The Hockey Saint by Howard Shapiro ~ JeanBookNerd

Series: The Forever Friends Series (Book 2)
Paperback: 150 pages
Publisher: Animal Media Group LLC (October 14, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0991255011
ISBN-13: 978-0991255016

Praise for THE HOCKEY SAINT

A graphic novel slips home the fact that sports stars run the gamut of miseries we everyday Joes and Janes must confront. Jeremiah Jake Jacobson is the world s best hockey player, but he is a public relation man s nightmare: He won t do Q-and-As or sell products for the good of the marketing department. Indeed, though he may rack up points like a pinballer on a hot streak, he is practically a recluse. Tom Leonard, on the other hand, is a college sophomore in awe of Jacobson, and they become friends through a chance encounter. Tom soon learns that Jake gets some cool perks with the fame private dining rooms, private screenings of movies and he also learns that Jake does a lot of volunteer work on the down low. Jake also smokes like a chimney and drinks way too much booze. So starts the slow revelation of truths: Sports are only as good as your love of the game; secrecy and denial gradually core you like an apple; all of us must address painful issues. Shapiro does a good job of expressing how difficult and important it is to talk about our emotions and weaknesses and that good friendship runs deep with thoughtful honesty. Inoue s illustrations are clean-lined if sometimes difficult to read, while Mossa s coloring creates a moody atmosphere. There are no simple answers in this thoughtful outing. (Graphic fiction. 8-14) ―Kirkus Reviews

Taking place two years after The Stereotypical Freaks (Animal Media, 2012), this is a full-color realistic graphic novel about an unlikely friendship between a famous 21-year-old Canadian hockey player named Jeremiah Jacobson and an average guy named Tom Leonard. Tom is an orphan and a college sophomore who lives with his grandmother. He loves hockey, and his hockey skills result in a partial scholarship, which helps him afford college. One night he happens to meet the famous hockey player Jeremiah Jacobson. The pair soon form a friendship. The young man soon learns that Jeremiah, though genuine, harbors secrets. Tom wants to help him, but Jeremiah has a hard time accepting he has a substance abuse problem. Readers will delight in the lively dialogue, especially when Jeremiah says things like Don t worship athletes. There are men and women who deserve your admiration so much more.... Chapters are accompanied by recommended listening, and the artwork is vibrant, making this title highly recommended for hockey fans and those who enjoyed the previous volume. Lisa Gieskes, Richland County Public Library, Columbia, SC ―School Library Journal

The highly anticipated sequel to "The Stereoypical Freaks" and the 2nd book in the "Forever Friends" Trilogy, this is "The Hockey Saint"

Twenty-one year old Jeremiah Jacobson is the world's best hockey player, but he wasn't prepared for the frenzy and scrutiny that came with that title. Tom Leonard is an average college sophomore... just a guy trying to find his place in the world as he sorts through issues that are both very real and seemingly insurmountable.

Through a chance meeting, these two strike up an unlikely friendship. Their bond is tested when Tom discovers that his idol isn't as perfect up close as he seems from afar. With Jeremiah living a little too much in the moment and with his past catching up to him, will Tom be able to help him before it's too late?

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Photo Content from Howard Shapiro

HOWARD SHAPIRO lives in Pittsburgh, PA with his wife and two sons. The Controller for the Pittsburgh-based Visual Effects firm, Animal Inc., he has also written four children’s books and The Stereotypical Freaks will be his debut Graphic Novel. His 2008 book, Hockey Player for Life, has been the #1 downloaded children’s hockey e-book on Amazon’s Kindle chart since its arrival as an e-book in November of 2011.

His, Hockey Days book was the only book featured in the December 2007 Sporting News Annual Gift Guide as a Best Buy Gift for Children. Through a corporate sponsorship program he set up (and maintains), since the 2010-11 season, both of his children’s hockey books have been given to NHL teams (over 2,500 copies to date) for use in their community and educational initiatives. Since 2006 his annual charity raffle, which he matches dollar for dollar donated, has raised funds for several hockey-related charities including the Mario Lemieux Foundation, Hockey Fights Cancer and the Keith and Lisa Primeau Scholarship Fund.