Ten-year-old Mickey has a talent and passion for pool, same as his late father. Mickey's nemesis is Buck Pender, a 13-year-old bully of the pool hall whom Mickey is determined to defeat in the youth nine-ball championship at his grandmother's pool hall. Unfoturnately, Mickey allows Buck to get to him, thus messing with his game. What ends up helping Mickey's game and passion is the return of family friend Joseph Alvarez who learned to play pool from Mickey's father. Mickey's mother is afraid Joseph will just let Mickey down as he had let the family down after her husband's death. But to Mickey, who was a baby when his father died, Joseph represents a connection to his father and the one sport they both love. Mickey's best friend Arlen also provides his math expertise to help Mickey with his game.

It's a vivid story about a likable kid who's passionate about his hobby. The working-class setting is that of a tight-knit family and neighborhood, where there is always someone there to pick you up when you're down. A great "boy book," too. ( )