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The Hand You're Dealt [Hardcover]

Paul Volponi (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)

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Book Description

September 30, 2008
When Huck Porter's dad suddenly dies, it feels like nothing will ever make sense again. Huck's "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 still makes sense for Huck is the game his dad taught him, the game they spent hours playing together: Texas hold'em.

Worse than all of that, though, is Huck's math teacher, Mr. Abbott -- a hungry card shark with an ego to match his appetite. He now wears the local poker tournament's first prize, a silver watch that Huck's dad wore proudly for three years. So Huck hatches a plan to knock Abbott off his throne and win back the watch. Only, bluffing his way into the tournament will mean lying to everyone Huck knows. But as Huck gets deeper in the tournament and starts to lose himself in the cards, he begins to wonder who he'll be when the last hand is played.

Raw and gritty, Paul Volponi's novel about grief, family, and poker is an adrenaline rush that starts with a bang and doesn't let up until the final page is turned. A coming-of-age story set at a card table, The Hand You're Dealt will leave readers wondering what they would risk in a game.


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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up—Caldwell, CA, is a 90-minute drive from Las Vegas, but this down-on-its luck town and its close-knit residents are in another universe. Mr. Abbott is a conceited math teacher and a genuinely unpleasant individual. He is so low that he has stolen the coveted poker tournament trophy—a wristwatch—from someone in a coma, someone who happened to be Huck Porter's dying father. Huck pledges to get even, and win back the watch, by beating Mr. Abbott at his own game—no limit Texas hold 'em. In true Volponi style, this book grabs hold and won't let go. The characters are well crafted, and an elaborate description of a three-day poker tournament held at Saint Bart's rec center is riveting. A high-stakes thriller, particularly for those elusive young adult male nonreaders.—Leah Krippner, Harlem High School, Machesney Park, IL
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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.


Product Details

  • Hardcover: 176 pages
  • Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (September 30, 2008)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 141693989X
  • ISBN-13: 978-1416939894
  • Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,706,812 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

5 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.4 out of 5 stars (5 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too, August 9, 2009
This review is from: The Hand You're Dealt (Hardcover)
With the recent popularity of poker, especially Texas hold'em, Paul Volponi's book is sure to be a success. Usually Volponi focuses on sports, but his switch to poker as a theme in THE HAND YOU'RE DEALT will still satisfy his fans and most likely earn him some new ones.

Huck Porter has grown up surrounded by poker. His father was a local poker champion and taught Huck everything about the game. As he sat by his father's deathbed, at least he was comforted by the fact that the man proudly wore the treasured watch every tournament winner got to wear for a year until a new winner was crowned.

But that comfort suddenly disappeared when the watch was stolen by Mr. Abbott, Huck's high school math teacher, who insisted his poker skills had won him the right to wear it.

From the moment of his father's death, Huck swears to seek revenge. His every waking thought is focused on how and when he will beat Abbott and wear the watch that had made his father so proud. Unfortunately, many things stand in his way.

His mother doesn't approve of the poker tradition set by her late husband, his best friend thinks it's time to let the whole thing go, and the girl of his dreams doesn't view their relationship to be as serious as Huck would like. Even getting in the famed local poker tournament is proving to be a bit of a challenge.

Volponi uses family loyalty, colorful characters, and card shark action to draw readers into the story of Huck's attempt to regain what rightfully belongs to his family. Understanding the finer points of poker is not a necessary requirement. Readers just need the ability to follow some fast-paced action and cheer on the good guys.

Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"
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5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping novel!, September 22, 2011
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This review is from: The Hand You're Dealt (Paperback)
Volponi is the king of YA urban fiction! This is a gripping, eye-opening book that depicts the abuse of power that some teachers use against their students - Sadly, bullies are teachers too. It's a subject that is rarely discussed and I appreciate Volponi presenting a direct hit. Tenure insulates many horrible teachers from getting fired.
THE HAND YOU'RE DEALT is about a YA who uses his poker talent to stand up to his abusive pre-calc teacher. He does it in a respectful, yet in a way that shows he isn't going to fold to this bully. The reader can't help but cheer for the MC, Huck and his victory is a win for all youth who feel like the underdog and stick up for injustice. But this book also is a reminder that YA have next to no opportunities or power to fight these adult bullies. If we want to see education improve in this country, the tenure system needs to be looked at to see if it is truly serving our youth well. it makes it nearly impossible to fire terrible teachers. I commend Volponi for taking on the issue. Don't miss this one!
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5.0 out of 5 stars compares favorably to Chris Crutcher novels, July 27, 2011
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This review is from: The Hand You're Dealt (Paperback)
I like coming-of-age novels for young adults without any sugar coating. Teens and pre teens learn about making choices when the options look grim and the parenting is poor. This book was suggested to me by a former student; it is right up there with Chris Crutcher's novels of real teens with real problems.
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