Open Ice (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: Open Ice Maggie Hommel Hughes, Pat Open Ice. Lamb, 2005 [288p] Library ed. ISBN 0-385-90906-3$17.99 Trade ed. ISBN 0-385-74675-X$15.95 Reviewed from galleys M Gr. 8-12 A blindside collision on the ice, a blow to the head, and all goes black—and when high-school hockey star Nick regains consciousness, the doctor tells him he'll never be able to play hockey again. For Nick, whose whole life centers on his skill in the rink, this is a devastating blow, and he is determined to play again until ongoing chronic headaches, dizziness, and memory loss make it clear his hockey career is over. Resentful and belligerent, Nick suffers from and exacerbates the consequences of his injury: his hottie girlfriend dumps him, he isolates himself from teammates, his grades plummet, and he lashes out at his family. Athletes facing similar challenges may find solace in reading about another's experiences, even if they don't identify with the protagonist's personal path. Nick, however, remains basically shallow and [End Page 186] self-absorbed to the end, despite his range of emotions, and his whininess, failure to consider anyone other than himself, and bizarre, racially insensitive outbursts prevent the reader from sympathizing. The text is stiff, with awkward dialogue and stock characters, and attempted teen edginess in the form of brand-name references and locker-room leering misses the mark. Nor is there much ice hockey action to liven the plot, since the book begins at the point of Nick's injury. Steer readers to more winning hockey reads such as Lynch's Iceman, Crutcher's The Crazy Horse Electric Game (BCCB 5/87), or Wieler's Bad Boy (BCCB 4/92). Copyright © 2005 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois