Latina Book Club Review of The Pitcher The Latina Book Club has given a rave review for

William Hazelgroves novel The P itcher the story of a Mexican American boy with a golden arm and a broken down W orld Series who coaches him to make the highschool team. New York, NY, September 21, 2013 -- The Latina Book Club's goal is to promote La tino authors and literacy. Review of William Hazelgrove's novel, The Pitcher THE PITCHER is destined to become a classic. It is well-written, funny, heart-wa rming, engaging, easy to read, romantic and uplifting. On the surface this story may seem to be all about baseball and pitchers, but its more than that. THE PITC HER, a Junior Library Guild Selection, is about a loving and determined Hispanic mother who will endure anything and survive everything for the love of her chil d and his right to fulfill his dreams; its about overcoming prejudice and poverty ; its about second chances; and most of all, its about learning to believe in your self. Book Summary: 14-year-old Ricky Hernandez is about to enter high school and want s a spot on the school baseball team. The problem is his wild pitching arm. He c an throw super fast but he has no control over it. Just like he has no control o ver his ex-father who continues to barge in and steal what little money they hav e; nor his grandmothers fears of deportation; nor the rival pitcher who continual ly bullies him; nor his mothers deteriorating ill health. Ricky longs for some he lpful tips from another pitcher, like a World Series pitcher and MVP Jack Langfo rd, who just happens to live next door, but Jack wants to be left alone. In fact , all anybody ever sees are his feet at the bottom of the garage door which is a lways down. However, Jack doesnt count on Maria Hernandez. She is a dynamo and will not take no for an answer, even if it means confronting a curmudgeon in his man-cave and forcing him into the light. Yet even with the MLB pitcher finally coaching him, Ricky cant seem to find his zone. And when his mothers health takes a turn for the worse nothing seems to matter anymore and certainly not some stupid baseball ga me. But Maria will not let him quit and from her hospital bed she encourages her son to prove himself and win. There is the obligatorywin this one for the coach s cene, but it rings true. And the ending is inspiring and joyful as any reader co uld wish. About William Hazelgrove: William Hazelgrove is the best-selling author of five novels, including THE PITC HER, a Junior Library Guild Selection. He was the Ernest Hemingway Writer in Res idence, where he wrote in the attic of Ernest Hemingway's birthplace. He has wri tten articles and reviews for USA Today and other publications. He has been the subject of interviews in NPR'sAll Things Considered along with features in The N ew York Times, LA Times, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun Times, Richmond Times Disp atch, USA Today, People, Channel 11, NBC, WBEZ, WGN. His next book ONEUP will be out Spring 2014 with Merit Press. A follow up novel, REAL SANTA, will be out fa ll of 2014. Hazelgrove runs a political cultural blog, The View From Hemingway's Attic. Visit him athttp://www.williamhazelgrove.com. Contact: Jim Turner Williamhazelgrove.com 500 San Luis Chicago, IL 708-466-7601 jturner@pantonnepress.com

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