A gripping story set under the shadow of Communism, Eyes on the Ice by Anna Rosner asks how far one is willing to go for freedom.

Lukas and his brothers love hockey. Every chance they get they steal out of the house to head to the outdoor rink. It’s 1963 Czechoslovakia and living under the Communist regime means there is not a lot of money for things like hockey lessons. It also means there are spies everywhere. When forced to make a life changing decision, Lukas struggles with his feelings about hockey and how far he would go for his family.

Anna Rosner weaves a tale based on a variety of stories she found while researching the book. The climax of the story is inspired by a true event in 1951 grounding the story and amping up the suspence. Hockey is such an ingrained culture in many countries and especially those occupied by the Soviet Union as it is here in Canada. Canadian readers will relate to Lukas, Denys and Andrej and their love for the game.

I love historical fiction for young readers. There is so much rich history in the world. When learning about different people and places, the content can sometimes be dry and boring. With historical fiction, readers have an opportunity to learn about a place and a time within a fictional story. Lots of research goes into creating these tales to ensure they provide accurate historical context. Anna Rosner not only tells the story about love for family and hockey but creates a gripping narrative that keeps readers on the edge of the page from page one. Each time you turn the page, there is another mysterious person, questioning and prodding. Readers have a sense of unease and anxiety through to the end, experiencing all of the same feelings as the characters.

A gripping story from start to finish and one that will capture the attention of many hockey loving readers.