Number Four, Bobby Orr FROM THE PUBLISHER
Joey loves walking to his hockey games with his dad. Often they talk about their favorite player, Boston Bruins defenseman Bobby Orr. One day, Joey has an accident on the ice and ends up in the hospital with a broken leg. During his stay, Joey thrills to the Bruinsﾽ run for the playoffs andﾽﾽmiraculouslyﾽﾽgets a visit from none other than Bobby Orr himself! Orr tells him about all the injuries heﾽs had, shares advice on the game of hockey, and even gives Joey one of his sticks. When Joey leaves the hospital he gets to watch his hero win the 1972 Stanley Cup at Boston Garden. Based on a true story from the life of hockey legend Bobby Orr, this book relays an important message about getting over hurdles and setbacks.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
Hero worship is the order of the day in Leonetti's (My Leafs Sweater) sluggish story about Boston Bruins defenseman Bobby Orr, set during the 1969-70 season. Hospitalized after breaking his leg during a hockey game, the young narrator writes a fan letter to Orr, also asking for tips on playing defense. Orr sends a generic reply offering no advice, but Joey's father brings him great news. He had had a flat tire leaving a Bruins game, and-improbably-Orr came along, helped him replace the flat and promised to visit Joey in the hospital. Later the boy watches Orr make the goal that clinches the Stanley Cup for the Bruins; exemplifying the narrative's frequently stilted style, he says: "It was such a happy time for Bruins fans. My Dad and I enjoyed the celebration so much we decided to walk home. We smiled all the way!" A curious balance of animated and wooden images marks newcomer Letain's quirkily proportioned, brassily colored art. There's little here to bring the sport, the athlete or the fan to life; young readers unfamiliar with Orr are unlikely to share the character's emotional connection to him, and his fans are not likely to learn anything new here. Ages 6-up. (Nov.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
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