ABOUT THIS BOOK

Barry can punch anyone hard enough to make them see a whole sky full of stars, though that's not really his style. Barry and Alby have been friends since the first grade. They've always protected one another.

When Barry's pop dies, times are tough and the only thing Barry has of value is his dad's 1964 Ford Galaxie. Meanwhile Alby's got himself into big trouble with a cardshark. So he hatches a plan to make money. To help out Barry, but also to help himself. The problem is, Barry could get hurt, and it just might cost Alby their friendship. How much can you ask of a friend?


From the Hardcover edition.


REVIEWS

Starred review, Booklist, March 15, 2007:
"Saldaña delivers another moving coming-of-age novel about the perils of friendship and the burdens of parental expectations."

“Readers will keep turning the pages to see just how far the young protagonist will go. . . . Challenges traditional notions of what it means to be a winner.”—Publishers Weekly


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

René Saldaña, Jr. graduated from Georgia State University (Ph.D.) with degrees in English and creative writing. He and his family live in south Texas, where he teaches English and writing at the university level. He is the author of The Jumping Tree and Finding Our Way.


From the Hardcover edition.