The Longest Shot

  • By: Chad Soon,
    Illustrated By: Amy Qi
  • Pages:104
  • Publisher:Orca Book Publishers
  • Series: Orca Biography
  • Themes:hockey hero, racism, trailblazer, Asian history, discrimination
  •  
  • Available:02/13/2024
  • Lexile:980L
  • Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient:X
Hardcover
9781459835030
$24.95
EPUB
9781459835054 LICENSE OPTIONS
$18.99

Larry Kwong became the first player of Asian descent in the NHL when he played one shift with the New York Rangers in 1948.

Even though Larry's achievement happened more than 70 years ago, his contribution to hockey is only now being recognized. He broke hockey's color barrier and fought racism and discrimination at every step of his career. From his humble beginnings on the outdoor rinks in Vernon, British Columbia's Chinatown all the way to playing at Madison Square Garden and in the NHL, this inspiring hero has a timeless story for young readers.

The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

“My dad would have been so thrilled with this and proud…This tells his story in a way that would have made him happy.”
– Kristina Heintz, Larry Kwong’s daughter

“This concise, absorbing narrative will entice sports fans and nonathletes alike…An informative and engaging biography that pays tribute to an extraordinary life.”

– Kirkus Reviews

“Colorful and engaging…Great for building reading confidence or attracting reluctant readers…An easy-to-read sports biography with cross-genre appeal.”

– School Library Journal (SLJ)

“Provides important context and a valuable history lesson on the experiences of Chinese Canadians in Canada…Qi’s bright, large, and movie-esque illustrations are sure to be popular with children. This real-life tale firmly rooted in history will educate and engage readers, regardless of whether they are hockey fans.”

– Quill & Quire

“The Longest Shot brings Kwong’s compelling story to the public, ensures that his contributions are not forgotten, and inscribes his presence within Canada’s historical past…conveys a positive message about diversity and inclusion in all areas of societal life, affirming that people should be judged for their talents and accomplishments rather than by their physical appearance or background… A valuable addition to libraries that want to build their collection of sports-related texts or collection of books that portray diverse cultural communities. Highly recommended.”

– CM: Canadian Review of Materials

“Filled with colourful, iconic images and lively prose… By the time they finish this book, young readers of The Longest Shot will be left wondering: why on earth has Larry Kwong been excluded from the Hockey Hall of Fame?”

– The British Columbia Review

“Larry Kwong’s life story, a tale of resilience and success despite long odds, is a story worthy of notice.”

– Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD)
Junior Library Guild (JLG) Gold Standards Selection   | 2023  |  Commended
The Sunshine Coast Writers and Editors Society (SCWES) Book Awards for BC Authors - Children & Young Adult   | 2024  |  Commended

Download the The Longest Shot Chapter Sampler.

Customizable Text and Layout

Text and layout can be adjusted for text size and colour, background colour, and layout to support individual reading preferences.

Described Images

Non-text content includes descriptive text, such as alt-text and long descriptions.

Table of Contents and Structured Navigation

Page elements are labelled and structured in a meaningful sequence.

Screen Reader and Text-to-Speech (TTS) friendly

Structured for screen readers and text-to-speech tools, including assistive technologies and browser plugins.

Bookmarks and Highlights

Add bookmarks and save highlighted passages.

ARIA Roles

ARIA roles clarify semantic elements of this ebook, making it easier for screen readers and assistive technologies to understand the contents of the book.