Winter, teenagers, and dreams of glory come together in this novel about the reaction of a small working-class town when the local hero decides not to join a professional hockey team. Talented Alexandre McKenzie lives on the North Shore of the St. Lawrence River, where in summer he rides the logging trails on his quad, and in winter—after school and hockey practice—he likes to head off alone to a bush camp outside town. When he meets and falls in love with an unusual girl, Jessie, who has ...

Alex McKenzie is a promising young hockey player with hopes of making the Quebec City junior hockey team. Once Alex and his friend Tommy, who is also vying to make the team, arrive in Quebec City, things begin to change. Tommy becomes sullen and obnoxious, hanging out with a bunch of dubious types. As the boys grow apart, tragedy befalls Tommy and their friendship is sorely tested. A thrilling yet very human story, this novel demonstrates how an unassuming hero deals with powerful peer pre...