Teenreads.com -- OPEN ICE by Pat Hughes

OPEN ICE
Pat Hughes
Laurel-Leaf Books
Fiction
Hardcover: 038574675X
Paperback: 9780553494440
288 pages

OPEN ICE is the story of self-centered Nick Taglio, the sophomore star of the high school hockey team. When a head injury puts him on the sidelines, he loses everything he cares about. Friends start treating him differently, his girlfriend doesn't look at him the same, and well-meaning adults take pity on him. His parents keep telling him that he is risking his future if he plays, but Nick can't imagine life without hockey.

During his time off the ice, Nick must find a way to reinvent himself. He always thought of himself as only a jock. Will he discover that he is well-rounded and has other interests? Will he be able to put other people's needs before his own?

OPEN ICE is Pat Hughes's first young adult novel. She is the author of two middle-grade novels --- GUERILLA SEASON and THE BREAKER BOYS --- and is an editor at the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Whether or not you are a hockey fan, you will experience the excitement and passion that Nick feels for the game. I found myself rooting for Nick and hoping he could get back on the ice where he belongs. Hughes has scored a goal with this one!

--- Reviewed by Renee Kirchner (renee.kirchner@usa.net)

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