Bobby Orr and the Hand-Me-Down Skates

KARA KOOTSTRA is a writer and classically trained singer and pianist. Her first book, The Boy in Number Four, was also about hockey legend Bobby Orr, and her second book, Jay Versus the Saxophone of Doom, is a middle grade reader also about hockey. Residing in her home town of Windsor, Ontario, Kara enjoys spending time with her husband Kyle and two children, Nate and Claire.

BOBBY ORR, born in Parry Sound, Ontario, in 1948, played for the Boston Bruins from 1966 through 1976, and helped lead the Bruins to the Stanley Cup championship in 1970 and 1972, and to the finals in 1974. He also played two years for the Chicago Blackhawks. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest hockey players--maybe the greatest hockey player--of all time. After his retirement in 1978, Orr was active with business and charitable works, and in 1996, Orr entered the player agent business, and today is president of the Orr Hockey Group agency. He has been awarded the Order of Canada and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. The Bobby Orr Hall of Fame is in Parry Sound, Ontario.

JENNIFER PHELAN is fulfilling her childhood dream of drawing pictures all day with the publication of her books, Hey, Boy and The Log Driver's Waltz. Other childhood dreams include becoming Leonardo da Vinci, an archaeologist, and a dancer. Jennifer lives in Toronto with her artist husband, Gleb.