Matt James

The beaver flood has finally frozen perfect ice, without a bump or a ripple. For the kids in town, it's Christmas in November. They wait, impatiently, for the right moment. Finally, it arrives: the full moon. They huff and puff through logging trails, farms, back roads and tamarack swamps, the powdery snow soaking pant legs and boots, till they see it--their perfect ice, waiting. And the game is on.

Separated from the smelly feet and scratchy wool of a pirate's ship by a great storm, a ship's bed floats in the water, making friends with gulls and dolphins and basking in the sun before realizing that something is missing.

Describes the childhood of Chuck Ealey, who dreamed of becoming a football quarterback despite the prejudices he faced as an African American.