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Taking the Ice
Can Aiden learn to stand his ground on his new home ice?
Meet Aiden Mallory. He’s trying to find his bearings while coping with the loss of his father — an NHL player who died in a car accident — and moving back to his dad’s hometown of Prairie Field, where he is STILL a big deal.
Aiden loves hockey, but his feelings about moving and his dad’s death cause him to struggle at tryouts. Then the minor hockey association announces a brand-new U13 tournament: the Luke Mallory Memorial. As Aiden tries to find his place on his new team, and among his new teammates, he will do anything he can to live up to his dad’s legacy. But what happens when Aiden’s determination to play well puts everything else at risk?
From Lorna Schultz Nicholson comes a powerful portrayal of a boy’s experiences with anxiety as it relates to sports and friendship and grief.
Meet Aiden Mallory. He’s trying to find his bearings while coping with the loss of his father — an NHL player who died in a car accident — and moving back to his dad’s hometown of Prairie Field, where he is STILL a big deal.
Aiden loves hockey, but his feelings about moving and his dad’s death cause him to struggle at tryouts. Then the minor hockey association announces a brand-new U13 tournament: the Luke Mallory Memorial. As Aiden tries to find his place on his new team, and among his new teammates, he will do anything he can to live up to his dad’s legacy. But what happens when Aiden’s determination to play well puts everything else at risk?
From Lorna Schultz Nicholson comes a powerful portrayal of a boy’s experiences with anxiety as it relates to sports and friendship and grief.
272 pages, Paperback
Published September 7, 2021
2 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Lorna Schultz Nicholson
77 books82 followersLorna Schultz Nicholson is an award winning author who has published over 50 books, including children's picture books, middle grade, YA fiction and sports non-fiction. Lorna divides her time between Edmonton and Penticton, where she and her husband share their homes with their Mexican rescue dog.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 10, 2021
There are novels that include some ice hockey action, and then there are true ice-hockey novels with nonstop, satisfying hockey action, characters and storyline. Author Lorna Schultz Nicholson, a former hockey player and coach herself, serves up the latter.
Sixth-grader Aiden is not just reeling from having lost his hockey-legend father. He is struggling to adapt to a new town and team, put up with a bullying teammate and live up to his father’s reputation. This novel isn’t about how he plays so much as how he rises above these challenges by finding his inner coach and learning to generate positive energy.
Unfortunately, the novel is a slow starter, and Aiden is so steeped in self-defeating thoughts, negativity and insecurities that it’s initially difficult to like him, let alone empathize with his situation. He’s super hard on himself.
Of course, that cloud eventually lifts and he slowly but surely makes friends and breaks through the pessimism. Soon it’s difficult to put the novel down, whether you understand all the hockey jargon and moves or not.
The team members are ethnically diverse and include two sparky, hardcore hockey girls. There’s also a loveable janitor slightly mentally challenged, and a hockey grandpa who is charmingly forgetful.
There are poignant scenes where Aiden tries talking to his dad at gravesite or in his mind, and comes away with the comfort and confidence he needs. High or low, the emotions feel very authentic.
His stomach started turning over and over, like a rolling wave. Water pooled behind his eyes. Was his one friend already not his friend? He shook his head and sat up straight. He had to think about practice and nothing else. Ever since his dad died, he had trouble controlling his emotions. He’d be okay, then bam, something would happen, and he’d be blubbering. So what if Jory wasn’t his friend? He let his shoulders relax and tried to breathe deeply, just like the doctors had said, and it seemed to help. At least the tears didn’t come out to embarrass him this time.
And the writing often sings.
Aiden didn’t know how old Ned was but thought his wrinkled face looked like an old baseball glove that was comfortable and well worn, especially when he smiled.
But apart from the characters (whom one really comes to care about), and the clever twist near the end, the hockey action is rich, real and constant, a true treat for those who love ice hockey.
This review also appears at www.YAdudebooks.ca
Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV2k...
YAdudebooks.ca author profile of Lorna Schultz Nicholson: https://yadudebooks.ca/lorna-schultz-...
Sixth-grader Aiden is not just reeling from having lost his hockey-legend father. He is struggling to adapt to a new town and team, put up with a bullying teammate and live up to his father’s reputation. This novel isn’t about how he plays so much as how he rises above these challenges by finding his inner coach and learning to generate positive energy.
Unfortunately, the novel is a slow starter, and Aiden is so steeped in self-defeating thoughts, negativity and insecurities that it’s initially difficult to like him, let alone empathize with his situation. He’s super hard on himself.
Of course, that cloud eventually lifts and he slowly but surely makes friends and breaks through the pessimism. Soon it’s difficult to put the novel down, whether you understand all the hockey jargon and moves or not.
The team members are ethnically diverse and include two sparky, hardcore hockey girls. There’s also a loveable janitor slightly mentally challenged, and a hockey grandpa who is charmingly forgetful.
There are poignant scenes where Aiden tries talking to his dad at gravesite or in his mind, and comes away with the comfort and confidence he needs. High or low, the emotions feel very authentic.
His stomach started turning over and over, like a rolling wave. Water pooled behind his eyes. Was his one friend already not his friend? He shook his head and sat up straight. He had to think about practice and nothing else. Ever since his dad died, he had trouble controlling his emotions. He’d be okay, then bam, something would happen, and he’d be blubbering. So what if Jory wasn’t his friend? He let his shoulders relax and tried to breathe deeply, just like the doctors had said, and it seemed to help. At least the tears didn’t come out to embarrass him this time.
And the writing often sings.
Aiden didn’t know how old Ned was but thought his wrinkled face looked like an old baseball glove that was comfortable and well worn, especially when he smiled.
But apart from the characters (whom one really comes to care about), and the clever twist near the end, the hockey action is rich, real and constant, a true treat for those who love ice hockey.
This review also appears at www.YAdudebooks.ca
Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV2k...
YAdudebooks.ca author profile of Lorna Schultz Nicholson: https://yadudebooks.ca/lorna-schultz-...
September 9, 2021
A huge thank you to the author for sending her latest MG book, TAKING THE ICE, for me to read. Hockey books are so popular in my library that I sat down to read this one right away. It comes out today (happy book birthday, Lorna!) from Scholastic, so I suggest you order a copy for your classroom or library before hockey pucks start to fly.
Aiden Mallory is the son of a well-known NHL player. After his dad dies in a car accident, rumours swirl about what really caused the crash, and Aiden has to deal with the funny looks and lies he hears from people around him. To make matters worse, Aiden and his mom move from Florida back to his parent's hometown in Canada so they can help care for his grandpa. Aiden loves to play hockey, but he faces the ghost of his dad's legacy everywhere he turns. He tries to follow in his dad's footsteps as a leader both on and off the ice, but the drama caused by a certain toxic teammate challenges him every step of the way. Aiden has to figure out how to stay true to himself, make some new friends, and manage the anxiety that comes along with it.
Relationships are key for me in any story, and my favourite one in this book is the bond that grows between Aiden and his dad's former mentor, Ned. It's difficult for Aiden to talk about his dad, but he finds comfort in the stories that Ned has to share. Aiden's kindness toward Ned (who has a brain injury and is often ridiculed by others) also endeared me to him. Although Aiden's grandpa has memory issues, he coached his dad as a kid, and it's heartwarming to watch the two connect over hockey. I also enjoyed watching the hockey team develop and how the camaraderie grew outside the arena. Aiden's anxiety is an important element of the story, and I like how the author included it without making it the story's focus.
I will definitely be adding this collection to my library and highly recommend it for middle-grade collections.
Aiden Mallory is the son of a well-known NHL player. After his dad dies in a car accident, rumours swirl about what really caused the crash, and Aiden has to deal with the funny looks and lies he hears from people around him. To make matters worse, Aiden and his mom move from Florida back to his parent's hometown in Canada so they can help care for his grandpa. Aiden loves to play hockey, but he faces the ghost of his dad's legacy everywhere he turns. He tries to follow in his dad's footsteps as a leader both on and off the ice, but the drama caused by a certain toxic teammate challenges him every step of the way. Aiden has to figure out how to stay true to himself, make some new friends, and manage the anxiety that comes along with it.
Relationships are key for me in any story, and my favourite one in this book is the bond that grows between Aiden and his dad's former mentor, Ned. It's difficult for Aiden to talk about his dad, but he finds comfort in the stories that Ned has to share. Aiden's kindness toward Ned (who has a brain injury and is often ridiculed by others) also endeared me to him. Although Aiden's grandpa has memory issues, he coached his dad as a kid, and it's heartwarming to watch the two connect over hockey. I also enjoyed watching the hockey team develop and how the camaraderie grew outside the arena. Aiden's anxiety is an important element of the story, and I like how the author included it without making it the story's focus.
I will definitely be adding this collection to my library and highly recommend it for middle-grade collections.
February 9, 2022
I feel like this book has a lot of potential that it just didn't reach. It's a great example of a boy struggling with grief (but calling it anxiety?) and working through emotions that guys are told to repress. There's so much hockey though. And I understood none of it.
The ending was super abrupt though and nothing really felt resolved except that the awful hockey dad got some wins for him and his kid by abusing other kids. At least tell us who won the tournament. Add an epilogue with the essay the MC was writing, or if the rink raised enough money to fix the lights, or if the MC got his C back, or if him and his mom found a way to tackle the grief of losing their dad/husband.
The ending was super abrupt though and nothing really felt resolved except that the awful hockey dad got some wins for him and his kid by abusing other kids. At least tell us who won the tournament. Add an epilogue with the essay the MC was writing, or if the rink raised enough money to fix the lights, or if the MC got his C back, or if him and his mom found a way to tackle the grief of losing their dad/husband.
April 5, 2026
I read this to my 9 year old son, who played U11 this year. We both really enjoyed it. He really enjoyed the realistic narrative between the kids and between the protagonist and his mom. This book deals with the complexity of loss but is mostly focused on other themes: accountability for our actions, bullying, anxiety, and true leadership (the kind that kids can learn from). Highly recommend to late elementary/middle school readers, particularly if they're into sports. My son's only complaint: he wishes it were a series, and I agree :)
October 21, 2021
I’ve had my eye on Lorna Schultz Nicholson’s new middle grade novel Taking The Ice for a while but truth be told I was hesitant about reading another hockey book. Sometimes I feel like, living in Canada, there are a TON of hockey books out there and they all follow a similar pattern so if I’m going to read a hockey story, I looking for something a little different. Lorna Shultz Nicholson generously sent a copy along for my honest thoughts and I got completely caught up in the story.
Aiden has just had to move back to small town Canada from Florida where his dad was playing in the NHL. A tragedy and an ailing grandfather have brought him back to his parents home town along with all the baggage that comes with being an NHL player’s son. Aiden has to find his way on a new team, in a new town and try to come to grips with his grieving.
There are many elements of the story that set it apart. The incredible descriptions of on the ice action are captivating. I was brought back to my youth playing hockey in a small town with all the sensations of being out on the ice. Lorna’s descriptions bring readers right out onto the ice with the players. I truly appreciated all of Aiden’s inner dialogue, the manifestation of his anxiety. It felt really natural and authentic. We all have an inner dialogue that can trip us up sometimes and I think readers will be comforted to read the voices in Aiden’s head are similar to the ones floating around their own.
There were some interesting side characters as well. The intense hockey dad, flying off the handle and thinking he knows better than the coaches. Anyone who has been around a rink has met this guy, hopefully he is becoming extinct these days! I really loved Ned and the relationship that was built between him and Aiden and alluded to between Aiden’s father and Ned in their younger days. Many small town rinks have a Ned, a person who has spent what feels like their whole life around the building, taking care of the space and the ice. Sure they are making a living but with Ned it felt like it was more of a calling than a job. I worked for similar people in the days I spent as a rink rat in my hometown.
Finally, I love that Lorna Schultz Nicholson included both male and female players on the team and created a narrative where the women were just as valued as the men. With more girls playing hockey and many only being able to do so on mixed teams, it is important for female hockey players to see themselves on these teams and be empowered to be leaders.
If you have a reader who LOVES hockey, this is a great book to offer. There are incredible examples of sportsmanship and the way a team should operate.
Aiden has just had to move back to small town Canada from Florida where his dad was playing in the NHL. A tragedy and an ailing grandfather have brought him back to his parents home town along with all the baggage that comes with being an NHL player’s son. Aiden has to find his way on a new team, in a new town and try to come to grips with his grieving.
There are many elements of the story that set it apart. The incredible descriptions of on the ice action are captivating. I was brought back to my youth playing hockey in a small town with all the sensations of being out on the ice. Lorna’s descriptions bring readers right out onto the ice with the players. I truly appreciated all of Aiden’s inner dialogue, the manifestation of his anxiety. It felt really natural and authentic. We all have an inner dialogue that can trip us up sometimes and I think readers will be comforted to read the voices in Aiden’s head are similar to the ones floating around their own.
There were some interesting side characters as well. The intense hockey dad, flying off the handle and thinking he knows better than the coaches. Anyone who has been around a rink has met this guy, hopefully he is becoming extinct these days! I really loved Ned and the relationship that was built between him and Aiden and alluded to between Aiden’s father and Ned in their younger days. Many small town rinks have a Ned, a person who has spent what feels like their whole life around the building, taking care of the space and the ice. Sure they are making a living but with Ned it felt like it was more of a calling than a job. I worked for similar people in the days I spent as a rink rat in my hometown.
Finally, I love that Lorna Schultz Nicholson included both male and female players on the team and created a narrative where the women were just as valued as the men. With more girls playing hockey and many only being able to do so on mixed teams, it is important for female hockey players to see themselves on these teams and be empowered to be leaders.
If you have a reader who LOVES hockey, this is a great book to offer. There are incredible examples of sportsmanship and the way a team should operate.
September 9, 2021
What a great read! Not surprising from Lorna Schultz Nicholson! She is a great author for kids and teens. Any hockey fans will love that story. Amazing storyline that I didn’t see coming. I also enjoy how she incorporates mental health into the story. I have to be honest, I cried at some point. I strongly recommend the book for grade 5-6. Even grade 7 and 8 would enjoy it! Forget it, any hockey fans, whatever their age! ;)
August 9, 2022
Awesome book for all ages! Teaches about sticking with it, hockey and growing up!
Full review at Wild Willie's Book Reviews on YouTube!
Full review at Wild Willie's Book Reviews on YouTube!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews