Heat by Mike Lupica

The season may be over, but if you’re a baseball fan, you don’t have to wait until spring training to get your fix. Kidsmomo to the rescue! Just check out Heat, written by famous sports columnist Mike Lupica.

The book is about 12-year-old Michael Arroyo, who has an amazing arm and dreams of making it to the major leagues. And he’s already on his way as the star player for his little league team.

But then a rival team’s coach accuses him of being too old for the league. No problem, right? Michael can just show everyone his birth certificate, can’t he? Actually, no. Because his birth certificate is stuck in Cuba, and Michael is an orphan living with just his older brother — even though it’s against the law, it’s just the two of them fending for themselves. And no one can know, or else they’ll be sent to foster care, or worse, back to Cuba.

Oh, and did I mention that Michael has girl trouble too? (Of course he does.)

PLUS, with the recent World Series match-up, the timing couldn’t be better to pick up this book — it takes place in the Bronx, and Michael’s goal is to pitch in the Little League World Series at Yankee Stadium! So if you’re a Yankees fan, then you can continue your celebrations, and if you’re a Yankees hater, then you can get worked up all over again. Either way, you’ll at least root for Michael.

Don’t believe me? Read an action-packed excerpt from the book for yourself, or check out these book trailers made by Heat fans:

This one was created by J.C. at Dowdell Middle Magnet School — minor spoiling warning!

Of course, if you’ve read Heat already, add your voice to the mix! You don’t have to make your own video (dude, we’re not slave drivers here); just leave a comment with your opinion on the book.

— Karen