Snow Soccer

Trifunov, David. Snow Soccer. 2017. 125p. ISBN 978-1-45941224-8. Available at FIC TRI on the library shelves.

The civil war in Syria has upended many lives. Samirah and her parents lived in Aleppo before it became a battleground for the various factions. Fortunately, her father recognized the danger and they were one of the first families to flee to a refugee camp in Turkey. Passionate about soccer, Samirah plays as much as she can, and she’s very good. When she discovers that the family has been accepted as refugees by Canada, Samirah is anxious, but looks forward to a new life.

Arriving in Saskatchewan, Samirah quickly discovers the rude winters that blast Arctic-cold winds on the Canadian prairies. The locals are not all welcoming of the Syrian refugees, but Samirah still quickly integrates in her school and local community. The kids play soccer at recess all of the time, and her new best friend plays on an elite girls’ team as well. Samirah joins in, much to the dismay of Tamsen, another girl and the captain of the girls’ team. When snow finally arrives, Samirah is shocked to learn that the kids continue to play outside, in full snow gear. Wearing a thick winter coat and heavy boots is tough on her game, but she quickly realizes that it’s not much different than playing in the sands of Syria or Turkey.

Observed by the coach on the girls’ team, Samirah is given a position. Tamsen remains opposed to her presence, however. It will take more than skills for Samirah to win over Tamsen’s respect and to prove that her participation in the biggest city tournament of the year is not because of Canadian charity towards Syrian, but because her skills and talents for the game she loves are good enough to play at the elite level.

Yellow Dog

Korner, Miriam. Yellow Dog. 2017. 288p. ISBN 978-0-8899-5546-2. Available at FIC KOR on the library shelves.

Winters in Northern Saskatchewan are cold, and there isn’t much to do. Jeremy spends a lot of time with Justin, playing hockey and video games, but Justin’s home life has been sliding lately, and he’s more into hurting animals. When Justin dares Jeremy to pull the tail on a yellow dog who lives at the end of the road, he does so but instantly regrets it the moment he sees the dog’s hurt eyes and fear.

Returning to the site of his mean prank, Jeremy feeds the dog and slowly builds a rapport with him. The old man who lives in the shack notices Jeremy playing with his dog, but he doesn’t say anything. One day he invites Jeremy inside. The old man’s shack is a single room, with no bathroom, running water, or electricity, but it is full of memories. The old man was a musher, and ran his own teams of dogs. Now all that remains of this is the yellow dog in the yard and a few dog houses by his broken-down barn.

As Jeremy learns more about the old man and the way of life before the snowmobile, he realizes that he would like to run dogs too. His mother warns him not to, however, because his father died of an accident in the bush. Jeremy is convinced this is what he needs to do, so he finds other dogs, and begins to train them to pull a sled. With the old man’s help, Jeremy manages to get his team of four dogs and even takes them out on the lake.

His relationship with Justin has suffered, however, since all he wants to do is torture the dogs. When dog culling day comes and Jeremy hears gunshots, he’s sad but not worried about his dogs, which are tied in the old man’s yard. However Justin gives him a note that makes him reconsider his earlier assessment, and he rushes out to discover that his dogs were untied and let loose in the town. Jeremy manages to track all of his dogs, but Lightning was hurt during the hunt. To atone, Justin joins Jeremy to help him with the dogs, and the two develop a truce. The two of them head out on the lake with three dogs, but a snowstorm soon strikes and they become lost. Will the two of them survive the night out with their dogs?

Fans of animal stories will like how Jeremy gets to know his dogs and how he trains them. For another take on dog racing and survival, take a look at Ice Dogs.