Face-Off

Hockey Rivals #1

by Stacy Juba

Head-to-Head, Skate-to-Skate, It's Winner Takes All! What might have been a dream come true has turned into a nightmare. Brad's twin brother T.J. has gotten himself out of the fancy prep school his father picked for him and into the public high school Brad attends. Now T.J., the bright light in his father's eyes, is a shining new star on the hockey team where Brad once held the spotlight. And he's testing his popularity with Brad's friends, eyeing Brad's girl and competing to be captain of the team. The whole school is rooting for a big double-strength win, not knowing that their twin hockey stars are heating up the ice for a winner takes all face-off.


NEW: This new edition contains a special letter to readers, revisions for the latest generation of readers, as well as bonus excerpts of Offsides (Face-Off Book Two), and the young adult paranormal thriller Dark Before Dawn.

Re-issue of the hockey classic, originally written when the author was a teenager. This young adult novel has entertained thousands of young readers and appeared on many reading lists. Among its many honors:


- The Hockey Hall of Fame's Junior Education Program included Face-Off on its recommended reading list for the junior and intermediate levels.

- Best Books for Young Teen Readers: Grades 7-10 by John T. Gillespie - Recommended in the sports category.


- Booklist: "Hockey fans will be attracted by the cover and held by the game descriptions, and those who like realistic fiction will appreciate the complexity of the boys' home life, with battling parents, hero-worshipping younger siblings and a father who expects too little of one twin and too much of the other. A good read for both proficient and reluctant readers."


- VOYA: "Lots of action and emotional upheaval ensure that this will be a popular book for boys as well as girls. This reviewer's YA Book Review Group gave it nine points out of a possible ten for Good Read status."

The sequel, Offsides, is now available.

Genres: Sports, Young Adult, Fiction, Hockey, Ebooks

112 pages, Paperback

First published September 9, 2011

About the author

Author of Storybook Valley fairy tale chick lit series, the Hockey Rivals YA sports series, suspenseful cozy mysteries, and more. Stop by Stacy's website to get your FREE Storybook Valley Welcome Kit. Stacy is also an affordable freelance editor and lover of happy endings. Check out her other website: https://www.hockeyrivalsbooks.com/

Reviews

[Diane Lynch Lynch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook version of Face-Off. I typically prefer reading over listening to audiobooks because I have issues with the reader’s voice and not being able to go at my pace, which is usually faster. I scratched my eye and needed to keep it closed so the audiobook was a nice distraction for me. Maxwell Glick did an amiable job at narrating. I could easily tell which character was speaking even before he would say a name because of his change in dialects.

I really enjoyed Face-Off. The story was very realistic. Twin brothers used to attend two different schools. Now they are both attending the same school and competing for the captain position on the hockey team. Stacy Juba does a great job showing the emotional issues both boys are facing. I could see many kids and adults relating to this story.

I recommended this book to my son and the kids on his PeeWee hockey team.

[Darcia Helle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't normally read YA fiction but this one drew my attention for two reasons: I'm a fan of Stacy Juba's mysteries and I have been a huge Boston Bruins fan for close to 40 years. Knowing that this book centered around hockey made it a must read!

This is a great story that is so much more than a hockey read. We're shown the dynamics of a family experiencing both joys and difficulties. The four boys suffer sibling rivalry but also support each other completely. Juba's writing is engaging and I was immediately sucked into this family of hockey players.

Face-Off has no profanity or content that would be inappropriate for children. I highly recommend this one whether you're a hockey fan or just looking for a good story.

[Christina (Ensconced in Lit) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from Librarything in exchange for an honest review.

Apparently, this is a reissue of a book that was written when the author was only 16. I was very impressed with all the hockey lingo and thought it was very well done. The twins interaction and the difficulties with the parents were very real. I was moved by all the relationships and how they evolved over time.

I thought it was wonderful how the twins worked out a majority of their issues, but it almost seemed too easy for a long standing resentment, a fierce sibling rivalry, just to fade away. Of course, perhaps this is just the calm before the storm!

I enjoyed reading this book a lot, and believe that sports fans and younger readers will really like it!

[Teebz Hbic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review for Face-Off can be found on Hockey Blog In Canada.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

T.J. McKendrick can’t do anything right to please his father, despite the fact that he attends a prep school and is top of his class and on several sports teams. His twin brother, Brad, feels that T.J. is the apple of their father’s eyes and despite all of his hard work, he can barely maintain a C average in his public school. Brad hates school, but is looking forward to the start of hockey season. That is until their parents inform them that they can no longer afford T.J.’s school and they will both be forced to attend the same high school. Now Brad fears loosing his friends and the all important Captain spot at the start of hockey season. Not to mention, their younger brother Chris seems to keep getting in trouble and their parents are always arguing which upsets their youngest brother Jory. Will the twins come together to help there younger brothers or will the competition for attention and acceptance destroy their relationship for good?

Stacy Juba originally wrote this book when she was a young teenager, yet readers will not believe that while reading this book. Fans of hockey will love every single detail that takes place on the ice and about the ice. Non-hockey loving fans will not have to worry about being confused by statistics or technical jargon, since it is quite clear that Juba wrote this for every reader to enjoy. Readers will be chuckling at the antics of the youngest brother Jory, while readers’ heartstrings will be caught up effects of the tumultuous relationship of the parents. Readers will be able to relate to Brad, T.J. and their younger brothers. The sudden ending will leave readers needing more, but there is a small excerpt from the book’s sequel. Juba’s excellent talent for balancing human emotion, hockey and high school will create instant fans in the readers.

I loved this book! First off, I am a huge hockey fan. (Born and raised cheering on the Washington Capitals.) Second, this book perfectly demonstrates the inner turmoil inside families, whether it is the side effects of parents fighting or sibling rivalries. Even with the abrupt ending, I would highly recommend this book to middle school children or adult fans of hockey/YA books.

Notes:
The author of this provided a copy for me to review.
This review was originally posted on Ariesgrl Book Reviews.

[Masquerade Crew · Rating 5 out of 5]

BELINDA'S REVIEW

I don't often give a full five rating to a book I'm reviewing and especially when it's not in a genre I usually enjoy but I have to say Face Off had me drawn in from the beginning and I read it in all one sitting. I thoroughly enjoyed it despite not being a teen and knowing nothing about ice hockey. (Although I do know a bit more about it now!) "The characters are well drawn and their relationships are believable and easy to relate to. This is mainly because Stacy Juba writes such great dialogue - she doesn't need to tell us what Brad is feeling about his twin it's there in his words and his actions for example:

Brad tore open his milk carton and swore as a small puddle spilled onto the table.
"What's the matter with you?" Steve asked.
"Nothing," Brad snapped. Glaring at TJ, he stood up to get a napkin.

The tensions and the rivalry between the twins is realistic - they are often fiercely angry with each other but blood ties are always present and the fact that they come together to help their younger brothers through difficult family times feels right. The fact that they care so much could be cheesy but isn't.

Juba mentions in the preface that this is a re-issue of a book she wrote in the 1990s so it doesn't contain mentions of cell phones, social networking etc - she felt she didn't need to make these changes and I agree with her. The boys play Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit with their brothers instead of X-box and no one checks their Facebook status but you really don't notice and it doesn't detract from the story.

This is a great read and I can't wait to download the next in the series!

[Barbara Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast moving young adult novella centering around the issues of sibling rivalry, family relationships, the sport of hockey, coming of age, and divorce. The McKendrick Family is undergoing a crisis. Parents are constantly fighting and are on the verge of divorce. A.J. McKendrick is an out of work architect struggling to make ends meet, placing additional strain on the marriage. High school juniors and fraternal twins, Brad and T.J., strive to shine in hockey, but T.J. has the better grades. Dad places unrealistic expectations on T.J. When finances force the parents to remove T.J. from private school, the brothers are faced with a new situation for rivalry; how to play together on the same hockey team. Their younger brother Chris gets into fights in school and attempts to run away. All this emotional stress plays havoc on the lives of the family, their school, and their friends. In addition, there are the coming of age issues related to romance and future career plans.

The short tale offers a lot to young teen readers. It is packed with action, emotional tension, details about the sport of hockey, and well-defined characters facing issues with which the reader may empathize. This book would be a good choice for a reluctant reader as the tone is conversational and smooth flowing. Juba immediately draws you in and holds your attention. Highly recommended for teens, particularly boys who love sports.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Face Off is the story of twin brothers who are dealing with high school, hockey, family, and growing up. It is a hockey story, but it is so much more than just a sports book.
Brad and his twin brother T.J. were attending separate schools until financial difficulties forced TJ to attend public school with his brother. The two boys are very competitive with each other and the sibiling rivalry is intense. Throughout the book, the boys learn how to be teammates and brothers.
I am a huge hockey fan, so the cover and synopsis of this book caught my attention right
away. The hockey scenes in the book were important but the book focused on the twins
learning more about each other and themselves. In the beginning of the book, Brad and TJ could barely stand each other but by the end of the book they were working together and respecting each other both on and off the ice. I loved how the twins matured throughout the book and became confident young men.
I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it. It's refreshing to find a YA book
that focuses on a male audience. I can definitely see why The Hockey Hall of Fame's Junior Education Program included Face-Off on its recommended reading list for the junior and intermediate levels.

[Aly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The thing I really enjoyed about this book is that it wasn't my typical hockey book. Most times I go for hockey romances but this was different. It was intriguing to see a book that does involve hockey without the romance. But at the same time I enjoyed the switch up. It's always nice to take a step outside your comfort zone.

The relationship between the two main characters was strained and awkward. Certainly not the idea you get when you think of twins. It was amusing as well as frustrating to see how their relationship was.

And then just going through and seeing how the two change and grow a bit in their relationships and whatnot was great. It was marvelous to see.

Overall I did enjoy this book although I found that you didn't get a lot of the thoughts that you did read in other books. There was a lot of dialogue more so than other books. Which isn't a bad thing, just different.

I did enjoy the uniqueness of Face-Off and suggest it to anyone who has teenagers or whatnot.


Find this review and many more at Reading Shy With Aly

[Owen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Face-off is the first book in a series about two brothers named Brad and T.J. They both play hockey, at different schools, but they don't often get along. When, T.J. has to leave his private school, Brad is mad that he will be playing on the hockey team. But they need to work through their problems and learn to be good teammates and brothers.



I received this book for review and although I enjoyed it, I think it is more for younger readers because it is only 95 pages long. The characters in this book are believable and I enjoyed most of them. I have to say, the plot is often predictable. Also, the dialogue in this book is very old and is not used anymore. This is because the author wrote this a long time ago. The ending was okay, a bit sudden but there is a sequel. I would recommend this book to hockey players in middle school. It is a light, fun read and very short.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this as a first reads on goodreads. I really enjoyed this book. It is a reissue that reads just as good now as it surely did then. It is about twin brothers who play hockey. Now I know nothing about hockey but I did learn a few things. This is a book about a family going thru a lot of stuff. Hockey is the twins escape. They like a lot of siblings have their arguments and basic sibling rivalry. They learn to work together not only in hockey but in their family as well. They think the other twin has it made only to realize each one is dealing with family and friend pressure. When they realize this they become close. I will look for more books about them. A good quick read.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. You don't have to be a young adult or hockey fan to enjoy this book. It is an easy reading book that teens and adults will enjoy. Readers will be able to identify with divorcing parents and sibling rivalry. I appreciated the sections of the book that showed the twins assisting their younger brother, Chris, with the problems he encountered dealing with his anger and resentment of his parents constant bickering and their separation.The twins even solved their sibling rivalry when they were forced to play on the same hockey team. Go read the book for the details. You'll be glad you did. I can't wait to read "Offsides" which is part 2 of Face Off.

[WiLoveBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

When T.J. has to switch high schools, Brad suddenly has to share his school, his friends, and his hockey team. This is a story about sibling rivalry with realistic family relationships. The hockey parts were easy to follow, even for someone who does not know much about hockey. Readers middle school and up will relate to struggles with family, friends and school. An enjoyable story, and you could really see how both brothers were affected by the situation.
The audio is excellent. The narrator is perfect for this story and he does a great job with the different voices. Overall easy to listen to.

[H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining Y/A quick read.

This review is from: Face-Off (Kindle Edition)
Really good YA short read about a family of four brothers, the twins in particular. TJ and Brad are juniors in separate high schools, one in private and one in public school. Mom and dad are yelling at each other all the time and financial problems cause TJ to leave his school and start attending public school with Brad. This is not really the beginning of problems, but you get the idea. Wonderful dynamics between the brothers and a great quick read. I voluntarily reviewed this book after receiving an advanced reading copy.

[Tifferz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I get a charge out of a hockey story as long as it is soundly written. I am please to say Stacy has competence in her storytelling. I appreciate the characters and what they experience. I dig the witty banter among brothers and friends. My heart went out to those boys when at home. Another pleasing story that keeps you thirsting for more. I will be awaiting the arrival of Offsides. It will be fun to see how things play out.

[SA · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised and pleased with how strong this YA book was. Obviously I read it because it was about hockey, but it's a very nuanced and thoughtful portrayal of a brief period in a family's life. Well done. Looking forward to the forthcoming sequel.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for Minnesota shelves. Twin brothers have to find a way to cope with being on a team together and the separation of their parents.

[Shayay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this! It's not my typical type of read, and I'm probably not it's intended audience, but that just goes to show how wonderful Stacy Juba's writing is! Face-Off is about a group of brothers that are going through some tough things in their lives, but hopefully with each other and their love of hockey they can come together to overcome any obstacle, but some sibling rivalry gets in the way. Brad and TJ are the eldest of the 4 brothers, and they are twins, TJ goes to a private school, while his brothers all go to public school, but a situation in the family causes TJ to have to switch schools to the school with his brothers. TJ was the star hockey player on his private school's team, and Brad is the star player on his team, so when TJ transfers and joins Brad's hockey team, Brad isn't too happy about it. I loved the bond that all the brothers have, and I happen to love the hockey aspect! This read would be great for both males and females, and Stacy Juba writes wonderfully real characters. I also listened to this in audiobook form, and the narrator did a great job at fluctuating their voices so I could tell all the characters apart, and the narrator maintain a steady voice level. I look forward to reading more books by Stacy Juba!