What do you think?
Rate this book
Skating Over Thin Ice
Imogen St Pierre is a musical prodigy, a classical pianist touring the international concert halls in a trio with her father and grandfather. Though clearly accomplished, she is also painfully awkward socially, getting lost in the music even after it's over. Imogen's in the final year in a private boarding school where she meets a boy of the same age, Nathan McCormick, who turns out to be the "Next Great Hockey Player." Nathan, however, has recently been penalized for a vicious fight in an international tournament. Imogen and Nathan don't exactly become an item, but there's an elusive special quality to their connection. Jean Mills has given us a thoughtful, moving, powerful story about what it's like to be gifted and exceptional -- and still young.
432 pages, Paperback
Published May 15, 2018
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
January 1, 2024
An elite boarding school outside Ottawa is the setting for this quiet story about Imogen, a shy prodigy pianist, and Nathan, touted as the nation's Next Great Hockey Player. These two have seemingly nothing in common, but when Nathan is put on probation from the Ontario Hockey League following a vicious fight in an international tournament, he's sent to Imogen's school, where they bond over their shared disdain of the spotlight and trepidation for the future.
When I was telling a good friend about this book, she said it sounded a bit "contrived." And when you lay out the plot, it does seem like it would be, but there's something about this quiet book that pushes it past that trap. It might be the lyrical imagery, the way Imogen hears and thinks about the world as though it is a concert hall around her, alive with sound. Realizing that I am 1000% the audience for this book (Montreal/Ottawa, classical music, and hockey are three of my very favorite things), I'm not sure I can review this objectively, but I will just say that this touched me more deeply than I would've guessed it could. Beautiful relationships (Imogen + Papa + Père!!), sublime style, and a look into a unique character's thoughts set this above many of the books I've read this year.
11.12.2019 - I think I might make reading this an annual tradition.
12.29.2020 - Still just as lovely as the first time I read it!
12.30.2021 - Hmm, nothing new to say, I suppose.
12.30.2022 - I just love this book so much!
12.31.2023 - Upped my review to 5 stars. Honestly not sure why it took me this long to do so.
When I was telling a good friend about this book, she said it sounded a bit "contrived." And when you lay out the plot, it does seem like it would be, but there's something about this quiet book that pushes it past that trap. It might be the lyrical imagery, the way Imogen hears and thinks about the world as though it is a concert hall around her, alive with sound. Realizing that I am 1000% the audience for this book (Montreal/Ottawa, classical music, and hockey are three of my very favorite things), I'm not sure I can review this objectively, but I will just say that this touched me more deeply than I would've guessed it could. Beautiful relationships (Imogen + Papa + Père!!), sublime style, and a look into a unique character's thoughts set this above many of the books I've read this year.
11.12.2019 - I think I might make reading this an annual tradition.
12.29.2020 - Still just as lovely as the first time I read it!
12.30.2021 - Hmm, nothing new to say, I suppose.
12.30.2022 - I just love this book so much!
12.31.2023 - Upped my review to 5 stars. Honestly not sure why it took me this long to do so.
December 25, 2018
rounded up the stars to a five...really 4.5.
If you like stories of girls playing classical music, and/or introverted girls figuring out what makes them happy and doing it, and/or more generally stories of talented teens at boarding school, you will love this book. The main characters are all nice people who care about each other, something that I find always makes a book more pleasant.
If you like stories of girls playing classical music, and/or introverted girls figuring out what makes them happy and doing it, and/or more generally stories of talented teens at boarding school, you will love this book. The main characters are all nice people who care about each other, something that I find always makes a book more pleasant.
December 29, 2019
Skating Over Thin Ice by Jean Mills, 421 pages. Red Deer Press, 2018. $15.
Content: Language: R (21 swears; 2 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG.
BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
At seventeen, Genny is a piano phenom and is part of a trio with her grandfather and father. Genny goes to a boarding school with kids whose parents are diplomats or celebrities and although she has a few friends, she feels her first real connection with an up-and-coming hockey star named Nathan. Nathan has his own problems, including the fact that he got in a brutal fight on the ice and is currently suspended without knowing if he will be allowed to continue to play hockey. Genny and Nathan are put on a project together with Genny’s best friend and they display their love of their instrument and sport while growing closer together.
I enjoyed the character development of Genny. Although she has a lot of insecurities and anxieties, it was fun to watch her grow and become more comfortable in her own skin. This isn’t a fast-paced novel, and it also isn’t just about the chemistry between the two characters. It’s more of a look into the life of someone who specializes early and what that might feel like. I enjoyed it and would put it at advisable if not for the two “f” words.
Reviewer, C. Peterson.
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2019...
Content: Language: R (21 swears; 2 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG.
BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
At seventeen, Genny is a piano phenom and is part of a trio with her grandfather and father. Genny goes to a boarding school with kids whose parents are diplomats or celebrities and although she has a few friends, she feels her first real connection with an up-and-coming hockey star named Nathan. Nathan has his own problems, including the fact that he got in a brutal fight on the ice and is currently suspended without knowing if he will be allowed to continue to play hockey. Genny and Nathan are put on a project together with Genny’s best friend and they display their love of their instrument and sport while growing closer together.
I enjoyed the character development of Genny. Although she has a lot of insecurities and anxieties, it was fun to watch her grow and become more comfortable in her own skin. This isn’t a fast-paced novel, and it also isn’t just about the chemistry between the two characters. It’s more of a look into the life of someone who specializes early and what that might feel like. I enjoyed it and would put it at advisable if not for the two “f” words.
Reviewer, C. Peterson.
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2019...
January 27, 2019
This is an excellent YA story of two teen prodigies trying to find their feet in a complicated world. Mills tells the story with care, taking time to let the characters be themselves. I love that she doesn’t let this slide into the genre fiction traps of romance or coming of age, letting the story unfold as it will. An excellent Forest of Reading choice though I am curious as to how a grade 7&8 audience will respond to the more leisurely style.
November 19, 2018
It's been a long time since I read a YA book to which I feel so attached. Imogene is a fantastic character. I felt her pain and struggles, and I like that at the end she chose happiness. I may be done reading this book, but I am not, by a long shot, finished, with thinking and wondering about the ideas this book has raised.
January 11, 2019
When I first began reading 'Skating Over Thin Ice' I found it not the most interesting book I had ever read but as I dwelled more and more into the book the more intrigued I became. I will admit the ending disappointed me just a little but it was still such a great book. My most favorite part of the book probably had to be when Imogen, Nathan, and Fredrick were recording their short film for Mr. Norton's class and just h0w the author described the way Imogen and Nathan skated, it was just so beautiful.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2018
This novel tell the story of two 18 year olds who are somewhat famous. Imogene is part of a classical music trio and is a child prodigy on the piano. Nathan is a gifted hockey player in the OHL and is about to be drafted into the NHL. Both attend an exclusive boarding school in Ottawa.
Imogene is a very sensitive soul and spends most of her time practicing piano in the chapel whereas Nathan has been suspended from his hockey career for violently assaulting another player on the ice. Both are not interested in sharing their stories with their classmates as both are focused on their careers. The characters are quirky and are constantly trying to better themselves. A refreshing take on a "romance" done in a very original way.
Imogene is a very sensitive soul and spends most of her time practicing piano in the chapel whereas Nathan has been suspended from his hockey career for violently assaulting another player on the ice. Both are not interested in sharing their stories with their classmates as both are focused on their careers. The characters are quirky and are constantly trying to better themselves. A refreshing take on a "romance" done in a very original way.
August 5, 2018
I started reading and couldn't put it down. It was such a pleasure to read such wonderful writing--and I loved the characters so much. There were moments when I could really identify. There will be many scenes that will stay with me for a long time--but I won't reveal spoilers here. The resolutions to the characters' various challenges were credible and very satisfying. I'd love to know more about these characters' lives after this story. A sequel?
January 4, 2024
[very sorry if some of the stuff ive written down doesnt make sense :D]
Im a kid who recently just got into reading as a hobby, I was able to read the advanced version
of this book from my school library and I absolutely loved it! I absolutely loved the characters written in the book and the scenes that unfolds every conversation they have. I found a lot of the scenes to be entertaining, like Nathan attempting to play the piano and the girls doing a mean girls inspired dance, yet also reading I felt saddened when I read what happened to her grandfather and the trio disbanding. But overall I loved the book in general, once I find it in my schools library again ill have a reread of it.
Thank you Jean Mills for creating this great book and going out of your way making a advanced version of it. :D
Im a kid who recently just got into reading as a hobby, I was able to read the advanced version
of this book from my school library and I absolutely loved it! I absolutely loved the characters written in the book and the scenes that unfolds every conversation they have. I found a lot of the scenes to be entertaining, like Nathan attempting to play the piano and the girls doing a mean girls inspired dance, yet also reading I felt saddened when I read what happened to her grandfather and the trio disbanding. But overall I loved the book in general, once I find it in my schools library again ill have a reread of it.
Thank you Jean Mills for creating this great book and going out of your way making a advanced version of it. :D
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2019
It's pretty good, and I do understand how many people could be very attached to this book, but it's not really my thing. Part of the reason why might be because here we have this genius and I can't really relate. Also, IT REALLY SHOULD HAVE INCLUDED THE POV OF NATHAN AND MAYBE FREDRICK... I'm kinda left stumped, what were Nathan and Fredrick thinking the whole time? I NEED ANSWERS... ಠ╭╮ಠ
Also, is it weird I understand Nathan more than Imogen cause I can relate more? I'm not exactly the biggest music fan here... more of a sports bunny... or bear (¬‿¬) ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ
Also, is it weird I understand Nathan more than Imogen cause I can relate more? I'm not exactly the biggest music fan here... more of a sports bunny... or bear (¬‿¬) ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ
February 21, 2019
I didn't really enjoy this book, honestly. It was a good book with good characters, but it was boring and seemed to be going nowhere. There was great detail to how Imogen saw and heard everything, that was rich content, but the storyline didn't seem like something I wanted to get to the end of. Not only was the story in general kinda lame in my opinion, the end was too, yes- it was a happy ending, but it was sort of anticlimactic.
January 20, 2019
At first, I wasn't too drawn into the book but as I kept on reading, I found it to be much more interesting. I was able to relate to Imogen in a way where I could understand and feel the awkward social tension that seemed to occur naturally and almost all the time. I loved how she chose to be happy after everything that's happened to her and how she changed throughout the book.
September 4, 2023
At first, I wasn't too drawn into the book but as I kept on reading, I found it to be much more interesting. I was able to relate to Imogen in a way where I could understand and feel the awkward social tension that seemed to occur naturally and almost all the time. I loved how she chose to be happy after everything that's happened to her and how she changed throughout the book.
April 29, 2018
A refreshing take on the coming of age story and what it means to be special. No YA insta-love here, just a nuanced portrayal of relationships -- friendships, rivalries, professional conflicts, familial bonds, and maybe just a hint of romance.
July 12, 2018
I enjoyed the parallels between music and sport in this story and the meeting of the two, through Imogen, the musical prodigy, and Nathan, the hockey player good enough to make the NHL. Theirs might seem to some an improbable relationship but Jean Mills makes it totally believable.
March 13, 2019
This novel is a bit slow, but it is thoroughly believable. The story of a musical prodigy who meets an up-and-coming hockey player at private school. One feels what the narrator feels and the ending leaves one hopeful and satisfied.
July 2, 2019
A piano prodigy and a rising ice hockey star cross paths at their boarding school. I liked the characters and enjoyed the story. I did feel like there could have been a bit more editing as somethings were repetitive, but overall it was an enjoyable read.
September 17, 2018
Beautiful lyrical language that brings Imogen's character to life through music. A well-crafted story that I know I'll continue to inhabit for a long while even though I've already finished the book.
January 7, 2019
A great story, that truly inspires people to be happy in what they do (from Pere St. Pierre)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2019
I really liked this book because Imogene( Genny ) was a very great character. This book was very interesting. I would recommend it to others because the story was very interesting.
April 14, 2019
Beautiful writing and story. I was totally immersed in Imogen and wanted to hear her play piano.
May 4, 2019
So I really wanted to like this one. I did, in fact, like it at first. But.... it could have been 100 fewer pages. Way, way too long for what it was .
June 4, 2020
2.5 - This is a good story with solid characters, yet the language is pretty stilted (and not just where intended) and there's no real flow to it.
October 20, 2021
I remember this being okay actually but nothing compared to the books I read now.
May 30, 2022
proud of u Imogen ma gurl
April 11, 2023
rating﹕★☆☆☆☆
｡ﾟ•┈୨♡୧┈• ｡ﾟ
I don't remember what happened in this book, like at all 😃
I was just getting out of a long reading slump and I wasn't on booktok yet at the time so I didn't what I should read- but then I remembered seeing a classmate of mine from middle school reading this and thought I should give this a try. Unfortunately that didn't go well. I didn't enjoy this book at all... it was just boring and I couldn't get into it.
｡ﾟ•┈୨♡୧┈• ｡ﾟ
I don't remember what happened in this book, like at all 😃
I was just getting out of a long reading slump and I wasn't on booktok yet at the time so I didn't what I should read- but then I remembered seeing a classmate of mine from middle school reading this and thought I should give this a try. Unfortunately that didn't go well. I didn't enjoy this book at all... it was just boring and I couldn't get into it.
July 7, 2020
I found this book exciting, but I am very disappointed with the ending.
June 23, 2021
I like how this book wasn’t centred around romance. Most books these days have some elements of romance but this one was more about friendship which I really appreciated
February 21, 2022
red maple book
Was pre good only remember that they skated on a school rink at night and they went on some like film trip (?) and also played piano at someone's house.
Was pre good only remember that they skated on a school rink at night and they went on some like film trip (?) and also played piano at someone's house.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews