Eric Bittle, aka Bitty, is a former figure skating champ turned hockey player. Bitty is from Georgia, loves baking pies, constantly vlogs about his life, and likes boys. Luckily for him, his college teammates like him as he is, especially when his skating skills help the team win games. Check Please! follows Bitty's experiences in college and his role on his hockey team, the Samwell Wellies. This graphic novel is a "Bitty" masterpiece. Scenes depicting crazy college/hockey hijinks are honestly portrayed with very colorful (and honest) language and are hilarious. However, Bitty's journey as he becomes the heart of his team and falls in love will is so endearing and sweet. I think I reread the ending five times because Ukazu's text and images were so romantic and heartfelt. You won't be able to stop yourself from cheering for Bitty's success. My students who have read this have now headed to the webcomic to read the rest of the story. I can't wait for the second part. This graphic novel is better than one of Bitty's pies. Highly, highly recommended!
Check, Please! by Ngozi Ukazu
Eric Bittle, aka Bitty, is a former figure skating champ turned hockey player. Bitty is from Georgia, loves baking pies, constantly vlogs about his life, and likes boys. Luckily for him, his college teammates like him as he is, especially when his skating skills help the team win games. Check Please! follows Bitty's experiences in college and his role on his hockey team, the Samwell Wellies. This graphic novel is a "Bitty" masterpiece. Scenes depicting crazy college/hockey hijinks are honestly portrayed with very colorful (and honest) language and are hilarious. However, Bitty's journey as he becomes the heart of his team and falls in love will is so endearing and sweet. I think I reread the ending five times because Ukazu's text and images were so romantic and heartfelt. You won't be able to stop yourself from cheering for Bitty's success. My students who have read this have now headed to the webcomic to read the rest of the story. I can't wait for the second part. This graphic novel is better than one of Bitty's pies. Highly, highly recommended!
0 Comments
When My Heart Joins the Thousand by A.J. Steiger If you loved Eleanor and Park, then this story of two misfits falling in love is perfect for you. Alvie will never be "normal." Her mom didn't know what to do with her, and schools and group homes were a disaster. Alvie just wants to be left alone to be herself. Her dream is to be emancipated and continue working with animals that she understands and loves. Then one day, she meets a boy who may be even stranger than her. Stanley uses a cane and is constantly getting hurt, but he seems to genuinely like spending time with her. No one has ever wanted to be Alvie's friend, and Alvie is terrified she will hurt him just like she hurt the last person who loved her, her mother. As her tenuous existence falls apart, Alvie will have to face her fears or find herself truly alone. You won't be able to stop yourself loving the fierce and haunted Alvie and beautiful and broken Stanley. Their fight to find love and caring in an often unfeeling world will leave you transformed. Alvie would hate being touches, but you will want to hold her hand as she faces the demons of her past and fights for a future of hope. This book is a gem. Highly recommended! Pride by Ibi Zoboi Zuri Benitez has pride in herself, her family, and her neighborhood. Although her sisters are delighted that the family that renovated the abandoned building next door has two fine, rich, African American sons, Zuri is not impressed. Their presence is a sign that her neighborhood is gentrifying. Although the older brother, Ainsley is charming, Darius, the younger brother, is judgmental and arrogant. At first, Zuri and Darius can't stand each other, but as they get to know each other better, they discover their first impressions may have been mistaken. With Zuri's neighborhood, family, love interest and future in flux, she must fight hard for her dreams. Ibi Zoboi's fresh adaption of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice will bring a new group of readers to my favorite classic romance story where dislike transforms to love. Zuri is fierce and sassy, and Darius is imperious and arrogant, just like Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy. Zoboi cleverly adapts the most important moments of the original book, but the story is so original that you don't need to know of the original to enjoy this novel. Zoboi is brilliant, and I can't wait to see what she creates next. Highly recommended! |
AuthorMs. Smith has been the librarian at Washington HS in Sioux Falls, SD, since 2005. She enjoys reading, watching K-Dramas, Harry Potter and hanging out with her family. Archives
October 2021
Categories
All
|