Rebel Power Play by David Skuy

Scholastic and author David Skuy have a new hockey themed entry in the Young Adult fiction book market: Rebel Power Play.

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Rebel Power Play is the second book in what will quickly become the popular Charlie Joyce series. Skuy found good success with original book Off the Crossbar from 2006, and continues the story of our protagonist Charlie Joyce with Rebel Power Play.

This time around Charlie finds himself battling with egos on his hockey team - only this time it's the coach who needs to check himself. Charlie is unhappy that he has missed tryouts for the local league. Just when he thinks he won't be able to play AAA hockey he meets Tom Dunn, a sponsor, who encourages Charlie to try out for his new team, The Hawks. Things are looking up until practices start and the team realizes that Dunn is not coach material. As they lose game after game and lose half the team to fighting, it is left up to Charlie and some others to take matters into their own hands. But can they rebuild the team on their own?

You can find out more - including reading an excerpt and follow Charlie Joyce's blog - at CharlieJoyce.com.

The book weighs in at 296 pages and is listed as for ages 10 and up. At a list price of 10 bucks, this is a solid stocking stuffer for the young adult hockey fan this Christmas.

By the way, Off the Crossbar is being re-released here in September 2009. Here's a brief synopsis of the original book

Charlie Joyce is the new guy at Terrence Falls High. Hockey has always been the one thing he can count on, so he tries out for the school team. Too bad Jake - one of the toughest guys on the team - decides he can't stand him.

When Jake tells Charlie he doesn't have a chance at making the team, Charlie knows he can't back down. "I usually let my game do the talking," he fires back.

Now he'll have to prove himself at the big tournament or he'll never let it down.