Synopses & Reviews
Mickey's family owns the neighborhood pool hall, and he's been playing since before he could talk. Now that he's in fifth grade, he's determined to win the Junior Nine-Ball Championship and cream obnoxious Buck Pender. Problem is, Mickey's ten and Buck's thirteen-and could eat him for a snack. Even with his friend Arlen's help, Mickey doesn't stand a chance. Then Joe Alvarez shows up at the pool hall. He's a fantastic player, and decides to sign on as Mickey's pool coach. But it all depends on one person: Mickey. Can he beat the odds?
"Good characters, humor, and an engaging plot make this a solid piece of middle-grade fiction." (Booklist)
Synopsis
It is the simmering summer of 2001 in New York City: at soft Tidings, a message is not handed over but told to the recipient. And the messages as a rule, are not especially good news.
Synopsis
With the help of his grandmother, his dead father's best friend, and his own best friend—a math whiz—Mickey prepares to compete in the most important pool championship of his life, despite his mother's reservations.