Trying to get a young hockey fan excited about reading? Sports stories offer thrills and excitement while also sharing important lessons about respect, teamwork, and perseverance. It’s a win-win!
Picture Books
The First Ones on the Ice
Written by Lana Button
Illustrated by Alex MacAskill
Nimbus Publishing, 2024
IL: Ages: 3-7 RL: Grades 2-3
On a quiet winter morning, before the sun has fully risen, a brother and sister set out with their skates. They spend the day on the icy pond behind their house—clearing the snow, skating with the crowd of neighbourhood kids, and cheering on the local hockey team, who play until the sun begins to set. Finally, under the moon and stars, the siblings once again have the ice to themselves.
Inspired by the author's childhood memories of growing up in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, this nostalgic and beautifully illustrated picture book celebrates community, family, and the joy of playing outside.
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The Game
Written by Henry Charles
Illustrated by Shoshannah Greene
Greystone Kids, 2025
IL: Ages: 4-8 RL: Grades 2-3
A beautifully illustrated reimagining of the origins of hockey from an Indigenous lens.
Killer Whale and Brown Bear are arguing: Brown Bear says he can beat Killer Whale at any challenge, yet Killer Whale disagrees. When Powerful Mena overhears their bickering, he comes up with a solution: a game on the ice, played with sticks, nets, and a star for a puck. But who will win and earn the trophy?
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I Am BIG
Written by Itah Sadu
Illustrated by Marley Berot
Second Story Press, 2023
IL: Ages: 6-8 RL: Grades 1-3
In the middle of the ice, a young Black hockey player finds joy in his talent and confidence in the cheers of his family, his coach, and the other players. Their support gives him the power to face down those who see him as a threat and to focus on the thrill of the game.
Young people of colour who have experienced racism on and off the ice will see themselves in these pages.
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The Three Canadian Pigs: A Hockey Story
Written by Jocelyn Watkinson
Illustrated by Marcus Cutler
Sleeping Bear Press, 2022
IL: Ages: 5-8 RL: Grades 2-3
The three pigs are just finishing up a hockey practice session when the Big Bad Wolf drops by and declares them Canadian bacon--and lunch. When north country bad boys Bear and Moose join the fray, the pigs invite the gang to settle their disputes The Canadian Way—with a rousing game of hockey. Will the big guys overtake the pigs with brute force? Or will the pigs skate circles around the lumbering baddies? One thing is certain, the trial is likely to end with a meal (poutine, please!). But will the piggies be on the menu?
Junior and Intermediate Fiction
Bea Mullins Takes a Shot
Written by Emily Deibert
Random House Books for Young Readers, 2025
IL: Ages: 8-12 RL: Grades 4-5
When a 7th grader is forced to join her school’s hockey team, she discovers unexpected friendships and a budding crush on the team captain. This fierce and heartfelt queer romance explores the courage to face your fears, even when your dreams are on thin ice.
A hilarious and heartfelt middle-grade contemporary about first crushes and fierce friendships from debut author Emily Deibert.
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Elliot Jelly-Legs and the Bobblehead Miracle
Written by Yolanda Ridge
Illustrated by Sydney Barnes
Orca Book Publishers, 2023
IL: Ages: 9-12 RL: Grades 4-5
Is a magical Carey Price bobblehead the key to Elliot's success on the ice?
Eleven-year-old Elliot loves hockey and finally convinces his parents to sign him up. There’s just one problem: he can barely skate. But he is determined. He practices every chance he gets and even takes extra lessons. He is still miles behind the rest of his teammates in terms of skills and speed, though. So when the goalie gets injured, Elliot surprises everyone by offering to take his place. He figures his “jelly-legs” won’t be quite so obvious in net. He is wrong. The first game is a complete disaster. In desperation, Elliot begs his Carey Price bobblehead for a win. Both thrilled and surprised when his wish is granted, Elliot makes more wishes. His team keeps winning. But is the magic real?
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Eyes on the Ice
Written by Anna Rosner
Groundwood Books, 2024
IL: Ages 9-12 RL: Grades 4-6
Ten-year-old Lukas and his brother Denys want nothing more than to play hockey, but it’s 1963, and they live in Czechoslovakia, where the secret police (the “Eye”) are constantly on the lookout for anyone committing crimes against the state — whether that be reading a magazine about the NHL or saying anything negative about the Communist regime.
Then the boys’ father is arrested. No one knows where he has been taken or when he might be coming home. Lukas and Denys soon realize they are being watched, too, and when the secret police promise them information about their father if they help throw a game against a visiting Soviet team, Lukas must make some difficult decisions that may endanger his family and his friends, as he faces some tough questions about what loyalty really means.
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Game Face
Written by Shari Greene
Groundwood Books, 2023
IL: Ages: 9-12 RL: Grades 4-5
Thirteen-year-old Jonah is determined to prove that anxiety won’t stop him from succeeding as his hockey team’s goalie in this dynamic novel in verse.
What-ifs rattle around his brain at the worst times, like when he’s in the middle of a playoff game. What if he lets his teammates down? What if he can’t make it pro? And the biggest what-if of all, the one he keeps to himself — what if he’s like his dad, whose life is controlled by anxiety that has only gotten worse since Jonah’s mom died in a car crash?
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The Kodiaks: Home Ice Advantage
(The Breakout Chronicles, Book 1)
Written by David A. Robertson
HighWater Press, 2024
IL: Ages: 9-12 RL: Grades 4-5
Everything is changing for 11-year-old Alex Robinson. After his father accepts a new job, Alex and his family move from their community to the city. For the first time in his life, he doesn’t fit in. His fellow students don’t understand Indigenous culture. Even a simple show of respect to his teacher gets him in trouble.
Things begin to look up after Alex tries out for a local hockey team. Playing for the Kodiaks, Alex proves himself as one of the best, but he becomes a target because he’s Indigenous. Can Alex trust his teammates and stand up to the jerks on other teams? Can he find a way to fit in and still be who he’s meant to be?
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Nish: North and South
Written by Isabelle Picard
Translated by Kateri Aubin Dubois
Scholastic Canada Ltd, 2023
IL: Ages: 10-14 RL: Grades 5-6
The first book in Isabelle Picard’s bestselling coming-of-age series about Innu twins, Léon and Éloïse, who live in Matimekush, an Innu community in Northern Quebec.
While Léon spends all his free time playing hockey, and wondering how he can prove he has the talent to make it big in a place with no competition, Éloïse works on a school project that opens her mind to the history of her people — their victories and their battles lost. But when their father gets sick and needs treatment almost 1000 km from home, and someone from their village mysteriously disappears, the twins learn lessons about the fragility of humanity and the dangers of the land they call home.
Young Adult Fiction
Between the Pipes
Written by Albert McLeod, Elaine Mordoch and Sonya Ballantyne
Illustrated by Alice RL
HighWater Press, 2024
IL: Ages: 12-18 RL: Grades 7-8
Thirteen-year-old Chase’s life and identity should be simple. He’s the goalie for his hockey team, the Eagles. He’s a friend to Kevin and Jade. He's Kookum's youngest grandchild. He’s a boy. He should like girls.
But it’s not that simple. Chase doesn’t like girls the way that the other boys do. It’s scary being so different from his peers. Scarier still is the feeling that his teammates can tell who he is—and that they hate him for it. If he pretends hard enough, maybe he can hide the truth.
Real strength and change can’t come from a place of shame. Chase’s dreams are troubled by visions of a bear spirit, and the more he tries to hide, the more everything falls apart. With the help of an Elder and a Two-Spirit mentor, can Chase find the strength to be proud of who he is?
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Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy
Written and illustrated by Faith Erin Hicks
First Second, 2023
IL: Ages: 14-18 RL: Grades 9-10
A graphic novel romance about a hotheaded hockey player who asks for temper management lessons from the cool, calm boy in drama club.
It should have been a night of triumph for Alix’s hockey team. But her mean teammate Lindsay decided to start up with her usual rude comments and today Alix, who usually tries to control her anger, let it finally run free. Alix lashes out and before she knows it, her coach is dragging her off Lindsay, and the invitation to the Canada National Women’s U18 Team’s summer camp is on the line. She needs to learn how to control this anger, and she is sure Ezra, the popular and poised theater kid from her grade is the answer.
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The Legend
Written by Jean Mills
Red Deer Press, 2021
IL: Ages: 12-16 RL: Grades 5-6
Griffin Tardiff is still suffering from a serious hockey injury at the start of a new year in a new school. But he's in luck. For his community credit, he'll be working with the sports guy at the local radio station, which could be the start of a career. He also meets Noah, a young kid from the neighbourhood who also likes hockey.
Unfortunately, his mentor at the radio station turns out to be less than reliable—and Noah has fears he needs Griffin to help him resolve. Add to this a self-absorbed girlfriend and life in Glenavon turns out to be more complicated than any guy needs.
Non-Fiction
Akim Aliu: Dreamer
Written by Akim Aliu and Greg Anderson Elysee
Illustrated by Karen De la Vega and Marcus Williams
Scholastic Inc., 2023
IL: Ages: 12-18 RL: Grades 7-8
Akim Aliu—also known as “Dreamer”—is a Ukrainian-Nigerian-Canadian professional hockey player whose career took him all around the world and who experienced systemic racism at every turn. Dreamer tells Akim’s incredible story, from being the only Black child in his Ukrainian community, to his family struggling to make ends meet while living in Toronto, to confronting the racist violence he often experienced both on and off the ice. This is a gut-wrenching and riveting graphic novel memoir that reminds us to never stop dreaming, and is sure to inspire young readers everywhere.
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Game Changers: Stories of Hijabi Athletes from around the World
Written by Charlene Smith
Illustrated by Natalya Tariq
Orca Book Publishers, 2025
IL: Ages: 9-12 RL: Grades 4-5
Meet 13 inspiring hijabi athletes who are changing the rules. Many of these women were the first in their sport to compete while wearing the hijab. Some were up against cultural traditions that didn't allow girls to play sports. And some fought to have institutional anti-hijab rules changed so that they, and Muslim girls after them, would be able to compete. Discover the story of UAE hockey player Fatima Al Ali among many others.
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Good Morning, Sunshine! The Joey Moss Story
Written by Lorna Shultz Nicholson
Illustrated by Alice Carter
Sleeping Bear Press, 2022
IL: Ages: 5-8 RL: Grades K-3
The inspiring true story of Joey Moss, a champion for all to have an opportunity to live a full, purposeful life. Joey Moss first became known to many Canadians because of his work with the NHL Edmonton Oilers hockey team. Whether he was singing "Oh Canada" on a jumbotron screen at a hockey game, welcoming a new friend with a playful wrestling match, or dancing on a runway for a charity fashion show, Joey loved making people feel good. But his impact and influence started long before he joined the Oilers. Joey was born with Down syndrome at a time when many children like him were institutionalized. Instead, Joey lived at home, surrounded by his supportive family who was determined that he should receive the same opportunities as others.
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The Longest Shot: How Larry Kwong Changed the Face of Hockey
(Orca Biography)
Written by Chad Soon & George Chiang
Illustrated by Amy Qi
Orca Book Publishers, 2024
IL: Ages: 9-12 RL: Grades 4-7
Larry Kwong became the first player of Asian descent in the NHL when he played one shift with the New York Rangers in 1948. Even though Larry's achievement happened more than 70 years ago, his contribution to hockey is only now being recognized. He broke hockey's color barrier and fought racism and discrimination at every step of his career. From his humble beginnings on the outdoor rinks in Vernon, British Columbia's Chinatown all the way to playing at Madison Square Garden and in the NHL, this inspiring hero has a timeless story for young readers.
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Meet Willie O’Ree
(Scholastic Canada Biography)
Written by Elizabeth MacLeod
Illustrated by Mike Deas
Scholastic Canada, 2020
IL: Ages: 6-10 RL: Grades 2-3
On January 18, 1958, Willie O'Ree made history as the first black player in the NHL when he suited up with the Boston Bruins against the Montreal Canadiens. O'Ree went on to play a total of 45 games with the Bruins, a remarkable achievement considering what he overcame to get there. This wonderful book is a celebration of his life from childhood to playing career, to his later work as an ambassador for NHL diversity, and to his eventual induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018.
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Find these books at a local Canadian bookstore.