New ebooks From Canadian Indies
Description
Hockey fans will love this action-packed middle grade novel about teamwork, overcoming adversity, and being proud of who you are and where you come from.
Everything is changing for 11-year-old Alex Robinson. After his father accepts a new job, Alex and his family move from their community to the city. For the first time in his life, he doesn’t fit in. His fellow students don’t understand Indigenous culture. Even a simple show of respect to his teacher gets him in trouble.
Things begin to look up after Alex tries out for a local hockey team. Playing for the Kodiaks, Alex proves himself as one of the best, but he becomes a target because he’s Indigenous. Can Alex trust his teammates and stand up to the jerks on other teams? Can he find a way to fit in and still be who he’s meant to be?
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age:
- 9 to 12
- Grade:
- 4 to 6
Editorial Reviews
Among CBC Books's 32 Canadian Books for Children to Check Out in Spring 2024
— CBC Books
Timely and important, The Kodiaks: Home Ice Advantage is a must-read. Highly Recommended
— CM Association
I liked the fast pace of the novel and the messages about teamwork, bullying, prejudice, racism, and overcoming challenges and adversity. I think many young and teenage readers would enjoy this book, the messages, and the subject matter of hockey!
— Anishinabek News
David A. Robertson's latest novel, The Kodiaks: Home Ice Advantage, addresses racism in minor hockey through the story of an indigenous hockey player named Alex. The book emphasizes education, community support, and redefining masculinity to combat discrimination and promote inclusivity in sports. Through Alex's journey, readers see the value of empathy, kindness, and understanding as essential qualities for athletes.
— BNN Breaking
Lots of depth here as Alex navigates a new town/school, a new hockey team, and prejudice, racism, and microaggressions on and off the ice. Sports books always fly off the shelves, so this is a really nice addition to the field.
— School Library Journal's Teen Librarian Toolbox
If you are reading the just-released middle grade novel The Kodiaks: Home Ice Advantage and are impressed by how real it all feels, there’s a reason for that—a lot of it is.
— Society for International Hockey Research
