The Hand You're Dealt

How much would you risk to win it all?

Dad was the best poker player in Caldwell. He'd won the tournament at Saint Bart's Rec. Center three-years running, and that makes you somebody in a town that's been smacked sideways like this one.

When Huck Porter's dad dies suddenly, it feels like nothing will ever make sense again. His 'best friend' thinks that Huck should just get over it, the girl he likes won't give him the time of day, and his mom now works all hours at a roadside diner to make ends meet. The only thing that does still make sense for Huck is the game his dad taught him, the game they spent hours playing together-Texas Hold'em.

Huck's dad was the best poker player in town, but now that spot's been taken over by Abbott, Huck's math teacher who spends his calculus classes ridiculing his students and talking about how he's going to hit it big some day in Vegas, instead of teaching. And worst of all is the Caldwell champion's watch that now dangles from Abbott's wrist. Huck remembers when his dad wore that watch for three years in a row and it burns him up inside to see it on Abbott. Huck has a plan to get that watch back only it will require lying to everyone he knows and loves. But as the lies build and build and he gets deeper and deeper into the poker tournament, Huck starts to wonder if he'll even recognize himself at the end.

About The Author

Paul Volponi is a writer, journalist, and teacher living in New York City. From 1992 to 1998, he taught incarcerated adolescents on Rikers Island to read and write, forming the basis of his first young adult novel, Black and White, winner of the 2006 IRA Young Adult Book Award, an ALA Best Book Young Adult, and Quick Pick Award winner. His other young adult novels include, Rooftop (also a BBYA and Quick Pick winner), and Rucker Park Setup. Mr. Volponi holds an MA in American Literature from the City College of New York and a BA in English from Baruch. You can visit him online at www.paulvolponibooks.com.