
Reach for this book when your child is facing pressure from a coach or peer to take shortcuts, or when they are struggling with the dilemma of doing the right thing versus winning. It is particularly helpful for kids who feel a sense of loyalty to their team but are uncomfortable with 'playing dirty.' In this story, twelve-year-old Brent Mullen is thrilled to play for a winning hockey team until he realizes his new assistant coach is teaching dangerous and illegal defensive moves. Brent must decide whether to stay silent to keep his spot on the roster or speak up for the safety and integrity of the game. This chapter book is perfect for 8 to 12-year-olds who love high-action sports stories but are ready to explore deeper themes of ethics, personal accountability, and the courage it takes to challenge authority. It models how a young person can navigate complex social hierarchies while maintaining their own moral compass.
On-ice hockey violence and intentional rough play meant to injure others.
The book deals with the abuse of authority and moral ambiguity in a secular, realistic way. The resolution is hopeful, as Brent finds allies and asserts his integrity.
A 10-year-old athlete who is beginning to notice that some adults or peers value the scoreboard over the rules, and who needs a blueprint for how to handle that pressure.
Read the scenes where Coach Archer instructs the boys in the 'illegal' moves. This provides a great opening to discuss the difference between 'aggressive' play and 'dangerous' play. A parent might see their child coming home from practice unusually quiet, or perhaps witness their child getting a penalty for a move they were clearly coached to perform.
Younger readers (8-9) will focus on the excitement of the hockey games and the clear 'villainy' of the coach. Older readers (11-12) will better grasp the social risk Brent takes by potentially alienating his teammates.
Unlike many sports books that focus on physical training or team rivalries, this book centers specifically on the ethical corruption that can exist within coaching and the bravery required to whistleblow.
Brent Mullen is a talented defenseman on a successful youth hockey team. When a new assistant coach, Jim Archer, joins the staff, the team begins to win even more frequently. However, Brent notices that Archer is pulling defensemen aside to teach them illegal, dangerous body-checking techniques designed to injure or intimidate opponents. Brent is torn between his desire to win and his discomfort with the coach's methods. The story follows Brent's internal conflict and eventual decision to stand up for sportsmanship.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
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