Paddle Battle

by Eric Howling

Overview

"The author explores what this young teen goes through when faced with the breakdown of his parents’ marriage. From feeling angry and blaming himself to finding support through his peers, Finn’s character arc is well rounded. The realities of climate change and wildfires and their impacts on the younger generation are also seamlessly woven into the story." — Kirkus Reviews

Set against a backdrop of the threat of wildfires on the west coast, this book looks at the effect changes at home can have on a young athlete’s performance and the emotional support a team can provide. Thirteen-year-old kayaker Finn has been angry and resentful since his mother left the family. In a highly charged emotional state, Finn’s performance is not only suffering, but he is also taking things out on his teammates. Like the wildfires that threaten Finn’s Okanagan training camp, this book shows how new beginnings arise after a destructive event.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781459416246
Publisher:	James Lorimer & Company Ltd., Publishers
Publication date:	08/24/2021
Series:	Lorimer Sports Stories Series
Sold by:	De Marque
Format:	eBook
Lexile:	HL580L (what's this?)
File size:	1 MB
Age Range:	10 - 13 Years

About the Author

ERIC HOWLING is the author of ten books including Head Hunter, Red Zone Rivals, Hoop Magic, and Run and Gun in the Lorimer Sports Stories series. His books have been shortlisted for the Hackmatack Children's Choice Book Award, named Resource Link?s Year's Best and picked as CCBC Best Books selections. Eric lives and plays sports in Calgary, Alberta

Editorial Reviews

2021-12-15
Finn Hunter’s life changed after his parents’ separation: Will he be able to paddle his kayak well enough to qualify for the Canadian Sprint National Championships?

Thirteen-year-old Finn is about to graduate from grade 8. Despite being one of British Columbia’s top U15 paddlers, lately Finn seems to have lost his touch. He feels lonely and is getting into disagreements with his crewmates, Niko, Chad, and Sanjay. Adjusting to life since his mother moved out has been hard for Finn—and to make it worse, his father is dating Ms. Putnam, Finn’s teacher, whose pretty daughter goes to school with him. With support from Coach Cooper and his kayaking friends, Finn slowly but surely starts to overcome his various hurdles, both internal and external. The author explores what this young teen goes through when faced with the breakdown of his parents’ marriage. From feeling angry and blaming himself to finding support through his peers, Finn’s character arc is well rounded. The realities of climate change and wildfires and their impacts on the younger generation are also seamlessly woven into the story. The main characters are assumed to be White; Sanjay’s name signals Indian ancestry.

A heartfelt story about family, friendship, and sportsmanship with appeal for reluctant readers. (Fiction. 10-14)

Kirkus Reviews