Checked by Cynthia Kadohata - ADVISABLE

Checked by Cynthia Kadohata, 404 pages.  Atheneum Books (Simon and Schuster), 2018.  $17.  

Content: Language: PG (1 swear); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG.  

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – ADVISABLE  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  

11yo Conor lives with his dad, who is a police officer, and a Doberman named Sinbad.  Their lives revolve around Conor’s AAA hockey practices and games and both Conor and his dad love it.  When Conor’s much loved Sinbad is found to have cancer, Conor tries to help pay for his treatment by picking up odd jobs.  Also, Conor’s dad seems sad a lot lately and Conor tries to figure out what that is all about.  Conor’s big dream is to play for the NHL and this book gives a glimpse into the amount of time, money and dedication an 11yo can put into sports.  A big part of the story is dedicated to Conor’s obsession with hockey but there are the side stories of his dad’s job and his dog’s sickness.  

I enjoyed reading this book because the characters were likable and the story was unique.  The violence includes recounting some of the police calls that his dad responds to.  I think boys who are into sports would enjoy this read.  

C. Peterson