A fun and deeply satisfying read for teens.
A pie-baking hockey player from small-town Georgia begins college and settles into jock culture.
Eric “Bitty” Bittle’s dreams are coming true: He is starting college on the hockey team at Samwell University in Massachusetts. Bitty played hockey and figure skated competitively; unfortunately, the coed team back home did not allow “checking,” or physical contact, and Bitty’s fear of being hit becomes a real impediment in college hockey. Bitty’s team captain, Jack Zimmerman, “the hockey prince,” is determined to break Bitty of his fear of being checked. Despite Jack’s mercurial nature, Bitty develops a serious crush on the attractive athlete. As the practices and games develop, Bitty forms bonds with the other players and, after coming out, settles into college life. When sophomore year rolls around, Bitty has to face that two of his closest teammates are seniors and will be leaving soon. Based on a popular webcomic, this is a warm story with an irresistible protagonist, a clever supporting cast, and lively and plentiful game and practice scenes. There are many themes here: acceptance, standing up to fear, and finding your place, to name a few. Despite its episodic style, the humor and heart at the center of the story carry it through. The art relies on expressive facial shots to complement the snappy and sometimes-raunchy dialogue. Bitty is white, and there is some diversity in secondary characters.
A fun and deeply satisfying read for teens. (Graphic novel. 14-18)Pub Date: Sept. 18, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-250-17796-4
Page Count: 290
Publisher: First Second
Review Posted Online: July 29, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2018
PROFILES
A heartfelt romance with emotionally intelligent characters that focuses on the power of community and connection.
Two teenagers face challenges at the start of 12th grade.
Sabrina is focusing on what she can control, like making the seniors’ last year together at Hamilton Lakes High one to remember through her work on the Spirit Committee. Tyler, on the other hand, is grateful to have another opportunity to play football after transferring to Hamilton Lakes his senior year. Determined to fulfill her “Spirit Committee duty,” Sabrina reaches out to welcome Tyler to his new school, which leads to a mutually beneficial agreement to go to homecoming together “just as friends” (they’re both trying to evade unwanted romantic interests). Their friendship grows, and they support each other through Sabrina’s feelings about her parents’ recent divorce and Tyler’s fear that regrettable past behavior will negatively affect his future prospects. This heartwarming friends-to-lovers narrative has characters who will capture readers’ hearts and minds with their depth and intriguing backstories. The white-presenting leads’ alternating narration allows events to unfold through delightful banter and romantic tension that emphasizes the importance of strong communication. By leaning on each other and their teammates, Sabrina and Tyler show that you don’t have to do things on your own. This stand-alone companion to Heart Check (2025) maintains all the spirit and sincerity of the earlier entry without feeling formulaic or repetitive.
A heartfelt romance with emotionally intelligent characters that focuses on the power of community and connection. (Romance. 14-18)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2026
ISBN: 9781665985383
Page Count: 304
Publisher: McElderry
Review Posted Online: June 1, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2026
BOOK REVIEW
A winning game of feelingsball.
A former football star, who never thought she’d play again after she came out as transgender, steps back onto the field for one last season to help her team win state.
Grace Woodhouse used to know where she belonged. She had Division I schools lined up to recruit her, but that was before what happened during playoffs last year, before she came out as trans, and before she quit the team. Although her single father and new friend group support her, Grace feels lost as her senior year begins. When one of her old teammates asks her to help him with his technique, she quickly realizes that he and the other captains are hoping for more than her expertise from the sidelines—they want her to rejoin the team. Grace can’t resist the opportunity to play again, but her return draws unwanted national attention that makes her question her future and who she wants to be. Flashback chapters written in the second-person present tense bring Grace’s past to life, which helps maintain momentum and makes her emotional journey feel more immersive. A heartfelt, goofy, and diverse cast of secondary characters surround Grace, who’s white, as she navigates self-doubt, friendship, complicated feelings for her ex-girlfriend, and what she wants to do after graduation. Overall, this coming-of-age sports narrative is honest, gentle, and hopeful.
A winning game of feelingsball. (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: May 13, 2025
ISBN: 9781646145027
Page Count: 344
Publisher: Levine Querido
Review Posted Online: March 8, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2025
PERSPECTIVES
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