Jessie has left the close friendships she's had since her childhood and isn't having an easy time fitting into her new Grade Nine class. An older girl, Kim, takes a disliking to her, pushing her around and setting her up to be attacked by a group of really rough kids who land her in jail. It looks like life is going to be downhill from now on.<p>Then, because she used to play ringette, Jessie is invited to try out for the girls hockey team. She doesn't expect to like it, but as her skills grow, she makes new friends—girls who respect each other and rely on each other's strength and hard work. Some even help her resist the bullies, until she can stand up for herself—stand up to Kim, who's a pretty good hockey player herself, although not as good as she thinks she is. A fast-paced story about hockey, peer pressure and finding yourself.</p><p>Although <em>Power Plays</em> is her first book publication, <strong>Maureen Ulrich</strong> is also an avid playwright, having written 26 plays for young people, and 4 for adults. </p>