For Lynn English High School students who have read and enjoyed Offside this summer—and really for all potential readers—let me suggest that you also try Cracking the Ice, my other Young Adult novel. It’s also set in the late sixties with some of the action taking place in Lynn, Massachusetts.

Cracking the Ice is Jessie Stackhouse’s story, taking place a year after Offside. He leaves home to attend an elite, formerly all-white prep school so he can chase his dream of becoming the second black professional hockey player. He soon finds, however, that the coach doesn’t want him there and neither do most of his teammates. They’ll go to almost any extreme to make him leave. Jessie must overcome not only the team in the other locker room, but the even more dangerous one in his own.

I think you’ll like it. Order it for your e-book reader or email me (dave.hendrickson@gmail.com) for a special price on the paper version.

“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, National Book Award winner