Albert Whitman & Company, 2003
A chilling tale about real friends and real courage.
Josh isn’t happy to be starting at a new school, especially as it’s almost Thanksgiving. But maybe it’s a chance to be somebody—not so easy for a kid who’s been pretty average and is overweight besides. One student, Corey, becomes very friendly with Josh—suspiciously friendly in the opinion of Josh’s other friends, Mark and Skye.
When Corey asks Josh to join him and his friends for ice hockey on Poor Rooney’s pond, Josh is excited. He can see himself out there, with the cool seventh graders, a natural success for the first time in his life. He can hardly wait for the ice to get thick.
“This fast moving story is simple, straightforward, and effective, and has characters that are true to life. Anyone who has ever been new to a school, dealt with bullies, or just not known whom to trust will relate to Josh and his dilemmas.” —School Library Journal
- 2006 Sasquatch Reading Award master list (WA)
- 2006-2007 Sunshine State Young Reader’s Award Master List (FL)
