Chris Bancells

Lupica, M. (2006). Heat. New York: Puffin Books.

Sports

Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award Nominee (2007-2008)

Print

Selection tools consulted: School Library Journal, WorldCat, Maryland Association of School Librarians Black-Eyed Susan Award Nominee list (2007-2008).


Review:

There're no two ways about it, 12-year-old Michael Arroyo can pitch. An undeniable phenom, this Cuban exile will take his team, the Clippers, out of the Bronx and into the Little League World Series...if he can keep the biggest secret of his life. Michael's father died a few months before the novel opens, leaving Michael and his brother Carlos, who is only 17, on their own. With no legal status and no family in the country, the Arroyo boys have to keep their heads down until September, when Carlos turns 18. The more Michael pitches, however, the more attention he attracts. As the competition heats up, tempers and jealousies flare until a group of rival coaches demand to see Michael's birth certificate. They're convinced he's older than 12, and he's convinced that that piece of paper never left Havana when his father did. Sidelined, Michael is desperately looking for a way back into the game he loves, all the while trying to figure out a girl who is more than she appears. Lupica keeps the plot moving throughout the novel and uses well-developed, interesting characters to maintain a relatively low cliché count (especially for a sports story). The complicated nature of illegal immigration is rendered in a way which makes it immediate to Michael and Carlos, and understandable to the reader. Given the current political climate, this novel proves itself still timely seven years after publication. Recommended.
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Any baseball lovers out there? If so, "Heat" is a perfect read for you. Michael Arroyo is twelve and is a seriously great pitcher. He wants to lead his team to the Little League World Series, but his personal life might get in the way. He is an orphan from Cuba and the only family he has in the United States is his brother, Carlos. If Social services finds out, the boys could be separated or sent back to Cuba. People start asking questions because Michael is so good for his age, which causes their secret to be blown. Michael discovers that family can come from many different sources. This book is great for anyone who loves sports and family stories. Perfect for middle schoolers. ( )

"Michael Arroyo is a great baseball player. He gets questioned about his age and must find his birth certificate before he gets banned from his baseball league."

Michael Arroyo has a pitching arm that throws serious heat along with aspirations of leading his team all the way to the Little League World Series. But his firepower is nothing compared to the heat Michael faces in his day-to-day life. Newly orphaned after his father led the family's escape from Cuba, Michael's only family is his seventeen-year old brother Carlos. If Social Services hears of their situation, they will be separated in the foster-care system--or worse, sent back to Cuba.

The book Heat is a thriller for all baseball fans. To me its just another great written book, by Mike Lupica. The story is about Michael Arroyo who has an arm that throws serious heat. But his firepower is nothing compared to what he faces pretty much every day of his life. Newly orphaned after his father led his family's escape from Cuba. Michael's only family is his seventeen year old brother Carlos.
This book really inspires me to be a better person. To think about stuff that happen to people, like in this book. It just makes me thankful for the ability and family that i have. This book makes me feel extremely special. Besides that point, the book fascinated me with Michael life. Overall i highly recommend this book its a real jaw dropper. ( )