Description

A fastball of a book by Paul Volponi—an author who knows sports and suspense!

Julio Ramirez Jr. lives in the shadow of his famous father. Not just because Julio Senior is a pitcher for the Miami Marlins and famous for his scorching fastball, but because he defected from Cuba, leaving Julio and his sister and mother branded as the family of a traitor. Now sixteen, Julio has dreams of playing shortstop for Cuba's national team--until he's given the opportunity to sail to the U.S. Can he abandon his family, just like his Papi did? Is freedom worth the perilous journey and risking prison if he's 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 all about his son?

"An entertaining tale of baseball, family and loyalty."—Kirkus Reviews

“Volponi once again delivers top-notch sports fare coupled with a deeper story of family and fidelity. . . Readers will identify with Julio as he juggles dreams, bitterness, and family loyalties in this lyrical, spare novel.”—Booklist
 
“A poignant story. . . this is a must-read for any teen who not only loves stories about sports but also enjoys reading about families.”—VOYA

About the Author

Paul Volponi is a writer, journalist, and teacher living in New York City. From 1992 to 1998, he taught incarcerated teens on Rikers Island to read and write. This experience formed the basis of Black and White and Rikers High. From 1999 to 2005, Mr. Volponi taught teens in a drug-treatment program. The experience inspired him to write Rooftop. Mr. Volponi is also the author of Rucker Park Setup, Hurricane Song, and Response. An ardent street ball player, Mr. Volponi draws upon his more than four decades of New York City court-sense to write The Final Four.