Posted: October 6, 2023
Author: Shari Green
Publisher: Groundwood Books

Thirteen-year-old Jonah is determined to prove that anxiety won’t stop him from succeeding as his hockey team’s goalie in this dynamic novel in verse. 

This contemporary ice hockey-story for pre-teens is rather unusual for being written in lyrics. That makes it not only a fast-moving, engaging story (especially to hockey fans), but a book likely to turn readers on to verse. Seriously!

It’s all in Jonah’s point of view, and he’s 13 (though he often feels younger). Like so many his age, he aspires to be a professional hockey player, his best friends have the same ambitions and he’s passionate about the game. At first it feels normal that he gets anxious before and during play. Then we start to realize his anxieties are stronger and more frequent than most kids have, and are holding him back from being his best self.

Worse, he’s trying hard to hide or deny that fact that his father has even more serious anxiety issues, which have worsened since his mother died. Ups and downs haunt him, a crisis leads to a fallout with his best friend, but through it all, he has a female friend, Rose, who is a steadying influence.

You want to tell me

about it? she says

as casual as if

she’s asking the score

of a random hockey game.

No!

Okay. But it seems like

it takes up a lot of room

in your head.

She shrugs one shoulder

up

          down

in a very Rose gesture.

The loss of his mother plays a very small part of the novel, but produces these poignant words:

Every now and then

missing her

catches me off guard

sadness rushing through me

triggered by the weirdest things.

It hurts worse than anything

but if it ever stops happening

I’ll miss it.

His father offers little support, especially having abandoned help for his own bouts of paralyzing fear, but maybe it’s Jonah who eventually needs to help his father?

I’m sure there are things you worry about, he [his father] says.

but your worries –

they’re not

out of control

                        are they?

His face is a familiar tangle

of love and fear and his voice

practically pleads for everything

to be okay.

I tell him exactly

what he needs to hear.

I’m fine.

When things start to go bad both on and off the ice, Jonah finally seeks help, a very brave move.

I struggle with my gear

stumble

stepping onto the ice

let in the weakest shots

and fall on my butt

twice.

Guilt rises up

e x p a n d s

            wraps

around

to smother me.

It’s impressive how the verse emphasizes what the words are offering, like the spacing of the word “e x p a n d s” above.

More importantly, it’s a gripping tale that also touches on hockey, family, friendship and anxiety issues. What an unusual way to inform and support young people on these vital concerns!

Doing the hard thing

does take strength

but asking for help

when we can’t do things

            when it all seems

            impossible

that takes strength, too.

Game Face is a highly recommended read.

-Pam Withers