Mike Lupica

All posts tagged Mike Lupica

Mike Lupica’s Sports books

Published April 27, 2013 by Dagmar

My malMike Lupicae students who are into sports are very particular about their sports, it’s either football, basketball or baseball.  It is not a blend.  So, what do I give students who want to read nothing but sports books and Sports Illustrated?  I had a suspicion that I could pull them in with Mike Lupica’s books, and am happy to tell you that I have kids, many of them reluctant readers, grabbing his books off the shelves.

Mike Lupica is a syndicated sports writer for the New York Daily News.  Most importantly, he writes realistic fiction about football, basketball and baseball.  This is realistic fiction that has my tween and middle school boys excited about reading. I think these books could easily reach high school age students too.

Here’s a link to his web-site: http://www.mikelupicabooks.com/

Take a look.  You can also check out my review of Heat, Mike Lupica’s book about a 12 year old boy trying to get to the Little League world series.

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Heat, by Mike Lupica

Published January 28, 2013 by Dagmar

heatI have been looking for sports books for my avid sports fans and was so happy to find Mike Lupica’s book, Heat.  If you’re a sports fan, particularly a baseball fan, this book may be for you.  This book is about a 12 year old boy, Michael, who is a Cuban refugee.  He, his brother and his father came over on a boat to Florida and are now living in the Bronx.  Michael’s father was a baseball player in Cuba and dreams that Michael’s gift as a pitcher will lead him to play in the Little League World Series. But, all is not right in Michael’s world.  His father has passed away, and his brother Carlos, 17, is afraid that the boys will be separated if they enter foster care.  So, they hide their secret with the help of their elderly neighbor and Michael’s best friend, Manny.  This book is full of great characters.   Carlos, who is working two jobs to try to pay the rent and bills is the older brother trying to do the right thing and protect his little brother.  Manny, Michael’s best friend is funny and loyal.  Ellie, the very pretty girl who is also a big baseball fan is a mysterious character.  Their neighbor, Mrs. Cora, is very warm and comforting.  I found the writing believable and felt that my middle school son would be able to relate to the characters.  Although this isn’t typically a genre I’d read, I couldn’t put it down.