No Girls Allowed: Inspired by the True Story of a Girl Who Fought for her Right to Play

by Natalie Corbett Sampson

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.

Genres: Canada, Middle Grade

224 pages, Paperback

First published February 28, 2020

Reviews

[Natalie Sampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

YES, I did give my own book five stars because if I didn't love it, I couldn't have put it out there for everyone else to read.

This is an important story about gender rights and perseverance, and something taken for granted these days.

[Darlene MacNeill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book transported me back in time to my childhood growing up in Canada. It’s such an important story with a clear message that needs to be shared with kids. It wasn’t long ago when girls weren’t allowed to play hockey or mindsets on what was gender appropriate were hard to change. I think this is written in a way that kids/teenagers can relate to and I would highly recommend it as a read for both the parent and kid.

[Cristie Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an inspirational book for young girls, as it shows what hard work and determination can accomplish. Despite being told she couldn't play hockey because there isn't a girl's team, Tina didn't give up, she worked to play the sport that she loved. This book is one that I will be recommending to the students that I work with, as I feel that it is beneficial for them to read.

[Wunderdrugged · Rating 3 out of 5]

This title is nominated for the 2021 Hackmatack Award in the English fiction category. It is based on a true story. The story takes place in a small town in Nova Scotia in 1977, and the main character is a ten year old girl named Tina who really wants to play hockey. Unfortunately in her town at that time there was no girl's team, and girls were not allowed to play with the boys. Tina recognizes that this is not fair, but with the help & encouragement of her parents she pursues a case with the Human Rights Commission. She faces cruel taunts from her classmates and sometimes even discriminatory comments from adults, but she never gives up on her dream of being allowed to play hockey. This story would be a good starting point for discussions about discrimination and gender equality, and the idea of standing up for what's right even when a lot of people are against you. I would definitely recommend it to kids grade four and up, especially hockey fans.

[Niki · Rating 3 out of 5]

No Girls Allowed is a fictionalization of the true story of a young girl who fought for the right to play hockey, her passion. It would make a good springboard for discussions on discrimination and for standing up for what you what you are passionate about.

No Girls Allowed is nominated for the 2021 MYRCA Sundogs.

[Sue Slade · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son and I just finished reading the inspirational middle-grade novel 'No Girls Allowed' Inspired by the True Story of a girl who fought for her right to play by Natalie Corbett Sampson. The reason I chose this title is that in 1985 when she was 11, my sister and her friend played minor hockey, an hour and a 15-minute drive from Yarmouth, where this story takes place. Even though this is a work of fiction the premise made me want to read this book with my 12-year-old son.
We found the book to be a perfect parent-child read aloud with lots of discussion points that not only covered discrimination and gender rights, oaths and telling the truth, but generation contrasts such as honking the car horn when it was time to come home for supper and a fun discussion about the Sears Wish Book. Definitely, a recommended read for middle graders.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent middle grade historical fiction and I can’t wait to read it to my Grade 3/4 class. Based on a true story from Nova Scotia, Canada in the late 1970s, where a 10 year old girl named Tina (also spelt Tena) fought for her right to play hockey on a boys team when no girls team existed. Her case went to court as part of the human rights commission and new human rights act. The story ties in so much Canadian content, covers ideas related to human rights and government and explores gender norms and discrimination, all in a way that is compelling for young readers and places historical events in an accessible and relatable context! As a teacher looking to tie this in to curriculum I absolutely can while also reading my students a story that they will be excited about and will provoke some engaging dialogue.

[Carol Moreira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on the true story of 10-year-old Tena Forbes' legal battle to play hockey in Nova Scotia in the 1970s, this is an inspirational tale for youngsters, especially girls. It provides an entertaining look at the impacts of discrimination and shows readers how one girl's fight to play alongside the boys changed society and widened opportunities for other girls.
The characters are believable and relatable, especially the young hockey player who stays true to herself despite being puzzled and disappointed by a lot of adult behaviour. The author even manages to make the court case, as seen through the eyes of ten-year-old Tena, both amusing and informative. A lot of fun and a useful teaching aid.

[K is for Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked out his book because my 9 year old granddaughter took to the ice at 5 and fell in love with ice hockey. Being the a girl and the only child who even plays ice hockey in her class, I wanted her know more about another girl ice hockey player who struggles and overcomes. My poor son drives an hour each way 2-3 times a week so she can practice and play on a co-ed traveling tri-state team.(OH, WV, KY) Next year the team will go all boys and she will have issues.

The book was bit hard for her to read alone. Reading together we enjoyed.

Oh, this little girl is a Ohio State girls hockey fan. Plans on going to Ohio State. I hope she is part of the 2030 Olympics as the goalie

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I admit I initially read it because it’s a MYRCA Sun Dogs 2020 nominee and had not really expected to enjoy it so much. I think because I’m a child of the 70s myself, so much resonated with me. I can remember the normalization of being “just a girl” and things we were told we couldn’t do. Tina’s parents reminded me of my own - my mother never held me back from pursuing anything I wanted to do.

I’d like to use this as a read aloud to support taking about human rights in social studies.

[Dani(elle) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I liked best about this book was that it did not talk down to its young audience and that it illustrated different forms of discrimination. I like that once Tina realizes she is being discriminated against, she starts to notice more every day forms of discrimination. I also like that all the things she notices are realistic, stuff like gender expectations, accessibility, and general small mindedness. I also like that this a sports book for young girls. Not a whole lot of those out there.

[Jaclyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was an interesting read. It about a girl that she wants to do is play hockey but the town that she has moved to doesn't allow girls to play hockey with boys and there is no girl hockey teams in the area. So her dad who is a lawyer works on making a case so that his daughter can play hockey on a boys teams. I thought this would be a great book for our students in the library so I will be adding this book to our collection.

[Tristan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspirational story for people of all ages! I grew up attending hockey games with my dad, but never playing because "it was for boys." I love that Tina and her family fought her right to play. This is a book that I'd love to see turned into a movie!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our freedoms are not inevitable and exist because of actions taken in the past.
Tina lives in a small Canadian town in the 1970's and just wants to play hockey, yet she quickly learns that the choices she makes don't just affect her life, but those around her. Read this book for the 70's nostalgia, hockey play-by-plays, or for the exploration of a girl's inner world.

[Jorja Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great! I recently just started playing girls hockey for my high school and I am loving it! I liked how the author used actual court case notes for the trial scenes and I could feel Tina’s emotions throughout this book. I owe my ability to play hockey to Tina and 48 years later there are about 2000 females registered to play hockey in NS. I give this book a 5/5.

[Em (Makenna) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Earc from netgalley

This was pretty good, I enjoyed the unusual topic, so this would be a good pick for readers interested in this type of thing.

[Jenna O · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the PWHL and all the hype surrounding women’s hockey right now, reading this was very emotional and heartwarming.

[Chantal (atozbookaholic) de Rocquigny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a 2021 MYRCA's Honour book in the Sundogs category (grades 4-6).

I purchased this book for my daughter because she can relate to Tina. My daughter has been playing boys hockey since she was 7 years old. She's currently 14. Some years, she's accepted with open arms; other years, they aren't sure what to do with a girl on the team. I have made it very clear that she has every right to be on those teams. I have corrected parents when they cheer for "the boys"... "and girl!" I finished this book in a few hours. It's a great read for youngsters! This book is uplifting for our young females fighting to play hockey with their male peers.