- Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
- Publisher: Laurel Leaf; Reprint edition (Nov 13 2007)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0553494449
- ISBN-13: 978-0553494440
- Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 2 x 17.4 cm
- Shipping Weight: 159 g
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #563,005 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From School Library Journal
Grade 9 Up–Hockey is more than Nick's favorite sport–it has become the very framework of his life. His friends are all players, his hot new girlfriend's a huge fan, and his hopes for college hang on securing an athletic scholarship. So when his physician, coach, and family all agree, following his fourth concussion, that the 16-year-old star should stop playing the game, it means major upheaval in his life. Hughes's attention to detail in terms of both head injuries and the sport adds lots of pith and interest to this story, and her accurate portrayal of middle-class teen life (which includes sex, obscenities, and pot smoking) should keep reluctant readers turning pages. The central question shifts from the prospect of whether Nick can return to the rink to the more important matter of whether he can regain control of his roiling emotions.–Jeffrey Hastings, Highlander Way Middle School, Howell, MI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Booklist
*Starred Review* Gr. 9--12. "In the dream, there's always open ice," but in real life, high-school hockey player Nick Taglio has a knack for getting blindsided, and he has the concussions to prove it. His latest bell-ringer has left him with a bad case of post-concussion syndrome, prompting his doctor to forbid him from playing hockey, possibly forever. It only gets worse, as Nick lapses into emotional free-fall, blowing off school, fighting with his parents, getting dumped by his girlfriend (who is only interested in healthy hockey stars), and even endangering his baby brother. Yes, this sounds like readers of Hughes' first YA novel are in danger themselves--of getting their bells rung by coming-of-age overload--but every time we think we see an oppressive author's message on the horizon, Hughes feints left and skates right, confounding our expectations with a subtle twist of character that draws us deeper into the story. Nick does plenty of soul-searching, but it happens around the edges of his bitter, knifing wit. His relationships with his friends and family, too, are always multidimensional, and while there is plenty of sex in the story, it proves as confusing for Nick and his peers as it does exhilarating. Best of all, though, is the hockey: sure, the open ice thing is a metaphor--the virus of sports novels--but thankfully, it never overwhelms the taut physicality of the game itself. By being true to the sport, Hughes unlocks the truth in her characters. Bill Ott
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.3 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews)
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Open Ice = love, July 31 2006
By Slapshot Score - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Open Ice (Hardcover)
I am a 14 year old girl and I just finished reading Open Ice. It was by far the best book I have read in awhile. I am a hockey player so I know how important hockey was to Nick. This was an inspiring book for me because I appreciated how much Nick fought to play, if something like that happened to me I would fight too. I think all teens should read this book whether you play hockey or not, it makes you realize a lot of things. Nick is an inspiring character to me because I could completely relate to everything he was talking about. Overall this book was amazing!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
This book surprised me, April 9 2006
By Gary H. Cassel "Flamingnet Teen Book Reviews" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Open Ice (Hardcover)
Nick Taglio has been on the ice his entire life. He loves hockey and is the best player on his team despite having had three concussions. His life seemed perfect until his fourth concussion. After the concussion, he can never play hockey again. How could Nick give up his entire life just because of a little concussion?This book surprised me, in both good and bad ways. The situation that Nick is in is greatly emphasized through both his actions and words. Readers can understand the personalities and faults of every character in this book. Some of the dialog of the characters were inappropriate and may not be suitable for young children. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a realistic-fiction book and to anyone who enjoys sports.
Reviewed by a student reviewer for Flamingnet Book Reviews
www.flamingnet.com
Preteen, teen, and young adult book reviews and recommendations
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Young Hockey Player Grows Up, Feb 1 2006
By Teen Reads - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Open Ice (Hardcover)
OPEN ICE is the story of self-centered Nick Taglio, the sophomore star of the high school hockey team. When a head injury puts him on the sidelines, he loses everything he cares about. Friends start treating him differently, his girlfriend doesn't look at him the same, and well-meaning adults take pity on him. His parents keep telling him that he is risking his future if he plays, but Nick can't imagine life without hockey.During his time off the ice, Nick must find a way to reinvent himself. He always thought of himself as only a jock. Will he discover that he is well-rounded and has other interests? Will he be able to put other people's needs before his own?
OPEN ICE is Pat Hughes's first young adult novel. She is the author of two middle-grade novels --- GUERILLA SEASON and THE BREAKER BOYS --- and is an editor at the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Whether or not you are a hockey fan, you will experience the excitement and passion that Nick feels for the game. I found myself rooting for Nick and hoping he could get back on the ice where he belongs. Hughes has scored a goal with this one!
--- Reviewed by Renee Kirchner
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