THE CARDTURNER by Louis Sachar

Alton Richards' summer is looking bleak.  No job and his ex-girlfriend is dating his best friend.  His parents are worried about money and make Alton work for his wealthy uncle who is a world-class Bridge player but is now blind.  Alton's job is to go with his uncle to Bridge tournaments, telling him the cards in his hand and the cards that are played on every trick, and deal for him.  At first Alton's hates the job and the insults he must endure at his uncle's expense.  But then he begins to understand and enjoy the game.  He even enters a Bridge tournament with a girl he meets through his uncle.

The relationships that develop between Alton, his uncle, and his cousin are effective.  He is distant from his parents with good reason.  I especially enjoyed the sections on Bridge and have decided I want to learn to play the game!