Synopsis of The Tournament by Cynthia Di Filippo Elomaa

The life of a Scorpion is the only life Tony Garcia knows. So when Tony gets into a fight with Kevin, the high school jock, over a misunderstanding, Tony's life changes in ways he never believed possible.

Kevin's father owns a boxing gym, and when he offers Tony a chance to fight for a college scholarship and a chance for a position on the Olympic Team, Tony decides it's a chance of a lifetime. He finds training is hard work, keeping it a secret from the gang is even harder, and keeping away from Kevin’s sister Michelle is close to impossible.

When Tony's brother Tico steals from the Scorpions, he is forced into a life on the run. Miguel, the leader of the gang, is convinced Tony knows where his brother is hiding and is determined to make Tony’s life a living hell until he tells him what he wants to know. Miguel wants to expand the gang to sell guns as well as drugs, but in order to do that he needs the money Tico stole. With his brother on the run and Miguel after him, Tony finds comfort with the most unlikely of people. Tony must decide what is important to him and who he can trust. His loyalty to his gang, the love for his brother, and his determination to follow his dreams of college and a better life will be tested.

Thanks for your input- Cynthia