false 28899 0142407577 9780142407578 893 258 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1167958020m/28899.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28899.Heat 2607 Mike Lupica 2793 656 3 0 true Fri Aug 01 00:00:00 -0700 2008 Sun Dec 21 23:04:09 -0800 2008 Sun Dec 21 23:05:46 -0800 2008
There was a lot about baseball in this story and I thought I didn’t care about the baseball right up until the end when Michael’s team comes back and Michael gets to pitch against his arch rival, Justin. The rest, as they say, is history. Michael gets his birth certificate – through his friendship with Ellie (she’s the daughter of Yankee player El Grande – also from Cuba – who manages to pull some strings with Cuban officials). Manny makes sure to tell Michael’s story to everyone who needs to know, and they’re much more understanding as a result, so, Michael also gets to stay with his brother. The Little League official who has been investigating him (Mr. Gibbs) works for Social Services, and he agrees to be the boys’ guardian until the proper paperwork can be filed (by the time that happens, Carlos will officially be eighteen and can look after Michael without interference), though only if Carlos agrees to come and work for him until then. The fact that Michael’s team gets to play their final game in Yankee Stadium is just the icing on the cake. This was a decent “sports” book with plenty of other issues to keep readers interested. Although it will probably appeal primarily to guys, the relationships between the characters should also attract other (possibly girl-ier) readers.]]>