WOI Book Review: Hockey Agony by Donna McDine

 

Hockey Agony
Category: Chapbooks for Tweens
Author: Donna McDine http://www.donnamcdine.com
Artist: Julie Hammond http://www.juliehammondart.com
Paperback ISBN: 9781616333607; 161633360X
eBook ISBN: 9781616333614; 1616333618
Price: $9.95 paperback / $5.00 e-book

Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. 

SYNOPSIS:

Peer Pressure and Honesty many times go hand-in-hand.  What is Larry to do when his teammate asks him to cheat when he is given the responsibility to run the clock during the big hockey game?  Outwardly, it may seem he will follow suit, but his conscious tells him otherwise at the moment of truth.

Overall Thoughts:

This is a fun quick read for 3^rd to 6^th grade readers. At first, I thought I was going to be sent a chapter book or novel, but actually this is a picture storybook. I’m sure you are wondering what is the difference between a picture storybook and a picture book. For starts the context of the story line. You do have vivid illustrations laced throughout the book, but story length is longer than a picture book and reminds me more of a short story one might find in a kid magazine such as CRICKET or Storyworks. 

The author keeps the story plot simple and introduces readers to the problem right away. Because this is a picture storybook, you don’t get defined, in-depth characters as the author doesn’t have the page count to develop them much beyond a picture book character. The story does move a bit faster than a chapter book, but the transitions are smooth and propel you into next scene with ease. 

Readers will relate to the simple problems of peer pressure and honesty. This is also a great book for boys or reluctant readers because of the short story style and sport setting.

The World of Ink Network will be touring the spell bounding ride of stories by award-winning children’s author, Donna McDine throughout September and October 2013.

The roller coaster action in each escapade will transport the reader into a specific time period. One never knows where they will end up, past or present.

 

You can find out more about Donna McDine, her books and World of Ink Author/Book Tour at http://tinyurl.com/3tv4jgf

To learn more about the World of Ink Tours visit http://worldofinknetwork.com