Against the Boards

Christina Pike is a member of the Evaluation Division, Department of
Education, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Peter Kuiksak’s dream is to play hockey professionally. Against the
Boards chronicles the life of the 14-year-old from Tuktoyaktuk,
Northwest Territories, as he tries out for the AAA Bantam Team in
Edmonton.

Things happen fast. When Peter makes the team, he moves in with the
Pattersons, a host family. Left all alone in the city, the young teen
has to deal with many challenges, including adjusting to a new school
and a new family, trying to keep up his grades so that he won’t get
dropped from the team, and finding out if he has what it takes to live
out his dream.

Lorna Nicholson has crafted a story that looks at the kind of person it
takes to make it in the world of hockey. More than that, she explores
family values and what it means to stand up for what is important. Her
characters are portrayed as real people. Peter must learn how to
overcome his shyness and to control his temper. Peter’s host family
must learn to be honest and to trust each other. Against the Boards is a
good read. Recommended.