The Cardturner: A Novel about a King, a Wueen, and a Joker by Louis Sachar 336 pages

Louis Sachar is the prolific author of many humorous books for kids. Holes won The Newbery Award. Marvin Redpost is the "male equivalent" of Junie B Jones (Park). The Wayside School series are classic read alouds for teachers and students alike. The Cardturner is unlike any of those. Sachar wrote this with an agenda. He fears that bridge is becoming a lost game played only by "old people". Despite a lack of enthusiasm for the topic by his wife and agent, he was determined to write this book. Alton Richards has a great-uncle Lester who is a world class bridge player, and has a great personal fortune. In declining health, he has lost his sight but not his fabled memory and needs a cardturner to play for him. Alton's parents insist that he take this job with the hope of persuading his uncle to leave their family his fortune. Alton begins this job clueless about the game, but over time becomes interested in the game, his uncle and a cousin he barely knew. He discovers the truth about his tangled family history. Throughout the story Sachar takes time out to explain the rules and strategy of the game. I must say that I followed the plot more closely than the card info. This could be a great intro to the world of bridge.