Heat

Paperback, Mike Lupica

Michael Arroyo has a pitching arm that throws serious heat. But his firepower is nothing compared to the heat Michael faces in his day-to-day life. Newly orphaned after his father led the familys escape from Cuba, Michaels only family is his seventeen-yearold brother Carlos. If Social Services hears of their situation, they will be separated in the foster-care systemor worse, sent back to Cuba. Together, the boys carry on alone, dodging bills and anyone who asks too many questions. But then someone wonders how a twelve-year-old boy could possibly throw with as much power as Michael Arroyo throws. With no way to prove his age, no birth certificate, and no parent to fight for his cause, Michaels secret world is blown wide open, and he discovers that family can come from the most unexpected sources.

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Customer Reviews

4.5 average for 79 customer reviews

Good book for 13 yrs old

I brought this book for my grandson to read over the summer, as it was an assignment due when back to school for credit. He like it ver much. I read it too, and enjoyed it very much. ( I did help him with his review assignment) That's what Grandmothers are for!

poopsie -

Satisfying sports fiction

Heat is a baseball story about the challenges that a Cuban-American kid faces as he plays in his local Little League.

Michael Arroyo and his older brother Carlos are feeling the pressure mount as they try to hide the fact that their father has recently died of a heart attack. Michael throws himself into his baseball games with more fervor than ever as a way of blocking out all his troubles at home. As their money dries up, Carlos turns to working with a gang and other shady opportunities to make money. With the opportunity to play for the Little League World Series in Yankee Stadium at stake, the rival team spreads a rumor that Michael is lying about his age. While it is never directly addressed, proof of whether they're in the country legally or not must be behind the drive to see Michael's official papers. When their original story that their father is visiting a sick relative in Miami begins to wear thin, the boys go so far as to hire an actor to play the part of their father as part of their gambit to remain out of foster care. What could be a grim story is saved by the comic relief of Michael's goofball best friend Manny. Michael has a very tentative and innocent romance with a girl named Ellie and the happy ending felt a bit deus ex machina to me, but I think most readers will be pleased to see everything wrapped up in such a satisfactory way.

Lupica is a prolific writer, with many other sports titles under his belt. Much more sophisticated, with an urban voice, this is a far finer book than most of the Matt Christopher offerings. I would give this to middle-grade readers in a heartbeat.

Madigan McGillicuddy - Atlanta

Bring the Heat Home

I loved Heat. I've read many of Mike Lupica's novels and loved them also. I'm a young teenaged boy and I love the game of baseball. Once I saw this book, I bought it immediately. Once I started, this amazing realistic fiction novel, I couldn't put it down.

Michael Arroyo and his brother Carlos escaped Cuba with their father. Michael is living in the Bronx with his older brother Carlos, who has many jobs to keep them away from Social Services. Michael loves the game of baseball. He's a twelve year old and can throw serious heat. He's playing in little league and is on his way to the league championship, played at Yankee Stadium. The coaches accuse Michael of being above the age limit and wonder how he can throw with this much power. Then tragedy strikes. Michael stops playing baseball anymore.

If you're any age and love sports, I recommend that you read Heat. Heat has adventure, baseball and newfound relationships that are unknown. Once you read Heat, you'll want to read another of Mike Lupica's magnificent books.

Luke M.R.

B. Resnick - Playa del Rey, CA

Heat the Story of a Spanish Boy with Dreams

"Heat" by Mike Lupica is a book I can guarantee will make anyone stay on the edge of their seat. This book is about a boy Michael Arroyo trying to make it through his tough life which includes him playing his favorite sport, baseball. He came from Cuba in a boat to make it to America. Unfortunately his mother died when he was at a young age and his dad had just recently died. His brother Carlos, age 17, was looking after him with a little help from their neighbor, Mrs. Cora. Carlos was not old enough to watch him so they had to keep the father situation on the down low.
Michael was a baseball player, not the ordinary 12 year old player you would see. He was a 12 year old pitching an 80 mile per hour fastball. So during his tournament the fans and coaches saw this amazing creation. Due to the importance of winning to the coaches Michael was winning against, they started asking questions about what his real age actually was. This got to the little league board and eventually the government who made him and Carlos show them their birth certificate. To their dismay, it was still in Cuba and they had no contact to anyone there to retrieve it from. If they were caught with out their father there they would be separated and Michael would not be able to continue with his team on the way to a little league title.
I enjoyed many things about this book including the baseball tournament and the suspense that the book draws from me and all the other readers. I did not like how he had so many problems like his parents dying and the situation he was in with everyone only being a young teenager with a very great chance to make it far. But overall it was a great book with a great story line that anyone would like and enjoy.
So to figure out how this intense book ends you obviously must read it. I recommend this book to anyone ranging from any teenage baseball fan to adults who like reading a thriller and enjoy the sport of baseball. I hope you read this book I promise you that no one or you will be disappointed.

Heat

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Good book for 13 yrs old

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