Shabash

Dave Jenkinson is a professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba and the author of the “Portraits” section of Emergency Librarian.

Walsh’s fourth novel takes a bold look at racism in Canada. In
September 1980, Rana “Ron” Bains, an 11-year-old Canadian-born Sikh
living in the mill town of Dinway, B.C., decides to join Pee Wee hockey.
During the registration process, Ron overhears an adult, “Big Bill,”
say, “There’s no way a stinking Hindu is going to play hockey in
this league.” Ron’s immigrant father, Palbinder, a mill foreman,
also opposes Ron’s intentions, arguing that hockey as belongs to the
gorays, the whites; however, by arguing that Ron could become a bridge
between the two cultures, Manjeet, Ron’s mother, overcomes her
husband’s objections.

As the generally nondidactic plot unfolds, Ron replaces the team’s
goalie, Les Johnson, who is also Big Bill’s son. While Les, who
“feared” the goalie position, is relieved and quickly becomes
Ron’s friend, Big Bill, who blames East Indians for “taking” his
mill job, is outraged and threatens Coach Bryson with dire consequences.
With varying degrees of success, Ron weathers a number of encounters
with prejudice, but he abandons the team on the day of its championship
game when drunken whites burn the Sikh temple. Deciding he can no longer
be a bridge, Ron assumes his Sikh name, Rana, and adopts Sikh dress. 

While the book comes to a satisfactory conclusion, Walsh, recognizing
her subject matter’s complexity, appropriately avoids a
“happy-ever-after” ending. The title, a Punjabi word meaning “well
one,” is what Palbinder shouted from the stands when he finally
started attending his son’s games.

A good Grades 4 to 6 classroom discussion starter! Recommended.