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Sports--Ice hockey
103 Reviews
(2)
YA
Illustrated by
Karen De la Vega
&
Marcus Williams.
Former NHL player Aliu made headlines in 2020 when he shared stories of the racism and hazing he faced as a person of color in professional hockey. The son of a Nigerian father and Ukrainian mother, Aliu was born in Nigeria and spent his early years in Russia before his family immigrated to Canada and he discovered his love for hockey. His adoration of the sport was tested by persistent and devastating racism throughout his adolescence and beyond. This graphic memoir follows him from childhood through his exit from the NHL and to the formation of the Hockey Diversity Alliance, which makes hockey accessible to "children from diverse communities underrepresented in the sport." The narrative is notable for its emotional clarity and the strength with which the concise text carries both Aliu's pain and his resolve. Dynamic comic-panel art serves the story with expressiveness of motion and feeling. Grabbing readers at the intersection of sports and social justice, this is a welcome addition to the graphic-memoir genre.
Reviewer: Anne St. John
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
March, 2023
(3)
YA
In Halcyon Lake, Minnesota, Holland Delviss feels endless pressure to prove she's earned her spot as the only girl on the boys' varsity hockey team. Biren's feisty protagonist faces high-stakes challenges--including a make-or-break interview that will determine her small-town team's chance to play in a nationally televised "HockeyFest" game--and the more personal dilemma of whether to follow her no-dating-teammates rule or her heart.
Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger
(2)
4-6
Alice's storytelling dad is in a psychiatric hospital, having lost the ability to distinguish story from reality. Wild animals start appearing in town, seeking Alice to save the threatened Story Web she discovered when she was little. Blakemore skillfully uses shifting points of view in this complex and captivating tale. A realistic, honest consideration of the impact of mental illness commingles effectively with the fantastical elements.
Reviewer: Monica Edinger
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
May, 2019
(4)
4-6
Ultimate Sports Road Trips series.
Following a rah-rah introduction about the featured sport, each entertaining, if superficial, volume highlights seven or eight stadiums or sites that would make great road trips for super-fans. The four- or six-page sections provide basic place facts (including name, location, date opened, capacity), overviews of the teams' or participants' histories, and captioned photos. A trip map is appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Ultimate Sports Road Trips titles: Ultimate NHL Road Trip, Ultimate Soccer Road Trip, Ultimate NBA Road Trip, Ultimate MLB Road Trip, Ultimate NASCAR Road Trip, Ultimate College Basketball Road Trip, Ultimate NFL Road Trip, and Ultimate College Football Road Trip.
Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz
(3)
YA
The product of a webcomic Kickstarter campaign, this sweet (and swear-filled) graphic novel introduces pie-baking former figure skater Eric Bittle and his bro-filled college hockey team, including handsome, tormented captain Jack. "Bitty" and Jack's tender romance unfolds alongside college shenanigans, vlog asides, and hockey triumphs, all charmingly illustrated in neat panels. Even as the book mines personal dramas, readers never question the characters' essential goodwill.
Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin
(2)
4-6
Illustrated by
Maurizio Zorat.
Eleven-year-old Conor MacRae has two passions: ice hockey and his dog, Sinbad, who has been diagnosed with cancer. Sinbad's expensive medical treatment eats into the limited money that also must fund Conor's hockey participation, so Conor earns money by washing cars throughout his Southern California neighborhood. The first-person, present-tense narrative juxtaposes Conor's enthusiastic hockey commentary with tender, character-focused interactions with his cop single father and his dog.
Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
May, 2018
(2)
YA
In this dark and timely novel, two teens confront the dangerous sexism entrenched in their elite, formerly all-male boarding school. After Jules Devereaux is sexually assaulted by her influential ex-boyfriend, new (platonic) friend James Baxter, a hockey player, resolves to stand up for her. Together, they hatch a daring plot to make a public statement. Alternating chapters from these equally compelling narrators detail two distinct paths toward activism.
Reviewer: Jessica Tackett MacDonald
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
July, 2018
(4)
4-6
Jake Maddox Girl Sports Stories series.
Illustrated by
Katie Wood.
These sports-themed stories starring girls highlight important skills necessary for success at a skate park (Longboard), a ranch (Cowgirl), on the ice (Ice Rink), and with the cheer squad (Squad). Fast pacing and black-and-white digital illustrations keep the predictable plots focused and easy to follow. Discussion questions, writing prompts, and facts about the sports are appended. Glos. Review covers these Jake Maddox Girl Sports Stories titles: Cowgirl Grit, Ice Rink Rookie, Longboard Letdown, and Squad Struggles.
Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.
(4)
4-6
Jake Maddox Graphic Novels series.
Illustrated by
Eduardo Garcia
&
Benny Fuentes.
In Half-Pipe, snowboarder Payton is humiliated after his wipe-out on the slopes goes viral. Faceoff finds ice hockey player Jax facing off against his former BFF. The texts are message-y ("There's no shame in trying your best and not coming out on top"), but the graphic novel format and sports action may draw reluctant readers. "Visual Questions" of varying interest are appended. Glos. Review covers these Jake Maddox Graphic Novels titles: Faceoff Fall Out and Half-Pipe Panic.
Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz
(4)
PS
Sports How To series.
These volumes provide simplified (sometimes confusingly so) introductions to the rules and play of the title sports. Very basic and easy-to-read texts ("Sue loves soccer! She is ready to play."; "Mark shoots. He scores a basket. Two points!") enhance accessibility and add interest for the youngest sports fans. Dynamic stock photographs show girls, boys, and adults in action. Glos., ind. Review covers these Sports How To titles: Baseball, Basketball, Football, Gymnastics, Hockey, and Soccer.
Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz
(4)
4-6
Sports Illustrated Kids: Sports Shockers! series.
Fourteen brief chapters discuss a variety of players and teams who have come from behind or otherwise defied expectations to succeed in their sport ("Fleury was one of the smallest players in the NHL"; "Few people thought New York could defeat the New England Patriots"). The pages are crowded with main texts, sidebars, photographs, captions, etc., but fans should enjoy the highlights. Reading list. Ind. Review covers these Sports Illustrated Kids: Sports Shockers! titles: Pro Football's Underdogs and Pro Hockey's Underdogs.
Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz
(4)
4-6
Calico: Game Face series.
Illustrated by
Tim Heitz.
The hi-lo series continues with four more facile sports books, these all featuring girl protagonists: rhythmic gymnast Louie Lin (Balancing), softball catcher Rana Parisi (Softball), sports reporter Maya Esposito (Report), and ice-hockey player Alana O'Brien (STEAM). Each first-person narrative pulls readers through the activity's anxieties and thrills. Silly, juvenile cartoons feel mismatched with the straightforward middle-school sports stories. Review covers these Calico: Game Face titles: Balancing Act, Softball Surprise, Sports Report, and STEAM & Ice.
Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.
(3)
YA
Extroverted athlete Ryan and wry, socially anxious Gabby do not have much in common, except their intense, special friendship. The night before graduation, the pals count down the "top ten moments of high school." Issues such as Gabby's bisexuality and Ryan's concussions are timely, complex, and naturally integrated into this smart coming-of-age story told in dual nonlinear narratives.
Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer
(4)
4-6
Versus series.
Each volume pits a present-day superstar against one from an earlier era. Comparisons include technical skills, statistics and records, and past or potential legacies. Sports fans will appreciate the many action photographs illustrating the choppy but accessible texts; side-by-side charts provide additional data. No attempt is made to name the superior athlete: that decision is left to the reader. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Versus titles: Lionel Messi vs. Pelé, Tiger Woods vs. Jack Nicklaus, Sidney Crosby vs. Wayne Gretzky, LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan, Serena Williams vs. Billie Jean King, and Tom Brady vs. Joe Montana.
Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg
(4)
YA
Emerson was a happy tomboy until her middle-school hockey coach sexually assaulted her. Emerson pressed charges, was publically shamed, and her best friend Jake moved away without saying goodbye. Seven years later, Jake--now a NHL hopeful--returns to make amends. In alternating-perspective chapters (present-day and flashbacks), the two muddle through misunderstanding after misunderstanding. A straightforward, steamy romance with a textbook happy ending.
Reviewer: Jessica Tackett MacDonald
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Matt James.
In this paean to Canada's national sport, rural children wait through an increasingly wintry December for...what? The mystery is gently teased in the lyrical text and in James's majestic but homey paintings that glint with moonlit snow until the magical moment when the moon is full and the beaver flood iced over and ready for skates. An unusual, mystical complement to the usual hockey books.
Reviewer: Roger Sutton
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
Kim Smith.
Hockey lover Jay Roberts lives in Parry Sound, Ontario, home of his hero, Bobby Orr. Jay is tested during his sixth-grade year by a bullying teammate and a saxophone he must somehow learn to play. Jay's first-person narration of trials and tribulations is appealing and humorous; his hockey skills and his struggles with the sax reassure readers that everyone has strengths and weaknesses.
Reviewer: Carolyn Shute
(4)
4-6
Total Sports series.
These volumes provide broad overviews of the histories, notable teams and coaches, rivalries, star players, etc., of the title sports; most (not Football) include mention of both men's and women's teams. The texts are easy to read if occasionally vague or overgeneralized. Informative sidebars and copious stock photos enhance the presentations for sports fans. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Total Sports titles: Total Lacrosse, Total Basketball, Total Baseball, Total Hockey, Total Soccer, Total Gymnastics, Total Volleyball, and Total Football.
Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz
(4)
4-6
Make Me the Best Athlete series.
Each of five or six brief chapters (e.g., "Sprint like Usain Bolt" in Track) in these slim volumes focuses on a different outstanding athlete in a particular sport, and provides a few tidbits about his or her skills. Bulleted fact boxes explicate techniques; a "Drill Down!" feature suggests ways readers can improve their own performance, but some necessary supervision isn't suggested. Color photographs appear throughout. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Make Me the Best Athlete titles: Make Me the Best Volleyball Player, Make Me the Best Basketball Player, Make Me the Best Baseball Player, Make Me the Best Hockey Player, Make Me the Best Soccer Player, Make Me the Best Football Player, Make Me the Best Lacrosse Player, and Make Me the Best at Track and Field.
Reviewer: Carolyn Shute
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Jacqui Lee.
A young hockey fan is tucked into bed before the end of a hockey game he's watching, but tunes in via the radio under his pillow; as the boy drifts off, he dreams himself into the game to score the winning goal. Lee's gouache art, dominated by icy aqua-blue and punctuated with pops of yellow, pairs nicely with this nostalgic yet still relatable childhood scenario.
Reviewer: Carolyn Shute
103 reviews
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