked the book because it was always leaving you wonder what the next task was going to be, and if he was going to complete the one that he had at hand. The part I did not like about the book was the ending because it had Anna pulling him out of the room then, the book ended and never mentioned if he got the money for the tasks.
Plot Summary
At the start of the book it tells about how James is just a normal high school kid but his grandpa is not doing well. James then finds out that his grandpa has about 6 months to live, if he does not get the treatment he needs. James gets very scared because he will not have a place to live then. One night James got a weird email saying if he does ten certain tasks he will be awarded 10 million dollars to pay for the treatment his grandpa needs. He thinks for about a day and finally decides he is going to sign up for this and his first task was very easy just to give a note to the principal. As the tasks went on they got harder but James kept up doing them and he finally got to the tenth task. It was simply just to take a envelope from a girl's office and bring it to Benofactor, the guy from the email. He gets the envelope and starts heading towards the door and gets caught, but there is someone there that helps him get away. The person that helped him get away he notice from earlier it was Anna.
Recommendation
I recommend this book to middle school and above because it was fairly easy read and was fun to read always leaving you wonder what's next. I also recommend this book to the male gender because I don't think females would enjoy it as much.
Characterization
I think that the person that progressed the most throughout the book was James. I don't think he was proud of what he did in the book, but he also realized what he was capable of throughout the ten tasks. In the end all james did was do the tasks for his grandpa that was dieing. I think he was proud that he wasn't doing the tasks for the money he was doing it strictly for the medication.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2022
I don't really know what I thought about this book. The plot was certainly creative with valuable lessons and a character I could get behind, but I felt like it was too short (there was room for elaboration) and I sort of wished all the books in the series were one multi-perspective book. Bear in mind that I haven't read the other books in the series, of course.
January 10, 2017
Jason's grandpa is quite ill . There may be a new treatment that could save him, but it's very expensive and this family can't afford it. However, there is a contest that if Jason were to win, he'd be able to buy the treatment for his grandpa. He just has to be the first one to complete 10 jobs. It starts out pretty simple, but quickly becomes unsettling and dangerous.
Feels a lot like Salt & Stone by Scott but at a much simpler reading level. Pretty compelling. good for struggling/reluctant readers.
Feels a lot like Salt & Stone by Scott but at a much simpler reading level. Pretty compelling. good for struggling/reluctant readers.
April 4, 2018
Miss Lori read this book and was held in suspense as each task was asked of the main character. This is the beginning of a series of books, all subtitled THE CONTEST. Great read for 6th grade and up.
February 20, 2017
James’ grandpa is dying. His only chance is an experimental treatment that the family can’t afford. When James receives a message about a contest where the prize is $10 million, he’s intrigued. The rules are that you have to be the first to complete 10 tasks exactly as the benefactor describes to win the money. Each task, however, gets more sketchy and more dangerous. Will he continue with the contest? Will he be able to save his grandpa?
The plot is well written, complex, intense, and full of twists. The characters are most well developed, likable and easy to enjoy. Fans of mystery, thrillers, and adventure will enjoy reading this book.
This book was featured on The Keepers of the Books' Weekly Reads 14 episode. For more book reviews, recommendations, or online librarian advice, please visit us at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK3v...
You may also find a copy of this review on kissthebook.blogspot.com
The plot is well written, complex, intense, and full of twists. The characters are most well developed, likable and easy to enjoy. Fans of mystery, thrillers, and adventure will enjoy reading this book.
This book was featured on The Keepers of the Books' Weekly Reads 14 episode. For more book reviews, recommendations, or online librarian advice, please visit us at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK3v...
You may also find a copy of this review on kissthebook.blogspot.com
March 26, 2016
I received a digital copy of Stay in the Game in exchange for my honest review.
I requested this title because, as a teacher, I am always looking for reading material that will match the demographics of the students in my classroom. I’m looking for stories that relate to issues my students may be acquainted with and that convey a viable resolution to the issue.
My thoughts while reading -
Good family dynamic, grandfather and grandson making their situation work.
The contest is less than plausible, I’m not sure if my students will accept James’ decision.
The contest tasks are too outrageous. James questions their validity and his morals, but makes changes. - Why bother having the character question?
Was that supposed to be the climax.
Wait, it’s over?, there was no resolution, really, none.
I have suggested titles to my students that I have issues with, but there was still a story worth reading. However, there is nothing to wrap up either James or his grandfather’s story, no moral outcome, no conclusion, the story just ends. Stay in the Game, will be mark as an “unfinished manuscript.”
I requested this title because, as a teacher, I am always looking for reading material that will match the demographics of the students in my classroom. I’m looking for stories that relate to issues my students may be acquainted with and that convey a viable resolution to the issue.
My thoughts while reading -
Good family dynamic, grandfather and grandson making their situation work.
The contest is less than plausible, I’m not sure if my students will accept James’ decision.
The contest tasks are too outrageous. James questions their validity and his morals, but makes changes. - Why bother having the character question?
Was that supposed to be the climax.
Wait, it’s over?, there was no resolution, really, none.
I have suggested titles to my students that I have issues with, but there was still a story worth reading. However, there is nothing to wrap up either James or his grandfather’s story, no moral outcome, no conclusion, the story just ends. Stay in the Game, will be mark as an “unfinished manuscript.”
June 16, 2016
A compelling, short read aimed at YA reluctant readers. I read it considering whether it belonged in my employer's catalog, and found it very rewarding and fun. The structure and pace work to compel further reading, with appealing if unoriginal characters, good description of setting, and plenty-an abundance, really-of tension. The plot drives the book, and the characters and setting support it well. This is meant to be read in conjunction with the four sequels in the series, The Contest. In fact, the book ends with a very tense cliffhanger. I consider this a great example of high-interest books for reluctant readers, the kind of material that will grab teens from various backgrounds (partly because it features teens from various backgrounds), using elements of reality TV competition, and hold the readers' attention for the duration. Great for school libraries, or even better, for ESL/resource teachers at the HS level, I think.
April 25, 2016
Interesting concept that all five books connect into one story. Not to be read as a standalone book because then it seems unfinished. I think my students would enjoy this series. Especially ones who get a bit overwhelmed with thicker titles since they can tackle this one by one and each book is around 100 pages.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews