Description
The other night, Trace Brewster, Max’s best friend and star hockey player for the Hawks, scored on his own net and put the team’s chances of qualifying for an upcoming tournament in jeopardy.
Since then Trace has gone silent and is shutting everyone out. But Max thinks there’s more going on with his friend than what happened on the ice. For one thing, there are bruises on Trace's face that he refuses to explain. Can Max find a way to get Trace to open up and help him in time for the big game?
This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read! The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.
Author Bio
Jean Mills has been writing since childhood and professionally for over thirty years. Her essays, reviews, features and children’s stories have appeared in publications across Canada. She is the author of a number of books for young people, including Skating Over Thin Ice, Larkin on the Shore and The Legend. Her love of hockey inspired her Orca Soundings title Wingman. A former college communications professor, Jean loves using her own experiences as an athlete, musician and teacher in her writing. Jean lives in Guelph, Ontario.
Prizes
- CCBC Best Books for Kids & TeensCommended 2023
- Top Grade: CanLit for the ClassroomCommended 2023
- Junior Library Guild (JLG) Gold Standard SelectionCommended 2023
Review Quotes
“A hi-lo book that appeals to reluctant readers who would rather be on the ice than reading in the stands. Easy-to-read font, lots of space on the page and simple sentences are nicely disguised by hockey jargon to make the book feel like a high school read. Mills successfully captures the angst of hockey teens struggling with bullying, the pressure to perform, the loyalty of friendship and the difficulty of determining which adults to trust… A winner for readers of sports fiction and would be a welcome addition to any library.”
— YAdudebooks“Delivers action-packed scenes on the ice…Mills maintains tension and a sense of mystery as Max uncovers clues. Recommended for hockey fans and those looking for a short read.”
— Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD)