Easton is an 11-year-old hockey sensation, but he’s struggled with the sudden success of fellow winger and best friend Shawn. Now, it’s the last shift in triple-overtime at the state championship, and the team has one play to avoid a shootout. The coach’s play has Easton taking the shot, but sometimes you have to think on your skates after the puck hits the ice. Will Easton go for his own glory, or will he swallow his pride and do what’s best for his team, and his friend?

In the Clutch hooks readers with a do-or-die moment from youth sports, then rewinds to show how the books’ young athletes found themselves needing to perform under pressure.

About the Author

Todd Kortemeier is a sportswriter, editor, children's book author, and lifelong hockey fan from Minnesota. He now lives near Minneapolis with his wife, daughter, and their dachshund-beagle mix, Ski.