This just might be the first middle grade book to include a PWHL (Professional Women’s Hockey League) game, and is certainly the first queer-inclusive one. Author Emily Deibert says in an Author’s Note that she was actually writing that note as the first-ever PWHL game was taking place in January 2024.
Twelve-year-old Canadian Bea Mullins has had enough of sports after being teased about her poor play at a basketball camp. But when the school’s gym gets flooded and students are encouraged to try extracurricular sports, Bea’s friend Celia Chan convinces her to sign up for the fledgling girl’s hockey team, the Glenwood Geese, so that they have enough players.
Bea’s father and older brother, both hockey enthusiasts, are delighted. Bea is less so, even though several of the other players have little experience, either. Team co-founder Gabi, however, dreams of playing professionally someday, and offers Bea tips and encouragement.
Bea still doubts her skills, and her ongoing hesitancy on the ice begins to cause friction with teammates. As Bea spends more time with Gabi, though, Celia starts to wonder why Bea has no time for her, causing further strain on their friendship. Bea is beginning to realize, too, that she has a crush on Gabi, but even though she knows Celia (who has two moms) will be accepting, needs time to adjust to her new feelings before she’s ready to come out.
Amidst these personal challenges comes the news that the girls’ hockey team might not survive another year if they don’t attract more fans and raise more money. This gives author Emily Deibert a chance to weave in some thoughtful but non-pedantic messages about the inequities between men’s and women’s (and girls’ and boys’) sports, which feel needed and timely.
The core of this recommended story, though, is Bea’s personal growth as a player and a person. We see her gradually face her own self-doubt and responsibilities to teammates and friends. There’s lots of hockey action here, too (clearly explained for those less familiar with the game), plus more middle school social dynamics and the use (and misuse) of social media to promote the team. The deepening relationship between Bea and Gabi is sweet and lovely, and there’s happily no homophobia in the tale—just the common queer conundrum of “Is this a date?” (which this reviewer personally experienced with her now-spouse of 30+ years).
And yes, one scene takes place at a PWHL game. Real-life PWHL stars Sarah Nurse and Natalie Spooner of the Toronto Sceptres are name-checked, and a fictional PWHL player, who is also from Columbia like Gabi, plays a small but significant role as Gabi’s idol.
Might we be lucky enough to read more about the Glenwood Geese’s second season in a future volume? And might we see the book sold on PWHL merch tables at the real games?
Bea is White; Gabi is Latina, and Celia is Asian (Chinese American). There’s also a hint that Bea is bisexual, although she doesn’t use that term. One of Celia’s moms, however, is stated to be bisexual and the other is lesbian. A teacher who is mentioned a few times in passing is nonbinary and uses the title “Mx.”
