Paddle Battle

Eric Howling is the author of many sports oriented, fast-paced reads for those with a high interest in athletic based stories. He grew up in Montreal and was very active in sports in his youth, and he uses those experiences for his inspiration for his many titles. He is currently also an advertising creative director in Calgary. His books have been shortlisted for the Hackmatack children’s choice book award and picked as a CCBC Best Books selection.

Finn Hunter’s life has changed dramatically since his parents separated and his father has started dating one of his teachers. Will Finn be able to face the challenges of his personal life while still achieving his goal of qualifying for the Canadian Sprint National Championships?

Finn has been living his best life up until six months ago when his parents ended their relationship and cohabitation. Now he is getting into arguments with his kayaking friends and teammates, is not doing so well in school, and is having difficulty concentrating and difficulty expressing his emotions. The book is set against the backdrop of a wildfire, a nice motif for what Finn is feeling, but it also develops the theme of new beginnings when something ends.

Paddle Battle is a very well-written book. Howling deals with mature themes that are relevant to today’s youth and, if put in the right hands at the right time, very cathartic. The story arc for Finn is well-rounded; he is a dynamic character with whom readers will be able to relate. The book also deals with intergenerational problems and the relationships between adults and youth. The theme of climate change is also a strong one in this title, and it examines the impact that it has on today’s generation. Readers will also learn a lot about kayaking if they are not familiar with the sport.