Resource Links, published 5 times a year is Canada’s national journal devoted to the review and evaluation of Canadian resources for children and young adults.
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Resource Links is written by educators, librarians and writers working with young people across the nation. Our reviewers span the country from British Columbia to Newfoundland.
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In today’s society a great majority of our children and young adults are involved in some kind of sports activity. In keeping with this we have put together a list of books dealing with a variety of sports which should be of interest to this audience. The list includes picture books, fiction, non-fiction and biography.
BÉRUBÉ, François
La Finale (Planete Soccer #4)
Éditions Hurtubise, 2018. 234p. Gr. 4-8. 978-2-89871-096-2. Pbk. $14.95
Rating: E
Raphael (Raf) Rousseau excels at a soccer camp which means that he will represent his region in the upcoming Quebec Provincial Games. Raf also has a big decision to make regarding his future soccer career. He has been invited to participate in a program at a prestigious private college which would mean spending part of his day at school and the rest of his time with the best coaches and players in order to improve his athletic skills. The choice is difficult since Raf would be moving far from his family and his girlfriend Sarah and, despite his love of soccer, he isn’t sure if the sport should be his priority.
Bérubé gives soccer fans an excellent story with many play-by-play game situations which will keep any sports buffs on the edge of their seats. Readers follow Raf and his team-mates through the soccer camp and then the various levels of the provincial championship, right to the final game. While the outcome may seem predictable, Berube manages to keep readers’ attention throughout the story with various ups and downs which affect the team and their play.
The author provides a role model in Raf who is made captain of his soccer team and must help his team-mates realize what they must do to become a true team both on and off the field. Both Raf and the team coach stress that often attitude is just as important as skill if one wants to be a winner.
Raf must also consider his personal life and how important it is vis-à-vis his future in soccer. He is going through a tough time with his parents at the moment and his girlfriend Sarah has seemed moody and distant since he mentioned that he might spend time away from her. Does Raf put his soccer dream aside in order to concentrate on these important relationships? Or does sport come first? Readers only learn his final decision on the last pages of the novel.
The book is divided into eleven chapters and each has subdivisions, so the novel is not too difficult for students at the junior or intermediate level.
As well as appealing to soccer and sports fans, this book offers an interesting perspective on what it takes to be a team player and what role sports should play in the life of an aspiring athlete.
Thematic Links: Soccer; Team Play; Romance
(Reviewed by Ann Ketcheson in Vol. 24, #2)
BÉRUBÉ, François
La rivalité: Planète Soccer 3
Éditions Hurtubise, 2017. 265p. Gr. 8-10. 978-2-89781-048-1. Pbk. $14.95 Rating: G
In the third novel in the Planète Soccer Series, we continue to follow the story of Raphaël (Raf) Rousseau, a talented young soccer player now playing with a new team, a team with a domineering coach and a reputation for losing. To make matters even worse, Raf is now playing against former team-mates and this only serves to create a more competitive spirit amongst the young players. While life on the soccer field poses challenges, Raf also faces some serious issues in his personal life as his girlfriend Sarah struggles with body image and an eating disorder. Raf is in desperate need of an ally to help survive his first summer on a new team and to help lead this team to victory and ultimately, to the Quebec International Soccer Tournament, all while helping Sarah on the road to wellness and self-confidence.
In this third installment of Planète Soccer, author François Bérubé provides readers with enough background to seamlessly delve into the continuation of the series. Like the first two novels, while this may appear at first-glance to be a light-hearted sports story, Bérubé touches on serious topics such as rivalry and eating disorders. While the storyline revolving around Sarah’s eating disorder could be more well-developed, as was the cyberbullying storyline from the second novel, it still adds more of a personal dimension to a very sports-driven novel. While Bérubé does describe the game-day action in vivid detail, it is often too long and could be summarized more succinctly. The depiction of the sports action will either attract some readers or deter others. Overall, the novel is engaging and modern and will certainly appeal to intermediate readers with an interest in sports, especially those with an interest in soccer. This novel would be best suited for use as an independent novel study or as a prompt for further discussions surrounding the subject of eating disorders, motivation or sportsmanship.
Thematic Links: Family; Friendship; Sports and Competition; Rivalry; Perseverance; Eating Disorders and Body Image; Adolescence(Reviewed by Amy J Flight in Vol. 23, #3)
BÉRUBÉ, François
Planéte Hockey: #1 Sur les traces de Sidney Crosby
Éditions Hurtubise, 2018. 267p. Gr. 4-8. 978-2-89781-211-9. Pbk. $14.95
Rating: E
Alexis Chevarie is an excellent hockey player and at the age of only 14 has been called ‘the next Sidney Crosby’. This is very complimentary but has its drawbacks as well since everyone expects a great deal of him. Alexis leaves his home in the Magdalen Islands for the Mistral de Mont-Joli high school to join a hockey league which puts equal emphasis on education and sport. He gradually gets used to his new team-mates and works hard to be successful both on and off the ice.
The character of Alexis grows and matures through this first novel of the series. He must get used to a new town, a new school, a host family and new team-mates. It is obvious that there is bad blood between some team members and Alexis tries to understand this animosity and to do his best to work with everyone. He has made the difficult decision to pursue his education instead of simply moving to a league which might lead more directly to an NHL hockey career, a choice which also shows his growing maturity.
Young adult readers may remember author Bérubé from his Planéte Soccer Series and will be delighted that while the focus is now on a new sport, the exciting play-by-play action and descriptions continue. Fans will feel like they are in the dressing room or on the ice with Alexis thanks to the many details included in the story.
The cover art may have more appeal to boys, but it is interesting to note that one character on the cover is female and she plays on the team as one of two goalies. Thus, female sports fans will also enjoy the book. The book is divided into 15 chapters which makes it accessible for students at the junior and intermediate levels.
Undoubtedly Bérubé has plans for more books in this hockey series and there will be more of Alexis’s adventures to delight both sports fans and reading fans.
Thematic Links: Hockey; Team Play; Coming-of-Age
(Reviewed by Ann Ketcheson in Vol. 24, #4)
BLAIR, Kelsey
Tough Call (Lorimer Sports Stories)
James Lorimer & Co., 2018. 127p. Gr. 4-10. 978-1-4594-1368-9. Pbk. $12.95
Rating: E
Malia, in Grade 9, and her sister, Flo in Grade 7, both attend East Side Middle School, and both make the school basketball teams. Malia realizes that this is going to be expensive for their parents, so she takes the opportunity to make some money by qualifying to referee games. When the schedule is drawn up, she is paired with Gina, an East Side grad, and they are assigned to several East Side games, including the play offs.
Malia becomes friends with Carlos, a student at East Side’s rival school, Boundary. They met during the referee course, and soon realize that just because you attend the opposing school, you do not need to be enemies. Carlos and Priya, Malia’s best friend and team-mate, support her in her refereeing, as she discovers how hard it is to make accurate calls in a fast-paced game without second-guessing. When Boundary plays against East Side, it is even more challenging. Gina not-so-subtly favours East Side, and the pressure on Malia from the coaches and parents is intense. Even Malia’s and Flo’s friends try to persuade her to make sure that East Side wins. In the end, Malia learns that although it may be a tough call, being fair creates the best game for everyone.
At a reading level of 3.0, this novel is accessible to many students and shows insight into both basketball and character. Another good addition to the Lorimer Sports Stories Series!
Thematic Links: Sports – Basketball; Friendship; Self-Confidence; Fair Play
(Reviewed by Patricia Jermey in Vol. 24, #2)
BOW, James
Evaluating Arguments About Sports and Entertainment (State Your Case Series)
Crabtree Publishing, 2019. 48p. Illus. Gr. 6-12. 978-0-7787-5089-5. Pbk. $10.95 ea
Rating: E
This book is part of the State Your Case Series which focuses on how to evaluate arguments so that you can form knowledgeable opinions. The book has an introductory chapter about sports and entertainment, outlining some of the issues being faced. Chapter 2 looks at “What Makes An Argument”, it outlines the core components of an argument – the core argument, claims, reasons, evidence, counterclaims and conclusion; how to evaluate an argument; how to make a great argument – know your audience, a good introduction, using clincher conclusions and choosing your words carefully. The final three chapters of the book examines the pro and con arguments concerning current issues on sports and entertainment.
The book is well-laid out with very readable text, lots of captioned colour photographs, and boxes containing a variety of facts and statistics. The book contains a Table of Contents, a detailed Bibliography, a Glossary, a Learning More page listing books and websites, and an Index.
Sports and entertainment are very much in the news these days not just covering games and movies and TV shows but highlighting the costs, the benefits, the ethics, etc.. Evaluating Arguments About Sports and Entertainment looks at the topics of “Should We Continue to Stage the Olympic Games?”, “Should Schools Cut Funding for Sports Teams?”, “Are Electronic Games Time-Wasters?” and “Should Athletes Who Use Banned Drugs Lose Their Medals?”
The book provides a wealth of information on the current status of sports and entertainment. It also provides valuable information on organizing and presenting arguments which would be great for students involved in debating clubs. I would highly recommend this book for inclusion in junior high and high school libraries.
Thematic Links: Sports; Arguments
(Reviewed by Victoria Pennell in Vol. 24, #3)
BOWES, Lisa
Lucy Tries Hockey (Lucy Tries Sports Series)
Illustrated by James Hearne. Orca Book Publishing, 2018. 32p. Illus. Gr. Preschool – K. 978-1-459816947. Pbk. $12.95
Rating: E
She’s tried luge, short track, and soccer. Now, in her latest picture book, red-headed, pony-tailed Lucy tries hockey. With her parents’ permission and support, she enrols in a beginner hockey clinic. The lessons take place on an indoor rink. She becomes friends with the students as they learn warm-ups, safe ways to fall, stick handling, and shooting the puck. With practice, focus, and determination, Lucy scores a goal by the end of the one day class. The four friends enjoy the class so much, they decide to form a team and continue to play (outdoors) during the winter season.
Intermixed with the short rhyming sentences are coloured words that change in size according to the excitement levels in the story. The children are creative and imaginative; they add stickers to their helmets and imagine their coach shoots the puck so fast, fire comes off his hockey stick! The hand-drawn and digital coloured artwork contains mountainous backgrounds, rosy cheeks, and examples of good sportsmanship, both on and off the ice. Back material includes a page with five fast facts about hockey.
Also available in French as Lucy joue au hockey.
Thematic Links: Hockey; Skating Rinks; Hockey Coach; Family; Recreation; Sports; Introductory Hockey Clinic
(Reviewed by Tanya Boudreau in Vol. 24, #1)
BUTCHER, Kristen
Isobel’s Stanley Cup
Crwth Press, 2018. 87p. Illus. Gr. 4-6. 978-1-7753319-6-4. Pbk. $8.95
Rating: E
Kristin Butcher is a teacher-turned-writer. This book is number 26. More information about her books is available at www.kristinbutcher.com. She is an avid Maple Leafs’ fan.
The story, set in Ottawa, in 1893, is a work of fiction, but historically correct.
Isobel Harkness lives in Ottawa with her parents and five older brothers. She can skate and plays hockey as well as her brothers, but is forbidden to play by her father who thinks she should do more feminine activities. Isobel is undeterred because of her mother who sympathizes with her and because she sees another female, Isobel Stanley on the ice playing hockey. Isobel Stanley is the daughter of Lord Stanley, the Governor-General of Canada. Isobel Stanley gives her some sage advice; it is hard to hit a moving target. This advice helps Isobel save the day later on.
At this point in time, the boys play hockey, largely organized by themselves, with no referees, no net or crossbars, only goalposts. There were only two periods, not three, and seven players, not six. Spare players only got into the game when there was an injury.
When Lord Stanley announces that he is donating a cup to the Amateur Hockey Association of Canada’s Champions, Isobel gets an idea. She decides to keep involved with her brothers’ hockey team as a coach. She organizes a hockey challenge amongst the six local boys’ teams. She recruits fathers to referee the games and stop the cheating. Her mother comes to the rescue by providing a silver sugar bowl to serve as the Cup and knitted red toques for the brothers’ team. When one of her brothers is injured before the game, Isobel fools her parents by dressing up as her brother and saves the game. Her team wins the Cup. Another victory happens when Isobel’s father realizes his views about women playing hockey were misguided and invites her to play with him and her brothers.
Middle schoolers will enjoy this book, especially girls who play hockey or other sports. Boys will also appreciate the historical accuracy of the game. This book could be used a part of a Canadian history class.
Thematic Links: Hockey; Canadian History; Girls in Sport
(Reviewed by Elizabeth Brown in Vol. 24, #3)
CHARLES, Norma
Runner: Harry Jerome, World’s Fastest Man
Red Deer Press, 2017. 155p. Gr. 3-6. 978-0-88995-553-0. Pbk. $12.95
Rating: G
This fast-paced novel moves through Harry Jerome’s life in 1950s Vancouver, and follows his journey to becoming one of the most successful track-and-field athletes in Canada, and one of the fastest runners in the world. Harry loses two homes, one to flood and one to fire, but he always manages to take care of his family. Harry picks up a paper route to earn some extra money for himself, because money is tight at home, where they live off his father’s porter’s salary. Harry and his family are targeted by racist neighbours, and other children at school, and they experience many hardships in this regard. Harry and his younger sister Valerie join a track-and-field club at school, and find that the colour of their skin does not matter to their team-mates or coaches – here they can finally fit in. They both make the Canadian Olympic team, and compete in Rome. Harry sustains an injury, and loses the Olympic race, but keeps on running and training. After recovering from another major injury, Harry makes the Canadian Olympic team again, to compete in Tokyo, where he earned a bronze medal.
This book reads like a novel at the beginning, and the writing then becomes more biographical, as Harry’s career progresses. The beginning of the book strongly sets up Harry’s character, but later feels a little more detached as the book becomes more fact-based. This book will help students understand racism in 1950s Canada through the interesting and engaging journey of the life and athletic career of one of the world’s fastest runners.
Thematic Links: Track-and-Field; Racism; Sports; Running; Biography; African-American Athletes
(Reviewed by Sarah Atkinson in Vol. 24, #1)
CORR, John
Eight Times Up
Orca Book Publishers, 2019. 213p. Gr. 4-7. 978-1-4598-1861-3. Pbk. $10.95
Rating: G
Riley’s mom suffered from stress-related anxiety, and has left him and his father. Riley also has what he calls “the Surge”, where stressful situations bring on panic attacks. His professor father researches the issue, and decides that aikido, a form of non-competitive martial arts, might be helpful. Riley joins a class with four other rookie white belts under the instruction of Sensei Rick.
One of his classmates is a girl named Wafaa. At the first class Riley tells her that she looks like a ninja, because of the tight-fitting hood she wears. He is embarrassed when he realizes that she is wearing a hijab for religious reasons. Their dojo is also used by a judo class, and Riley sees a photograph of Wafaa with a judo sensei and a medal and a big smile. When the kids go to an aikido training camp in the country, Wafaa tells them the story: she had to leave judo because her decision to wear the hijab meant she could no longer compete according to Judo Canada rules. She explains that wearing the hijab is her choice, just as one of the boys chooses to wear a cross, as a symbol of family, community and love. The classmates bond together, and develop a strong sense of respect and self-respect. When they encounter the judo class at the dojo, and the judo kids mock Wafaa, Riley comes to her defence. They have learned that if you are knocked down seven times, you must get eight times up.
Thematic Links: Sports – Martial Arts; Self-Esteem; Prejudice; Racism
(Reviewed by Patricia Jermey in Vol. 24, #3)
FERGUS, Maureen
The Day Dad Joined My Soccer Team
Illustrated by Mike Lowery. Kids Can Press, 2018. 32p. Illus. Gr. Preschool – 2. 978-1-77138-654-8. Hdbk. $18.99
Rating: G
A young boy who loves playing soccer asks his father to be a parent volunteer for his team when he learns Coach needs help from a parent.
Coach really wants a parent to be in charge of half-time snacks but his father thinks he is needed to play on the team. With great enthusiasm, he proceeds to complain about playing defence as it is too boring. He thinks winning is the important goal in playing soccer. He also has a “hairy fit” when a player from the other team accidentally trips him and the referee doesn’t give the player a penalty. The boy is embarrassed by his father’s behaviour and tries to teach him that soccer is about having fun, listening to the Coach, participating, being a good sport and being a team player.
The role reversal comic tale helps show children what is involved in good sportsmanship and being a team player in a very amusing manner.
The illustrations are created in Photoshop with great energy and humour.
Thematic Links: Soccer; Sportsmanship; Fathers
(Reviewed by Isobel Lang in Vol. 24, #1)
FRANCIS, Mario
Derrière le mur (Objectif l’Impact #4)
Les Éditions de la Bagnole, 2018. 178p. Gr. 4-6. 978-2-89714-279-7. Pbk. $12.95
Rating: E
Francis Savard is a physical education teacher who is always watching young athletes at his school. When he sees Zachary Gervais playing handball, he realizes just how much natural talent Zach has. The teacher is determined to get Zach involved in soccer in order to see if he has the potential to go to the Impact Academy and be part of a professional team. But there are many obstacles in the way. Zach comes from a single parent family and so there is no money to pay for equipment. His brother is in reform school and there is the possibility that Zach may be influenced by him. And in order to be considered for the Academy a student needs an excellent academic record and Zach’s results at school aren’t even close to that. Savard must first convince Zach that he has talent and then help him achieve his goal.
This is an excellent story about determination and perseverance which will appeal to athletes in any sport and to any children pursuing their dreams. Zach learns to be more self-confident and to be part of a team. M. Savard is also an interesting character, a role model for Zach who will push him when necessary while still allowing him the freedom to make his own decisions.
There is lots of soccer action in the novel along with the coming-of-age theme of the story. While the book focuses on a male soccer player, a key member of the adult team with whom Zach plays is a woman and so the story will have appeal for young athletes of both genders.
Thematic Links: Soccer; Achieving One’s Goals
(Reviewed by Ann Ketcheson in Vol. 24 #2)
FRANCIS, Mario
Midget: Plus près du rêve 3 (Collection Gazoline)
Les Éditions de la Bagnole, 2017. 195p. Gr. 10-12. 978-2-89714-253-7. Pbk. $14.95
Rating: G
In the third novel in the series, after Pee-Wee: L’hiver qui a changé ma vie and Bantam: Dans la lignée des champions, we continue on the journey towards the Québec Major-Junior Hockey League with the two talented players from the first two novels Janeau Trudel and Joey Boulet. Trudel and Boulet are considered two of the most talented players in the province and the hottest prospects for the upcoming league draft. However, while Trudel is focused on the game, Joey begins to waver as he falls under the influence of Yanick Pronovost and becomes involved in a relationship with one of Yanick’s friends, Coralie. Joey’s family situation further complicates matters as he struggles with his parents’ separation and his father’s alcoholism. While the two young players approach the upcoming draft in the different way, they soon learn that when it comes to the Major-Junior League draft, anything can happen.
In the third installment of the series, the young players are maturing and readers will encounter more serious challenges and subject matter in this novel. While the first two novels took a light-hearted, yet realistic look at the sports dream of two young players, this novel delves into new territory as the topics of alcoholism, father-son relationships and loss of motivation become central to the story. As with the first two novels in the series, author Mario Francis continues to tackle issues around identity, self-confidence, motivation and perseverance. As with the previous novels in the series, strong characterization drives the intrigue, as we root for the two young players. The realistic depiction of the sports action will also keep readers engaged and will appeal to more advanced readers with an interest in sports, particularly hockey fans.
This novel would be best suited for use as an independent novel study, a study of the three novels in the series, or as a prompt for further discussions surrounding the subject of sports, hockey or identity. In addition, it should be noted that the series culminates with the release of a film entitled Junior-Majeur and a novel study could be combined with a film study to engage in a more comprehensive sports-based reading unit. However, it should also be noted that this third novel in the series is more appropriate for more mature readers as there are references to alcohol use, alcoholism and some sexual innuendo.
Thematic Links: Sports and Competition; Perseverance; Friendship; Identity; Motivation; Self-Confidence; Family; Father-Son Relationships; Dreams; Goals
(Reviewed by Amy J Flight in Vol. 23, #3)
HARGREAVES, Kate
Jammer Star (Orca Sports Series)
Orca Book Publishers, 2019. 137p. Gr. 4-10. 978-1-4598-1718-0. Pbk. $9.95
Rating: G
Kate Hargreaves really knows her roller-derby. Robin is a sixteen-year-old jammer in a junior league, working hard to be the mvp jammer on her team. So far this season, April’s great footwork and jumps have made her the star of every game, but recently April has been losing weight and showing less power in her game. When Robin tells the team’s coach, a chef named Quinoa Queenie, about pro ana sites she found on April’s phone, the coach invites a local derby star to their practice. Annie Mossity (love those derby names!) reminds the girls, “As an athlete, and you are all roller-derby athletes, you need to remember that our bodies will only treat us as well as we treat them. That means putting healthy foods in our bodies if we expect them to skate and jump and hit and spin as much as we ask them to…You may not believe this, but when I started really getting into roller-derby, I had a lot of trouble accepting my own body…I was being held back by these silly standards. That I needed to eat enough of the right foods to be a strong and healthy skater, to be a better athlete.” (p. 109-111)
With a change in nutrition and a re-commitment to training, both Robin and April become stand-outs on their team, and are invited to work out with the adult team that Annie plays on. This novel inspires the reader to eat well, play hard, and appreciate the sport of roller-derby!
Thematic Links: Sports-Roller Derby; Eating Disorders; Nutrition; Pro Ana Social Media
(Reviewed by Patricia Jermey in Vol. 24, #4)
HOWDEN, Sarah
5-Minute Basketball Stories
Illustrated by Nick Craine. HarperCollinsCanada, 2019. 170p. Illus. Gr. 3-7. 978-1-443456722. Hdbk. $17.99
Rating: G
The author has written a collection of twelve short stories highlighting some well recognised basketball legends and superstars, all of whom play, or have played, on teams in the USA. The stories are about pivotal moments or experiences in their lives, which are intended to be motivational for young students with an interest in basketball. For Canadians, two of the stories are about Steve Nash and his return to Phoenix as an older player.
As the title suggests, the stories are short which may encourage some weaker readers to give this book a try, and the subject may pull in some more reluctant readers. The text is split into short paragraphs of two or three sentences per page, which matches the pace of good play, with many coloured, cartoon style illustrations on each page and will keep the interest of slower readers. This may not be the intent of the author, but I think it might work!
Thematic Links: Basketball; Biographies
(Reviewed by Mavis Holder in Vol. 24, # 4)
HOWLING, Eric
The Mask (Orca Sports)
Orca Book Publishers, 2018. 151p. Gr. 4-10. 978-1-459818798. Pbk. $9.95
Rating: E
Fourteen-year-old Logan has such good looks and hockey skills that the novel opens with his filming a commercial. He has it all, and an attitude to go with it. When he scores all the goals in a tied game, his interior monologue sums it up: “The game had ended in a tie, but it felt like a win. His team-mates hadn’t thought they had a chance. But Logan knew he could do it. Knew he was the best player on the ice. Maybe the best in the league. He didn’t need the other players on his team. He could do it himself.” (p.18) Logan shares his opinion with his team-mates, making demeaning and hurtful comments. His girlfriend calls him on his behaviour, and how angry and mean he is with his mother as well. Logan acknowledges that the hockey players will no longer be his friends, and nor does he need them.
That night Logan awakens to a house full of smoke. He rescues his mother safely, but realizes his dog is still in the house. Although the roof is already on fire, he goes back in, and is hit by falling rafters. He suffers second degree burns on his hands and legs, and third degree burns on his face. With good medical care he will heal, but he will never look the same. He bitterly reflects that he has driven away all his friends, and now is so ugly that no one will want to be seen with him. The fall from his previous status is hard to accept. But a team-mate, one that Logan had mocked mercilessly, comes to the hospital to see him. He shares his backstory: born with a cleft palate, and growing up in foster care, he was never as handsome or popular or fortunate as Logan. But he understands that team-mates look out for each other. When Logan goes home, a group of his team-mates invite him to join them in a road hockey game, and he agrees to play in goal, wearing a hockey mask. He then transitions to back-up goalie for the team, and eventually returns to his former position. With Logan’s growth in attitude and maturity, the novel ends with his filming another commercial: a fundraiser for the hospital. His courage and his face are on full display; he no longer needs a mask.
Howling’s character development of Logan is exceptional. His arrogance and sense of entitlement at the beginning lead logically into his bitterness when he is injured, and then healed through the kindness and concern of his girlfriend and team-mates.
Thematic Links: Sports; Hockey; Teamwork; Overcoming Obstacles.
(Reviewed by Patricia Jermey in Vol. 24, #1)
LAUZON, Emmanuel
Plan de match (Volume 3 of Objectif: L’Impact)
Les Éditions de la Bagnole, 2017. 204p. Gr. 4-8. 978-2-89714-205-6. Pbk. $12.95
Rating: E
Chung Mai Wu is a 14-year-old who is keen to become a professional soccer player. He strives to be accepted into the school run by the Montreal Impact soccer team despite problems with a concussion and having to convince his parents that sports are more than just a pleasant pastime.
Lauzon gives readers a novel which will appeal to soccer fans and anyone who is trying to follow a dream. Chung Mai is determined and goal-oriented and yet also understands that he must play as part of a team if he is to succeed. He is also keenly aware that he needs to support and help his parents who spend all of their waking hours running a small Asian grocery store.
The book has action when soccer matches are described and there is also the suspense of wondering whether or not Chung Mai will make the team and go on to become professional. Lauzon provides an ending which is both realistic and satisfying. Readers will cheer for Chung Mai throughout this excellent story.
Thematic Links: Soccer; Perseverance; Family; Concussion
(Reviewed by Ann Ketcheson in Vol. 23, #3)
MACLEOD, Elizabeth
Meet Tom Longboat (Scholastic Canada Biography Series)
Illustrated by Mike Deas. Scholastic Canada, 2019. 31p. Illus. Gr. 2-6. 978-1-4431-6391-0. Hdbk. $16.99
Rating: E
This is the third title in the picture book biography series from Scholastic Canada. The books feature an easy-to-read text with comic style illustrations containing speech balloons which bring the reader into the lives of the people featured. A timeline and historical photos complete the book.
In this volume we are introduced to Tom Longboat who was one of the top runners in the world in the early 1900s. The book follows Tom from his birth on the Six Nations Reserve near Brantford, Ontario in 1886, through his short time at a residential school, his very successful racing days, his time as a soldier in World War I and his life after the war.
The biography is beautifully done with just enough text to give a good overview of Longboat’s life. The colourful illustrations with speech balloons by Mike Deas add greatly to the books both through visuals and additional information.
I would highly recommend this book for primary grades and for any children who have in interest in Canadian biography.
Also available in French as Voici Tom Longboat (Biographie en images series)
Thematic Links: Canadian Biography; Tom Longboat
(Reviewed by Victoria Pennell in Vol. 24, # 4)
MCGREGOR, Roy & Kerry McGregor,
The Ice Chips and the Haunted Hurricane (The Ice Chips Series)
HarperCollinsCanada, 2018. Illustrated by Kim Smith. 171 p. Gr. 4-7. 978-1-44345-231-1. Hdbk. $16.99
Rating: E
The Ice Chips and the Haunted Hurricane is the second book in The Ice Chips Series by Roy and Kerry McGregor. Once again the cast of characters are travelling back in time but on this adventure they are on a boat that is heading into a hurricane. The captain of the boat is Captain Horatio Brannen, a gruff and fearless man. On board are Lucas, Edge and Swift from the Ice Chips team. Prior to this time travel expedition, Lucas has been dealing with some “hiccups” in his world: he needs new equipment bad, a dilemma that seems to be overshadowing his concentration on the ice. Then to make matters worse, the team is playing an exhibition game soon against the “Riverton Stars”, a team who even had their own bus, a new ice rink, and lots of attitude. Could it get any worse?
A rematch is in the planning and as the practice ends, Lucas, Edge and Swift disappear. Readers need to follow the story closely as the story moves from the boat/sea to the hockey rink and back to the boat in the first several chapters. After the boat arrives at the Halifax pier, two other characters (Bond and Mouth Guard) are waiting on the dock; the two are also in the company of “Sid”, a young boy who was already being scouted for his hockey talents. Mouth Guard knew that wasn’t going to happen to him or his teammates. It isn’t until the end of the story that the characters learn exactly who this young hockey protégé is. The Ice Chips team and Sid decide to run the hill, Citadel Hill that is. It’s good training before a scrimmage suggests Sid. A discussion ensues about what the importance of the “citadel” and the cast then follows Sid running up the stairs inside the structure as well. While inside, the gang learns about a ghost, Grey Lady, but the group doesn’t realize they have already met a ghost earlier in their adventure. They also partake in different games while on the hill, all the while astonished with the young boy Sid. As the conversation continues, they soon learn that they are back in time, back to 1996! Eventually, the gang gets back to reality, realizing who Sid really is and learning from the lessons he has taught them; lessons that will allow the rematch game to work out just the way the Ice Chips hope!
Roy McGregor and Kerry McGregor have created another delightful novel for young hockey fans with the dynamic crew the Ice Chips! Time travel fiction is a perfect way to let the reader’s imagination wander, as well it allows for the author to allow the plot to move back to the past then return to the present, keeping the plot and characters flexible in their storylines. This writing duo has done just that; the characters in The Ice Chips and the Haunted Hurricane are oblivious to the time differences until later in their adventure. Minor hockey leagues are important across Canada, and often are the hub of entertainment in a community. The Ice Chip characters abound with enthusiasm and energy reflective of this sport. The Ice Chips team may never make the gold medal game or have many of their players reach the NHL, but each one of them has something more valuable that skill, they have the heart and love of the game. The authors provide subtle hidden messages that are very relevant for children today: bullying, team building, hard work, etc. The chapters are short and sweet, filled with humour and child like words and behaviours. There are many references to Sidney Crosby that readers familiar with the hockey superstar may already know (e.g. sister Taylor the goalie, the washing machine full of puck dents, etc.). Set in Halifax, Nova Scotia, there is a multitude of references to various landmarks and events of importance in the city’s history (e.g. Citadel Hill, Five Fisherman Restaurant, Halifax Explosion, etc.).
The black and white toned illustrations are appealing, support the text, and provide a glimpse into the diversity of the characters as well. The faces of the characters are expressive, full of emotion, and relevant to the age of children depicted in the story. From the Crosby dryer (p. 14) to the image of the children on Citadel Hill (p. 85) to the final illustration of a poster of Sidney Crosby (p. 166) hoisting the coveted hockey trophy, each illustration complements the story without being intrusive or distracting.
The Ice Chips and the Haunted Hurricane is a magical story where all budding hockey players can allow their imagination to roam, as each minor hockey player reading the story can dream of meeting hockey greats like Sidney Crosby and others. The story contains adorable and likeable characters, a helping of mystery and intrigue, plus some danger to spice up the adventure along the way. This novel is a perfect read for hockey fans of all ages, and a great addition to any school or public library collection. One final thought: is it possible to do read-alouds in the dressing rooms of minor hockey leagues across the country? It’s the perfect story for getting timely messages out to the players, as well as maybe hook reluctant readers to grasp on to the series for some good old fashion fun with a book!
Thematic Links: Minor Hockey Leagues; Hockey Stars; Time Travel; Perseverance; Creativity; Magic; Ghosts; Halifax Explosion; Sea Captain; Diversity; Empowerment; Sportsmanship; Bullying; Friendships; Hurricanes; Nova Scotia
(Reviewed by Carmelita Cechetto-Shea in Vol. 24. #3)
MUGFORD, Simon
Hockey Crazy
Scholastic Canada, 2018. 128p. Illus. Gr. 4 up. 978-1-4431-5798-8. Pbk. $12.99
Rating: G
Simon Mugford brings us a great deal of hockey trivia in this collection. In 28 chapters with titles such as Ice Cool Looks, Coolest Goals, The Stanley Cup, Awesome Arenas, Mascot Madness, Goalie Greats, Goofy Goals, Hockey Hilarity, Zippy Zambonis, Hockey Tough Guys, King Coaches, Player Nicknames and many others Mugford blends the great and the goofy happenings of the National Hockey League and various international series.
The text consists of short annotations accompanied by large colourful photographs with captions contained in a hockey puck. There is a table of contents and an index.
Hockey fans will love this book for all the information which is contained in it as well as the funny stories which have happened over the years. It would be a great addition to a school or public library or as a gift for that youngster or adult who loves everything hockey.
Also available in French as Mordus de Hockey.
Thematic Links: Ice Hockey; National Hockey League
(Reviewed by Victoria Pennell in Vol. 24, #2)
MANZER, Jenny
My Life as a Diamond
Orca Book Publishers, 2018. 161p. Gr. 4 up. 978-1-459818316. Pbk. $10.95.
Rating: G
This novel for young readers is about Caz, who absolutely loves baseball, and has just moved from Toronto to Seattle. Despite leaving behind his best friend Matt, Caz is given a fresh start, and quickly finds a place on a local baseball team, and makes some friends who are just as passionate about baseball. But behind his newfound fun and friendship, Caz is always worried that his friends will find out that he has a secret, and will react the same way that his old team-mates did in Toronto. Caz is transgender, and started out in Toronto as the only girl on his baseball team. When he began his transition, and asked his team-mates and friends to start calling him Caz or Caspar instead of Cassie.
This is a great novel for elementary grades to learn more about gender, identity, and transgender issues. Caz also has to deal with the difficulty of moving to a new town, and making new friends – all with the underlying fear that they will find out he was born female, and wondering how they will react. Filled with lots of baseball lingo and references, this is the perfect book for a die-hard baseball fan.
Thematic Links: Baseball; Gender; Transitioning; Moving; Friendship
(Reviewed by Sarah Atkinson in Vol. 24, #1)
O’BRIEN, Alex
The Playmaker (Lorimer’s Sports Stories Series)
James Lorimer & Co., 2019. 125p. Gr. 4-7. 978-1-4594-1395-5. Pbk. $12.95
Rating: G
Playing hockey means everything to Zoey Findlay, and her talent on the ice matches her passion for the game. Although her small town of Innisfil, Ontario doesn’t have a Bantam girls team, Zoey is thrilled to make the cut for the Barrie team, the Sharks. She soon realizes, however, that her family cannot afford the team fees, but she is determined to find a way to be able to play. Through her confident perseverance, Zoey is able to raise the money for her fees by applying to programs like KidSport Ontario, and Canadian Tire’s Jumpstart. Now, if she can only overcome the problems she is having with a couple of her unaccepting team-mates who are determined to make her miserable on the ice, she may begin to feel like she belongs.
Part of Lorimer’s Sports Stories Series, this novel was quite a pleasant surprise. Well-written, with an exciting action-driven plot and plenty of hockey lingo, it will be sure to engage not only the expected hockey enthusiasts, but also those looking to branch out to the sports novel genre. Zoey’s characterization, as well as that of supporting characters such as mean girl Mel, was believable and relatable. Zoey, while very mature and respectful, still had moments when her temper got the best of her when dealing with her rival, Mel, who underwent a long time coming, and therefore believable, turnaround.
This accessible, easy to read, fast-paced novel is highly recommended for readers who are athletes themselves, and for anyone looking for a realistic, relatable, strong but flawed female protagonist.
Thematic Links: Hockey; Women in Sport; Fundraising; Competitiveness; Conflict Resolution
(Reviewed by Nicole Rowlinson in Vol. 24. #4)
POULIN, Andrée
That’s Not Hockey!
Illustrated by Felix Girard. Annick Press, 2018. 22p. Illus. Gr. Preschool – 1. 978-1-77321-052-0. Hdbk. $21.95
Rating: G
Poulin’s picture book features the life of Jacques Plante, a famous Montreal Canadiens goalie who helped advocate for masks and helmets to be worn during a game of hockey. The book begins when Jacques is three years old and he uses a tennis ball and stick to play outdoor hockey. As he ages, the author shows various ways the hockey lover “won’t be stopped”. He improvises safety gear when he needs it (using potato sacks), and reinvents the game by doing things on the ice never done before. And despite his various setbacks, many of which include injuries to his face and body, he continues to play the game and to stand up for what he believes to be best for himself and his team-mates. He doesn’t let his coach, or even the fans, change his mind about safety. Eventually the teasing stops, and Jacques earns the nickname, “Masked Marvel”.
Back material includes one page of facts about Jacques life with the Montreal Canadiens.
Thematic Links: Hockey; Improvising; Playing; Determination; Growing Up; Hockey History; Goalie; Hockey Mask; Safety; Montreal Canadiens; Jacques Plante
(Reviewed by Tanya Boudreau in Vol. 24, #3)
PUNT, Irene
Hockey Timeout
Scholastic Canada, 2018. 92p. Illus. Gr. 2-4. 978-1-4431-4649-4. Pbk. $5.99
Rating: G
Irene Punt’s latest hockey chapter book is sure to be popular with beginning readers. In it, Tom and the rest of the Glenlake Hawks are facing off against the formidable Grey Wolves, whose goalie has a reputation for being unbeatable.
Hockey action abounds in this story, which will be a welcome addition to the sports genre for younger readers. As well, hockey playing readers will be sure to identify with the feeling of playing for high stakes, and in some cases, the presence of parental pressure to perform. Sam represents a player who has the opinion that he is carrying the team, and the poor attitude to go along with it, but in reality, when the Hawks go on to win the game without his assistance, he is forced to accept that there really is no I in team. While Sam’s turn around may be a little too contrived, the message will definitely get across to readers that winning isn’t everything.
Fun black and white cartoon-like illustrations add to the appeal of this early chapter book.
Thematic Links: Hockey; Pressure; Teamwork; Sportsmanship
(Reviewed by Nicole Rowlinson in Vol. 24, #3)
Remarkable Lives Revealed Series: BURNS, Kylie. Simone Biles: Gold Medal Gymnast and Advocate for Healthy Living (978-0-7787-4712-3); SPENCE, Kelly. Yusra Mardini: Refugee Hero and Olympic Swimmer (978-0-7787-4726-0)
Crabtree Publishing, 2018. 32p. Illus. Gr. 4-9. Hdbk.$9.95 ea.
Rating: G
These titles are two volumes from the biography series from Crabtree Publishing which focuses on people who overcame barriers and challenges to make discoveries, achieve goals and inspire change. Divided into five chapters these books follow each remarkable person through their early years, the challenges they faced, how they overcame them and their accomplishments. The books are written in a fairly large accessible text accompanied by captioned photographs, boxes with additional information and quotes and various “think about it” questions which would spark good classroom discussion. The books also include a Table of Contents, a page about writing prompts, a learning more section which includes a list of books and websites, a glossary and an index.
In Simone Biles: Gold Medal Gymnast and Advocate for Healthy Living we meet a young gymnast who had to persevere through a difficult family situation as a young child – a mother who was in and out of jail due to her addiction to drugs and alcohol and a father who was not part of her life. Things began to change when she and her sister were adopted by their grandparents. At six years old she enrolled in gymnastic lessons and began her incredible journey to becoming a world-famous Olympic athlete. Simone showed great potential as a young child and progressed well winning medals in four different U. S. National Championships in 2012 after which she was named to the United States Junior National Team. By this time she had her sights set on the Olympics. At sixteen she was part of the U.S. World Championship Team and by 2013 she had won two world titles. On July 10, 2016 Simone gained a spot on the Olympic team and was off to compete in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where she won five gold medals and one bronze and became the U.S. flag bearer for the closing ceremonies. Since that time Simone has written a book about her life which encourages people to get through tough times by sharing their story, “make the most of your natural talents and be willing to work hard, have fun and be brave.” (p. 23) She is presently an ambassador for the Ask, Listen Learn Program which helps young people understand the dangers of alcohol and the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
In Yusra Mardini: Refugee Hero and Olympic Swimmer we meet a young Syrian girl who was forced to leave her home country as a result of the civil war which has been raging there. As a young child Ysura’s life was quite normal and she began taking swimming lessons when she was three years old. She and her sister went on to become competitive swimmers, coached by their father. However, when the civil war fighting reached their neighbourhood it became too dangerous for them to continue swimming. By 2015 the girls saw no future in Syria and their father allowed them to go to Germany so they could continue their training. The book describes their journey through Lebanon, Turkey, Greece, Macedonsia, Serbia and Hungary on their way to Germany. On their journey from Turkey to Greece they had to jump overboard and swim for three and a half hours to help to tow a boatload of refugees to shore. Ysura took up her training again and was focussed on competing in the 2020 Olympics in Toyko, Japan, however, in March of 2016 the International Olympic Committee announced that a team of refugees would compete in the 2016 Olympics and Yusra’s coach thought she would have a good chance of making the team. Although she did not win a medal at the 2016 games, she did compete and was interviewed by journalists from all over the world. After the games she was invited to speak at the United Nations Leaders’ Summit on Refugees in New York City and she has received many awards and recognition for her work creating progress for girls. In April 2017 she was made a goodwill ambassador for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees where she shares positive messages and stories about her experiences and the refugee crisis.
These books are well written, with lots of interesting information. They would be a good addition to social studies programs at the elementary and junior high school level. The remarkable lives of these people might be an inspiration to some of the readers to help them to overcome barriers and pursue their dreams.
Thematic Links: Biography; Simone Biles; Gymnastics; Yusra Mardini; Competitive Swimming; Refugees
(Reviewed by Victoria Pennell in Vol. 24, #2)
ROMANUK, Paul
Hockey Superstars 2018-2019
Scholastic Canada, 2018. Unp. Illus. Gr. 3-6. 978-1-4431-6358-3. Pbk. $8.99
Rating: G
Hockey Superstars 2018-2019 brings us profiles of another 17 players in the National Hockey League. With full-page action shots of each player, a short biography, a hockey memory, and a ‘did you know?’ section hockey enthusiasts will enjoy leafing through this latest volume. The numerous charts in the book allow readers to track their favourite team, favourite player and the run for the playoffs. The book also includes a listing of the teams in the Eastern and Western Conferences, referee signals, the Final Team Standings for the 2017-2018 season, a countdown to the cup flow chart and a list of NHL awards indicating the 2018 winners with spaces for the reader’s choice and the actual winner and a page dedicated to Olympic superstars.
While this book is really designed for individual use with the workbook style pages for tracking teams, players and playoffs, it would be popular among hockey buffs in elementary schools and public libraries.
Also available in French as Le Hockey ses supervedettes 2018-2019.
Thematic Links: Hockey; National Hockey League
(Reviewed by Victoria Pennell in Vol. 24, #1)
ROSS, Jeff
Shutout (Orca Sports)
Orca Book Publishers, 2019. 148p. Gr. 4-10. 978-1-4598-1876-7. Pbk. $9.95
Rating: G
Alex is the starting goalie on the school team, and they are on the verge of playoffs. He knows his backup wants more playing time, but that is the coach’s decision. Alex gets good grades, keeps his nose clean, and has a caring girlfriend, Chloe. But the school principal suspends him from the team: a stencil Alex made in art class has been used to vandalize the school, and a picture of him holding a beer at a party is on social media. Alex has no alibi for the times of the graffiti, and he did attend the party. His parents believe in him, but Chloe’s parents say she needs to keep her distance. Alex and his friend Luke have to investigate.
They catch the vandals on video: in that age-old division, Chloe’s friend Ella, an arts specialist student, is trying to damage the school’s reputation for sports. “…her friends seemed unable to get past the stereotypes of jocks and artists and whatever other ones they’d created.” (p. 147) Alex gets to play, Chloe recommits to him, and justice wins the day.
Thematic Links: Sports – Hockey; Sportsmanship; Just Treatment; Perseverance
(Reviewed by Patricia Jermey in Vol. 24, #4)
RYAN, Mike
Football Stars
Firefly Books, 2018. 64p. Illus. Gr. 4 up. 978-0-2281-0072-0. Pbk. $6.95
Rating: G
In this book Mike Ryan gives us information on some football basics as well as profiles of 22 of the NFLs best football players. The book begins with some football basics, a short quiz, a ‘did you know’ page and a timeline of football history from 1869 to the present. The remainder of the book contains profiles of 22 BFL players, each consisting of a 2-page spread. One page contains a full colour picture of the player along with his name and a short descriptor (e.g. “Drew Brees always hits his target”; “Tom Brady is the G.O.A.T.” – greatest of all time). The other page gives a short biography of the player focussing mainly on his time playing football and other initiatives in which he has been involved in during his football career. The bottom of this page has a colour strip with some pertinent information about the player.
This would be a good book for the football enthusiast. It gives some good basic information about the game as well as easy to read information about the players.
Thematic Links: Football; Biography
(Reviewed by Victoria Pennell in Vol. 24, #4)
SANDOR, Steven
Called Up (Lorimer Sports Stories)
James Lorimer & Co., 2018. 119p. Gr. 4-7. 978-1-4594-1364-4. Pbk. $12.95
Rating: A
As an Edmontonian, David is an Oilers fan through and through. He loves to play hockey, and desperately hopes to make the rep team. When he is sent back to house league, he joins the ranks of the “no-hopers” and is frustrated by their lack of skill. Being mocked at school by Jason, a triple A player, doesn’t help.
A new boy joins their class, and the teacher seats him with David and his friend Sunil. Omar and his parents are refugees from the conflict in Syria. They are welcomed by the community, but frustrated by the reduction in their circumstances: instead of being a dentist and a nurse with good incomes, they work at a cleaning service and a fast food restaurant, and cannot afford the lifestyle they had back home. When David takes Omar to the West Edmonton Mall, he is horrified at the prices of the consumer goods, and humiliated when they have to take the bus to get home. But Omar loves to watch hockey, and becomes a regular at David’s games. David and Sunil teach him to skate, and then host a community skating day for the Newcomers’ Centre. By better understanding the challenges Omar, his family, and other New Canadians face, David becomes more empathetic with his team-mates, and is rewarded by being called up to the single A rep team. He has learned by unselfishly putting his team first, he is a better player, and person.
Thematic Links: Sports – Hockey; Sportsmanship; Refugees
(Reviewed by Patricia Jermey in Vol. 24, #3)
SANDOR, Steven
Stick Pick (Sports Stories)
James Lorimer & Co., 2017. 125p. Gr. 4-10. 978-1-4594-1219-4. Pbk. $12.95
Rating: E
Janine is one of the most popular kids in school and a star hockey player. When her family’s vehicle is hit in a head-on collision, her life is changed forever: she is paralysed from the waist down. Her mother is also badly injured, and cannot get past the unfairness of the accident. Janine goes through the stages of grieving for her loss: denial, and then anger. After several months of rehabilitation, she goes home to their newly accessible house, and starts back to school taking the “short bus”. Her former team-mate and best friend Rowena is there to support her in every way, and suggests that she and Janine might want to try sledge hockey. Janine angrily retorts, “I am not going to play some game that is nothing but a pity party for cripples!” (p. 59) Rowena responds with tough love, “You say you don’t want to play sledge hockey because it’s a pity party. But, look at yourself. You tell me how hard it is to ride in the van with Marlon. Whine, whine, whine. How you don’t want to do this and you don’t want to do that. Whine, whine, whine. I try to be there for you and you go on like I’m the last person you want to see. So, really, haven’t you been having your own pity party all along? Get out. I meant it. I’m tired of seeing you saying no to this and complain about that or try to get out of assignments. One day you’ll figure out that it’s just a chair. That you’re still you.” (p. 60) Janine is shocked, and angered, and decides she will try sledge hockey just to show Rowena.
They both learn how physically demanding the sport is, and how rewarding it can be. Janine also realizes why she did not want to be friendly to Marlon: for years she had ignored him and his disability. She turns one of her school assignments into a presentation on the challenges for accessibility just within their school. Her teacher suggests that she use Marlon’s computer skills, and together they create a blog to highlight accessibility and rights for the disabled in their community. Finally, she writes a victim impact statement for the court regarding the accident, in which she forgives the other driver. She is ready to move on.
This book clearly portrays the difficulties encountered by Janine, her family and her friends. The chapter where the family decides to eat out in a restaurant is an excellent example of the frustrations. As protagonist, Janine is not always likeable: her thoughts and actions are often rude and selfish. But this honesty makes Stick Pick both believable and powerful.
Thematic Links: Sports; Sledge Hockey; Paralympic Sports; Friendship; Disabilities
(Reviewed by Patricia Jermey in Vol. 23, #3)
SCHULTZ NICHOLSON, Lorna
Hayley Wickenheiser (Amazing Hockey Stories Series)
Scholastic Canada, 2018. 64p. Illus. Gr. 3-8. 978-1-4431-6309-5. Pbk. $9.99
Rating: G
Lorna Schultz Nicholson brings us a biography of Hayley Wickenheiser, the icon of Canadian Women’s Hockey who just recently made the decision to hang up her skates. “Although she had played 276 games for Team Canada and earned 379 points in those games (including 168 goals), had won multiple MVP trophies, five Olympic Medals and six World Championship gold medals, was named to the Order of Canada and had an arena named after her, she feels the biggest accomplishment was making girls feel accepted in hockey arenas. Hayley is proud that girls can ‘walk into a hockey rink with a bag and stick and feel welcome.’” (p. 4)
Things were quite different in Canadian hockey when Hayley Wickenheiser wanted to play hockey in 1985 at the age of seven. Women’s hockey was almost non-existent on the Prairies where she lived so she joined the boys’ teams. The boys liked having her on the team but she encountered difficulties in trying to attend a Summer Camp and the fact that there were no change rooms for girls so most of the time she had to change in public washrooms. By the time Hayley was 12 her family had moved to Calgary and she was able to join a girls’ team. From these early beginnings Hayley went on to compete in the Canada Games, to become part of the Women’s National Team, to play in the World Hockey Championships, and eventually in the Olympic Games. During all this time Hayley also played softball and played with the Canadian National Team at the Sydney Olympics. The book continues on with Hayley’s accomplishments and her persistence in ensuring that women’s hockey got the recognition it deserved. In 2009 Hayley started a hockey school for girls – the Canadian Tire Wickenheiser International Hockey Female Hockey Festival or Wickfest – where girls from all over the world learn how to “skate better, pss, shoot, score, focus and seriously improve their game”. (p. 63) She continues to work with Right to Play, Jumpstart and KidSport , organizations which help with the financial costs of playing sports.
The book is written in a very readable text interspersed with lots of coloured captioned photographs. This book also includes some comic sequences which highlight some of the key moments in her career.
This book will certainly be enjoyed by hockey enthusiasts, especially girls who are involved in playing the sport. Hayley is a role model they can look up to and her persistence should encourage them as they strive to achieve their goals.
Thematic Links: Hayley Wickenheiser; Canadian Women’s Hockey; Biography
(Reviewed by Victoria Pennell in Vol. 24, #2)
SHAW, Mary
Brady Brady: Game Time Collection (Brady Brady Series)
Illustrated by Chuck Temple. Scholastic Canada, 2018. 152p. Illus. Gr. Preschool – 1. 978-1-4431-6371-2. Hdbk. $16.99
Rating: G
There are five Brady Brady Books in this compilation of stories. Brady Brady and the Singing Tree (published in 2001), Brady Brady and the Missed Hatrick (published in 2010), Brady Brady and the Cranky Kicker (published in 2006), Brady Brady and the Ballpark Bark (published in 2007), and Brady Brady and the Cleanup Hitters (published in 2008). This large hard cover book shows Brady Brady enjoying not just hockey as in the two other Brady Brady collections, but a variety of sports such as football, and baseball. And because they contain older stories, fans of the series may be seeing some of these stories for the first time.
Each story is just over thirty pages in length, and include his friends (boys and girls), his family and their neighbours, coaches, and his dog Hattrick. They all end with an example of hard work or sportsmanship. In the first story, Brady Brady learns the importance of playing hockey for the fun of it, and how nurturing other talents (like singing) can benefit others. In Brady Brady and the Missed Hatrick, Brady Brady learns that chores come first and that if responsibilities are ignored, others can suffer. In this story, Brady Brady doesn’t want to shovel, or spend time with his dog. He would rather play shinny with his friends. As a result, his dog goes missing and his dad gets stuck in the snow. In Brady Brady and the Cranky Kicker, Brady Brady and his friends learn to get along with their football hating neighbour Mr Luddy. When they realize why he’s cranky, they help him re-establish a love of the game by asking him to be their coach. In Brady Brady and the Ballpark Bark, Brady Brady’s baseball team helps Tree improve his hitting technique before the big game. They also gain a new mascot by thinking outside the box! And lastly, in the Cleanup Hitters, Brady Brady realizes the importance of a tidy bedroom and a tidy baseball diamond, especially when you get help from others.
The cartoon styled illustrations and sports themed stories are a fun way for children to hear stories that can benefit them in many areas of their life, even if they are not sports lovers like Brady Brady and his friends.
Also available in French as Brady Brady Collection 5 parties.
Thematic Links: Hockey; Football; Baseball; Sportsmanship; Teamwork; Friends; Sports
(Reviewed by Tanya Boudreau in Vol. 24, # 4)
SPREEN BATES, Sonya
Running On Empty (Orca Sports)
Orca Book Publishers, 2018. 176p. Gr. 7-12. 978-1-459816534. Pbk.$9.95
Rating: G
An Orca Sports Hi-Lo for adolescent reluctant readers (reading level: 3.8), Running on Empty works quite well as a sports niche read, especially for readers interested in individual rather than team sports. In this case, track and field.
Leon Kline is a speedy high school sprinter whose college scholarship prospects abruptly end when he is sidelined with a serious fall and fracture in the big year-end school track meet. Despondent and depressed, Leon starts to pick himself up after he encounters Casey DeVries at a local physiotherapy clinic where she is receiving treatment for severe burns. He immediately likes her but recognizes that Casey is an enigma, and Leon senses all is not as it should be. But, Casey is also his lifeline when she challenges him to start running again.
While Spreen-Bates is no Chris Crutcher in terms of captivating teenage sports fiction, this is a solid book with contemporary themes and it works well despite the limitations of the format (Hi-Lo). It deals with popular memes in adolescent fiction including a grandfather in the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s disease, and some expected father – son friction.
While Leon is well fleshed out as a character, the story would definitely been more interesting had more attention been assigned to Casey. Casey’s back story is compelling and contradictory and, while this is Leon’s story, Casey is the reason it plays out the way it does and she is left “blank” to a great degree.
Thematic Links: Track and Field; Pyromania; Family Relationships
(Reviewed by Anne Letain in Vol. 23, #3)
STARR, David
Empty Net (Lorimer Sports Stories)
James Lorimer & Co., 2018. 128p. Gr. 5-8. 978-1-4594-1360-3. Pbk. $12.95
Rating: G/E
Maddie is a talented goalie on her Burnaby hockey team. Her ability to focus on the puck above all else makes her a star, until she misses a key save and costs the team a provincial championship. Added to her loss is the fact that her RCMP father has been transferred to Fort St. John and the family has to move to northern BC.
Maddie and her mom arrive in a community utterly different from Burnaby. Houses are bigger and people are fewer. Hockey is a way of life up north and Maddie soon finds that she qualifies for the boys’ Bantam team, although she is not the starting goalie. That honour is held by Connor Spencer. Connor is a brilliant goalie, good-looking, and genuinely nice. Maddie worries that she may be the perpetual second goalie.
When Connor is killed in a car accident, Maddie is filled with both guilt and remorse. She had hoped he would break his leg so that she could prove her worth as a star goalie but now she is the goalie and she is having serious trouble focussing. She loses a key game for her team.
In an effort to help her out of her funk, Maddie’s parents send her out snowmobiling with her friend and mother who happen to be First Nations. Given Empty Net’s excellent and genuine portrayal of small town life in Northern BC, this episode with Maddie, Emma, and her mother Anna sledding up the mountain is jarringly self-conscious in its execution. It has none of the charm and authenticity of the rest of the book.
Regardless of this lapse, this book does give a wonderfully unadorned picture of life away from the city.
It also takes the reader into the net with Maddie and shows how she does what she does without sacrificing Maddie the person.
Thematic Links: Hockey; Family Life; Small Town Life; Tragedy; Self-Confidence
(Reviewed by Lesley Little in Vol. 24, #3)
Superstars Series: MORGANELLI, Adrianna. Serena Williams (978-0-7787-4871-7); SILLETT, Julia. Auston Matthews
Crabtree Publishing, 2018. 32p. Illus. Gr. 3-6. Pbk. $9.95 ea.
Rating: G
These titles are two volumes in the Superstars Series, a series of books which brings readers into the personal lives of some of their most popular celebrities – in this case Serena Williams, one of the top tennis players of all time with a record-setting 23 Grand Slam titles. In addition to her tennis career she is passionate about bringing awareness to many causes which are important to her and in 2008 founded the Serena William Foundation which helps children in the United States whose families have been affected by violence; and Auston Matthews, a young Californian who has quickly become an NHL star playing with the Toronto Maple Leafs. At 19 he was the number one pick and was named Rookie of the Year leading all rookies in goals, point and shots on goal.
Each book begins with a general introduction to the person followed by chapters dealing with their early life, their beginnings in their chosen field, their major roles and their current status and future aspirations. The books use a large print text format with coloured print titles and headings. There are coloured captioned photographs on every page and coloured text boxes which add to the textual information. Also throughout the books are “He said it” and “She said it” quotes either by or about the stars taken from various interviews, journal articles, etc. Each book has a Table of Contents, a Timeline, A Glossary, a Find out More Section and an Index.
These books are very appealing with lots of colour and just enough information to keep the intended audience interested. They would be useful in introducing the biography genre to young students. They will be popular among young readers who are interested in sports and want to learn as much as they possibly can about these emerging superstars.
Thematic Links: Biography; Sports; Serena Williams; Auston Matthews
(Reviewed by Victoria Pennell in Vol. 24, #1)
TAEKEMA, Sylvia
Bad Shot (Sports Stories)
James Lorimer & Co., 2017. 126p. Gr. 4-8. 978-1-4594-1161-6. Pbk. $12.95
Rating: G
Cody loves basketball so much that it is the topic of his seventh grade speech. But the new student at his school, Nick, seems to be a real basketball star. He has the fancy shoes, the ball signed by LeBron James, and season’s tickets to the Raptors. When Cody starts to shoot some hoops with him, Nick begins a passive-aggressive undermining of Cody’s confidence. Cody begins to doubt his own abilities, and his shot deserts him. When the team coach makes Cody’s mother his assistant, she sees what is happening, and suggests line assignments which separate Cody and Nick. But when Cody scores in the wrong net during their first game of the season, he is so crushed he is ready to give up basketball forever. At the suggestion of his friends and team-mates, the coach subs him in for a crucial shot with seconds to go, and he sinks it. At the next team practice, Nick reminds Cody of his wrong net basket, but Cody lets it slide. Then his friend spelled it out for him: Nick had been afraid of being shown up by Cody. Cody, his mother, his coach and his team-mates are now ready to play ball!
This novel is an easy read for basketball fans, and incorporates good messaging about being a supportive friend, having good family relationships, and the power that comes with confidence.
Thematic Links: Sports, Basketball, Teamwork, Friendship
(Reviewed by Patricia Jermey in Vol. 23, #3)
TANNER, Katie & Bruce Rainnie
The Top 15: Nova Scotia’s Greatest Athletes: Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame
Nimbus Publishing, 2018. 127p. Illus. Gr. 6 up. 978-1-77108-701-8. Pbk. $17.95
Rating: G
Everyone in Canada knows the name Sidney Crosby but how many other Nova Scotia athletes names do they know? Well once they have read this book they should know at least fourteen more. This book is a project of the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame which was designed as a Canada 150 project to recognize the top 15 Nova Scotia athletes of all time. It started with a list of one hundred and two athletes and was narrowed down to twenty-five by a committee of 24 people and then to the top fifteen by a committee of 12 people. The book was made possible by a partnership between the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame and Time Hortons owners in Nova Scotia and all proceeds from the sale of the book will be split between the Hall and Tim Horton’s Children’s Foundation.
The book is organized from athlete # 15 through to # 1 in 15 chapters. Each chapter gives a biographical account of the athlete highlighting their sports related accomplishments. This is accompanied by colour illustrations, a ‘Did you Know” sidebar and a “Take Their Word For It” sidebar which includes a quote about the person. Between each chapter is a list of 15 sports related items collected under different headings such as “15 Memorable Moments in Nova Scotia Sport”, “15 Great Nova Scotia Championship Teams”, “15 Nova Scotia Women Who Made Their Mark in Sport” which give brief information about a variety of athletes as well as pictures of some of them. A final chapter of the book gives information about 15 honourable mentions, as well as a page where the reader can list their own top 15.
This book should be well received by sports fans in Nova Scotia as well as others throughout the country who have an interest in individual athletes. The book is well done and will find a place in school and public libraries as well as in the home libraries of many sports fans.
Thematic Links: Nova Scotia Athletes; Canadian Sports
(Reviewed by Victoria Pennell in Vol. 24, #2)
ZWEIG, Eric
The Original 6: Celebrating Hockey’s History Series: Montreal Canadiens (978-0-7787-3439-0); Toronto Maple Leafs (978-0-7787-3441-3); Boston Bruins (978-0-7787-3426-0); Chicago Blackhawks (978-0-7787-3427-7); Detroit Red Wings (978-0-7787-3438-3); New York Rangers (978-0-7787-3440-6)
Crabtree Publishing, 2018. 32p. Illus. Gr. 3 up. Hdbk. $21.56 ea.
Rating: E
This new series from Crabtree Publishing marks the 100th Anniversary of the National Hockey League and the 125th Anniversary of the Stanley Cup by profiling the “original 6″ teams – Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers. These teams were the only ones in the National Hockey League for 25 years from 1942 – 1967 and for the people of my generation they were the ones we grew up with.
The books are organized in 2-page spreads in an eye-catching magazine style format with lots of text boxes, captioned photographs, illustrations and fact boxes. The books cover the history of the teams through a look at the beginnings and evolution of the teams through the years. There are spreads on the original team, the Stanley Cup, individual players, retired hockey jerseys for the team, team uniforms, the home arenas, team heroes, great goalies, trophy winners, coaches, team rivalries, and fan fun facts. The books are filled with a wealth of hockey trivia which will greatly appeal to hockey fans of all ages. The books contain a table of contents, a glossary, a list of books and websites, a “Test Your Knowledge” section, a ‘places to go’ guide and an index.
These books are well designed with lots of interesting information and will be quite popular among young and old hockey fans alike. I would highly recommend them for school and public libraries as well as for private collections of avid hockey fans.
Thematic Links: National Hockey League – History; The Stanley Cup – History; Montreal Canadiens; Toronto Maple Leafs; Boston Bruins; Chicago Blackhawks; Detroit Red Wings; New York Rangers
(Reviewed by Victoria Pennell in Vol. 23, #3)