Michigan vs. the Boys kept me hooked throughout, but there were many parts that I cringed at. This story deals with many heavy topics and it was addressed well.
Michigan is a very strong and relatable girl. She has very real emotions and interactions with her friends. She endured so much but still continued to be the best that she could be.
Michigan's coach perplexed me. He had a daughter that played on a boys team and he treated his daughter and Michigan very differently.
I feel the need to note that there many good guys in the story as well. Between Jack, and Michigans' brother and father, there were many good examples. Her father supported her in everything she did and did his best to be there for her. Jack encouraged her to reach for her dreams. Her brother had his own moments of support such as teaching her how to play like the guys.
The hockey terms were easily understandable and compelling. I have never played hockey or been on a swimming team but both sports were explained well.
I would not recommend this book to sensitive readers.

Rating: 3.5 Stars
Content: 1 Star; many trigger warnings

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. ( )

*3.5 ( )

Michigan is definitely a girl to root for but the book was just ok. Michigan was a likable main character but much of the book strained credulity and the characters were flat and cartoonish. For example, there was only one locker room in the rec center? When Michigan begins to kill it on the ice, none of the boys were pleased with the team's wins? There was a lot of hockey jargon that I guess shows the author's knowledge of hockey but was confusing. The setting was the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and there were a few yooper references that unless a reader knew this area seemed odd. ( )

Why are we not talking about this book? This infuriating, important, amazing book. Young Adult writers are out there doing the work and don't get enough credit. This one tackles gender discrimination, hazing, sexual assault/harassment in a high school hockey team.

Content warning: physical abuse, underage drinking, hazing, being drugged and sexual assault ( )

When Michigan's girls high school hockey team is eliminated, she decides to try out for the boys team. She proves herself to be an asset to the team, but some of the boys don't care about that. They want her off the team. At times when reading this book I just couldn't understand why Michigan didn't tell anyone what was happening to her. I reminded myself that this was a teenage girl and the fears she expressed were realistic and it very well could have played out that way in a non-fictional world.

This was a good book and I would recommend it to young people and adults alike. ( )