Game Seven

Paul Volponi's 'Game Seven' tells the compelling story of Julio, a sixteen-year-old baseball star in Cuba. Julio is on the cusp of achieving his dream of playing in the pros, but his world is complicated by his father's defection to the United States. This novel explores the profound emotional and political dilemma Julio faces, forcing him to choose between his national identity, his athletic ambitions, and his family. It's a powerful narrative about loyalty, sacrifice, and the difficult choices young people sometimes have to make, set against the backdrop of international baseball and Cuban-American relations. Ideal for ages 12-18, it offers rich ground for discussions about cultural identity and personal freedom.

"A sixteen-year-old shortstop in Cuba who dreams of playing with the pros must choose between his country and his father who defected to the U.S."-- Julio, a sixteen-year-old shortstop in Cuba, dreams of playing with the pros but must choose between his country and his father who defected to the United States.