Description
It's 1977, and 10-year-old Tina couldn't be happier about her life. Not because she just moved to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, but because she's finally old enough to make her dream come true: she can play on a real hockey team. But when she tries to join the league, she learns that girls aren't allowed to play on the boys' team—and there's no team for girls.
Despite jeers from classmates and cruelty from some of the town's adults, Tina is determined to play. She wants it more than anything. With the help of her family, Tina takes her fight to the Human Rights Commission. She's allowed to play on a team while her case goes through court, but though she's the best skater on the ice, even some of her teammates think she shouldn't be there. From facing down angry coaches to testifying on the stand, Tina does everything for one big goal: to play real hockey.
Based on an inspiring true story, No Girls Allowed is a journey of passion, determination, and sheer love of the game.
Contributor Notes
Natalie Sampson's Halifax home is like a reality show mashup, wherein she battles her four teenagers to cooperate on dish duty and to get up in the morning; drives to hockey, basketball, baseball, piano, riding, and social events (theirs); keeps the dog's diaper clean—he pees in the house; befriends the crows; draws and writes when it's quiet. And the true judges are the three cats, of course. She is the author of several books for young readers, including Game Plan, It Should Have Been a #GoodDay, and Take These Broken Wings.
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age:
- 8 to 12
- Grade:
- 3 to 7
Awards
- , Manitoba Young Readers' Choice Award (MYRCA) Sundogs List
- Short-listed, Hackmatack Children's Choice Book Awards (English Fiction)
Editorial Reviews
"Extremely readable prose makes this novel an interesting read for anyone with an interest in equality, social justice, or of course, hockey." —Resource Links (Pouch Cove, NF)
"A compelling novel based on the true story of 10-year-old Tina Forbes, who in 1977, fought for her right to play on an all-boys hockey team, taking her battle to the Human Rights Commission and winning." —Globe and Mail (Toronto, ON)
"Emotional and tense, this is a classic underdog story for any sports fan, but especially empowering to young women, whether they're aspiring athletes or not." —Our Children Magazine (Halifax, NS)
"This book tells an empowering story for young women, athletes or otherwise. It is a story about fighting for one's rights, a message of enduring importance as women continue to strive for equality." —Atlantic Books Today (Halifax, NS)
