Face-Off
by Stacy Juba
Genre: Young Adult Sports Fiction
Word count: 28,000
What might have been a dream come true has turned into a nightmare. Brad’s twin brother T.J. has gotten himself out of the fancy prep school his father picked for him and into the public high school Brad attends. Now T.J., the bright light in his father’s eyes, is a shining new star on the hockey team where Brad once held the spotlight. And he’s testing his popularity with Brad’s friends, eyeing Brad’s girl and competing to be captain of the team. The whole school is rooting for a big double-strength win…not knowing that their twin hockey stars are heating up the ice for a winner takes all face-off. Re-issue of the hockey classic, originally written when Stacy was 16 and published when she was 18. The original edition of this book was recommended by The Hockey Hall of Fame’s Junior Education Program and included in Best Books for Young Teen Readers: Grades 7-10.
This book is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords.
Stacy, how did you come up with the title for your book? Does it have any special meaning?
The title Face-Off has a double meaning in the book. It refers to a method of starting play in hockey and it also hints at the conflict between twin brothers Brad and T.J. as they compete against each other on and off the ice.
Who was your favorite character and why?
Brad is my favorite as he reminds me of myself. He’s a jock and a lot more popular than I was in high school, but he’s a writer and he’s also hotheaded with a temper. I’d like to be more like the level-headed T.J., but unfortunately I’m emotional like Brad.
Does your book have any underlying theme, message, or moral?
It has a clear message about teamwork and sportsmanship and why it’s important to put aside your differences and work together. It also shows that a lack of understanding is sometimes at the heart of not getting along and that if you take the time to understand someone, it could help your relationship.
What would/could a reader or reviewer say about this book that shows they “get” you as an author?
I was 16 when I wrote the book. A reviewer would appreciate that this is a book written by a teen for teens. It probably isn’t as polished as the books I’m writing as an adult, but it has a lot of heart and passion for my subject matter, and I love it when reviewers say that the book rings true.
Give us an excerpted quote from your favorite review of this book:
“Readers middle school and up will relate to struggles with family, friends and school. An enjoyable story, and you could really see how both brothers were affected by the situation.”
Where can people learn more about your writing?
http://stacyjuba.com/blog/
