The Wicked Slapshot
Written by: Irene Punt
Illustrated by: Bojan Redzic
Recommended for ages 5 to 8
Scholastic Canada $5.99

Now with hockey in full swing, I’ll bet our home is one of many filled with boys and girls who have caught the fever…the hockey fever, that is. This brand new book published by Scholastic is ideal for beginning independent readers who love hockey.

In this 60 page novel, Tom heads off to hockey camp where he is excited to play his favourite sport but somewhat disappointed that his best buddies are not joining him. On the first day of camp, in the dressing room, Tom is seated beside a cheery boy by the name of Harty and so begins a friendship that lasts much longer than the week-long camp. It turns out the boys have a lot to learn from each other. Harty is a fast-skater and great stick-handler but is lacking in the shooting department. Tom, on-the-other-hand, excels at shooting and passes on to his new friend some of the tricks of the trade. The week together at camp ends with a sleepover at Tom’s house. The boys aren’t sure when they will see each other again because they live on opposite sides of the city. It is then a pleasant surprise when hockey season starts and the two friends meet face-to-face on the ice.

The chapters are short and filled with illustrations thereby making this book a perfect choice for new readers or older, reluctant readers not to mention a terrific way to foster one of our favourite Canadian pastimes.