Alain Bergeron

Abby Hoffman is a nine-year old girl who loves hockey. She has been playing with her brothers on an outdoor rink and is pretty good. Unfortunately, it is 1955, and girls are supposed to figure skate, not play hockey. There are no hockey leagues for girls. When a league for children 9 to 11 opens up, with the support of her parents, Abby registers, disguised as a boy. Her name is registered as Ab Hoffman, she cuts her hair, borrows hockey equipment from her brothers, including a jock, somehow show more gets through the physical and begins her year as a hockey player for the St. Catharines Tee Pees. Abby is a good player, and escaping many close calls, she manages to stay under cover for the majority of the season. She is bullied somewhat by one of the other players, but this does not get her down. When she is drafted to the league's All Star team for a charity match her secret finally gets out. Abby does not quit and with strong support, she is finally allowed to play. Abby now had the opportunity to show what she and girl's in general can do on the ice, instead of worrying about being caught in her impersonation. She becomes a national sensation and is even interviewed about her situation.

This is not a hockey story. Yes, there are some descriptions of the game, but you do not have to be a hockey fan to appreciate this story. The story is about gender discrimination and the determinations of this young girl, this is based on a true story, to play the game she loved with the support of her family. There are also other male dominated areas in the 1950s that are mentioned.

The relationships Abby shares with her family; parents, brothers, grandparents is strong and supportive. Her best friend also supports her decisions along the way.

I do not see this book as a YA book, but one for middle grades (gr. 6 to 8). Abby is young in this book and many of her actions and reactions are true to the age. At other times, she seems very grown up when interacting with the annoying and bullying teammate. While the rest of her teammates are mature about her participation in the league once they learn that she is a girl, this particular player continues to harass her. Rather than becoming defensive and pointing out his weaknesses, she comes to his aid when he is in need.

There is an epilogue which informs readers of the current activities of Abby and her family members. Abby did not continue playing hockey, but moved on to crossing the gender barriers that existed in track and field. It would surprise no one to learn that she was successful in that area as well.

I received a copy of this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. show less

I felt like this book was never going to end. It wants and tries to be a version of Geronimo Stilton, but fails. Billy Stuart is a Racoon with a summer job of walking the neighbors dag. He hates it, and reminds everyone it’s not his dog. His grandfather is a great adventurer and thinks he has found the secret to time travel. The Intrepids are a scouting group. They are to go on a nature hike/fishing trip. Billy believes that he still has time to meet up with gramps and see what his new show more adventure is all about. Instead he gets lost in a cave and takes his friends with him.

Billy is a racoon, and all his friends are anthropomorphic as well, but the neighbors are human, dog is a poodle, and a bear is a bear. That in itself is a bit confusing and plays into the rest of the story, like the kids automatically believing the bear is a menace or a threat. Maybe he just wants to see cookies. Plus Billy has an attitude problem. It really gets grating. The best character is the weasel who for some reason makes me think of De Niro in Taxi Driver.

The book seems like it should be written for second grade, but there are lots of fifth grade plus words used. The author breaks in with post-it notes but only once is it to define something. Then there are the puzzles. Don’t get me wrong, the puzzles are fun, but what part do they play in the story. They just hop up out of nowhere. What isn’t this a special chapter in back, or a way for the scouts to use the puzzles in the story. Overall to me this book was not successful, but I know others will disagree and that is their right. But they will have to pay for the book themselves as I will not be adding it to my library. show less

J'ai bien aimé ce livre puisqu'il touche l'intimidation et comment ça devient sérieux. Un jeune ado qui se fait initié par son équipe de hockey. Le cas se rend en court. Il y a des parties dégueulasses (lorsqu'on décrit ce qui lui est arrivé). Alain Bergeron est un excellent auteur, qui écrit très bien.

163 p. Celui-ci est tellement amusant. Il accroche aussi les gars. C'est un "Back to the Future"... Le garçon retourne au passé (1971) pour devenir ami avec son père. Je le lis aux élèves au printemps puisqu'on parle du baseball. C'est un livre qui se porte bien à avoir des conversations avec les élèves (beaucoup de communication orale, en plus, quelques réflexions). C'est aussi tellement amusant pour eux (et moi) de leur montrer des vraies photos de 1971!