The characters of The Million Dollar Shot experience many changes in both lifestyle and personality as the story progresses. Eddie’s multitude of challenges soon reveal that external events often cause internal changes as well. At the outset of the novel, for example, Eddie is ridiculed in gym class for his poor aim. While this incident bothers him somewhat, Eddie maintains his confidence in his ability to aim when there are no distractions present. However, with the introduction of the Finkle contest and the shot Eddie will make at the NBA game, Eddie is forced to face his fear of distractions and must put himself in uncomfortable situations in order to overcome his tendency toward giving poor performances under stressful conditions. By acknowledging the effects of the many stresses in his life, Eddie works constructively to find ways to overcome them, and this process demonstrates healthy coping strategies for the author’s young readers as well. As the novel progresses and Eddie works through his fear, he realizes that he has the power to block out distractions and focus on his actions in the moment.

While the novel illustrates that negative changes can wreak havoc on a person’s life and well-being, the author also makes it a point to emphasize that even positive changes can be stressful and can only be accepted if people maintain a willingness to adapt.