Saving Wolfgang

Gr 4-7–A story of grief, forgiveness, healing, and friendship, this book will skate into readers’ hearts. Wolfgang “Wolfie” Wagner, 11, has relocated to Calgary from Victoria with his mom after the sudden death of his dad. Reinventing himself using his middle name Winston, he finds that life is all the more difficult in a new place with his maternal grandfather who struggles with alcohol addiction that turns him into Angry Grandpa. Fifth grade starts off well when classmate and neighbor Jimmy invites Winston to play hockey, something he’s never done before. Since his overwhelmed mom has isolated herself, Winston quickly develops a relationship with his grandpa, though the two are still getting to know each other. Questions about his dad’s death crowd Winston’s mind, and as he grows more confident in hockey, his mom starts talking. Life is slowly going back to normal, until shocking news threatens to put all that progress in jeopardy. Can Winston’s newfound love of hockey help him heal through his grief? This is a raw, painfully honest exploration of life after a parent dies. The family’s grieving process reads realistic and is not depicted as an arc but as a journey. Winston’s supportive friends remind him and readers that there is still much to be happy about during painful times, which is both hopeful and accurate.