Open Ice

Jillian (Jill), a young girl with a passion for playing hockey, is the captain of her girls’ team, the Queens, but when her season ends in victory, she decides to jump on the opportunity to play with boys in a three-on-three co-ed league. If the team can win their games, they all get the reward of playing in the big tournament, including a road trip to Kelowna!

Jill and her friends, teen twins Alyssa and Jacob, are all athletic and motivated young hockey players, although Jacob struggles sometimes with his self-esteem, always wondering if he is good enough, but Jill wishes she could play half as well as he does. The challenges with boys vs girl players on each team are handled throughout the story by the author in a positive and educational way. However, an on ice fight could end all their seasons due to an expulsion, leaving readers wondering if the trio will make it to the big tournament!

Open Ice is written as an excellent play-by-play in the world of competitive hockey for young players. The author’s detailed narrative style brings an excitement to every chapter, and readers will find themselves cheering on the team! A story of finding yourself and celebrating your talents and appreciating differences, no matter what gender, Open Ice is an excellent addition to any school library and would certainly help with dialogue on fairness and equality in recreational sports.