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

Hockey stars Mike "Crazy" Keats and his new friend, Dakota, are caught in a web of violence which makes winning a championship the least of their concerns. Dakota Smith is in trouble. But Mike "Crazy" Keats doesn't care. He is new to the Seattle Thunderbirds, and Dakota seems like a good guy to have for a friend. Unfortunately, not everyone accepts Dakota's Native North American heritage so easily.

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

"Well-written, and the highly engaging secondary characters, especially Dakota Smith, will quickly draw readers into the story. In Mike Keats, Brouwer has created a well-rounded male protagonist, a young man desperately searching for a good role model during the difficult period between boyhood and manhood. Highly Recommended."

CM Magazine

"A substantial read with a unique plot and compelling characters...The excitement surrounding hockey and crime-fighting is sure to entertain."

Resource Links

"Brouwer's use of controlled vocabulary and first-person viewpoint will succeed in enticing [reluctant readers] to attempt a novel. The emphasis on action keeps the plot moving swiftly."

VOYA

"The short chapters, rapid action, and adept hockey writing make this a prime choice for reluctant readers and hockey lovers."

NMRLS Youth Services Book Review