Ice Magic

Children's Literature - Elizabeth D. Schafer

Penguins hockey team player Pie Pennelli's skating is impeded by his loose skates which his college-age brother Pat gave him because his family cannot afford new skates. Pie perseveres, playing adequately in games, but realizes he could excel if had tighter skates. He resents irritating teammate Terry Mason who constantly criticizes Pie. Tension with Terry agitates Pie whose negative reactions result in time-outs in the penalty box and disapproval from Coach Hayes. Twins Joliette and Jody Byrd, who live in Pie's neighborhood, attend Pie's games and divulge a secret: they have a toy hockey game which reveals how Pie's future matches will unfold. Pie watches the twins play before his next game and is fascinated when the toy's results are repeated at the rink. When that toy is missing, Pie assumes Terry stole it and accuses him. Pie's experiences both on and off the rink reinforce his sense of teamwork and empathy, even for people he dislikes. The toy's magical functioning and why it only plays Pie's games in advance are not adequately explained. Pie's too-large skates problem seems implausible because surely his coach would have sought a way to equip Pie with a more suitable pair to prevent injuries and enhance his performance. Readers might prefer Bruce Brooks' "The Wolfbay Wings" hockey books. This is part of "The New Matt Christopher Sports Library" series. Reviewer: Elizabeth D. Schafer