Golden Arm

Laz Weathers, a shy boy from a Seattle trailer park, finds baseball helps him escape poverty and drugs. When he gets an opportunity to pitch for the rich kids across town, he has a chance to get drafted by the major leagues. But playing for the other team means leaving behind his family, including Antonio, who is drawn to the drug ring. Laz will have to choose between being the star pitcher he always dreamed of becoming and the team player his family needs.

Format: Paperback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 23 August 2022
Publisher: HarperCollins

Lazarus "Laz" Weathers has always been shy and struggled with stuttering when speaking, which has made it difficult for him to connect with others. Growing up in a Seattle trailer park, Laz found solace in baseball, which helped him escape the poverty and drug-infested world he was living in. When he was offered the chance to pitch for the rich kids across town, he saw it as a way to get drafted by the major leagues and escape the life he knew. However, playing for the other team meant leaving behind his family, including his younger brother, Antonio, who was becoming increasingly involved in the Jet City's drug ring. Laz was torn between his dream of becoming a star pitcher and his responsibility to his family. He knew that he had to make a choice, but he wasn't sure which one was the right one.

One day, while Laz was practicing with his team, he noticed something strange happening on the field. The other team's pitcher was throwing pitches that were impossible to hit, and Laz couldn't understand why. He decided to investigate and discovered that the pitcher was using a performance-enhancing drug called "juice." Laz was shocked and disgusted by what he saw, and he knew that he had to do something to stop it.

Laz approached the coach of the other team and told him about what he had seen. The coach was initially skeptical, but Laz was persistent and eventually convinced him to take action. The coach reported the incident to the league, and the drug test results confirmed that the pitcher had been using juice. The pitcher was suspended for the rest of the season, and Laz's team was awarded the win.

Laz was hailed as a hero by his teammates and the community, and he was invited to speak at a conference about the dangers of drug use. He used his story to inspire others to stay away from drugs and to pursue their dreams. However, Laz's success also brought new challenges. He was now a target for the Jet City's drug ring, and he knew that he had to be careful.

One day, while Laz was walking home from practice, he was approached by a group of thugs. They demanded that he give them his money and his baseball equipment. Laz refused, and the thugs attacked him. He was beaten and left for dead, but he managed to survive.

Laz's family was devastated by the news of his attack, and they were afraid that he would never be able to play baseball again. Laz was determined to prove them wrong, and he started training harder than ever before. He worked with a personal trainer and a nutritionist to improve his strength and endurance, and he started playing in local leagues to build his confidence.

Despite his success, Laz still faced challenges. He was often the target of racist taunts and discrimination, and he struggled to find a place to live. He eventually found a home with a family who accepted him for who he was, and he started to feel like he belonged.

Laz's story was featured in a book called "Baseball and Brotherhood," which was written by a premier author of provocative YA sports novels. The book tells the story of Laz's journey from poverty to success, and it highlights the importance of brotherhood and teamwork.

The book has received critical acclaim, and it has been translated into multiple languages. It has inspired many young people to pursue their dreams and to stay away from drugs. Laz has also been invited to speak at schools and community events, and he has used his story to raise awareness about the dangers of drug use.

In conclusion, Lazarus "Laz" Weathers has a story that is both inspiring and heartbreaking. He has used baseball to escape the poverty and drug-infested world he was living in, and he has become a hero to his teammates and the community. However, his success has also brought new challenges, and he has had to be careful to stay safe. His story has been featured in a book called "Baseball and Brotherhood," which has inspired many young people to pursue their dreams and to stay away from drugs. Laz's story is a testament to the power of brotherhood and teamwork, and it shows that anything is possible if you are willing to work hard and never give up.

Weight: 302g
Dimension: 138 x 210 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780358667940