The Cardturner by Louis Sachar

I really thought that was an interesting title.  The Cardturner.  I had no idea what I was in for when I took this book off the shelves at the library.  This is a really great book and even though I couldn't understand most of the parts about bridge, the story was amazing.  I hope you read it and like it!

Image courtesy of Google

Alton has a rich uncle who likes to play bridge.  His uncle, who he's only met once when he was five, is also blind.  When his uncle's housekeeper, Mrs. Mahoney, calls asking Alton if he will be his uncle's cardturner, he has no idea what that means.  After a brief conversation with his uncle in which he learned that it didn't matter he didn't know how to play bridge, it was settled that he would take his "favorite uncle" as his mom always said, to his bridge club.  Apparently, Toni Castaneda was his Uncle Lester Trapp's old cardturner.  And one day, when Lester Trapp told her which card to play, Toni said "Are you sure?"  Those were her last words as Lester's cardturner, and Alton inherited the job.  He tried to study on the rules of bridge, but it was complicated and he didn't get very far.  At the bridge club, Alton had to tell his uncle what cards were in his hand.  His uncle would tell him which card to play and he would play it without saying "Are you sure?".  Easy, but Alton messed up right away by telling his uncle the cards in the wrong order.  You had to say the cards in each suit starting with spades and list all the spades highest to lowest, then hearts, then diamonds, then clubs.  And his uncle memorized them, and what cards the other people played.  Trapp, as everyone calls him, basically had to memorize the whole game.  Alton was starting to realize that bridge was slightly more than a card game to his favorite uncle.  After a while, he starts to pick up the rules of bridge, and plays a couple rounds with his little sister, who he teaches how to play.  He just doesn't understand betting, but Toni Castaneda can help with that.  Toni, Alton, his little sister, and his best friend all play a game of bridge.  And then his best friend, Cliff, asks Toni out.  Alton knew it was a bad idea to invite him.  But... it was just a bridge game right?  He had no other reason for Toni to be there.  After a while, Alton start to try and predict which card his uncle will play next.  Sometimes he's wrong, but he never says "Are you sure?"  And then when his uncle gets into the regional tournament, he starts to feel a little sick, forgets which cards he has, and Alton even has to finish a round for him.  Trapp is ready to leave right now.  And Alton's parents are kinda mad at him for not asking Trapp about his will.  Not everything in his life is wonderful.  Then it gets worse.

I can't really say anymore without completely giving away everything.  The way I wrote this entry doesn't really do the book much justice, but I tried anyway.  :)