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Screech Owls #23
Face-Off at the Alamo
The Screech Owls have come to the southern city of San Antonio, Texas, a surprising hotbed of American ice hockey. They are here to compete in the San Antonio Peewee Invitational, and between games can explore the fascinating canals that twist and turn through a maze of shops and restaurants in the city's downtown.
The tournament has been set up to include guided tours of the Alamo, the world's most famous fort, and for one night the championship team will even get to camp out in the historic site. The Screech Owls discover that the Alamo is America's greatest symbol of courage and freedom, and when Travis and his friends uncover a plot to destroy it, they must call upon all the courage of the fort's original defenders.
The tournament has been set up to include guided tours of the Alamo, the world's most famous fort, and for one night the championship team will even get to camp out in the historic site. The Screech Owls discover that the Alamo is America's greatest symbol of courage and freedom, and when Travis and his friends uncover a plot to destroy it, they must call upon all the courage of the fort's original defenders.
- GenresMystery
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
2 people are currently reading
206 people want to read
About the author
Roy MacGregor
125 books92 followersRoy MacGregor is a Canadian author of fiction and non-fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 4, 2021
Hockey fans of all ages, but especially those in peewee leagues, or those who aspire to that, or those who've long left that would find the hockey content realistic & compelling. Same for the interaction of the various team members and the opposing teams.
Kudos too to the author for ensuring mixed teams where each player, male or female, has their own unique strengths/skills.
There's a mystery and lots of information about the Alamo to fill out the story too.
Kudos too to the author for ensuring mixed teams where each player, male or female, has their own unique strengths/skills.
There's a mystery and lots of information about the Alamo to fill out the story too.
October 25, 2023
Another thrilling episode in the Screech Owl series. This time they head to San Antonio for a pee wee hockey tournament. They also overhear of a plot to destroy the Alamo. I liked how the author inserted historical facts about the Alamo and realistic details about San Antonio.
March 24, 2013
Both my son and myself received a review copy of this book from LibraryThing. He really wanted it, so I figured if I applied for a copy, as well as him, then we would perhaps end up with one copy. In the end, as I just mentioned, we both got a copy. He'll probably share his thoughts soon on his blog soon.
Face-Off at the Alamo is the latest book in the long-running Screech Owl series by author and media inductee to the Hockey Hall of Fame, Roy MacGregor. The book is aimed at children, probably in the 9-12 age group. I have never read any of the books in this series before, but it is a very popular series, recommended by none other than the Great One himself, Wayne Gretzky.
Although I have never read any books in the series before, this wasn't a hard book to get into. It's a complete story in itself, although I gather that many of the characters are the same ones from other books in the series. Although it was a fairly easy read for me, due to the age group it is aimed at, I was still able to enjoy it and it kept me fairly well engaged and interested. My eleven-year old son really enjoyed it and is now trying to get his hands on some of the other books in the series.
The book centres around the Screech Owls Peewee hockey team (from Canada) being invited to participate in a tournament in San Antonio, Texas, the home of the Alamo. The winners of the tournament will be allowed to spend a night camped in the Alamo. I don't want to give anything away, but as well as the tournament, there's a mystery to be solved, surrounding a plot to blow up the Alamo.
There are a number of good things about the book that make me want to recommend it for younger readers. The story moves well, there are some great characters, and issues of honesty and fair play are explored. The coach and manager of the Screech Owls are good role models and demonstrate that, although it is nice to win, it's the participation and doing your best that are more important. This is important, because too often these days pressure is put on young people to win, regardless of the cost or who you may hurt on the way.
Face-Off at the Alamo is a great read for the young hockey fan and I dare say many an older fan, like myself, can enjoy it as well. I'm sure there will be further books to follow to join the twenty or more already published in this series and I know that they will be enjoyed for many more years to come.
Face-Off at the Alamo is the latest book in the long-running Screech Owl series by author and media inductee to the Hockey Hall of Fame, Roy MacGregor. The book is aimed at children, probably in the 9-12 age group. I have never read any of the books in this series before, but it is a very popular series, recommended by none other than the Great One himself, Wayne Gretzky.
Although I have never read any books in the series before, this wasn't a hard book to get into. It's a complete story in itself, although I gather that many of the characters are the same ones from other books in the series. Although it was a fairly easy read for me, due to the age group it is aimed at, I was still able to enjoy it and it kept me fairly well engaged and interested. My eleven-year old son really enjoyed it and is now trying to get his hands on some of the other books in the series.
The book centres around the Screech Owls Peewee hockey team (from Canada) being invited to participate in a tournament in San Antonio, Texas, the home of the Alamo. The winners of the tournament will be allowed to spend a night camped in the Alamo. I don't want to give anything away, but as well as the tournament, there's a mystery to be solved, surrounding a plot to blow up the Alamo.
There are a number of good things about the book that make me want to recommend it for younger readers. The story moves well, there are some great characters, and issues of honesty and fair play are explored. The coach and manager of the Screech Owls are good role models and demonstrate that, although it is nice to win, it's the participation and doing your best that are more important. This is important, because too often these days pressure is put on young people to win, regardless of the cost or who you may hurt on the way.
Face-Off at the Alamo is a great read for the young hockey fan and I dare say many an older fan, like myself, can enjoy it as well. I'm sure there will be further books to follow to join the twenty or more already published in this series and I know that they will be enjoyed for many more years to come.
February 15, 2013
I received this book through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers Program. I have actually been considering a purchase in the Screech Owls series for some time. My son is almost eight and loves hockey, and is reading at the middle grade level. This was a great opportunity to try out this series that has been on-going for some time.
MacGregor's writing is very kid-friendly but not dumbed-down for adults. Despite not reading any of the previous books, I had no problem keeping track of the wide cast of characters. Each of the players is unique and flawed. The lead character is Travis, and his friends include Nish (star player, and star trouble maker), Data (their computer geek, injured and no longer able to play on the ice), and Sara (star player, and smart). I can see where hinted-at past incidents played into their back-stories, and it's nice to see the series is complicated in that way. The characters get to grow up along with the readers.
The events of the book take the team from Canada to San Antonio. I visited San Antonio a few years ago and went to the Alamo and Riverwalk, all places that MacGregor describes in highly accurate detail. It made me grin as I read. He captured the setting very well. This is something my son will appreciate when he reads the book, as San Antonio was his favorite stop on that family trip.
One other thing that was quite clear: MacGregor knows his hockey. The ice scenes are drenched in terminology. As a casual hockey viewer who watches to support my husband's habit, I recognized what was going on, and appreciated MacGregor's knowledge. Fiction like this would be a great way for kids to strengthen their vocabulary. I also appreciated that he showed the good and bad of hockey--brutish players, bad ref calls, and that teams don't always win.
The thinnest element in the book is a subplot of danger featuring a villainous team manager and drama at the Alamo. A lot of it felt forced in at the end. Mind you, I'm looking at this with the critical eye of an adult. To a kid, it would be a pretty good mix. It's the stuff of daydreams. The book is about hockey players who become heroes, and from the brief synopses of other books in the series, this is something the Screech Owls do on a regular basis.
I'm eager to see what my son thinks of the book, and I would be quite open to buying more in the series.
MacGregor's writing is very kid-friendly but not dumbed-down for adults. Despite not reading any of the previous books, I had no problem keeping track of the wide cast of characters. Each of the players is unique and flawed. The lead character is Travis, and his friends include Nish (star player, and star trouble maker), Data (their computer geek, injured and no longer able to play on the ice), and Sara (star player, and smart). I can see where hinted-at past incidents played into their back-stories, and it's nice to see the series is complicated in that way. The characters get to grow up along with the readers.
The events of the book take the team from Canada to San Antonio. I visited San Antonio a few years ago and went to the Alamo and Riverwalk, all places that MacGregor describes in highly accurate detail. It made me grin as I read. He captured the setting very well. This is something my son will appreciate when he reads the book, as San Antonio was his favorite stop on that family trip.
One other thing that was quite clear: MacGregor knows his hockey. The ice scenes are drenched in terminology. As a casual hockey viewer who watches to support my husband's habit, I recognized what was going on, and appreciated MacGregor's knowledge. Fiction like this would be a great way for kids to strengthen their vocabulary. I also appreciated that he showed the good and bad of hockey--brutish players, bad ref calls, and that teams don't always win.
The thinnest element in the book is a subplot of danger featuring a villainous team manager and drama at the Alamo. A lot of it felt forced in at the end. Mind you, I'm looking at this with the critical eye of an adult. To a kid, it would be a pretty good mix. It's the stuff of daydreams. The book is about hockey players who become heroes, and from the brief synopses of other books in the series, this is something the Screech Owls do on a regular basis.
I'm eager to see what my son thinks of the book, and I would be quite open to buying more in the series.
February 10, 2013
These are great chapter books for boys who like Hockey!! What fun books with mysteries that are appropriate for boys 9 and up!
Each book has a an exciting hockey game and a mystery to solve. The characters in the books are very relateable for boys of this age and engaging. I love that their are both boys and girls ob the team and they all contribute!
The stories also contain lessons on teamwork, sportsmanship and friendship! Terrific lessons for all kids!
There are a few times when I thought the content was a bit off for the age, but then when you compare it o modern video games, movies and tv shows it was mild. Kids today are ages ahead of their past counterparts and these books reflect that.
Hockey fans will find a lot to love here. The play-by-play is really fun to read even for non-sporties like myself.
Cover Art - Eye catching and easy to tell the theme of the books.
Disclosure: This ebook was provided to me free of charge through NetGalley for the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments, and ratings are my own.
Each book has a an exciting hockey game and a mystery to solve. The characters in the books are very relateable for boys of this age and engaging. I love that their are both boys and girls ob the team and they all contribute!
The stories also contain lessons on teamwork, sportsmanship and friendship! Terrific lessons for all kids!
There are a few times when I thought the content was a bit off for the age, but then when you compare it o modern video games, movies and tv shows it was mild. Kids today are ages ahead of their past counterparts and these books reflect that.
Hockey fans will find a lot to love here. The play-by-play is really fun to read even for non-sporties like myself.
Cover Art - Eye catching and easy to tell the theme of the books.
Disclosure: This ebook was provided to me free of charge through NetGalley for the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments, and ratings are my own.
July 30, 2015
This is a good book for hockey players or fans because it really goes into detail about what Travis and his team is going through.I didn't really have much interest in this book because I'm not really a big hockey fan and i don't know anything about the sport, but this book gave me a better picture of the game and what its about. If i knew the game better i would of really enjoyed this book and had a great time with it but that really go as planned.
February 15, 2013
What a great read. Hockey fans of all ages and anyone who enjoys a mystery should read. Author knows how to pack action filled story with clever mystery. Will be reading series. Cover and inner sketch are excellent addition to reading experience.
Goodreads win which does not influence my review.
Goodreads win which does not influence my review.
June 29, 2013
This one is a definite read for anyone looking to have a summer read worth their time. Author is articulate & knows how to give characters depth.
March 1, 2013
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
A great book for any kid, boy or girl, that really likes hockey.
A great book for any kid, boy or girl, that really likes hockey.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews