Customer Reviews

The Hand You're Dealt

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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"

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!

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.

Well written and paced; poker material sufficiently explained so a non-player will understand and enjoy the action. Universal truths about loyalty, trustworthiness, stepping up to the plate. Topic has appeal to even the non-athletic teen-age boys.

Great perspective and insight through the eyes of a teen boy coping with one of life's worst tragedies. However, used profanity that I believe to be unnecessary in this level of reading.