Book Review: ‘Big Air’ incorporates teachings for youth

Review by Christine Smith (McFarlane)

Jax is a talented young First Nations snowboarder who is attending the Podium Sports Academy. Destined to be successful and a star in the making, Jax has it made living in Calgary, and doing what he loves.

He loves his billeting family, the Marinos. They treat him well, encourage him and support him in every way they can, but even living with them doesn’t let him escape the problems he faced back home in Montreal with his older brother Mark.

Mark is an addict, and not thinking about anything other than making some cash from his brother, he steals money from their dad and sister and makes his way to Calgary. Mark also steals from Jax and tries to get away with it.

It isn’t until after a rather zealous and racist police officer talks to him and falsely accuses him of being a part of the robbery his brother pulled off that Jax learns that truth is important and so is letting his brother stand accountable for his actions.

First Nations youth would love this series of books because it teaches values based on the Seven Grandfather teachings- wisdom, love, respect, bravery, honesty, humility and truth.

The Podium Sports Academy series by Lorna Schultz Nicholson follows the lives of superjocks at an elite high school as they train for a future in pro sports. Visit www.lorimer.ca for details on the Podium Series.

Big Air is 142 pages long and is published by James Lorimer and Company Ltd. It sells for $9.95 and is perfect for young readers who are 13+. ISBN-10:1-4594-0531-5