• Age: 9 to 13
• Grade: 4 to 8
• Reading age: 7 to 10

Paul Bidwell dreams of playing on a hockey team but knows that his mother can't afford to pay for the registration fees or the equipment. So he plays boot hockey with his friends and practises alone every night on the open-ice rink in the park. When the flu and mononucleosis hit Paul's school and his best friend, Vincent, is laid up with a concussion, an opening is created on Vincent's team, the Wildcats. Paul finally gets the chance to prove to the other players -- and to himself -- that he deserves his time on the ice.

[Fry reading level - 3.1

DAVID TRIFUNOV is an award-winning sportswriter and freelance journalist based in Lake Country, B.C. His work has appeared in newspapers, magazines, and websites across Canada and the United States. Born in Saskatoon, he spent many cold, cold nights playing hockey on the outdoor rinks of the city before his family moved to Ottawa when he was 13. When not writing, heÂ?s raising three daughters with his wife, Erin.

David Trifunov's profile page

"The dialogue is realistic, and characters are authentic and develop during the story. Readers would enjoy the richness of the language and the local colour both from hockey and a prairie community. Ice Time would be an excellent choice for school, public and personal libraries...an excellent read-aloud choice. Highly Recommended."

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

"This book is full of action. The characters are realistic and the situation they face is one that most young adult readers will be able to identify with and understand. I think this book is great for third grade and up readers. I think it will appeal to older readers who are reading below grade level."

Educator at White Salmon Schools, NetGalley Reviewer

"Ice Time touches on valuable themes of friendship, teamwork and good attitude."

Librarian

"Action-packed and entertaining, the novel is the latest hi-lo book for reluctant readers from LorimerÂs Sports Stories series. Filled with hockey jargon and insider knowledge of life on the ice, Ice Time will delight avid hockey fans and novices alike. TrifunovÂs detailed descriptions of complex hockey plays and strategies provide a surprising depth to the game, while the sub-plot surrounding VincentÂs concussion raises awareness about an often ignored risk. Fast-paced, engaging, and just a little bit sentimental, Ice Time is a knuckle biting glide down slick ice that will feel heart-warmingly familiar to Canadian readers."

National Reading Campaign

"This tale of a young Canadian immigrant who gets a longed for but unexpected chance to join a local team will score an easy goal with younger or less expert readers mad for hockey."

Booklist

"I enjoyed reading this story about Paul and his friends. It has appeal for hockey players and people who don't play hockey."

Educator, NetGalley Reviewer

"Featuring covers clearly labeled with the sport in question, action-packed stories, and characters with diverse racial and socioeconomic backgrounds...sure to hook sporty middle school students."

School Library Journal

"Ice Time is a worthy addition to the Lorimer Sports Series. it hits all the right notes about teamwork, having fun, and equal respect for girls' teams. Paul's financial situation is not unique, and the references to the Jump Start Program are a reminder of the community commitment to and benefit from organized sport."

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