Boy21

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 team—until 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 shore—or, 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.

"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

"Deuker creates a textured cast of parents, coaches, and teens and deftly handles themes of personal ethics, teamwork, burgeoning friendships, and coping with an abusive adult."

—Booklist

"A largely well-executed exploration of team spirit, friendship and the devastating impact of untrustworthy adults."

—Kirkus

"Basketball fans will love the realistic hardwood action."

—The Horn Book Magazine

"The novel includes descriptions of many basketball plays and strategies, which should make this book particularly appealing to fans of the game."

—Publishers Weekly

"This is solid Deuker turf, populated by good kids trapped between conscience and goals. Expect fans to grab this title as soon as it hits the shelf."

—Bulletin

"Short, action-packed chapters make for a quick read, but the story's underlying messages will linger. . . . What makes this story special is the careful handling of an incredibly difficult topic."

—VOYA, 5Q 4P J S

"Deuker's ability to create fully realized characters who wrestle with moral dilemmas while incorporating plenty of game action raises his novel above typical sports fiction by several notches. This one will satisfy the author's longtime fans and win him many new ones."

—School Library Journal

Basketball has always been an escape for Finley. He lives in broken-down Bellmont, a town ruled by the Irish mob, drugs, violence, and racially charged rivalries. At home, his dad works nights, and Finley is left to take care of his disabled grandfather alone. He's always dreamed of getting out someday, but until he can, putting on that number 21 jersey makes everything seem okay.

Russ has just moved to the neighborhood, and the life of this teen basketball phenom has been turned upside down by tragedy. Cut off from everyone he knows, he won't pick up a basketball, but answers only to the name Boy21--taken from his former jersey number.

As their final year of high school brings these two boys together, a unique friendship may turn out to be the answer they both need.

When high school senior Jonas moves to Seattle, he is glad to meet Levi, a nice, soft-spoken guy and fellow basketball player. Suspense builds like a slow drumbeat as readers start to smell a rat in Ryan Hartwell, a charismatic basketball coach and sexual predator. When Levi reluctantly tells Jonas that Hartwell abused him, Jonas has to decide whether he should risk his future career to report the coach. Pitch-perfect basketball plays, well-developed characters, and fine storytelling make this psychological sports novel a slam dunk.