1) The story is about 13-year-old Michael Arroyo, a star pitcher on his Bronx Little League team who is struggling after the death of his father. 2) Michael and his older brother Carlos have to keep their living situation a secret from social services so they aren't sent to foster care. 3) The theme of never giving up and not letting others get you down guides Michael as he deals with his father's death while also facing conflicts on the baseball field.

1. Charlie Simon

3. Genre Realistic Fiction Bronx Yankee Stadium Baseball Little League World Series

4. 3rd Person Omniscient Narrator knows Protagonists’ thoughts. “He wanted Manny to come walking right around that corner now, Michael knowing that all he had to do was give Manny a look and his friend would know he needed help, as though Michael had sent an instant-message right into his brain” Pg. 113

5. Michael Arroyo 13 years old Star pitcher Cuban immigrant

6. Conflicts One of the main external conflicts. Michaels father died. Michael and his brother, Carlos, are left alone in the Bronx. Carlos is 17, not yet old enough to be a guardian of Michael. Social Services cannot find out about Michael and Carlos or they both will be sent to a foster home.

7. Theme I believe that the theme of the story is to never give up and never let anyone get you down.

8. Something More My something extra is a little bit of information about the author. Became a columnist covering the Knicks for the New York Post at age 23. Has been writing about sports for the past 30 years. For the past 15 years he has been a TV anchor for ESPN’s The Sports Reporters. Also wrote Travel Team and Miracle of 49th Street.