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Playing the Cards You're Dealt
Playing the Cards You're Dealt | Varian Johnson
2 posts | 3 read | 3 to read
“With a deft hand, Johnson shows us there's no such thing as "too young" when it comes to questioning big ideas like manhood, or even family.” –Jason Reynolds, New York Times bestselling author of Look Both Ways and Stamped Literary powerhouse and Coretta Scott King Honor- and Boston Globe / Horn Book Honor-winning author of The Parker Inheritance Varian Johnson explores themes of toxic masculinity and family legacy in this heartfelt, hopeful story of one boy discovering what it really means to be a man. SECRETS ARE ALWAYS A GAMBLE Ten-year-old Anthony Joplin has made it to double digits! Which means he's finally old enough to play in the spades tournament every Joplin Man before him seems to have won. So while Ant's friends are stressing about fifth grade homework and girls, Ant only has one thing on his mind: how he'll measure up to his father's expectations at the card table. Then Ant's best friend gets grounded, and he's forced to find another spades partner. And Shirley, the new girl in his class, isn't exactly who he has in mind. She talks a whole lot of trash -- way more than his old partner. Plus, he's not sure that his father wants him playing with a girl. But she's smart and tough and pretty, and knows every card trick in the book. So Ant decides to join forces with Shirley -- and keep his plans a secret. Only it turns out secrets are another Joplin Man tradition. And his father is hiding one so big it may tear their family apart...
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swynn
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(2021) Ten-year old Ant Joplin comes from a family of hard-core spades players, and he wants to defend the family reputation in an annual local tournament. But he's dealing with a lot at school and home. The plot touches on loyalty, responsibility, family, and addiction, with a generous helping of humor. I listened to this one on audiobook with Mrs. swynn, who has played spades since she was younger than Ant, and it gets thumbs-up from both of us.

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BookishTrish
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Wow! What a difference between this and Twins! This novel was so raw and wonderful: 10 year old Ant wants to impress (and save) his father who struggles with addiction.

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