Two On One. (Sports Stories, No. 83). C.A. Forsyth. Toronto, ON: James Lorimer, 2005. 98 pp., pbk. & cl., $8.95 (pbk.), $16.95 (cl.). ISBN 1-55028-900-4 (pbk.), ISBN 1-55028-901-2 (cl.). Grades 3-7 / Ages 8-12. Review by Ruth Scales McMahon. ** /4

excerpt:

Exasperated by Rebecca's logic and embarrassed that I'd been caught cheating, I just stuffed the bunch of tickets in my pyjama pocket and sulked.

"Where are the other tickets?" Rebecca asked.

"Upstairs, under my mattress," I said.

"Don't you think Mom and Dad are going to notice if the drum keeps getting emptier every morning?"

More logic. Obviously, Rebecca was learning things in school that I wasn't. Then I imagined what it would look like if one morning my parents came downstairs and the drum was empty because all the tickets but one were upstairs under my mattress. I started to laugh.

Josh and Rebecca are twins. They play on the same hockey team. He wants to be an NHL star; she wants to be a doctor. She likes school; he doesn't. They are both gifted hockey players, but he is not being a good team player and is falling behind on his school work. His parents, using raffle tickets, design a strategy to demonstrate the difficulty of getting into the NHL. This approach combines with some on-ice lessons from the new coach to bring Jake to work as a member of the team.

     The story is told in the first person, by Jake, giving the action immediacy and energy. The characters are believable, albeit somewhat one-dimensional. The hockey action, although somewhat lost on this reader, seems exciting and engaging. The plot is believable but uncomplicated and easily resolved.

     For what this series is designed to offer readers, I think it is an acceptable addition to a library collection, but I am not sure of the gender of the intended audience for this title. I think boys may find it rather namby-pamby while girls may be looking for a stronger female lead.

Recommended with reservations.

Ruth Scales McMahon, who lives in Lethbridge, AB, is a professional children's librarian, the co-chair of the Rocky Mountain Book Award and the mother of two young children.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

Hosted by the University of Manitoba.

 

NEXT REVIEW | TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - April 14, 2006.

AUTHORS | TITLES | MEDIA REVIEWS | PROFILES | BACK ISSUES | SEARCH | CMARCHIVE | HOME