Yossi Mendelsohn works hard to help his family survive after they flee Russia to find a better life in Montreal. He sells newspapers and carries bundles from the garment factory. Yossi longs to play "le hockey" with the French boys, but he has no skates. When his father falls ill and his sister and her fiancé organize a walkout at the factory, Yossi's dream of lacing on skates seems farther away than ever.
"Boys will enjoy this engaging fast-paced novel...Schwartz does an admirable job of presenting a complex topic in a brief novel for younger or struggling readers. Highly Recommended."
– CM Magazine
"Can be used when one needs an immigration story to suggest to boys."
– AJL Newsletter
"Believable, engrossing and provides numerous opportunities for exploring the difficulties of immigrants."
– Canadian Teacher Magazine
Chocolate Lily Book Awards | 2007 | Short-listed
Forest of Reading Silver Birch Express Award | 2008 | Nominated
Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) Our Choice | 2007 | Commended
