The Hockey Saint

Gr 7 Up—Taking place two years after The Stereotypical Freaks (Animal Media, 2012), this is a full-color realistic graphic novel about an unlikely friendship between a famous 21-year-old Canadian hockey player named Jeremiah Jacobson and an average guy named Tom Leonard. Tom is an orphan and a college sophomore who lives with his grandmother. He loves hockey, and his hockey skills result in a partial scholarship, which helps him afford college. One night he happens to meet the famous hockey player Jeremiah Jacobson. The pair soon form a friendship. The young man soon learns that Jeremiah, though genuine, harbors secrets. Tom wants to help him, but Jeremiah has a hard time accepting he has a substance abuse problem. Readers will delight in the lively dialogue, especially when Jeremiah says things like "Don't worship athletes. There are men and women who deserve your admiration so much more…." Chapters are accompanied by recommended listening, and the artwork is vibrant, making this title highly recommended for hockey fans and those who enjoyed the previous volume.—Lisa Gieskes, Richland County Public Library, Columbia, SC