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

Cale Finch has just won second place in a skateboarding competition when he's ambushed on his way home by a member of a rival crew, the Mental Posse. They steal the money that Cale was going to use to replace his broken skateboard. Cale feels embarrassed by what happened, so he doesn't tell anyone right away.
Eventually, Mark Skinner, an older skater, finds out, and offers to help Cale get the money back. But before he does, tragedy strikes and Mark is killed in a car accident. Cale has to deal with the loss of his friend and hero -- and find the courage to stand up to the bullies himself.

Growing up, BRAD V. COWAN was no stranger to the best places to skateboard in the Toronto area. He works in television and film, working as producer of the West 49 Ambition Camp TV series, in which eight of the countryâ??s best skaters went head-to-head in a skateboarding competition. He now writes for TV and film.

Brad V. Cowan's profile page

• Commended, One of the Year's Best for 2013 - Resource Links

"Skinner's Banks is generally well-written, with a likeable central character many will find themselves cheering for, a main theme those involved with skateboarding and film-making will find easy enough to follow, and subplots that sustain and deepen interest."
Recommended

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

"Does an incredible job at bridging the gap between readers and skaters... Cowan uses terminology and a vocabulary that the reader will understand in a way that is not belittling or counterfeit. All readers will still get something out of this well-written sports adventure book. I'd recommend this for any classroom from grade 5 to 8 with hesitant readers." Rated G-E, good to excellent

Resource Links