Delves into the perilous world of a black teen hockey phenom in 1968, during the highly charged Civil Rights era. Jessie leaves home for New Hampshire, despite misgivings of his parents and girlfriend Rose, to pursue his dreams at an elite, formerly all-white prep school, which he hopes will put him on the path to the Ivy League and NHL. He is realistic about encountering racist fans and opponents at his new school, but finds that he's in the most danger from his own teammates and coach, who clearly despises him based only on the color of his skin. Full of exciting on-ice action and heart-wrenching realism, Cracking the Ice will have readers rooting for Jessie as he fights for what any standout student and athlete deserves.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Booklist
In turbulent 1968, Jessie Stackhouse, an African American freshman, is offered a scholarship to play hockey for Springvale Academy, an exclusive New Hampshire prep school. Jessie views admission to Springvale as his ticket to the Ivy League. Upon arrival, though, he encounters virulent racism, as he is beaten by a gang of town thugs and faces a terrifying fake lynching administered by his teammates. Jessie’s hockey coach is behind many of these cruelties, and despite the efforts of the headmaster, Jessie finds himself pushed nearly to the limit. Once the hockey season starts, Jessie’s talent makes him indispensable to the team, but when the board fires the headmaster, all seems lost. At the end, though, a reporter turns up to write an exposé on the prep school’s racism, and Jessie knows that justice will prevail. Hendrickson’s debut novel paints a gripping account of a courageous young man rising above evil. The well-described hockey action is secondary to the undiluted portrait of racism. Grades 8-11. --Todd Morning
Review
A compelling, civil rights tale of a young man's coming of age on the ice. Hendrickson personalizes history with unforgettable characters. -- --Jewell Parker Rhodes, author of 2011 Coretta Scott King Honor book, Ninth Ward
Like a slapshot to the gut, Hendrickson s story pulls no punches in getting at the truth. Cracking the Ice breaks through all racial barriers and scores. --Greg Neri, author of 2011 Coretta Scott King Honor book, Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty
I started Cracking the Ice and could not put it down. Jessie Stackhouse's generosity, hope and intelligence touched my heart...I kept reading until the last page! --Joyce Carol Thomas, author of 2009 Coretta Scott King Honor book, The Blacker the Berry
--Joyce Carol Thomas, author of 2009 Coretta Scott King Honor book, The Blacker the Berry
--.
Like a slapshot to the gut, Hendrickson s story pulls no punches in getting at the truth. Cracking the Ice breaks through all racial barriers and scores. --Greg Neri, author of 2011 Coretta Scott King Honor book, Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty
I started Cracking the Ice and could not put it down. Jessie Stackhouse's generosity, hope and intelligence touched my heart...I kept reading until the last page! --Joyce Carol Thomas, author of 2009 Coretta Scott King Honor book, The Blacker the Berry
"To say I couldn't put it down doesn't say enough. A must read for every adult and young adult alike." -- Pete Webster, UNH Hockey Radio Network "This is a terrific book and I would recommend it to anyone who likes a great story, hockey fan or not." -- Dan Hannigan, Maine Hockey Radio Network --.
I started Cracking the Ice and could not put it down. Jessie Stackhouse's generosity, hope and intelligence touched my heart...I kept reading until the last page! --Joyce Carol Thomas, author of 2009 Coretta Scott King Honor book, The Blacker the Berry
Like a slapshot to the gut, Hendrickson s story pulls no punches in getting at the truth. Cracking the Ice breaks through all racial barriers and scores. --Greg Neri, author of 2011 Coretta Scott King Honor book, Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty
I started Cracking the Ice and could not put it down. Jessie Stackhouse's generosity, hope and intelligence touched my heart...I kept reading until the last page! --Joyce Carol Thomas, author of 2009 Coretta Scott King Honor book, The Blacker the Berry
--Joyce Carol Thomas, author of 2009 Coretta Scott King Honor book, The Blacker the Berry
--.
Like a slapshot to the gut, Hendrickson s story pulls no punches in getting at the truth. Cracking the Ice breaks through all racial barriers and scores. --Greg Neri, author of 2011 Coretta Scott King Honor book, Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty
I started Cracking the Ice and could not put it down. Jessie Stackhouse's generosity, hope and intelligence touched my heart...I kept reading until the last page! --Joyce Carol Thomas, author of 2009 Coretta Scott King Honor book, The Blacker the Berry
"To say I couldn't put it down doesn't say enough. A must read for every adult and young adult alike." -- Pete Webster, UNH Hockey Radio Network "This is a terrific book and I would recommend it to anyone who likes a great story, hockey fan or not." -- Dan Hannigan, Maine Hockey Radio Network --.
I started Cracking the Ice and could not put it down. Jessie Stackhouse's generosity, hope and intelligence touched my heart...I kept reading until the last page! --Joyce Carol Thomas, author of 2009 Coretta Scott King Honor book, The Blacker the Berry
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Boss man
Format:Hardcover
This is a great read. It doesn't take long before you're sucked in and can't put the book down. I'm so glad I picked it up to read, and I can't wait for his next book.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Jessie Stackhouse is a black teen and hockey phenom recruited to a prestigious prep school during the height of the civil rights movement. From the moment Jessie arrives at Springvale Academy, he's accosted with seething hatred from his classmates, teammates, hockey coach and don't get me started on the racist locals. Riveted, I kept wondering how he was going to make this impossible and very often lonely situation work. Thank goodness for Stick, Jessie's quick witted roommate and friend and Frenchie, the one teammate who stands up for Jessie.
My heart ached so badly every time Jessie was brutalized and taunted that I wanted him to quit, go home and just be safe. But this smart, amazing young man perseveres against unsurmountable odds and head held high, proves himself a winner--a survivor. I cheered because no one deserved it more! When the final buzzer sounds, Dave Hendrickson's Cracking the Ice will have you shouting GOOOAAAALLLL!
My heart ached so badly every time Jessie was brutalized and taunted that I wanted him to quit, go home and just be safe. But this smart, amazing young man perseveres against unsurmountable odds and head held high, proves himself a winner--a survivor. I cheered because no one deserved it more! When the final buzzer sounds, Dave Hendrickson's Cracking the Ice will have you shouting GOOOAAAALLLL!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Since the plot and characters have already been described very well by another review I will keep this simple. Historical fiction. I HIGHLY recommend this book. The subject matter which is realistic, provides a great read for guy OR girl teen and above. I am an adult and couldn't wait to pick it up again to see what would happen next. If you want to keep your teens interested in reading (perhaps a good summertime book), buy this for them and then treat yourself to a read.
By L. Gendron
Format:Hardcover
'Cracking the Ice' is very well written and entertaining----My wife and I read it in one day. It would make a great movie. We have recommended this book to all of our friends with children and grandchildren in the hockey schools here in the Northeast.
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