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Slapshots #3
The Face-Off Phony
"Chipmunk" Adelman becomes convinced that the powerful new center on the Oilers is a ringer, but unless he can prove that the player's too old for an elementary league, the Mars School hockey team will face an early exit from the season
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
74 people want to read
About the author
Gordon Korman
251 books4,445 followersGordon Korman is a Canadian author of children's and young adult fiction books. Korman's books have sold more than 30 million copies worldwide over a career spanning four decades and have appeared at number one on The New York Times Best Seller list.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 14, 2025
This was the 80th book I have read from the masterful pen of Gordon Korman. I did not read much when young because of a dual form of dyslexia, because of that I have a great fondness for Middle Grade books, and books for tween and teens. Korman is one of the masters. I set the goal of reading all his books about 2020. And with the reading of this I have read books in all his series, and all of the standalone stories. My introduction to Korman’s works was the 39 Clues back in 2009. But I really did not get into them until my son’s teacher gave everyone a book with a note in it at the ends of the school year. Since then my son and I have read many of his books together.
Not counting omnibus editions I believe that as of the summer of 2025 Korman has published 109 books. And one coming out in a few weeks and one planned for release early next year. As of the reading of this volume I am down to 42 unread books. With each that I read I am entertained and often challenged.
This book and series was released in 20, they were rebranded and French editions were released in 2006/07. I could not track down a copy of this in my price point and ended up reading this story in the omnibus edition. The description on line of this volume states:
“It was a classic Cinderella story. . .the unwelcome step-child of the Slapshot hockey league, the Mars Health Food Stars, had played well enough to keep their team in the league. It's just too bad that the road to the play-offs leads directly to Steve Stapleton. The Oilers' new centre has skills, strength. . .and a beard? There's no way this teenager belongs in an elementary league, and Chipmunk will do anything to uncover the truth. Unfortunately, Chipmunk has no proof to back up his claims. Can this out-of-shape student-turned-reporter save the Stars' chances, or has this Cinderella story turned into a nightmare?”
The description on the back of the rebranded edition states:
“School sportswriter "Chipmunk" Adelman knows he's got a scoop when he finds out that his hometown will play in the Waterloo Slapshot league. The Marsers have never had their own team, but with an ex-NHL player for a coach, they're headed for stardom.
But the Stars are in for a big surprise when they hit the ice and suddenly realize they stink! They've got a defenseman who only skates backwards, a star player who wants to be on another team, and a coach who calls everything a whatchamacallit. If they don't get their game in gear soon, they'll be booted from the league.
This new series by veteran writer Gordon Korman will have kids cheering for the Marsers as they scramble to improve their game and stay in the league!”
another states:
“The Stars are in a slump – and it’s getting worse. Sports reporter “Chipmunk” Adelman has discovered a new player who could ruin the Stars’ chance at the playoffs! The Oilers’ new center has skills, strength … and a beard?
There’s no way this teenager belongs in an elementary league. And Chipmunk will do anything to uncover the truth – even if it means taking a spin on the ice himself!
Between the new monster of a player and the team’s depressing losing streak, the Stars’ chance at the post-season isn’t looking good. Can Chipmunk expose the imposter in time? It all comes down to the final game of the season – an event so unbelievable it’s guaranteed to make Waterloo Slapshot League History!”
The about the author in this edition states:
““T’ve always been a sports nut,” says Gordon Korman. “And growing up in Montreal and Toronto, hockey was the biggest game in town. My mother insists that I was named after Detroit Red Wings legend Gordie Howe, who was her favorite player when she was a teenager.”
Asked about his inspiration for the Slapshots series, Gordon says: “I started playing hockey when I was seven years old. I loved it, but I always ended up on teams with humiliating sponsors, like Stay Fresh Cleaning Service and Fish Buoy Restaurant. I remember one year we had a lot of bigger players, so we figured we could be the ‘tough guys’ of the league. Then we got our jerseys: Pretty Polly Paint and Wallpaper Inc.”
Eventually, Gordon decided on a writing career instead of the NHL; he began writing the first book in his Macdonald Hall series, This Can’t be Happening, when he was in the seventh grade. Now he has written dozens of books which have sold millions of copies around the world, and is one of Canada’s best-loved authors for young people. He lives in New York with his wife and their three children.”
It has been interesting reading the older sports themed series by Korman. They are fun reads, and I am surprised they are out of print, and that there have never been eBook editions released.
This is another fun story about kid’s hockey, and specifically a small community just outside town that gets their own team. About the conflict that creates and the trials the players and coach face. The story is written as if narrated by a fellow classmate that wants to be a sports reporter. In this one the reporter becomes an investigative reporter but loses his evidence. And he even becomes the star of a game being credited with most goals in league history. But to find out the details you will need to read this penultimate volume in this great series.
I really believe it is a great pity this book and series are out of print! I really enjoyed this volume and look forward to reading the final story about the Stars from Mars. A great read in a really fun series.
Not counting omnibus editions I believe that as of the summer of 2025 Korman has published 109 books. And one coming out in a few weeks and one planned for release early next year. As of the reading of this volume I am down to 42 unread books. With each that I read I am entertained and often challenged.
This book and series was released in 20, they were rebranded and French editions were released in 2006/07. I could not track down a copy of this in my price point and ended up reading this story in the omnibus edition. The description on line of this volume states:
“It was a classic Cinderella story. . .the unwelcome step-child of the Slapshot hockey league, the Mars Health Food Stars, had played well enough to keep their team in the league. It's just too bad that the road to the play-offs leads directly to Steve Stapleton. The Oilers' new centre has skills, strength. . .and a beard? There's no way this teenager belongs in an elementary league, and Chipmunk will do anything to uncover the truth. Unfortunately, Chipmunk has no proof to back up his claims. Can this out-of-shape student-turned-reporter save the Stars' chances, or has this Cinderella story turned into a nightmare?”
The description on the back of the rebranded edition states:
“School sportswriter "Chipmunk" Adelman knows he's got a scoop when he finds out that his hometown will play in the Waterloo Slapshot league. The Marsers have never had their own team, but with an ex-NHL player for a coach, they're headed for stardom.
But the Stars are in for a big surprise when they hit the ice and suddenly realize they stink! They've got a defenseman who only skates backwards, a star player who wants to be on another team, and a coach who calls everything a whatchamacallit. If they don't get their game in gear soon, they'll be booted from the league.
This new series by veteran writer Gordon Korman will have kids cheering for the Marsers as they scramble to improve their game and stay in the league!”
another states:
“The Stars are in a slump – and it’s getting worse. Sports reporter “Chipmunk” Adelman has discovered a new player who could ruin the Stars’ chance at the playoffs! The Oilers’ new center has skills, strength … and a beard?
There’s no way this teenager belongs in an elementary league. And Chipmunk will do anything to uncover the truth – even if it means taking a spin on the ice himself!
Between the new monster of a player and the team’s depressing losing streak, the Stars’ chance at the post-season isn’t looking good. Can Chipmunk expose the imposter in time? It all comes down to the final game of the season – an event so unbelievable it’s guaranteed to make Waterloo Slapshot League History!”
The about the author in this edition states:
““T’ve always been a sports nut,” says Gordon Korman. “And growing up in Montreal and Toronto, hockey was the biggest game in town. My mother insists that I was named after Detroit Red Wings legend Gordie Howe, who was her favorite player when she was a teenager.”
Asked about his inspiration for the Slapshots series, Gordon says: “I started playing hockey when I was seven years old. I loved it, but I always ended up on teams with humiliating sponsors, like Stay Fresh Cleaning Service and Fish Buoy Restaurant. I remember one year we had a lot of bigger players, so we figured we could be the ‘tough guys’ of the league. Then we got our jerseys: Pretty Polly Paint and Wallpaper Inc.”
Eventually, Gordon decided on a writing career instead of the NHL; he began writing the first book in his Macdonald Hall series, This Can’t be Happening, when he was in the seventh grade. Now he has written dozens of books which have sold millions of copies around the world, and is one of Canada’s best-loved authors for young people. He lives in New York with his wife and their three children.”
It has been interesting reading the older sports themed series by Korman. They are fun reads, and I am surprised they are out of print, and that there have never been eBook editions released.
This is another fun story about kid’s hockey, and specifically a small community just outside town that gets their own team. About the conflict that creates and the trials the players and coach face. The story is written as if narrated by a fellow classmate that wants to be a sports reporter. In this one the reporter becomes an investigative reporter but loses his evidence. And he even becomes the star of a game being credited with most goals in league history. But to find out the details you will need to read this penultimate volume in this great series.
I really believe it is a great pity this book and series are out of print! I really enjoyed this volume and look forward to reading the final story about the Stars from Mars. A great read in a really fun series.
May 25, 2020
Fun book I read with Nathan
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December 27, 2013AR Quiz No. 65921 EN Fiction
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: MG - BL: 4.3 - AR Pts: 4.0
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: MG - BL: 4.3 - AR Pts: 4.0
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews