Sticks

Award-winning author of Hope Was Here delivers another heartwarming tale where a young pool prodigy overcomes challenges with the help of family, friends, and a pet pig.

“Micky’s authentic voice draws readers right into the story.”—Kirkus Reviews

Mickey has a dream—pool. After all, pool is in Mickey Vernon’s blood. His family owns the neighborhood pool hall, and his dad was a champion nine-ball player. That’s why Mickey knows that he will win the Junior Nine-Ball Championship. All he has to do is beat Buck Pender. The problem is, Mickey’s three years younger than Buck, who could eat him for a light snack.

Mickey knows he can’t do it alone. With ace player Joe Alvarez as his coach, and his best friend Arlen and his pet pig Mangler standing by him, can Mickey beat the odds?Praise for Joan Bauer

“[Full of] fabulous and somewhat flamboyant characters, witty dialogue, and memorable scenes . . . Bauer’s best yet.”—School Library Journal, starred review for Rules of the Road

“An eloquent story of ordinary heroes.”—Kirkus Reviews for Stand TallJoan Bauer, critically acclaimed author of Newbery Honor Book and Christopher Award-winner Hope Was Here, has written numerous books for young people, including Sticks, Rules of the Road (winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize), Backwater (a Smithsonian Magazine Best Book), Stand Tall (an ALA Notable Book), Squashed (winner of the Delacorte Press Prize for First Young Adult Novel), and Thwonk (an ALA Best Book for Young Adults). She lives with her family in Brooklyn, New York.