Checked by Cynthia Kadohata

Checked

by Cynthia Kadohata

“Kadohata’s slapshot is the heart-swelling narrative of a father and son…Truly powerful.” —Jason Reynolds
“A deeply poignant story about a boy sorting out his priorities.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“A vivid, memorable portrayal of a boy within his family, his sport, and his gradually broadening world.” —Booklist (starred review)

From Newbery Medalist Cynthia Kadohata comes a brilliantly-realized novel about a hockey player who must discover who he is without the sport that defines him.

Hockey is Conor’s life. His whole life. He’ll say it himself, he’s a hockey beast. It’s his dad’s whole life too—and Conor is sure that’s why his stepmom, Jenny, left. There are very few things Conor and his dad love more than the game, and one of those things is their Doberman, Sinbad. When Sinbad is diagnosed with cancer, Conor chooses to put his hockey lessons and practices on hold so they can pay for Sinbad’s chemotherapy.

But without hockey to distract him, Conor begins to notice more. Like his dad’s crying bouts, and his friend’s difficult family life. And then Conor notices one more thing: Without hockey, the one thing that makes him feel special, is he really special at all?

Reviewed by Sam@WLABB on

4 of 5 stars

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Rating: 3.5 Stars

I don't read a lot from this age range, so it was such a nice change of pace to get into the head of a younger protagonist. I am happy to say, I was pleasantly surprised by what I found there.

•Pro: Conor was so ernest. I just wanted to grab him and give him the biggest hug. He touched upon these feelings of abandonment and guilt that brought a tear or two to my eyes. I was happy he was able to see and appreciate those who didn't leave. His love for his father, aunt, and his best friend was so obvious. I just adored him and his big, beautiful heart.

•Pro: You would think a boy with a cop and ex-hockey player for father, who also played this manly-man sport himself would fall into that jock stereotype, but he didn't. Connor, his dad, his friends, and even the neighbor are all portrayed as human. They feel things, they cry, and they grieve. Kadohata showed it's ok for males to have a sensitive side, and I think that is something really great to show to the target age group.

•Con: I felt like the book may have been a little long, and there were parts that could have been trimmed without sacrificing the story.

•Pro: How could I not love a story that revolves around a boy and his dog. There was so much buried in that relationship alone. Being kind, adopting strays, believing that abused animals can heal, caring for the sick, unconditional love, and being responsible are all lessons I gleaned from Conor and Sinbad's relationship.

•Pro: Conor and his father had such an incredible bond. I loved that his father had real and honest talks with him. He shared things with his son, and didn't hide his struggles with loneliness, his job, and money. He didn't overwhelm the child with these issues, but he didn't deny there were problems when Conor asked.

•Pro: It was such an in-depth look at the sacrifices athletes at the elite level make. Connor's dedication was unreal for someone that young, but I know there are so many young people out there like him. I also liked that Kadohata explores the sacrifices the families of these elite athletes make, as well as the negative impact it can have on the family unit.

•Pro: Connor faced some tough choices in this book, and he handled them with a wisdom beyond his years. He struggled through some personal crises, which made him examine who he thought he was and what he wanted, and I felt Kadohata approached it in a thoughtful way.

Overall: An honest and heartwarming story of growing up. It was quite interesting being inside the mind of a 12 year old boy, as he grapples with some issues in a rather thoughtful and mature way.




ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 20 January, 2018: Finished reading
  • 20 January, 2018: Reviewed