Synopses & Reviews
The #1 New York Times bestseller inspired by the true-life story of a former little leaguer
Twelve-year-old Michael Arroyo lives in the shadows of Yankee Stadium, home of his heroes, but a place that might as well be on a different continent since he cant afford to see the inside. He also lives in the shadows of his Bronx neighborhood, hiding from the bill collectors and the officials who would separate him from his seventeen-year-old brother if they knew the two boys were living on their own. Baseball is Michaels only salvation, along with his dream of playing in the Little League World Seriesuntil a rival accuses Michael of being older than the league limit. With no parents and a birth certificate that is stuck in his native Cuba, the shadows in Michaels life grow darker. But that is when heroes emerge, and for Michael, heroes dont come any bigger than the Yankees.
Praise for HEAT
* The dialogue crackles, and the rich cast of supporting characters nearly steals the show. Top-notch entertainment in the Carl Hiaasen mold.”--Booklist, starred review
Lupica scores another hit with this warmhearted novel.”--School Library Journal
[C]onvincing characterization and exciting on-field action help Lupica throw out a baseball story with heart.”--Publishers Weekly
Review
Praise for Game Seven:
"An entertaining tale of baseball, family and loyalty." —Kirkus
Praise for The Final Four by Paul Volponi:
“A triple-overtime game keeps readers on the edge of their seats.” —BCCB, starred review “This gritty, realistic, and riveting novel deserves the wide audience it will no doubt attract.” —School Library Journal, starred review “Volponi nails it when it counts in this dynamic story.” —Booklist, starred review "Volponi, a multiple award-winning author, keeps the tension high from the first to last page ... The Final Four is definitely a winner." —VOYA, starred review
"Volponi's latest combines in-the-moment action, basketball history and the points of view of four college ballplayers with very different lives ... No story or character is simple." —Kirkus Reviews "The Final Four does a terrific job of capturing the emotion of March Madness.” —Mike Krzyzewski, Head Coach, Men's Basketball, Duke University “This is a great story about how one sport can transcend different experiences, backgrounds, and beliefs, and unite in a desire to succeed.” —Jim Calhoun, Head Coach, Men's Basketball, University of Connecticut (2010 National Champions) “It was inspirational to a coach and full of lessons to children of many ages.” —Jamie Dixon, Head Coach, Men's Basketball, University of Pittsburgh “A rocket ride of a plot that rips you into the story from the first line.” —Paul Griffin, author of Stay With Me “Paul Volponi delivers a high-octane basketball story fans will cheer for.” —Tim Green, author of Deep Zone, a Football Genius novel
Synopsis
Martin was sitting on the front stoop of his apartment building minding his own business when he was arrested for something he didn?t even mean to do. Five months later, he?s still locked up on Rikers Island, in a New York City jail. Just when it seems things couldn?t get much worse, Martin is caught between two warring prisoners, and his face is slashed. Now he?ll be forever marked with a prison scar. One good thing comes from the attack: Martin is transferred to a different part of Rikers where inmates are required to attend high school. If Martin opens up to a teacher who really seems to care, perhaps he?ll learn a lesson more valuable than any taught in class.
An award-winning author, Paul Volponi is uniquely qualified to tell Martin?s story because he taught on Rikers Island for six years. He originally wrote Rikers for an adult audience. The book has been revised for young adults and is being republished as Rikers High.
Synopsis
My name is Julio Ramirez Jr. and baseball is my whole life.
Since he was ten, Julio has lived in the shadow of his famous father. Not just because Julio Senior is a pitcher for the Miami Marlins, but because he fled Cuba to play professional baseball, leaving his Julio and his mother and sister branded as the family of a traitor.
Now sixteen, Julio dreams of playing for Cubas national teamuntil he finds out his father's defection may destroy his chances. When hes given the opportunity to flee Cuba, he has to make the toughest choice of his life. Can he abandon his family, just like his Papi did? Will freedom be worth the perilous journey and risking prison if hes caught? Will his Papi be waiting for him on the other shoreor, with the Marlins in the World Series against the Yankees, has Julio Senior forgotten about his son?
Set against the backdrop of the Series on which everything depends, Game Seven is a suspenseful story of loyalty, survival, and baseball.
About the Author
Mike Lupica is the author of multiple bestselling books for young readers, including QB 1, Heat, Travel Team, Million-Dollar Throw, and The Underdogs. He has carved out a niche as the sporting worlds finest storyteller. Mike lives in Connecticut with his wife and their four children. When not writing novels, Mike Lupica writes for New York's Daily News, appears on ESPN's The Sports Reporters and hosts The Mike Lupica Show on ESPN Radio. You can visit Mike Lupica at mikelupicabooks.com