Rob has to move to Minnesota when his mother gets remarried, and he feels like a loser in his new town, but when his macho father visits, he tries to make him proud and learns an important lesson about winning.
This is a quick read; it took me awhile because of my crazy schedule. While the science behind ice boats and how they work did not interest me, I did like the story of Rob adapting to his new home, accepting the harsh reality of an absentee dad, and gradually growing to love his stepdad and stepbrother. Winning not being everything is a classic lesson that is presented - a lesson that needs to be passed down to every generation. I think this would be a good book for late elementary/middle school as many readers will be able to relate to Rob and his circumstances.