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by: Joan Bauer  List Price: $5.99 Price: $1.33 You Save: $4.66 (78%)Prices subject to change. Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
EAN: 9780698119338 ISBN: 0698119339 Label: Putnam Juvenile Manufacturer: Putnam Juvenile Number Of Items: 1 Number Of Pages: 192 Publication Date: April 15, 2002 Publisher: Putnam Juvenile Reading Level: Ages 9-12 Studio: Putnam Juvenile Related Items: Alternate Versions: Click to Display Browse for similar items by category: Click to Display Editorial Review: Amazon.com Review: Breaking, bank shots, slices, and safeties—-fifth grader Mickey Vernon can shoot pool better than some guys twice his age. His philosophy is simple: "I think a lot of the world's problems could be solved by a couple of guys shooting a few racks down at the local hall." But sometimes that's hard to remember when he's facing down seventh-grade bully Buck Pender. Buck is determined to beat Mickey in the annual youth tournament down at Vernon's, the pool hall owned and operated by Mickey's grandma Poppy. And he just might do it, too. Except Mickey's got a secret weapon. Joseph Alvarez, a big rig trucker and family friend, has returned to town, and he was coached by the best pool player on the nine-ball professional circuit--Mickey's dad, who died shortly after Mickey was born. So with the help of Joseph and his two best friends, 10-year-old math genius Arlen and magician extraordinaire Francine, Mickey just might have a shot at the championship. Then Buck baits him into playing a game in which Mickey badly sprains his stick hand, just three short weeks before the tournament. Has Mickey just scratched the cue ball of his dreams? Fun, folksy, and big-hearted, Joan Bauer's first novel for middle-grade readers is sweeter than a 90-degree bank shot off the rail and into the corner pocket. Mickey's unselfconscious and humorous narration ranks with that of Archie in How I Became a Writer and Oggie Learned to Drive by Janet Taylor Lisle or Peter in Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume. (Ages 9 to 12) --Jennifer Hubert Product Description: Mickey's family owns the neighborhood pool hall, and he's been playing since before he could talk. Now that he's in fifth grade, he's determined to win the Junior Nine-Ball Championship and cream obnoxious Buck Pender. Problem is, Mickey's ten and Buck's thirteen-and could eat him for a snack. Even with his friend Arlen's help, Mickey doesn't stand a chance. Then Joe Alvarez shows up at the pool hall. He's a fantastic player, and decides to sign on as Mickey's pool coach. But it all depends on one person: Mickey. Can he beat the odds? "Good characters, humor, and an engaging plot make this a solid piece of middle-grade fiction." (Booklist) Average Rating:
 Rating:  - Unrealistic charactersMickey's father was a championship pool player before he died, back when Mickey was a baby. Now that Mickey is eleven, he is determined to follow in his father's footsteps, starting by beating the local bully in the town's big children's pool tournament. When an old friend of his father's walks back into their lives and offers to coach him, Mickey is thrilled. His mother, though, isn't quite so enthusiastic. The story is decent, although a bit cliche. It is obvious what will happen ... Read More Rating: - A Pool StorySticks isn't about pool sticks. This realistic fiction story explains about the ten-year old boy Mickey Vernon who is talented and wants to follow in his father's footsteps. It will take true confidence, "ganas". You will enjoy reading about friendship, courage to believe in yourself, and to never give up hope. Sticks explains a way to solve problems and learn about it. Mickey's biggest goal was to beat 13 year old bully Buck Pender and win the pool hall tournament. With his friends Arlen, Francine, ... Read More Rating: - It's alright....A story of a boy who tries to live in the shadow of his dead father. The main character lives with his mother as he tries to figure out who he is. His best friend is a whiz at math and helps him to learn and understand the angles of pool. An old friend of the boy's deceased father comes back into the picutre, much to the dismay of the main character's mother. Toward the end of the book the boy enters a local pool tournament and has to go up against some stiff competition. The book's end is so predictable ... Read More Rating:  - If you haven't read this book, READ IT!For a person who likes to play pool, this is a good book to read. If you dont really like to play pool, this is still an incredible book. This book is by a fantastic author and she wrote this book like she was the main character. When I read this book I didnt really like to play pool but when I was reading this book I could veiw all the book and when they were playing pool in the book it seemed like I was one of the fans watching the game. It is kind of sad when it talks about the kids dad dieing but when his ... Read More Rating:  - Mickey's Pool HallHey! People if you want an exciting and extraordinarily funny, but realistic fiction story by the great author named Joan Bauer, I recommend the book Sticks. The 2 boys in the book are the main characters. Mickey Vernon is 10 has freckles, blisters on his finger sand Arlen Pepper has glasses, carries his calculator, and a protractor that why everyone called him the math wiz. He is very intelligent with any kind of math and science. Ever day Vernon always got beaten the big fat bully named Buck Pender. Read More 
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