P.K. Subban: Fighting Racism to Become a Hockey Superstar and Role Model for Athletes of Colour

by Catherine Rondina

Overview

P.K. Subban is a remarkable athlete and role model. Initially drafted in 2007 to the Montreal Canadiens, P.K. now plays for the New Jersey Devils. He's set records and won the Norris Trophy, the highest honor in hockey for a defenseman. Often the center of controversy, he is the pride of many fans and a hero to young athletes of color. His stand against racism relies more on actions to support others than on relating his own experiences. He is known to have made the largest donation to charity by a Canadian athlete in history, and works to build an understanding between at-risk youth and law enforcement across North America.

Distributed in the U.S by Lerner Publishing Group

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781459415102
Publisher:	James Lorimer and Company Ltd., Publishers
Publication date:	08/01/2020
Series:	Lorimer Recordbooks Series
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	4.40(w) x 7.20(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	800L (what's this?)
Age Range:	9 - 10 Years

About the Author

CATHERINE RONDINA is a writer, educator, library assistant and sports fan. She writes award-winning nonfiction for children, and her previous Lorimer Recordbook on hockey star goalie Carey Price win the 2019 Silver Birch Non-Fiction Award. Catherine lives in Richmond Hill, Ontario.

Editorial Reviews

07/01/2020

Gr 6–8—In a 2013 Sports Illustrated article, P.K. Subban topped a list of the most hated players in the NHL. In this biographical overview, Rondina unpacks the racial politics of the three-time All-Star's hockey career. Born in Toronto to West Indian immigrant parents, Subban started skating before kindergarten. He went on to play elite hockey in high school before being drafted to a Montreal Canadiens minor league team at 18. Now playing for the New Jersey Devils, Subban is among the highest-paid defensemen in the league and has been a major contributor to various charities. Still, throughout his life, he has endured racist remarks and, more recently, hateful language on social media. Photographs depict Subban throughout his career, from his time in youth hockey through his experiences in the minor leagues and with Montreal and Nashville in the NHL. Text boxes highlight related subjects, such as retired winger Willie O'Ree, the NHL's first Black player in 1958. However, the back matter is disappointing. Many sources are quoted without proper citation, often introduced awkwardly in the text with a partial URL, rather than the website's title. For example, an interview that appeared on the Ontario Hockey League website is referred to as "an ontariohockeyleague.com 2019 interview." An acknowledgments section names several publications, but there are no source notes or a bibliography. VERDICT The racism Subban has faced is significant, and Rondina skillfully weaves this perspective into the story of his life and success. But this is not enough to overcome the shortcomings in the book's documentation. A secondary purchase.—Bob Hassett, Luther Jackson M.S., Falls Church, VA

School Library Journal

2020-06-01
Follows a black Canadian ice hockey player’s career.

As a child in Toronto, Subban declared that he wanted to be a professional hockey player. His Caribbean immigrant parents were die-hard hockey fans who helped foster Subban’s love of the game. With the support of his family—including his four siblings, two of whom followed in his professional hockey playing footsteps—and active encouragement from the family with whom he was billeted, Subban became a force to reckon with. He even became the first black recipient of the Norris Trophy in 2013, the peak accolade for defensemen in ice hockey. Subban’s journey has had trials and challenges, many of which have involved dealing with racism. As a black hockey player, Subban has been exposed to much vitriol in this mostly white sport. Still, he has remained undeterred and focused on his goal of being a role model and change-maker. His career stats and charity work demonstrate success in both arenas. With the help of quotes from his parents, coaches, teachers, and friends, Rondina gives readers a concise overview of Subban’s athletic career that reads much like a highlight reel. This will prove to be an easy read even for those who are not hockey fans.

An accessible treatment of a remarkable ice hockey career. (glossary, photo credits, index) (Biography. 12-18)

Kirkus Reviews