Amazon Category:  Children Publisher: Sky Pony Press ISBN-10:  1510716610 Type: Fiction Pages: 208 Copyright: June 20, 2017 ISBN-13: 9781510716612 When Sandro's mom takes his little sister to Mexico for heart surgery, Sandro tries to do his best to handle everything from the championship soccer game to helping his dad. He decides to raise money for his sister's surgery by starting a recycling business at his school, but trouble seems to follow Sandro wherever he goes. When Sandro Zapote finds out his little sister needs heart surgery, he is determined to help his parents raise the money so she can get treatment. Sandro’s dad is in the States as undocumented and must work two jobs to support the family. For one, he picks up roadkill for the department of streets and sanitation and gets paid by the carcass. For the other, he collects scrap metal to recycle for cash. Sandro helps his dad with some of the scrap metal heavy lifting, and one headboard, a weight bench, some gutters, and a few car parts later, Sandro has a brilliant idea: can collecting. Save the environment. Save his sister. Maybe even save some spending money for the fabulous, fast new bike he’s been coveting. Well-meaning and with funny inner monologue, Sandro is the kind of person you can’t help but cheer for. He’s a boy who loves drawing, soccer, and his little sister. And whether he’s fishing a fuzzy, dust-coated turtle out from under his sister’s bed or organizing a school-wide can drive all by himself, Sandro is a smart, self-aware hero who makes just a few mistakes along the way.

Booklist
“Belford compassionately reveals that there’s far more to Sandro than just his misbehavior; his family’s poverty and immigration worries lead Sandro to take on far more than an 11-year-old should. Sandro’s breezy, conversational narrative, often directed at the reader, offsets the weight of his troubles in this eye-opening story that will likely resonate with a wide audience.”—Booklist

School Library Journal
Belford’s debut contains complex characterization: Sandro is affable and witty, yet his quick temper and poor decision-making will ring true to young readers….readers are likely to stick with Sandro till the sweet, wobbly end.”—School Library Journal

Holy Guacamole
Holy guacamole! You’ve got to meet soccer star Sandro, whose brain is as quick as his feet—which is good because between chasing a turtle who’s an escape artist, helping his dad collect roadkill, and conquering fourth grade, he’s got to move fast. Luckily, Sandro’s the kind of kid who puts the can in can-do and the fun in funny. You’ll laugh out loud at Sandro’s adventures, sympathize with his foul-ups, and cheer for his wins. Also, watch out: you’ll never look at duct tape or fourth grade the same way again!” Valerie Tripp--best selling author of American Girl series books.