On Thin Ice

November 18, 2024
After their father’s death from cancer, 12-year-old Korean American twins Phoebe and Dex Bae notice their “twintuition” has begun to deteriorate. Their alternating first-person narration reveals how, following the tragedy, their individual methods of handling grief results in distance and friction, not only between the siblings but between them and their mother as well: Mom focuses on her acupuncture business, ice skater Phoebe throws her all into training with her partner Pete—who is Black—for an upcoming competition, and ice hockey goalie Dex finds solace in defending his post (and pulling pranks). When Pete sustains a season-ending injury and Dex is cut from his team, the twins’ mother contrives for them to stay on the ice by figure skating together. As Phoebe navigates friendship breakups and a first crush and Dex mentors budding young ice skaters, the twins learn how to move on after loss and find their way back to each other. Varying depictions of coping with grief add tender nuance to this absorbing sports-lite tale by Kim (Make a Move, Sunny Park), who complements the novel’s uplifting tone with a tidy resolution. Ages 9–12. Agent: Thao Le, Sandra Dijkstra Agency.