• Age: 12 to 18
• Grade: 8 to 12
• Reading age: 12 to 18

The other night, Trace Brewster, Max’s best friend and star hockey player for the Hawks, scored on his own net and put the team’s chances of qualifying for an upcoming tournament in jeopardy.

Since then Trace has gone silent and is shutting everyone out. But Max thinks there’s more going on with his friend than what happened on the ice. For one thing, there are bruises on Trace's face that he refuses to explain. Can Max find a way to get Trace to open up and help him in time for the big game?

This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read! The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

Jean Mills has been writing professionally for over 30 years, her five Young Adult novels received critical acclaim in Canada and internationally. Skating Over Thin Ice was a 2019 Forest of Reading Red Maple Fiction nominee and was named to the USBBY Outstanding International Book List. Jean is a former college Communications professor, and she also spent ten years on the Media & Communications team at Curling Canada. When she’s not writing, she can be found playing one of her many musical instruments, creating something with yarn, or cheering for the Maple Leafs. Jean lives in Guelph, Ontario.

Jean Mills' profile page

• Commended, Junior Library Guild (JLG) Gold Standard Selection
• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens
• Commended, Top Grade: CanLit for the Classroom

“Delivers action-packed scenes on the ice…Mills maintains tension and a sense of mystery as Max uncovers clues. Recommended for hockey fans and those looking for a short read.”

Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD)

“A very intriguing and emotional novel...If you want a book that will make you want to hug it —Wingman could be that book for you! Highly Recommended.”

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

“A hi-lo book that appeals to reluctant readers who would rather be on the ice than reading in the stands. Easy-to-read font, lots of space on the page and simple sentences are nicely disguised by hockey jargon to make the book feel like a high school read. Mills successfully captures the angst of hockey teens struggling with bullying, the pressure to perform, the loyalty of friendship and the difficulty of determining which adults to trust… A winner for readers of sports fiction and would be a welcome addition to any library.”

YAdudebooks

“Mills writes with economy, strong pacing, and crisply delineated characters...A worthwhile cautionary tale, accessible and appealing to reluctant readers.”

Kirkus Reviews