Category Archives: Novels

Interview in the Georgetown Record

Joshua Boyd interviewed me about Cracking the Ice in The Georgetown Record. It’s a substantial one, over a full half page.

What a great day!

What a wonderful, wonderful day. The book release party in Boston was a blast! Great food and drink. The readings went well (I think). Lots of people either bought the book or had me autograph books they’d gotten earlier, already read, and in virtually every case said that they’d loved. I’m on cloud nine.

Four stars for Cracking the Ice!

Long and Short Reviews gave Cracking the Ice four stars! It then went on to say many complimentary words about the book, finishing with the following:

The best of humanity is explored — and some of the worst, exposed. It is very readable, written with a clear and powerful voice, and is engaging from beginning to end.

It’s great to see the reception this book is getting.

Booklist praises Cracking the Ice

There are numerous spoilers in the Booklist review of Cracking the Ice, so I won’t include the entire text.  I want you to experience the action without knowing how every twist and turn will develop.  Here, however, is the highlight of the review:

Hendrickson’s debut novel paints a gripping account of a courageous young man rising above evil.

Gotta love it!

Cracking the Ice is shipping!

I’m delighted to announce that Cracking the Ice is now shipping from the publisher warehouses.  I can’t wait to hold a copy in my hands.

And of course, I hope all of you will be holding copies in your hands, too.

A young student reviews Cracking the Ice

Today I learned of a 12-year-old student’s book review of Cracking the Ice. Among other things, the student said my novel was a “masterpiece.”

Exquisite taste, no?

I love my credit union



On Friday, I went down to the credit union and one of the women there asked if my book was out yet. I told her it had been delayed until Jan. 15th.

 Next thing you know, all four employees were asking me for details, cooing about how fascinating it sounded, and then asking if I’d autograph their copies after they buy them.

Did I ever say how much I love First Tech Credit Union?

Cracking the Ice update

This just in from WestSide Books: the new release date for Cracking the Ice is now January 15.

I must admit that I would have preferred the book be available for the holidays, but I’m trusting that readers will find the book and feel it was worth the wait.

Cracking the Ice picks up another great endorsement

My novel Cracking the Ice picked up another great endorsement, this one arriving just in time to make the cover. Lillie Johnson Edwards, Ph.D., Professor of History and African-American Studies at Drew University, gives this rave review.

“Cracking the Ice brilliantly teaches about the insidious nature of racism and the heroism of young scholar-athlete, Jessie Stackhouse. The riveting plot and realistic characters powerfully expose the racial stereotypes, racism and violence that plagued African-American students recruited to elite prep schools in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Hendrickson shows the turmoil of these critical years through the eyes of his story’s heroes, villains and victims, marvelously and realistically portraying one of the most critical moments in school integration and civil rights.”

Cracking the Ice galleys are in

I received the galleys for Cracking the Ice last week, made the appropriate corrections, and sent them back to WestSide Books today. (The galleys represent the final layout of the book, barring last-minute changes.)

It won’t be long now before the Advance Review Copies become available followed by the real thing. The release date is scheduled for September 28.

I’ll be posting the wonderful cover as soon as I can overcome my website host’s uploading issues.