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    You Gotta Have Heart, by Bruce Bernstein | Dedicated Review

    Luisa LaFleurBy Luisa LaFleur2 Mins Read Ages 9-12 Author Showcase Books with Boy Characters Novels for Kids and Teens Sports Teens: Young Adults
    You-Gotta-Have-Heart-by-Bruce-Bernstein-Dedicated-Review
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    Review sponsored* by Bruce Bernstein
    The Children’s Book Review | July 11, 2018

    You-Gotta-Have-HeartYou Gotta Have Heart

    Written by Bruce Bernstein

    Age Range: 10-15

    Hardcover: 168 pages

    Publisher: Outsider Press(2018)

    ISBN: 978-1-7321651-0-6

    What to expect: Karate, coming-of-age story, triumph after adversity

    In You Gotta Have Heart, author Bruce Bernstein introduces readers to young Alan Michaels, a 12-year old orphan from the Bronx. Alan has had a rough life thus far, losing his parents in an unforeseen accident and winding up in a boys’ home. Things start to change for him when he receives a scholarship to learn karate with Sensei Hideki.

    Although the odds are against him, Alan works hard to pursue his dreams—no matter that he’s living in an orphanage with little hope of ever having a normal family again. Alan uses his street smarts, his big heart and his willingness to try new things to endear himself to Sensei and his other classmates at the karate school. Alan’s new friends teach him a lot about life but also about himself. He learns to face his challenges with courage and patience.

    “You’re going to have good days and bad days….When you get knocked down, you just keep getting back up. Sometimes failures are your stepping stones to success.”

    The characters in You Gotta Have Heart are so well developed that they will surely reel readers in to see what happens next. This coming-of-age story will be sure to delight pre-teens and teens who will be able to relate to Alan’s need to find his place in the world.

    Available Here:

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    About the Author

    Bruce Bernstein
    Bruce Bernstein

    BRUCE BERNSTEIN is the author of You Gotta Have Heart. He’s a fourth-degree black belt in karate with extensive training in the martial arts. Before recently retiring, he had a solo law practice, which specialized in protecting the rights of employees, while working part-time as an administrative law judge in New York City. He is a lifelong resident of New York City who also happens to be a licensed New York City tour guide. Like Alan Michaels, the hero of You Gotta Have Heart, he also knows a lot about Central Park and New York City. For more information, visit: http://www.brucebernsteinnyc.com

    Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. Bruce Bernstein sponsored* this non-biased review of “You Gotta Have Heart.” Learn more about getting a book review …

    What to Read Next:

    1. Chula the Fox, by Anthony Perry | Dedicated Review
    2. EZ and the Intangibles, by Bob Katz | Dedicated Review
    3. A Home for Goddesses and Dogs, by Leslie Connor | Dedicated Review
    4. Bradley’s Dragons, by Patrick Matthews | Dedicated Review

    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

    Adversity Bruce Bernstein Coming of Age Dedicated Review Karate Books Loss Loss of a Parent Orphans Triumph
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    Luisa LaFleur
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    Luisa LaFleur reviews bilingual books for The Children’s Book Review to help parents choose the best books for their budding linguists. She was born in Argentina, attended school in NYC and speaks three foreign languages–Spanish, Italian and Portuguese. Formerly an editor in NYC, Luisa is currently a stay-at-home mom to two little ones.

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