Just Skating By

A fast-paced novel in verse starring a fifth-grade hockey player whose outsized emotions and outbursts could cost her more than just playing time.

Bobi Jean Spry is a wiz at math and a caring big sister, but on the ice playing hockey is where she really shines. So when Coach warns her to get her outsized temper in check or she’s off the team, Bobi Jean knows she’s got to make a change. Much more than hockey is at stake—she’s at risk of losing her friends, too. The good news is Bobi Jean has a lot of people who love and support her. She’s not sure she can do it, but she knows she has to try. 

This follow-up from Alma Fullerton, author of Flipping Forward Twisting Backward, also features an athlete who faces challenges in school. The verse format makes this a highly appealing choice for young middle grade readers.