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CM . . . . Volume XVII Number 38 . . . . June 3, 2011
excerpt:
Zach isn’t the most popular kid in school. He’s not particularly good looking, and, just to top it off, he’s short. But he’s great at hockey, and that’s what counts. That is, until he gets body-checked and ends up with a broken wrist. While he takes time off from his practices, the coach has a heart attack and Zach’s father ends up taking over for a while. With his dad in charge and his confidence down, Zach has to build a thick skin and learn how to play more than just hockey.
Power Play does get slightly bogged down in its own metafictional narrative, with Zach musing that guys don’t read because there aren’t enough books about sports. Gwen, another girl in Zach’s grade, keeps bringing up the idea that girls are better readers than guys, and she intends to prove it during a read-a-thon. This sub-plot is not all that helpful, in my opinion, and comes off as didactic after a few instances. The inclusion of this is understandable, but not entirely necessary and will most likely turn off a few readers. The pace picks up as the hockey season gets into full gear and Zach meets an old nemesis on the ice. Jason Briggs has a vendetta, and Zach is going to pay, or at least, that’s the plan. When they meet up on the ice, Zach doesn’t seem to stand a chance, and a lot is put at stake in these moments: Zach’s future as a hockey player, his safety, his dignity and self-esteem, and his chances of meeting his hero. The story also covers a lot of ground in terms of issues that young people face in daily life: bullying, tricky family dynamics, academic expectations, and classmate rivalries. It is also a clear glimpse into the stress and anxiety that can come from playing sports, in terms of the time commitments, personal safety issues, and clashes of power. With the exception of the metafictive qualities mentioned above, the issues are handled well and without an overly instructional quality. It will be easy for young people to relate to the excitement and worries that Zach experiences within Bossley’s fictional world. A brilliant mix of hockey knowledge and swiftly moving narrative, Power Play is a great novel for any young reader who has a passion for sports and a desire for a compelling story. Bossley’s talent lies in her action sequences and dialogue, and though there are a few moments of didacticism and blatant instruction on certain topics, the overall narrative is attention-grabbing and very enjoyable. Highly Recommended. Rob Bittner is a graduate student of Children’s and Young Adult Literature at The University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC. He knew almost nothing about hockey until this book.
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Michelle Martin Bossley is a skilled author with many powerful and compelling titles to her name. Power Play is no exception, blending life on and off the ice to create an exciting and absorbing read. Her ability bring in sports trivia into dialogue with a natural flow is also worthy of notice. The facts come across as informative for the layman but not didactic or over the top for those who are already in the know.