Look Inside
 

Book Information

  • Series: Lorimer Sports Stories
  • Imprint: James Lorimer & Company Ltd., Publishers
  • Publication Date: 21 March 2012
  • Copyright Year: 2012
  • ISBN: 9781459400672
  • Page Count: 128
  • Dimensions: 5" x 7.75"
  • Interest ages: 10-13
  • Reading level: Grade 3

Purchasing Information

Hardcover
9781459400672
$16.95 CAD

Available

Also Available From
Paperback
9781459400665
$9.95 CAD

Available

Also Available From
Digital (ePub)
9781459400689
$7.99 CAD

Playing for Keeps

by Steven Sandor

A soccer player in a hockey town struggles to fit into his small-town Alberta community

Hockey rules in Branko Stimac's new hometown, where its star players get the royal treatment. Any other sport -- like soccer, where Branko excels -- is considered second-rate. This means the sacrifices Branko's Croatian immigrant father made so he can play in Canada go unnoticed, as does Branko's stellar goalkeeping.

When Branko makes it onto the Edmonton Select team as the second-string keeper, he keeps the accomplishment to himself, sure that no one in his home town will care. But then a video of one of his spectacular saves gets posted on a sports blog and goes viral. Suddenly Branko has more attention than he dreamed of.

About the Author

Steven Sandor
STEVEN SANDOR is a professional sportswriter and magazine editor in Edmonton, Alberta. His articles have appeared in Soccer 360 and Inside Soccer. He also runs The 11, an online soccer magazine, and is the colour commentator for FC Edmonton broadcasts.

Reviews

"Author Sandor deals with these issues in an appealingly realistic manner"
Lesley Little, Resource Links
"An authentic portrayal of hockey versus soccer along with a convincing immigrant story mark Playing For Keeps as truly Canadian."
Yahong Chi, CM: Canadian Review of Materials
"a short, lively novel... This is a book about an Edmontonian soccer player and it provides an accurate reflection of that community"
Benjamin Massey, www.maple-leaf-forever.com

Awards

One of the Year's Best for 2012 -- Resource Links
2012

Subjects (BISAC)

JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Peer Pressure, JUVENILE FICTION / Sports & Recreation / General

Subjects

Boys Sports Stories, Diversity, Gender: Boys

Similar Titles

  • Suspended

    Robert Rayner
    Shay and his pal Toby are among the players on the school soccer team who fall foul of the "fair play contract". The players form their own unofficial team and become one of the league's top teams. But will they be allowed to play in the championship game?
    $16.95, Hardcover
    Interest ages: 10-13
    Reading level: Grade 4

  • Out of Bounds

    Sylvia Gunnery
    Jay must switch schools after a house fire. He must either give up the basketball season or play alongside his rival at his new school.
    $12.95, Paperback
    Interest ages: 10-13
    Reading level: Grade 3

  • Danger Zone

    Michele Martin Bossley
    How will Jason survive without hockey?
    $9.95, Paperback
    Interest ages: 9-13

  • Miss Little's Losers

    Robert Rayner
    The Brunswick Valley School soccer team haven't won a game all season long. When their coach resigns, the only person who will coach them is Miss Little ... their former kindergarten teacher!
    $16.95, Hardcover
    Interest ages: 9-13
Shopping Cart
Scroll to Top