Clutch

Camlot, Heather. Clutch. 2017. 2017. 240p. ISBN 978-0-88995-548-6. Available at FIC CAM on the library shelves.

It is 1946, and Joseph Grosser’s father has just died, leaving his family behind to run his small grocery store, their only asset and source of income. Unfortunately, this tragedy is compounded by his father’s largesses. As a real mensch, he provided credit to many and therefore the store is owed lots of money. At 12, Joseph now needs to be the man of the house, so that his mother and his six-year-old little brother David don’t go without. He needs to operate the store and start collecting money. He’s also facing his upcoming bar mitzvah, and his religious studies are not going so well. And, above all else, Joseph cannot wait to move west of Park Avenue in Montreal, to find a better house for his family, something his father was never able to do.

At the same time Jackie Robinson, the first professional black baseball player, is playing for the Montreal Royals, the Brooklyn Dodgers’ AAA farm team. Jackie is also facing challenges, but he’s ready to meet them. David loves Jackie Robinson and religiously follows all of his exploits. Ben, Joseph’s best friend, spends a lot of time at the store, but both he and David wishes Joseph had more time to play and be a kid. Joseph, however, just wants to make money. When Ben’s father, Mr. Wolfe, approaches Joseph and offers an intriguing business opportunity, Joseph is faced with a stark choice: Do the responsible thing, or try to cut corners to accumulate wealth? As Joseph’s summer passes by, he makes connections in the unlikeliest places and he learns getting rich for being rich’s sake is not worth anything unless you are able to enjoy it with a loving family and friends. Can Joseph and Jackie Robinson triumph over their naysayers and accomplish their goals?