Julio Ramirez Jr. Loves baseball. He comes from his baseball family. His dad was the best pitcher in Cuba, until he defected while on a trip in the Unite States. Six years later his wife, daughter, and son languish and are barely making ends meet. Julio Sr is playing for the Miami Marlins in the world series. When Julio is offered the opportunity to go to America he has to think long and hard about what he wants his future to hold.
A quick read. Some sports action with lots about family, particularly father-son relationships, and the relations between Cuba and America. ( )

This is a wonderful book about hope, dreams, and family. It is an action packed story about the bond that father and son have over a love of baseball even though Julio Sr. defected from Cuba and left his family behind to pursue playing baseball in the US. Julio Jr. struggles with the abandonment, and also wants to play baseball, but is prevented from doing so in Cuba because of what his father did. Julio has to make the difficult decision to stay in Cuba with his mother and sister or try to defect like his father to the US to pursue his dream of playing baseball.

I love how action packed this story is both as it relates to sports and family. I think sports fans, especially boys, will really enjoying reading the book. it is about baseball, but at the same time, it is about trust, family, and reconnecting with someone who has hurt you. The book is not preachy, which is a good thing. I provides wonderful opportunities for multiple connections and authentic dialog. I imagine there might be many readers who don't agree with Julio's choice. This is a wonderful option for students who love sports, because they will get a story about that and so much more. ( )