Heat

The #1 New York Times bestseller inspired by the true-life story of a former little leaguer

Twelve-year-old Michael Arroyo lives in the shadows of Yankee Stadium, home of his heroes, but a place that might as well be on a different continent since he can t afford to see the inside. He also lives in the shadows of his Bronx neighborhood, hiding from the bill collectors and the officials who would separate him from his seventeen-year-old brother if they knew the two boys were living on their own. Baseball is Michael s only salvation, along with his dream of playing in the Little League World Series until a rival accuses Michael of being older than the league limit. With no parents and a birth certificate that is stuck in his native Cuba, the shadows in Michael s life grow darker. But that is when heroes emerge, and for Michael, heroes don t come any bigger than the Yankees.

Praise for HEAT

* The dialogue crackles, and the rich cast of supporting characters nearly steals the show. Top-notch entertainment in the Carl Hiaasen mold. --Booklist, starred review

Lupica scores another hit with this warmhearted novel. --School Library Journal

[C]onvincing characterization and exciting on-field action help Lupica throw out a baseball story with heart. --Publisher s Weekly