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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 Cubas national team--until hes 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 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 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 Read more Continue reading Read less REVIEW Praise for Game Seven: "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 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 "Volponis 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, Mens 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, Mens 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, Mens 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 ABOUT THE AUTHOR Paul Volponi (www.paulvolponibooks.com) is a writer, journalist, and teacher. He has taught incarcerated teens to write on Rikers Island and he taught adolescents in a drug-treatment program in New York City. EXCERPT. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. From his chair, Uncle Ramon kicked his shoes off and dug his feet deep into the sand. "Your papi was able to get a sum of money into Cuba through a Canadian turista," he said, as the smell of swordfish filtered through the salty air. "That money was given to Gabriel." I was pissed. My family had struggled for every peso, just to meet the bills. No wonder Gabriel could afford steaks like these. "Why?" I demanded. "How come our money went to him?" "So Gabriel can get us out of Cuba," Uncle Ramon replied, before popping the top on a can of soda with a tsssp. Those words seemed to hang in the air for a moment - get us out of Cuba. I only felt the weight of them when Luis grabbed hold of my arm and gasped, "Holy crap." My heart began beating harder and harder inside my chest, and I had to actually think about taking my next breath. "And thats his payment?" I asked, hoping to steady myself. "Payment?" repeated Gabriel, turning the steaks on the grill with a long metal fork. "No. Theres nothing for me. That money covered the entire cost of building - " "Look! Down the beach!" interrupted Luis. "Police!" There were two officers on a motorcycle with a sidecar. It had three wide wheels, meant to power its way over the sandy shore. They were slowly making their way from the far end of the beach toward where wed camped. "Just act naturally. Remember the truth: youre baseball players from Matanzas celebrating a victory over Puerto Padre. Nothing more," instructed Gabriel. "Besides, I know these two, what theyre all about." "You know them?" asked Luis. "I make it my business to," answered Gabriel, through the smoke from the barbecue. The policemen rolled past the families and kids without any interest. But they took a long glance at the two girls reading on their blankets. They seemed about to pass us, too, before Gabriel called out to them, "Officers! A moment, please!" I shot Uncle Ramon a concerned look, already feeling the sweat on my palms. "Ive learned to trust him," Uncle Ramon said quietly, barely moving his lips. "Theres no other way." Gabriel took one of the st
