EYES ON THE ICE

A young boy living in Soviet-era Czechoslovakia finds his loyalty tested when he must choose between his father and the game he loves.

Set in 1963, the novel follows 10-year-old Lukas and his poor but happy and close-knit family. Lukas loves reading contraband hockey publications and dreaming of the NHL. When Lukas’ family gives him and his brothers ice skates and hockey sticks, the boys eagerly learn how to play hockey at the nearby outdoor rink. Lukas’ and older brother Denys’ skills on the ice are quickly noticed, and they’re recruited by a local youth league. Life under the watchful eye of the secret police is stressful, even more so when Lukas discovers that his father is hiding something. Then the worst happens—Lukas’ dad is arrested for crimes against the state. Under pressure by the secret police to throw a hockey game, Lukas and Denys make a difficult decision that affects everyone around them. Rosner strikes just the right balance, weaving in historical context in manageable tidbits that never feel dense or overwhelming. She maintains suspense through strategic pacing as Lukas encounters peril. Though this is a work of fiction, an author’s note reveals an interesting historical parallel.

An absorbing window into recent history.