Strikers

A Graphic Novel

  • Interest Level: Grade 4 - Grade 8
  • Reading Level: Grade 4

Evan just wants to win a game. Bobby would rather fight than win.

Hockey—and life—keep handing them both losses. Their team, the Strikers, has a roster of rejects in hand-me-down coats but lacks good equipment, a deep bench, and a coach who shows up on time. Their town of Flint, Michigan, has been down on its luck their whole lives.

The boys may not understand each other, but together, they’ll find their reasons to keep taking the ice.

Strikers is a hilarious, hard hitting, and moving story about how to stay on your skates when you only see L’s in your future.

Format Your Price Add
978-1-5415-8978-0
$23.99
979-8-7656-0746-6
$18.99
978-1-7284-9487-6
$25.99
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Interest Level Grade 4 - Grade 8
Reading Level Grade 4
Genre Graphic Novels
Category Diverse Books: Social Class, Diversity, SEL: A Self-Awareness, SEL: B Self-Management, SEL: D Relationship Skills, Social Emotional Learning, Sports
Copyright 2023
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Graphic Universe ™
Language English
Number of Pages 168
Publication Date 2023-10-03
Text Type Fiction
BISACS JUV008090, JUV032110, JUV039020
Dewey 741.5/973
Dimensions 6 x 9
Guided Reading Level Z
Features Author/Illustrator biography, Awards, Original artwork, Reviewed, Teaching Guides, and eSource

Awards

  • Great Lakes Great Books Award Nominee, Nominated, 2024
  • Michigan Notable Book, Winner, 2024

Reviews

Booklist

“While the story spends a lot of time on the ice with both games and practice, the interpersonal relationships, razzing, and camaraderie among the characters draw more attention. . . Readers who like their sports comics with both lots of action and vivid emotional dynamics are the best audience for this.” — Booklist

Publishers Weekly

“As the team bonds on and off the ice . . . they find support and stability in their relationships with one another while striving to get that elusive W.” —Publishers Weekly

Kirkus Reviews

“Persistence in the face of defeat and disappointment defines a season of sports and adolescent life.” —Kirkus Reviews

Dave Scheidt

“A love letter to the Midwest. A heartfelt tribute to all the benchwarmers out there just waiting for their shot.” —Dave Scheidt, author of Mayor Good Boy and Agents of SLAM

Mike Dawson

Strikers is the best kind of underdog tale. Funny, heartfelt, and action-packed, filled with scrappy kids figuring themselves out both on and off the ice.” —Mike Dawson, author of The Fifth Quarter

Brad Meltzer

“Fueled with hockey and humanity, Strikers delivers absolute proof of what it really means to be a champion. Kiel Phegley and Jacques Khouri shoot and score big.” —Brad Meltzer, bestselling author of the Ordinary People Change the World series

Gene Yang

“Fun and heartfelt with a touch of nostalgia.” —Gene Yang, bestselling author of American Born Chinese and Dragon Hoops