Saving Wolfgang - by Gregor Craigie (Paperback)

About the Book

In this middle-grade novel, Wolfgang and his mother move in with his grandfather in the wake of his father's death, and Wolfie's new friend Jimmy helps him find solace through hockey. But Wolfgang can't stop wondering why his father's cause of death is such a secret.

Book Synopsis

★"A story of grief, forgiveness, healing, and friendship, this book will skate into readers' hearts. Would make a fantastic read-aloud for classrooms and a great pick for book club discussions." -- School Library Journal (SLJ), starred review

When Wolfgang's father dies, everything changes.

Wolfie and his mother move to Calgary to stay with his grandfather, and Wolfie starts at a new school. Consumed by sadness, his mother stops speaking and rarely comes out of her bedroom. While he tries to adjust to his new life, Wolfie gets to know his grandpa and makes a friend, Jimmy, who introduces him to hockey. Though he misses his father terribly, Wolfgang finds moments of happiness, like when his mom finally emerges from her grief to rejoin the world, and when his grandpa teaches him how to skate. He even gets good enough to join Jimmy's hockey team!

What haunts Wolfgang, though, is that no one will tell him how his father died...until one day he overhears his mom and grandpa say that his father took his own life. Now Wolfie has even more weight to bear--and so many questions. But even in the most difficult times, friendship, hope and hockey keep Wolfie going.

The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

From the Back Cover

For Wolfie, hockey isn't just a game. It's a lifeline.

When Wolfgang's father dies, everything changes. Wolfie has to move to a new city to stay with a grandfather he barely knows, and his mom rarely leaves her room. Still, there are questions Wolfie can't leave behind--like why will no one tell him how his father died?

As he tries to adjust to this new reality, Wolfie meets a friend, Jimmy, who introduces him to hockey. Hockey becomes a thrilling force in Wolfie's life and, just maybe, a way to find a new normal.

Review Quotes

★ "A story of grief, forgiveness, healing, and friendship, this book will skate into readers' hearts. This is a raw, painfully honest exploration of life after a parent dies. The family's grieving process reads realistic and is not depicted as an arc but as a journey. Supportive friends remind [Wolfgang] and readers that there is still much to be happy about during painful times, which is both hopeful and accurate. This would make a fantastic read-aloud for classrooms and a great pick for book club discussions. A necessary purchase for upper elementary and middle school collections."

-- "School Library Journal (SLJ), starred review"

About the Author

Gregor Craigie is a father, writer and journalist. He wakes up at three forty-five every weekday morning to talk on CBC Radio in Victoria, British Columbia. Despite the early hours, Gregor loves his job because he gets to ask questions and write for a living. Before his current job at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, he worked for the BBC World Service in London and traveled to several different countries, reporting on various issues. Gregor has written several fiction and nonfiction books for adults and children.