This book is an interesting book. Unlike many young adult books that I read, this book is told from the perspective of someone who is neither female nor a teenager. Mickey Vernon makes an effective narrator and his family and friends are equally lovable background characters. This book is about pool, with a side plot of how pool is related to math, and of course other plot lines based on the relationships between characters. All of Joan Bauer's books have been fun to read and leave you with a feeling similar to that of watching a "feel-good" movie.

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There's only one thing in the world Mickey Vernon really wants, and it's hanging in the window of his family's pool hall. It's an awesome shirt that says Vernon's Pool Hall Youth Tournament Champion, Cruckston, New Jersey, and the winner of the ten-to thirteen-year-olds' nine-ball tournament will have the honor of wearing it. For a ten year old, Mickey is one fantastic pool player. but to win the shirt, he's going to have to beat Buck Pender. Buck is three years older, is probably part gorilla and has been pushing Mickey and his friends around since forever. Even with coaching from Arlen Pepper, math brain and loyal best friend, Mickey figures he's doomed. but then a bearded stranger in a cowboy hat rolls into town in a Peterbilt truck-the ultimate. Joseph Alvarez is an ace with a pool cue. Even more important, he knew Mickey's pool champion father, who died when Mickey was a baby. but he's also a man with a past- and Mickey's mother doesn't want Joseph spending time with her son. Mickey has absolutely got to talk his mother into letting this man teach him his dad's pool secrets. Amazing triple bank shots, fifth-grade heroics, and desperate measures to deal with unreasonable mothers add up to a hilarious novel about pool, parents, and trying to be the best.

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A great book by a favorite author

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