David A. Robertson’s The Kodiaks: Home Ice Advantage, is the first book of the Breakout Chronicles novel series. It is a realistic and engaging story of a young boy from the Norway House Cree Nation who moves away from the reservation and becomes the only Indigenous hockey player on his team. Through his experiences, the book explores racism towards Indigenous people, its traumatic impacts, and how to deal with these types of situations.

It also examines the concepts of identity and belonging and provides an opportunity to delve deeper into the concept of reconciliation and how to correct racist behaviour. David A. Robertson is an award-winning author from Norway House First Nation and has written many award-winning books, including children’s and young adult books as well as many graphic novels.

Cautions / Content Warnings: Racist behaviour, stereotypes, culturally offensive language, bullying, and violence
Other End Matter: Teacher’s guide
Images: None
Contributor Affiliation: David A. Robertson (Norway House Cree Nation)
Bibliography: No
Index: No

Evaluator: Anna A., High School Teacher & Indigenous Education Teacher Mentor, Indigenous Books for Schools

DAVID A. ROBERTSON is the winner of the Beatrice Mosionier Aboriginal Writer of the Year Award, the John Hirsch Award for Most Promising Manitoba Writer and the TWUC Freedom to Read Award. His books include The Barren Grounds: The Misewa Saga; When We Were Alone (winner of the Governor General’s Award, a finalist for the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award and a McNally Robinson Best Book for Young People); Will I See? (winner of the Manuela Dias Book Design and Illustration Award, graphic novel category); and the YA novel Strangers (recipient of the Michael Van Rooy Award for Genre Fiction). He is the creator and host of the podcast Kiwew. Through his writings about Canada’s Indigenous peoples, Robertson educates as well as entertains, reflecting Indigenous cultures, histories and communities while illuminating many contemporary issues. David A. Robertson is a member of Norway House Cree Nation. He lives in Winnipeg.

David A. Robertson's profile page

Among CBC Books's 32 Canadian Books for Children to Check Out in Spring 2024

CBC Books

Timely and important, The Kodiaks: Home Ice Advantage is a must-read. Highly Recommended

CM Association

I liked the fast pace of the novel and the messages about teamwork, bullying, prejudice, racism, and overcoming challenges and adversity. I think many young and teenage readers would enjoy this book, the messages, and the subject matter of hockey!

Anishinabek News

David A. Robertson's latest novel, The Kodiaks: Home Ice Advantage, addresses racism in minor hockey through the story of an indigenous hockey player named Alex. The book emphasizes education, community support, and redefining masculinity to combat discrimination and promote inclusivity in sports. Through Alex's journey, readers see the value of empathy, kindness, and understanding as essential qualities for athletes.

BNN Breaking

Lots of depth here as Alex navigates a new town/school, a new hockey team, and prejudice, racism, and microaggressions on and off the ice. Sports books always fly off the shelves, so this is a really nice addition to the field.

School Library Journal's Teen Librarian Toolbox

If you are reading the just-released middle grade novel The Kodiaks: Home Ice Advantage and are impressed by how real it all feels, there’s a reason for that—a lot of it is.

Society for International Hockey Research