Colder Than Ice

October 1, 2003
Gr 4-6-Josh, an overweight sixth grader, isn't happy about starting a new school in northern Idaho three months into the school year, but he quickly makes friends with Mark and Skye. Much to Josh's delight, one of the cool kids, smooth-talking Corey, also seems interested in being his friend. Skye and Mark don't trust Corey and warn Josh that he is only being nice to him because his dad is the new high school coach. As the weather grows colder, the kids venture over to the pond despite their teacher's warning that the ice is not thick enough. Corey pressures Josh to be the first one out on it; when he refuses, the bully sends out one of his cronies, Alex, who also happens to be overweight, and Josh gets some quick lessons in friendship and courage. As expected, Alex plunges through the ice, but Josh, Mark, and Skye are able to rescue him before it's too late. This fast-moving story is simple, straightforward, and effective, and has characters who are true to life. Anyone who has ever been new to a school, dealt with bullies, or just not known whom to trust will relate to Josh and his dilemmas.-Karen T. Bilton, Somerset County Library, Bridgewater, NJ

Copyright 2003 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2003
Gr. 4-6. When Josh Showalter, a self-described "okay student, okay athlete, kind of overweight but okay looking" sixth-grader, starts at a new school, he is pleasantly surprised by flattery and friendly overtures from seventh-grade hotshot Corey Kitchens. Another new student, a girl named Skye, who is frequently bullied by Corey because of her great soccer skills, warns Josh that Corey must have an ulterior motive. She suspects that Corey, a star basketball player, has befriended Josh because Josh's dad is a coach at the high school. In fact, Corey's interest in Josh is much more sinister, as is revealed in a dramatic, heart-pounding scene that will stay with readers long after they put down the novel. A sensitively handled subplot about an autistic classmate gives more depth to this thought-provoking story.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2003, American Library Association.)