Hockey is a relatively new sport in Canada's North. It wasn't until 2003 that Jordin Kudluk "Thunder" Tootoo became the first Inuk to play in an NHL game. Although hockey is a rough sport to begin with, Jordin Tootoo is known for having to "fight his way through." Jordin has had more than his fair share of fights both on and off the ice. He's had to overcome the social problems that are associated with the North, fight his way through the discrimination and culture shock he encountered after leaving Rankin Inlet and moving to Alberta to play in the Juniors, and see his way through the grief of losing his NHL-bound older brother and hero, Terence Tootoo, to suicide in 2002.
This new biography explores the struggles and accomplishments of the most recognized role model for young Aboriginal and Inuit people today. [Fry Reading Level - 4.6]
"Though the primary focus of this book is hockey, the book covers a wide range of topics and issues that a young reader can take away with them, such as the rights of Inuit people on their land, the federal governments description and recognition of Indigenous peoples, racism"
- Christine MacFarlane Windspeaker
Though the primary focus of this book is hockey...also covers a wide range of topics and issues that will likely lead to further discussion, including rights of Inuit people on their land, the federal government's description and recognition of indigenous peoples, racism and the higher incidence of Aboriginal youth suicide.
- Nicole Dalmer CM Magazine
...Tootoo's story is as much a tale about two brothers as it is about the love of hockey...With text boxes and photographs that complement the story and contribute to the reader's experience, each page of this fast paced read details Tootoo's ambition and fighting spirit.
- Ana Malespin Resource Links
Like her subject, the author doesn't pull many punches in Tootoo's rousing, rather hard-bitten tale, which, thankfully, has a storybook ending aimed directly at teenage-boy reluctant readers.
- Kirkus Reviews www.kirkusreviews.com
This biography follows Jordin's childhood in the Arctic, rooted in Inuit tradition and his parents' constant support...Photographs and factoid insets spread throughout the biography help the reader visualize Tootoo's childhood. Rich descriptive language brings the reader into the hockey game where "blades cut a path across the ice and breathing rasps."
Curriculum Connections: This text lends itself well as a resource for biography research and writing units, supports a character study for sports and Aboriginal heroes, and packs enough action to be a great "book for boys" in a classroom library.
- Amanda Forbes Canadian Teacher
MELANIE FLORENCE is a proud Cree and a full-time journalist and children's writer currently based in Toronto. Melanie is working on her first YA novel, the story of an Aboriginal boy growing up on the rez.
Customer Reviews:
Publication Details:
Binding: Electronic book text Publication Date: 14th December 2011 ISBN: 9781552775301 Format: EPUB b&w photographs
Binding: Hardback, 104 pages Publication Date: 18th October 2010 ISBN: 9781552775318 Format: 7in x 4.25in
b&w photographs
Binding: Paperback, 104 pages Publication Date: 7th September 2010 ISBN: 9781552775295 Format: 7in x 4.25in
b&w photographs
Writing with a flair for making history feel like novels
Accompanied by historical photos and sports trivia
"Historic photos and short chapters promise to make the book palatable for reluctant readers." - Quill & Quire
Recordbooks are non-fiction stories that help reluctant readers understand history and social issues through the lens of the true story of a sports hero. Showing the process of social change on issues like racism, diversity and conflict, these books engage and provide historical context by telling the often-heroic story of how an athlete or a team worked to change attitudes around them.
