Colder Than Ice (Albert Whitman Prairie Books) [Paperback]

David Patneaude (Author)

Book Description

Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Albert Whitman Prairie Books

Josh isn't happy to be starting at a new school. Maybe it's a chance to be somebody--not so easy for a kid who's been pretty average and is overweight besides. But he is pumped when a cool kid asks hims to play ice hockey.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 4-6. When Josh Showalter, a self-described "okay student, okay athlete, kind of overweight but okay looking" sixth-grader, starts at a new school, he is pleasantly surprised by flattery and friendly overtures from seventh-grade hotshot Corey Kitchens. Another new student, a girl named Skye, who is frequently bullied by Corey because of her great soccer skills, warns Josh that Corey must have an ulterior motive. She suspects that Corey, a star basketball player, has befriended Josh because Josh's dad is a coach at the high school. In fact, Corey's interest in Josh is much more sinister, as is revealed in a dramatic, heart-pounding scene that will stay with readers long after they put down the novel. A sensitively handled subplot about an autistic classmate gives more depth to this thought-provoking story. Lauren Peterson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the School & Library Binding edition.

Review

"This fast-moving story is simple, straightforward, and effective, and has characters who are true to life."

School Library Journal

"A sensitively handled subplot about an autistic classmate gives more depth to this thought-provoking story."

Booklist

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company (September 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807581364
• ISBN-13: 978-0807581360
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #612,564 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #98 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Issues > Special Needs > Fiction

More About the Author

David Patneaude finally heeded the advice, "It's never too late to have a happy childhood," and began writing seriously (more or less) in the mid 1980's. His first novel, SOMEONE WAS WATCHING, winner of South Dakota and Utah book awards, was published in 1993. His books have been placed on young readers' lists in more than thirty states and honored by the New York Public Library (THE LAST MAN'S REWARD), the Society of School Librarians International (FRAMED IN FIRE), the Winnetka (Illinois) Public Library's "One Book, Two Villages" program (THIN WOOD WALLS), and the Washington State Public Library (THIN WOOD WALLS). His newest book, EPITAPH ROAD, was published in March 2010. When he's not sitting in a coffee shop writing, or at a school or library or conference talking about writing, or out on the running trail thinking about writing, he's at home in Woodinville, Washington with his wife Judy, a junior high librarian.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Skating on Thin Ice, February 11, 2007

By 

BeatleBangs1964 (United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Colder Than Ice (School & Library Binding)

When 6th grader Josh and his pre-school sister Lindsay move from Seattle to a town in Northern Idaho, they are literally snowed. On Josh's first day of school, he meets the implacable school secretary who refuses to let any pupil see the principal (now there's a switch) and meets a classmate who has Asperger's Syndrome, the spectrum partner to autism.

Mark, the boy with AS takes pictures in class indiscriminately; he blurts out answers; he speaks in a loud, unmodulated voice and prefers informative books to novels. He and Josh enter their 6th grade classroom together and are immediately singled out by a bully named Corey and his sidekick Bunk.

Corey tries to groom and stroke Josh as he hopes Josh's father, a coach at the local high school will give him plum positions on the teams once he is in high school. Corey and his cronies hound and harass Mark. Interestingly, Mark and Josh become friends along with a kind girl named Skye.

Corey, spoonfed a sense of entitlement because of his athletic prowess and local fame by being written about in the local paper has conned Ms. Benedict, who feels he can do no wrong. The boy's teacher, on the other hand is very sharp and savvy and not fooled by Corey. She also wisely keeps Skye, Mark and Josh together as they are a cohesive group who are good for each other. It is their teacher who tells Skye and Josh that Mark has Asperger's. She said that "some experts think they [people with autism] think in pictures." Not all people with autism do. That applies to some and not to all.

Corey will stop at nothing to get what he's after. His friend leaves a mysterious package of hockey skates at Josh's door; he and his cronies invite Josh to skate with them. They try to trick Josh into doing something very dangerous and it is Skye and Mark who come through like the cavalry, averting a potential tragedy. Mark, lacking in social savvy for the most part is quite astute in summing up Corey's motives. Skye, also warns Josh of what Corey is really like. A smart, kind girl, Skye will stand up for what she thinks is right.

This is a wonderful book that is gritty, sharp and well worth the read. It is a serious look at bullying. Corey overtly attacks Mark. His subtle cruelty includes trying to trick Josh and another boy into taking dangerous chances under the guise of friendship. He resorts to cruelty and threats when thwarted on any issue.

The characters are well created and plausible; Mark is a believable character with AS. Mark's father is a delightful character who just happens to have a very unusual job "helping people," as Mark says. He is truly a wonderful character as is Mark.

This book makes me think of Foreigner's 1977 song, "Cold as Ice" and Yoko Ono's "Walking on Thin Ice."

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars PCE student review, April 16, 2007

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Colder Than Ice (Albert Whitman Prairie Books) (Paperback)

Colder than Ice is a good book.
You sould read it. Its an action book.
You would like it if you like sad stuff a story about how kids stop a bully.
My favorite part is when Skye Mark Josh help save another boy from a bully.
my favorite character is josh.
If you want to know more you will have to read it you self

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars On the mark, October 9, 2003

By 

Judith Mathews "piratelibrarian" (Evanston, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Colder Than Ice (School & Library Binding)

David Patneaude has a bead on the push-and-pull of middle-school society. His main character is realistically torn between the flattery of a popular bully and the cameraderie of new friends who are way outside the in crowd. That alone will cause young readers to buy into this story. Patneaude adds suspense, some memorable characters, and drama, along with a satisfying conclusion. Young readers will almost certainly forgive the preachy and over-long finale wherein the bullies get their due. If you like this book, though, don't bypass this author's earlier novels Someone Was Watching and Last Man's Reward.