Introducing Charlie Joyce - the 14-year old star of David Skuy's new children's book series - the Charlie Joyce Sports Book Series. The first installment in the series is called Off The Crossbar - and things are not going well for Charlie. His father was killed in a tragic accident, and his mother decides to move the family to another town, Terrence Falls. So it's goodbye to all his friends, his school, and his hockey team, and hello to a new high school, where he doesn't know a single person.

The first day of school starts out okay - for about five minutes - when the three toughest kids in grade 9 begin to bully him. Things only go from bad to worse when the teacher announces tryouts for the school hockey team. Every year all the high schools in the area compete in a tournament, the Champions Cup. Charlie is a good player. He thinks this would be a great way to make some friends and get playing again. Unfortunately, his three new "friends" think otherwise. "The team's basically been picked, so why don't you try out for something else," he's told. "We need a towel boy," one kid taunts. "I could use a skate tightener," adds another.

Charlie knows he can't back down - not in front of the entire class. So he takes them on. "I usually let my game do the talking," he fires back. Now he's in for it. He has to try out - and he'd better make good or his classmates will never let him live it down.

Kids will love Off The Crossbar - the first book in the Charlie Joyce Sports Book series. This book is great reading material for young readers and their parents - anyone with a love of sports. Your can purchase Off the Crossbar online at Amazon, Chapters Indigo and Barnes and Noble or by simply clicking on one of the links found in the left navigation bar.