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When Falcons Fly
The story of the world's first Olympic gold medal hockey team, the Winnipeg Falcons. Historical fiction suitable for young adult or older readers.
176 pages, Perfect Paperback
First published July 13, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 31, 2013
Achieving one’s dream despite constant criticism can be very difficult. When Falcons Fly is a true story about the World’s first Olympic gold medal hockey team from Winnipeg, Canada in 1920. The main characters of the book are mostly Icelandic Canadian hockey players who face racial prejudice and poverty growing up, but after they return from the war, Frank, their captain, realizes he needs a dream, and finds it in his lost interest of hockey. When Falcons Fly by David Square relates very closely with the Aerosmith classic “Dream On” because they both speak to realizing that life is too short to not have a dream.
Very early on, Frank learned that not knowing when to quit can really get you into trouble. Frank feels completely drained after he gets himself into a very physical, hockey-related dispute with a boy on the opposing team “I feel like I’ve been beaten up by Jack Johnson” (8). Even though Frank refused multiple times to back away from the fight, he indulged himself each time, and was beaten up pretty badly. His mentality to never back down, even though it got him into trouble, made him a stronger person and gave him character. Like the lyrics of “Dream On,” “You got to lose to know how to win.” Even though Frank lost this fight, and many other battles, he ultimately wins something greater than everything he has lost.
Frank has never really had a dream, but sees that having something to strive for is more important than he thinks. When Frank speaks with a friend who was with his sister just before she died, his friend revealed that his sister said, “I hope my brother Frank discovers his dream” (114). During this conversation, Frank admits to having certain interests, but not really dreams, and hearing that his late sister wanted him to have a dream was very eye opening to him.
The line “Maybe tomorrow the good Lord will take you away,” from “Dream On” is very relatable to this scene of the book because Frank’s sister died rather young which made Frank realize that his life had not been focused on anything. In this scene, he comes to understand that it should be since you only have one life to live, and you don’t know how long that life will be.
By sharing this new-found concept of a dream with his teammates, Frank, along with his team, go on to accomplish great things. When the Falcons are at a five to two deficit of the most important game they have played, Frank asks the team what their dream is -- to be answered with this: “To become the greatest, most renowned, most beloved bunch of hockey stars in God’s universe” (126). The fact that this game could be the beginning of a promising future for the Falcons, and that they have established a dream for themselves, made this a pivotal night for the Falcons. Like the famous line, “Dream until your dream comes true,” the Falcons did just this and made it all the way to the top. It just goes to show that having a dream and chasing it can lead you anywhere.
This book was a classic example of having a dream and following it. The story demonstrates that it is never too late to pursue a passion, and to make the most of your lifetime since you don’t know how long you have to do so, which correlates well with Steven Tyler’s classic anthem “Dream On.”
Very early on, Frank learned that not knowing when to quit can really get you into trouble. Frank feels completely drained after he gets himself into a very physical, hockey-related dispute with a boy on the opposing team “I feel like I’ve been beaten up by Jack Johnson” (8). Even though Frank refused multiple times to back away from the fight, he indulged himself each time, and was beaten up pretty badly. His mentality to never back down, even though it got him into trouble, made him a stronger person and gave him character. Like the lyrics of “Dream On,” “You got to lose to know how to win.” Even though Frank lost this fight, and many other battles, he ultimately wins something greater than everything he has lost.
Frank has never really had a dream, but sees that having something to strive for is more important than he thinks. When Frank speaks with a friend who was with his sister just before she died, his friend revealed that his sister said, “I hope my brother Frank discovers his dream” (114). During this conversation, Frank admits to having certain interests, but not really dreams, and hearing that his late sister wanted him to have a dream was very eye opening to him.
The line “Maybe tomorrow the good Lord will take you away,” from “Dream On” is very relatable to this scene of the book because Frank’s sister died rather young which made Frank realize that his life had not been focused on anything. In this scene, he comes to understand that it should be since you only have one life to live, and you don’t know how long that life will be.
By sharing this new-found concept of a dream with his teammates, Frank, along with his team, go on to accomplish great things. When the Falcons are at a five to two deficit of the most important game they have played, Frank asks the team what their dream is -- to be answered with this: “To become the greatest, most renowned, most beloved bunch of hockey stars in God’s universe” (126). The fact that this game could be the beginning of a promising future for the Falcons, and that they have established a dream for themselves, made this a pivotal night for the Falcons. Like the famous line, “Dream until your dream comes true,” the Falcons did just this and made it all the way to the top. It just goes to show that having a dream and chasing it can lead you anywhere.
This book was a classic example of having a dream and following it. The story demonstrates that it is never too late to pursue a passion, and to make the most of your lifetime since you don’t know how long you have to do so, which correlates well with Steven Tyler’s classic anthem “Dream On.”
June 16, 2010
this is a really well written book and and it's an excellent read. If you enjoy reading about hockey or not this book will get you interested. It is a historical fiction novel. This book kept me entertained for hours. One of the best hockey stories I've read. It's about Frank who loves hockey and wants to play more than just on the river. His dad tels him a secret by saying he is talking about getting hockey in Winnipeg and frank may finally get his wish.
September 11, 2012
This book was really great. I personally am not into sports books, but reading about my home city and the overcoming of so many problems was fantastic. It made me really proud that a hockey team, like this one, could become something so great was really inspiring.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews