Ked Eakins is known by most at his middle school as Freak. Although he has gotten used to it, it still hurts, and now that his best friends seem to have abandoned him for the more popular people, it's pretty hard to handle.
School isn't Ked's only challenge. Shortly after he was diagnosed with kyphosis, a condition that is deforming his spine, his mother left. Now Ked lives with his dad in a crappy second floor apartment. They are about to lose their crappy home because of Ked's dad's gambling habit. If his dad doesn't win the Thin Ice contest to guess when the river ice thaws and topples a wooden tower, they won't be able to pay the rent.
Inspired to help with their financial crisis, Ked "borrows" some of the partial rent money and buys a broken down Road Rokkit. If he can fix the mini-motorbike, he should be able to sell it for a big enough profit to save their apartment. Unfortunately, the odds are against Ked in many ways. Does he have the know-how to repair the bike? Can he get the needed parts? Can he find a place to work on it so his dad doesn't find out?
Despite hassles from the school bully and Ked's less than helpful friends, he discovers one teacher willing to provide a space for Ked to try to make his wish come true. ON THIN ICE by Michael Northrop focuses on a boy intent on saving what's left of his family and his home. Ked's determination will inspire readers and maybe even have them finding space to make things of their own.
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