On Thin Ice - by Jessica Kim (Paperback)

About the Book

Told in alternating voices, twelve-year-old fraternal twins Phoebe and Dexter reluctantly partner up for Phoebe's figure skating competition when Dexter is cut from the hockey team.

Book Synopsis

For fans of Disney's GO FIGURE, a laugh-out-loud, heartfelt dual POV sibling-rivalry story by acclaimed author Jessica Kim.

Twelve-year-old fraternal twins Phoebe and Dexter Bae are polar opposites in every way except for their love of the ice. Phoebe is hyperfocused on pairs figure skating, and Dex loves his hockey team. But when Phoebe's partner injures his knee just two months before competitions and Dex gets cut from his team in favor of a new hotshot goalie from Canada, they're both left spinning.

With their skating dreams dashed, their mother suggests that Dex fill in as Phoebe's doubles partner. It's a hard sell--the twins haven't been close since their father passed away two years ago. For Dex, working with a perfectionist like Phoebe would be a challenge, but if it means he'd improve his skating technique enough to get back on the hockey team--and he'd have something to keep his mind off his dad--it'd be worth it. Phoebe isn't thrilled either, but what choice does she have if she wants to bring home the gold, something that would've made her dad happy?

Can these siblings skate past their differences toward victory?

Review Quotes

Praise for Jessica Kim

On Thin Ice

A 2026-2027 Sunshine State Young Readers Award (SSYRA)
A 2025 MISelf in Books (Michigan)

"An entertaining and reassuring story of discovery, healing, and reconnection." --Kirkus Reviews

"Varying depictions of coping with grief add tender nuance to this absorbing sports-lite tale." --Publishers Weekly

"This novel will be a hit for fans of of E.L. Shen's The Comeback and Gail Nall's Breaking the Ice . . . Resonant." --School Library Journal

"Written with clarity and finesse, this middle-grade novel features well-developed characters, realistic dilemmas, and a satisfying conclusion." --Booklist

Make a Move, Sunny Park!

★ "Authentic." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Fantastic." --Amanda MacGregor, School Library Journal's Teen Librarian Toolbox

"Endearing." --Publishers Weekly

Stand Up, Yumi Chung!

★ "Entertaining." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ "A must-read." --School Library Connection, starred review

★ "Spot-on dialogue." --Booklist, starred review

About the Author

Jessica Kim writes about Asian American kids finding their way in the world. Before she was an author, Jessica studied education at UC Berkeley and spent ten years teaching third, fourth, and fifth grades in public schools. She now lives in Southern California with her family. Learn more about Jessica at JessKimWrites.com.