Strikers: A Graphic Novel

by Kiel Phegley, Jacques Khouri (Illustrator)

Evan just wants to win a game. Bobby would rather fight than win. Hockey―and life―keep handing them both losses. Their team, the Strikers, has a roster of rejects in hand-me-down coats but lacks good equipment, a deep bench, and a coach who shows up on time. Their town of Flint, Michigan, has been down on its luck their whole lives. The boys may not understand each other, but together, they’ll find their reasons to keep taking the ice. Strikers is a hilarious, hard hitting, and moving story about how to stay on your skates when you only see L ’s in your future.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Sports, Comics, Hockey, Family, Young Adult

168 pages, Paperback

Published October 3, 2023

Reviews

[ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh I liked this so much! The art is lovely and the character design is really fun and very 1980s Saturday Morning Cartoons but rendered in, I don't actually know, but watercolor? Is my best guess? And it was a lovely story about perseverance and doing things because they're fun instead of because you're good at them in a way that didn't feel preachy or like a bible-ready parable. I loved the inclusion of the UAW and what it meant to kids growing up in Flint at the time and the common, complicated family situations surrounding all of them. Also the hockey was really fun! The rendering of action and the conceit of the neighborhood guy who'd sell you a VHS of your highlights was just SO of the time and so fun.

[claudesbookcase · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Yall this one is SO GOOD. I loved the low stakes of it being it being peewee/d league hockey, but against the serious backdrop of Flint, Michigan in the 1980s. I loved the "explicit hockey" (what it when there's on page hockey, as opposed to a romance book where the guy plays hockey as a reason for him being buff and a douchebag). I especially loved all the boys, my favorite was Paul. They were all super distinct with clear motivations, and I wanted to root for all of them. I wanted them to win more than they wanted to!
The illustrations were amazing, the artist is so talented and really conveyed the movement on ice, as well as expressions on the characters' faces.
Young or old, hockey/sports fan or not, I would recommend this story. It's a quick read and definitely worth checking out. 5 stars!

[Jesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun graphic novel about a fictional peewee hickey team in Flint, Michigan in the eighties. I didn’t connect with the characters as much as I’d hoped I would, but there’s a lot of great team building/friendship making moments throughout.

REREAD 4/2024: Read again for Great Lakes Great Books Club. Love the final two games so much! Really enjoying the Mighty Ducks vibes and focusing on your teammates over winning a game.

[Beauregard Francis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A charming story about an underdog middle school boy hockey team. I didn't really like the art style, but it did fit the vibes of the book!

[Matt Glaviano · Rating 2 out of 5]

I will read any hockey graphic novel I get my hands on. But I haven't found any great ones yet (Check Please maybe?).

Strikers tried my patience. The art style didn't do anything for me. There wasn't enough story telling - narrative - to the actual hockey sequences in the book to make them stand out from one another or feel more than static pictures on a page.

What I did like about Strikers was that it was a clearly personal work of art. Phegley had a story to tell and appears to know that story well. I really wish there was a forward or an afterward explaining the author's experience with Flint, and/or hockey in Flint, etc. This story felt lived in and real - if that was the case, a personal word about where the story came from could have helped framed the story itself.

Far from perfect, but I'm glad that this book exists.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Middle grade sports lovers are the target audience for this title and if hockey ranks up there on their list of favs, all the better. Evan just wants to win a few and be a part of that winning action on the ice but his team, the Strikers, just lost the only player with any real talent. Along with that disappointment, mom is working long hours and trying to finish her degree, divorce and job commitments are make time with his dad hard to find, and Victor may not be the man for his mom that he hoped for. The plot line is realistic and will connect with many of its readers. Hockey action is fast paced and even those unfamiliar with the game may develop an appreciation for the skills it takes to play. The Strikers’ roster is filled with varied skin tones, body shapes, family configurations, and personalities and the interactions between them may bring a few chuckles but I did not find anything to be “hilarious” as noted on the back cover teaser. There is one incidence of the word “hell,” an adult drinks too much at a semi-pro hockey game but does get someone else to drive, and in retaliation for a deliberate cold-cocking of one of their teammates, the Strikers clear the bench and cause a full on brawl on the ice. These factors may make this a graphic novel more for the junior high aged reader rather than the lower end of the middle grade range.

Thanks for providing me with a print arc, Graphic Universe/Lerner Publishing Group.

[Lee]

The Strikers are a young, ragtag hockey team. They’ve pulled together as many as they could to form a team and are continually asking their guardians to stand in as the coach so they can play. Evan has a goal - win a game. A small goal that seems increasing out of reach as the season goes on. Can the boys come together as a team to get a win in their season to have a bright spot when nothing else seems to be going well?

The art in this did catch me off guard at first. The colors are muted, so it doesn’t really feel like it pops. That took me a while to get used too as it’s not the norm for what I usually read. Now, beyond that, I do feel like the action sequences were well done.

The characters each have their own vibe which made this ragtag group fun. This is a great middle grade sports graphic novel. That story of working together, finding your best strength and keeping up hope even when it seems pointless.

I adored the ending. I thought that was such a fun, cute way for it to end and really solidify it as this sports graphic novel. The ending really shot my enjoyment up for this story. It was just so good.

For those who like sports, I recommend picking this one up and giving it a chance.

Thank you NetGalley and Lerner Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[sanju · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strikers was a fun graphic novel about a struggling D-league hockey team. Set in 1980s Flint, Michigan, Strikers followed a ragtag team of boys trying to keep their team afloat after their star player gets injured early in the season. Lacking a coach, the boys had to band together to find solutions to their scoring drought.

As an NHL hockey fan (go stars!!), I liked reading about the journey to the big leagues through the small-town struggle. It was easy to empathize with the boys because the author did a good job with portraying the frustrations and despair of losing (even in juniors). Another thing I loved was the player cards! They were really cute and a quick introduction to the player and their motivations for the following pages. I would’ve like the novel to be a little longer because some of the transitions from coach to coach and game to game were a bit rushed and unclear.

Definitely recommend this graphic novel to anyone looking for a believable representation of junior hockey with gameplay on the page.
Thank you to Netgalley, Lerner Publishing Group, and Graphic Universe for this ARC.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Public library copy

Evan lives in Flint, Michigan in 1987, and is very interested in hockey, but constantly conflicted about whether he is good enough, and whether he can get on a team that is good enough for him to get ahead in the sport. When his most successful teammate is injured, the boy's father stops coaching, and the Strikers have to figure out what to do. Evan's mother's boyfriend, Victor, who has been laid off from his job in the auto plant, agrees to help. There are a lot of boys on the team (who can be hard to tell apart when they are wearing helmets; it's a good thing that Evan is protrayed with spots on pink on his cheeks), and they don't all get along or play nicely together.

I don't know anything at all about hockey and struggled a bit with this one. I'm tempted to buy it for my school library just because there are so few hockey books in general, even though I have all of Sigmund Brouwer's Orca hockey titles, but it seemed a bit confusing to me. Again, that could be because of my general lack of hockey knowledge.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an enjoyable read, particularly for fans of hockey or anyone who grew up in the "Tri-City Area" of Flint-Saginaw-Bay City of the 1980s. The level of detail (IMA Sports Arena, Flint Spirits, Flint Generals, IHL) sold me right away. Though I myself did not play youth hockey, I knew a kid who did (back in mid the '80s, about the time this book takes place), and I went to a game or two at IMA. This book stirred up nostalgia for that era that I didn't know I had.

Though ostensibly for juvenile or teen readers, there is plenty of humor and historic detail that adults will find enjoyable. For kids, there are subtle lessons on the importance of camaraderie over wins and losses.

The artwork is fairly average, but this is a case of the story and thematic elements being the most important aspects of the book.

I highly recommend Strikers for anyone who already has an interest in any of the following: hockey, Flint, the state of Michigan, or the 1980s.

[Randi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have some super hockey fans in my middle school so I borrowed the book to see if I should purchase it. Hockey players will enjoy the play-by-play lingo during the games. Readers not familiar with the game might not appreciate the book. The story is set in Flint, MI during the 1980’s and details the season of a fictional hockey team of middle schoolers who just can’t seem to catch a break. The city is in upheaval due to massive layoffs at the automotive plant and the story tries to convey the emotional wellbeing of the area. This is a one and done book which is a let down because there is a lack of quality hockey books suitable for middle schoolers. There is an adult who drinks beer at a hockey game and mentions going to the bar instead of heading to job interviews but set in the historical context it is pretty tame. It is on my to-buy list.

[Jessica Schwartz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm struggling a bit with how I feel about this. Is it an amazing book? No. Will hockey fans and MG kids looking for a sports story enjoy it? Absolutely. I enjoyed the Mighty Ducks vibes--a group of rag tag kiddos with personal issues who get stuck on the worst hockey team in their league is classic for a reason, but I found the whole thing needed some fleshing out. Characters were all pretty one-note and could be hard to distinguish during the scenes when they're in uniform. It was a little heavy on sports-genre tropes, though I'm sure kids new to the genre wouldn't find them as tired as I did. The pacing felt a little clunky. Overall it's a fine middle-grade sports graphic novel that fills a gap in the literature.

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Strikers are a group of boys that aren't great at playing hockey, except for one kid, who immediately gets injured and is out of the season. And his dad is out as coach. The kids keep trying and eventually get a small flow going and really care about one another. Felt like a realistic depiction of a recreational sports team, where the interest and talent varies from kid to kid. Also, shows realistic personal, family, and general interpersonal conflicts. A lot of panels from games, for those wanting the focus on the action. Finally a sports graphic novel with boys as the main characters, but it didn't have (enough of) a compelling story. I also couldn't tell the characters apart visually, which made it very difficult to remember their different backstories.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Lerner Publishing Group for the opportunity to read and review this Graphic Novel. If you are looking for a historical middle school hockey story, this story is for you. The artstyle is unique although not one that I would immediately gravitate towards. The plot is interesting and simple but also surprising as well. It kept my attention, but it also lost me in points. Overall, though, I appreciate that this graphic novel exists, and I do recommend for boys who want to learn about hockey. 3.5 out of 5 stars

[Lost Lare · Rating 2 out of 5]

On one hand, I am not sure what I was hoping for as a non-sports person reading a sports graphic novel. I mean it really was not meant for me. On the other hand I have read some of sports graphic novels that I have enjoyed sooo...... I found this story somewhat flat and didn't connect with the characters. I do think the parallels between keeping with hockey even though you are failing and the bust that was Michigan in the 1980's was spot on. I did relate on some level to growing up in the lower middle class in the midwest. I think it was a worthwhile read it just really isn't for me.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and quick hockey graphic novel. Perfect for fans of the sport, including those on a winning streak or losing streak. The book teaches teamwork, determination, and trying to stay positive through hard times. The story has a Sandlot feel with some of the lines written/ spoken and the "where are they now" pages.

I wasn't a huge fan of the artwork, but it did a fine job at moving the plot along.

Thank you NetGalley and Lerner Publishing Group, Graphic Universe ™ for the eARC!

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me an ARC copy.

This short graphic novel about a youth hockey team leaves you with a message about never giving up. Some of the language may have me lean towards it being more upper middle age as opposed to the lower part.

I thought the artwork was just okay. It was hard to figure out who was who at times in the beginning of the story.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

|| STRIKERS ||
#gifted @fireflydistributedlines
✍🏻
Kid Approved! Reccomended for ages 9-14. Hockey season is just getting started here so this graphic novels release is timed perfectly. My son is a big fan of hockey and graphic novels so I knew this would be a hit but I didn't know that I would end up enjoying the story too. Its funny and and has great themes of positivity and resilience.

For more of my book content check out instagram.com/bookalong

[Dolores · Rating 4 out of 5]

A D-list hockey team gradually comes together over a magical season. The boys gradually find the positions that match their skills and gel as a team. In spite of humiliating losses and the seemingly impossible task of finding an adult to act consistently as their coach, they discover the joy of the game, the importance of teamwork, and that there are more important things than winning.

[Rebecca Morrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to preface this by saying that I am not a hockey fan. I read this book to test it out for my 5th graders who love graphic novels. Bad news bears meets slapshot. I thought it may show a team turnaround, and it did, just not what I was expecting. Be aware that it has some curse words and would be better for 8th grade students or young high school.

[Ashlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really rooting for this team from the get go. I liked that they were all a little different and that they didn’t win every single game. I just wish we got a little bit more. I wish there was more of a true ending, I guess. I’m glad I read it though and I would read more from this author in the future.

[Laura Prindable · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, Net Galley, and Lerner Publishing Group for a copy of Strikers, A Graphic Novel for an honest review.

This book was illustrated beautifully and packed with lessons to be learned. Great Graphic novel!

[Elizabeth Dickerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a non hockey player, I did have a hard time following some of the game parts but well written and relatable story. With several hockey lovers in my school, this book will likely be added to our shelf as soon as it comes out!

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic read about the best aspects of sports: how it builds friendships, makes memories, grows confidence, and teaches you about yourself. Full of heart and humor, Strikers is a sincere story for kids who love sports and old heads who still get wistful for the good old days.

[Sam Glansman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks Lerner for the advanced reader copy of Strikers! My middle school book club loved the book and we enjoyed learning about the history of Flint, MI and the determination/grit of the Strikers.

[Justin Aclin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly heartwarming book with a terrific message. Strikers isn't just for sports fans, it's for anyone who ever wanted a win and had to rethink what that meant to them.

[Marissa Mascaro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Genuinely cute book with really moments of funny and excellent dialogue. The relationship between characters was fun in the second half, but the first was kind of annoying and boring.

[Karrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yay, Michigan!

[Joshua Wentz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice graphic novel about peewee hockey in Flint, Michigan; even if the author managed to sneak in a few Jay and Silent Bob references.

[Melody · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hockey, friendship …