Lightning on Ice Series

Rebel Glory

All-Star Pride

Thunderbird Spirit

Winter Hawk Star

By Sigmund Brouwer
Nelson Word Children's Divsion, $5.99 each
Ages 10-14

Rebel Glory ISBN 0849936373
All-Star Pride ISBN 0849936381
Thunderbird Spirit ISBN 084993639X
Winter Hawk Star ISBN 0849936403

Summertime Is Series Time for Young Teens

Review by Mike & Amy Nappa

If you're worried that all the best fiction for Christian teenagers is reserved for girls, take a look at Sigmund Brouwer's Lightning on Ice series. Set in the world of the semi-pro, teen-populated Western Hockey League, this fast-paced, superbly written series is sure to capture the imagination of 10-to 14-year-old boys. Brouwer masterfully weaves exciting tales as his heroes live the adventures and intrigue of being teenage hockey players.

Book one of the Lightning on Ice series is Rebel Glory. Defenseman B.T. McPhee and his teammates on the Red Deer Rebels are fighting for the last playoff spot-and their coach's job. But cockroaches in a player's hockey equipment, fans dumping cola on McPhee, and false accusations threaten more than just a playoff spot.

In the international thriller All-Star Pride, Timothy "Hog" Burnell is one of the biggest and toughest guys in the League. He's chosen to represent his team in the all-star hockey series against a Russian team. The surprises start when Hog gets mixed up with all-star Chandler Harris-and a dangerous art smuggling ring.

The third book, Thunderbird Spirit, finds Mike "Crazy" Keats and Dakota Smith (a Native American) fighting potentially deadly racism as well as other hockey teams in the WHL.

Book four, Winter Hawk Star, teams backup player Tyler Watson with rookie legend Riley Judd. Riley is obviously the best player in the league-and the most undisciplined. In order to help both players, the coach assigns them volunteer work with at-risk kids. When a child is kidnapped on their first day of volunteering, Tyler and Riley discover there's more at risk than they had imagined-and they've got to do something.

Although Lightning on Ice isn't preachy, the characters do discuss belief in God at appropriate times and in realistic ways. Kudos to Sigmund Brouwer and Word Kids! for creating an excellent series for young teenage boys.

Mike and Amy Nappa both write an review many books for Christian readers.