• Age: 9 to 13
• Grade: 5
• Reading age: 9 to 10

Maritimers take great pride in watching other Maritimers do well on the national and global stage. This book tells the inspiring stories of 12 athletes drawn from a variety of backgrounds and sports. Men and women, black and white, Acadian and Mi'kmaq, able-bodied and non able-bodied. The common thread: young people who grow up in the Maritimes, with backgrounds that every reader will recognize, can and do chalk up impressive achievements. And they stay true to their roots in doing so.

As CBC broadcaster Bruce Rainnie writes in the book's preface, "In every character-defining way, [the featured athletes are exactly the same today as before any money or acclaim entered their lives. No wonder we punch so far above our weight. No wonder so many of our stories are 'unlikely but possible.' And no wonder we relish in hearing these stories told, as Philip Croucher does so tastefully in this book. Quiet confidence, humility, and a rock-solid base. What a mix. What an unbeatable mix. What a Maritime mix."

Philip Croucher has written about sports in the Maritimes for more than two decades. He is the author of three books including the best-selling Road to the NHL, Winners: The New Generation of Maritimes Sports Stars, and Brad Marchand: The Unlikely Star. He is the bureau chief for Star Halifax and is the former sports editor of the Halifax Daily News.

Philip Croucher's profile page

Bruce Rainnie Bruce is nationally known for his work with CBC Sports. Along with being a regular host on Hockey Night in Canada, he has broadcast five Olympic Games and had the honour of calling the 2008 Gold Medal performance of Canadian Showjumper Eric Lamaze in Hong Kong. In March of 2004, he researched, co-produced, and hosted Great Expectations, a documentary on Sidney Crosby. Bruce was named the voice of Curling on CBC. Bruce's quick wit, thoughtful insights, and humorous, engaging style have entertained audiences all across Atlantic Canada. He lives in Charlottetown with his wife, Kendra, and their young sons, Mark and Alistair.

Bruce Rainnie's profile page

"It's the twinning of these two feelings — that makes WInners: a New Generation of Maritime Sport Stars by Phillip Croucher so engaging. The book doesn't celebrate this country's biggest sports stars... Instead, Winners wakes us to a different, more powerful reality: Canadian athletes are kciking ass all the time — you just need to know where to look."

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