When Danny can relax, he's an amazing pitcher. But he can't relax. He's painfully shy, and his mixed racial heritage makes him feel too pale-"albino almost"-to fit in with his Mexican relatives. More than anything, though, the disappearance of his father three years ago still weighs heavily on Danny's mind. Then he meets Uno, a boy with his own troubles-and a lot of confidence. As Uno takes Danny under his wing, can he help Danny get his head back in the game?
Summary Danny has been confused, hurt, and mostly silent ever since his father left the family after a run-in with the law. He feels out of place in his elite, white private school, but he is an outsider to his Mexican relatives. Over the course of a summer spent with his cousin Sofia’s family and friends, Danny learns the truth about his father, his uncles, and himself.
Topics Being the new kid. Baseball. Race. Home run derby. Neighborhood politics. Silence. Accidents. Fights. Fathers. Letters. Legal problems. The media. Reforming one's life. Divorce. Depression. Tryouts. Not making a team. Languages. Family. Resentment. Jobs. Respect. Alcohol. Gossip. Radar guns. Gambling. Workouts. Money. Payback. Hustles. Baseball scouts. Drive-in movies. Eavesdropping. Pitching. Control problems. Abusive parents. Superstition. Sports psychology. Forgiveness. Truth or dare. Domestic violence. Learning the truth. Hope for the future. Stadiums. Cutting as self-abuse. Prejudice. First kisses. Friendship.
SRC Level 4.200000
SRC Points 17.000000
Lexile 680L
Trim Size 5 1/2" x 8 1/4"
JLG Span Fall
Language English
Publication date 2008-08-11
JLG Release Date Nov 2008
Minimum grade 9
Maximum grade 12
Reading level High
Format Print
High Demand High Plus (Grades 9 & Up)
High Demand High Plus
High Demand High Plus (Grades 9 & Up)
For Grades 9 & Up
This collection features high-interest fiction titles that teens are excited to read right now. Selected for strong hooks, engaging storytelling, and broad appeal, these books span a range of popular fiction genres and often include widely read or in-demand authors.
