Undergrounders

Jonathan, a 12-year-old boy who lost his mother to cancer, finds himself homeless and struggling to survive on the streets. He discovers shelter in the "Underground," the unfinished basement of an abandoned mall where other homeless youth have created a makeshift community. Despite his circumstances, Jonathan maintains his passion for hockey and acquires equipment through desperate means. He practices at a local rink and catches the attention of other young players, leading to an opportunity to join their team. As Jonathan navigates between his life in the Underground and his involvement with the hockey team, he faces mounting pressures from both worlds. His choices become increasingly complex as he tries to balance survival, friendship, and his love of the game. The novel explores themes of resilience, belonging, and the moral challenges faced by young people in desperate situations. Through Jonathan's story, the impact of youth homelessness and the importance of community are brought into focus.

Book review data is limited, with only a small number of public ratings available online. Readers appreciated: - The baseball action scenes and game details - Treatment of bullying themes - Fast-paced storyline for middle-grade readers - Character development of the protagonist Jonathan Common criticisms: - Some found the resolution predictable - Supporting characters could have been more developed - A few noted the writing style was basic Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (15 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (6 ratings) One reader review states: "The baseball scenes were realistic and kept me turning pages. My 11-year old son finished it in two days." Another notes: "Deals with serious topics like homelessness but remains appropriate for the age group." Most feedback comes from students, teachers and librarians who read it as part of school programs or book clubs.

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🏒 There are over 35,000 homeless youth in Canada each year, reflecting the real-world issues explored in the novel's Toronto setting. ⛸️ Ice hockey plays a central role in Canadian culture, with over 600,000 registered players nationwide and thousands of indoor and outdoor rinks. 🏪 Abandoned shopping malls, like the one featured in the book, have become increasingly common in North America, with over 1/4 of malls predicted to close by 2025. 📚 David Skuy is also known for his popular "Game Time" series of sports novels, which have earned multiple awards and nominations in children's literature. 🎯 The book was nominated for the 2024 Red Maple Award, part of the Ontario Library Association's Forest of Reading program that reaches over 270,000 readers annually.