Ice Rink Rookie

By Jake Maddox and Andrea Gianopoulos

Pilar Ramirez loves ice-skating, and she's never let the fact she was born without part of her right foot hold her back. So she's decided to join the hockey team. But being a rookie isn't easy, and what's worse, a fellow player accuses Pilar's newbie mistakes of hurting the team. Can Pilar up her game and prove to her teammate-and herself-that she belongs on the ice? Each book in Jake Maddox Girl Sports Stories features easy-to-read text, fast-paced action, plus back matter support materials to make it a winning read.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Capstone Young Readers
• Release date: Jan 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9781496565785

Jake Maddox

Who is Jake Maddox? Athlete, author, world-traveler – or all three? He has surfed in Hawaii, scuba-dived in Australia, and climbed the mountains of Peru and Alaska. His books range from the most popular team sports to outdoor activities to survival adventures and even to auto racing. His exploits have inspired numerous writers to walk in his footsteps – literally! Each of his stories is stamped with teamwork, fair play, and a strong sense of self-worth and discipline. Always a team-player, Maddox realizes it takes more than one man (or woman) to create a book good enough for a young reader. He hopes the lessons learned on the court, field, or arena and the champion sprinter pace of his books can motivate kids to become better athletes and lifelong readers.

Book preview

Cover

Chapter One

JOIN THE TEAM!

Pilar Ramirez skated around the ice. Free skating time was almost over, but she wanted to do one last lap. She zipped around the final curve. She loved going fast!

As Pilar came off the ice, she saw her best friend waving to her. Her friend Sarah was wearing a hockey uniform. She was about to practice with her hockey team, the Frost Valley Ice Dogs.

Hey, Pilar! Sarah said, walking over. I didn’t know you were coming to the rink today.

Hi! Yeah, my mom was supposed to be busy all afternoon, but her plans got canceled. So I asked her to bring me over, Pilar replied. Skating is so much fun!

You know, I was watching you skate. With your kind of speed, you could be a great hockey player, Sarah said.

Pilar laughed. This wasn’t the first time Sarah had mentioned hockey to her. Are you trying to get me to join the Ice Dogs again? she asked.

Sarah smiled. Maybe! But seriously, she added, it would be awesome to have you on the team. Just think about it. BFFs on the ice together!

It does sound pretty great, Pilar admitted. And I have been thinking about trying a team sport. I don’t know a lot about hockey, though.

That doesn’t matter, Sarah said. Coach Grace is a great teacher. Plus, our team really needs more players. We have fourteen girls, but we need sixteen. If we don’t get a full team, we can’t play.

I’ll think about it, Pilar said. Then she paused. But if I try out, you have to promise you won’t tell anyone about my foot.

Usually, Pilar didn’t hide the fact that she had been born without part of her right foot. But this time was different.

Sarah looked surprised. Really? she asked. Why do you want to keep it a secret?