Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that there's not much to be concerned about here: some lying, though for good reasons, some dishonest actions, with lessons learned, and some products (including food brands) mentioned approvingly.
Families who read this book could discuss Michael's situation. What would you do in his place? Why did he treat Ellie the way he did? Why does his pitching talent cause others to do so much for him? Also, were the actions of Justin and his father in any way justified?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Matt Berman
It sounds like a classic setup: poor, orphaned, but surprisingly cheerful and well-adjusted boy triumphs -- with the help of family love and good friends -- over insurmountable odds, including the devious, mean rich coach of the rival team and his spoiled son.
A cliché from start to finish, right? So why doesn't it feel that way?
Partly it's because sportswriter Lupica's muscular prose shines on the ballfield. Partly it's because the author knows that a truly satisfying ending has nothing to do with winning a ballgame.
And partly it's because usually clichés get used a lot because they work. It's precisely the familiarity, the predictability, and the lack of realism that make this so affecting. Even with even with all life's hardships and heartbreak, this book reaffirms it is still a beautiful world.
From The Book
"You cannot teach somebody to have an arm like yours," Papi would say, walking out from behind the plate and sticking the ball back inside Michael's glove. Like they were having a conference on the mound during a game. "It's something you are born with, a gift from the gods, like a singer's voice. Or a boxer's left hand. Or an artist's brush."
Plot Summary:
Michael, an unusually talented 12-year-old pitcher on his Little League team, has a lot going on at home that only his best friend Manny and the kindly lady upstairs in his apartment building, Mrs. C., know about. Born in Cuba, Michael lost his mother to cancer when he was very young. His father brought Michael and his brother Carlos to America with the hope of seeing Michael pitch in the Little League World Series.
Now his father is dead too, and and he and Carlos are trying to keep it a secret until Carlos, just months shy of his 18th birthday, can legally assume custody of Michael. But Children's Services are getting suspicious, and a rival coach and player have accused Michael of being older than he claims, causing him to be suspended until he can find proof. Something needs to go right -- and soon.
Related Books:
Also by Mike Lupica
Travel Team
More Baseball Stories
Bobby Baseball by Robert Kimmel Smith
A Season of Comebacks by Kathy Mackel
Bat 6 by Virginia Euwer Wolff
Painting the Black by Carl Deuker
Throwing Smoke by Bruce Brooks
Summerland by Michael Chabon
Becoming Joe DiMaggio by Maria Testa
Related Web Site
Mike Lupica's newspaper column
| Content | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CS | adults | kids | ||
Sexual Content |
 |
 |
|
|
Violence |
|
|
|
|
Language |
|
|
|
|
Message |
|
|
|
|
Social BehaviorThe boys, and their adult friends, lie to the authorities. Carlos scalps tickets. A rival player makes racist remarks. |
 |
|
|
|
CommercialismFast food (McDonalds), candy, cookie, clothing, and drink brands mentioned approvingly. |
|
 |
|
|
Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco |
|
|
|
|
