• Age: 9 to 12
• Grade: 4 to 7
• Reading age: 9 to 12

When the Edmonton Oil Kings discover that Reuben Reuben has a hockey game as unforgettable as his name and his Inuit heritage, life changes in a hurry for him and his best friend Gear.

A wealthy businessman sponsors a three-on-three pond-hockey tour across the western Arctic, and Reuben and Gear find out more than they ever bargained for about teamwork, about the North and about a dangerous family secret.

This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for middle-grade readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read!

With close to three million books in print, Sigmund Brouwer writes for both children and adults. In the last ten years, he has given writing workshops to students in schools from the Arctic Circle to inner city Los Angeles. One of his latest novels, The Last Disciple, earned Sigmund an appearance on ABC's Good Morning America. Sigmund and his family live half the year in Nashville, Tennessee, and half the year in Red Deer, Alberta.

The Talk:
Reach For Your Dreams
It doesn't matter where you come from, it's where you decide to go in life that is important. Sigmund Brouwer encourages students to reach for their dreams, giving them fun and practical advice for the reading and writing skills that are the foundation of future success.

The Presentation:
Sigmund's presentations are an hour of high-level energy. He especially reaches out to reluctant readers and gears the talk to engage their attention. Audience size varies; often his presentations take place in the gym for the entire school, including kindergarten. (After the first half hour, the K-2 grades are dismissed, and the remainder of the presentation is focused on the older students.) There are no restrictions on audience size except for the space limitations of the gym. Smaller schools are welcome to invite another school to share in the cost of the presentation.

Booking:
For presentations that involve travel, Sigmund appreciates it if two or three schools in the area make bookings on the same day. For more information on booking, fees and expenses, please email Sigmund: rockandrollliteracy@me.com

Sigmund Brouwer's profile page

• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens, starred selection
• Commended, Resource Links, The Year's Best Books

"Brouwer has done a wonderful job of tying mystery, Inuit traditions and hockey together in a great story of family, loyalty and friendship. This high interest novel will satisfy not only reluctant readers, but others who enjoy a fast-paced story…Highly Recommended."

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

"Young people will enjoy reading about the supportive friends, the exciting hockey scenes, and the mystery. This will appeal particularly to reluctant YA male readers."

Youth Services Book Review

"Canadian hockey will certainly be a hot topic in libraries following the recent Olympics. This quick read may satisfy the desires of those who want to read about the game."

The Washington State Young Adult Review Group (WASHYARG)