ISBN: 9781534482302
Editorial: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Autor: Makechnie, Amy
Año de edición: 2022
N° Paginas: 384
Tipo de pasta: Pasta blanda
Descripción: A middle school soccer whiz’s determination to keep things from changing is tested when his father’s ALS symptoms worsen in this “heart-tugging and uplifting” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) story about growing up and facing loss, perfect for fans of Shouting at the Rain.Twelve-year-old Golden Maroni is determined to channel his hero, soccer superstar Lionel Messi, and become captain of his soccer team and master of his eighth grade universe…especially since his home universe is spiraling out of orbit. Off the field, Golden’s dad, once a pro soccer player himself, is now battling ALS, a disease that attacks his muscles, leaving him less and less physically able to control his body every day. And while Mom says there’s no cure, Golden is convinced that his dad can beat this, just like any opponent, they just have to try.Golden knows that if you want to perfect a skill you have to put ten thousand tries in, so he’s convinced if he can put that much effort in, on and off the field, he can stop everything from changing. But when his dad continues to decline and his constant pushing starts to alienate his friends and team, Golden is forced to confront the idea that being master of your universe might not mean being in control of everything. What if it means letting go of the things you can’t control so you can do the most good for the things you can?About the AuthorAmy Makechnie is an author of books for young people of all ages. Her novels include, The Unforgettable Guinevere St. Clair, Ten Thousand Tries, and The McNifficents. Stay in touch with Amy by subscribing to her newsletter at AmyMakechnie.com.Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.1. The Back-to-School Physical The Back-to-School PhysicalWhen you saw him you would think: this kid can’t play ball.… He’s too fragile, too small. But immediately you’d realize that he was born different, that he was a phenomenon and that he was going to be impressive.—ADRIÁN CORIA ON HIS FIRST IMPRESSION OF TWELVE-YEAR-OLD LIONEL MESSI, SOCCER PHENOMEvery time Lionel Messi scores a goal, there’s literally a small earthquake, an actual seismic shift. The crowd loves him so much that when he scores, they go completely nuts. They scream, stomp, and jump so hard that the earth actually moves under their feet. Some people call it a footquake, but I like Messiquake better.When I dream, I become like my idol. The crowd loves me that much. Golden, Golden, Golden! Lucy passes me the ball, her blond hair flying. Benny sprints to the corner flag just in case I need him, giving me the assist. The ball is at my feet. I’m the dribbling maestro, faking out three defenders (it’s sick, man). Three seconds on the clock. Left foot plants, right leg swings. Like a rocket, my shot spirals forward, the ball soaring above the goalie’s fingertips. The crowd is on their feet, leaning forward, ready to shake the world. Time slows. Just before the ball hits the back of the net…… a small chattering squirrel pounces on me.I open my eyes to see the jaws of death—well, minus the two front teeth—a mere two inches from my face.“Your breath smells like a dragon,” the squirrel says.“Get off, Roma!”“Golden!” Mom yells from downstairs. “Let’s go!”My family has yet to recognize the greatness in their midst.When my six-year-old sister doesn’t move, I push past her and stumble down the stairs, consoling myself that even Messi, greatest soccer player in the world, probably has to have a yearly physical.My last year of middle school officially starts with the annual visit to Dr. Arun. Which is fine except for shots and the whole let’s-see-what’s-going-on-down-there part. And of course that Mom and my two little sisters—Whitney and Roma—aka the Squirrels, are with me.“Oooh, I like your dress,” Roma says admiringly.“It’s a gown,” I say before realizing that doesn’t sound much better.I’m wearing a small hospital gown printed with trains, the same one I’ve b
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- Envío: Desde EE. UU.
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