That's quite an arm you've got there, son, the police officer says to Michael Arroyo after he throws a baseball with unerring accuracy to literally bring down a petty criminal. Michael is quite a pitcher, and he hopes to take his team all the way to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, but Michael also has a secret, and that secret just might put an end to all of his dreams.
Twelve year old Michael has lived in New York with his father and his brother. They emigrated from Cuba. Then, Michael's father dies and his seventeen year old brother, Carlos, is trying to take care of both of them under the radar. Will Carlos be able to keep their secret until he turns eighteen and can legally take care of Michael? What would happen if the other baseball team asks for Michael's birth certificate?
A story of struggle, what it's like to be an immigrant, brothers, and dreams.
240 pages 9780142407578 Ages 10 and up
Keywords: baseball, immigrants, secrets, sports, Hispanic and Latino, diversity, diverse books, 10 year old, 11 year old, 12 year old, 13 year old
Recommended by: Barb Langridge, abookandahug.com