Review by Booklist Review
Fourth-grader Sylvie is excited to join the ice hockey team, but she's dismayed to learn that fifth-grader Jamie, who humiliated her during their baseball championship the previous summer, is also on the team. When someone starts pulling pranks on Sylvie, she's convinced it's Jamie, and she vows to get revenge. But when a third-grade boy on her team eventually owns up, Sylvie has a wake-up call: just like Jamie, she's been grade-ist, and she vows to change her ways, even if it means she doesn't deserve to be on the team. Soon, however, Jamie asks her to come back since the team needs her to win their big game. The action in this sports-themed chapter book moves quickly, and Sylvie shows admirable growth in her interactions with others. It's also refreshing to see a girl-centered story featuring a coed hockey team. With black-and-white spot illustrations revealing a diverse cast of characters, this follow-up to Eyre's Best Friend Battle (2014) offers a tidy lesson about jumping to conclusions and the importance of treating others with respect.--Roush, Suanne Copyright 2015 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Horn Book Review
Now in fourth grade, Sylvie Scruggs (The Best Friend Battle) joins the junior ice hockey team, and people are finally noticing how good she is--including mean fifth grader Jamie. When Sylvie starts getting pranked at practice, she's sure it's Jamie and recruits friends to stop her. With a relatable conflict and strong themes of friendship and fairness, Sylvie's fans will welcome this winning installment. (c) Copyright 2016. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
An opportunity to participate in an ice hockey league soon leads to drama for fourth-grader Sylvie. In this second lively adventure (The Best Friend Battle, 2015), Sylvie returns with another dilemma. This time, a sports rivalry carries over onto the ice when Sylvie discovers that Jamie, a formidable pitcher from the winning championship baseball team, is on Sylvie's new hockey team. With pluck and determination, Sylvie sets her sights on becoming the team captain. While Sylvie's attempts to impress her coach with her captainlike behavior result in some comical moments, Eyre reveals how Sylvie's bid for leadership is intertwined with her yearning to spend more time with her dad. She poignantly conveys Sylvie's efforts to claim some of her father's time amid the bustle of their expanding family. Eyre also captures Sylvie's boisterous, confident personality as she resolutely refuses to be daunted by Jamie and her perseverance as she strives to improve her hockey skills. Throughout the text, Hanson's illustrations depict Sylvie's escapades and occasional mishaps. Readers will sympathize with Sylvie as she becomes the victim of a series of pranks during practice, and they will understand her desire to retaliate. Though some will probably also understand that not all is as it seems, readers as well as Sylvie will benefit from the message that it's all too easy to make unwarranted assumptions. Readers will appreciate watching Sylvie determinedly working toward her goals. (Fiction. 7-10) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
