Check, Please! Book 1: # Hockey Hardcover – Illustrated, September 18, 2018

It was excellent, and gave what felt like a very real, but positive, view of a college hockey team (thus the "teens" rating- I was hoping it would be OK for sixth grade, but between swears and drinking discussions, I can't make it work for them). My only critique is that I wish everything had gone in order. You have essentially three sections to the book- the comic, supplementary comics that explain terminology and background, and "tweets" by the main character. I wish the terminology and tweets had been incorporated in with the comic, in the order in which they "occurred"- they would have filled in many of the gaps I felt in the first half. The tweets in particular really rounded out and explained the central relationship, and reading them *before* the ending would have been nice! I had to keep flipping back and forth to figure out where each tweet happened in the storyline.

I wrote down my feelings here because I do not want to lie. I bought it for my 5th grader. Open the book, you will see F-bombs & B-words almost immediately. I read through a few chapters... and he turns out to be a gay. I respect that. But, this is definitely NOT NOT NOT for kids. So I trashed it.

This graphic novel was originally a webcomic created by Ngozi Ukazu that later got picked up and published by 01First Second at Macmillan.This is the story of Eric Bittle (Bitty) — former junior figure skating champion, vlogger, pie baking freshman who is part of Samwell University’s hockey team.Starting university our gay protagonist makes new friends, makes unforgettable bonds and falls in love (with the very handsome broody captain).Aside from the beautiful plot that deals with being a freshman, making friends, falling in love, facing your fears and working as a team, my favorite part of “Check, Please!” was the art style. Most noticeably Ms. Ukazu’s gradual transformation of Bitty’s physic and how he presents himself. It reminded me of how Edward Elric grew up in Fullmetal Alchemist, but it was slow and subtle that you don’t notice it until you watch the first episode and then the last episode. Bitty went to the same slow physically growing up transformation and it was brilliant.Even though this is a “hockey story” anyone with negative zero knowledge of hockey (like myself) is able to pick on the rules of the game. Because ultimately we, the reader, are also Bitty’s youtube audience and he treats us as such. He makes sure to explain hockey to us as he tells his story and it felt really natural. After all, Mr. vlogger knows that not everyone in his audience has hockey knowledge.Ms. Ukazu also created a beautiful cast of character. Each one lovable, relatable and a precious cinnamon bun. No one is just there, everyone has a purpose, a personality, and a well-developed character arc.While this obviously a work of fiction Ms.Ukazu’s novel felt natural and realistic. No dialogue or scene felt forced…ever. I am sooooo ready for book two! (Even though I’ve already read Junior year online hehe).Check, Please was sweet and addictive. It’ll keep you hooked until you get to the last page. In the last page, you’ll scream.

I've been following this comic for years now but holding the hardcover in my hands was a heartwarming experience. I love the way Bitty's character isn't completely put together. The rollercoaster that can be a college freshman's first year away from home is beautifully illustrated while giving a rosy look into the wonderful world of hockey.While some of the early art is a little unpolished, it is lovely to see how not just the characters, but also the artist, has grown throughout the series. To 'clean up' the first panels is to erase the hard work and refinement of skill that has gone into their craft. I would hate to lose that history and original charm.I also appreciate the representation of queer characters. They are not overly stereotyped or dramatized for their orientation. They simply... are. They exist and fall in love and and still go about their lives. So much of mainstream media seems to forget that a person's orientation is not their only hobby. Who they fall in love with is only a facet of who they are and there is so much more to know and learn about them. The author does a beautiful job of balancing on the tightrope of representation without baiting dramatization. I wish more people were able to handle this topic as elegantly as Ngozi Ukazu.This story only gets better as Bitty and the boys grow. I cannot wait for the next installments to be available in hardback so I can proudly add them to my shelves!

Ok, I will keep this short, I LOVED this comic so much! what a treat. We follow Eric Bittle A.K.A. Bitty who is starting college and has now joined the hockey team. Bitty was a professional ice skater before being drafted by the college to play hockey, and Bitty loves baking pies LOL, and is a popular blogger besides being so stinking cute and he's also gay, but he's not out yet.I really enjoyed the friendships, the teammates were so likeable as well, this was just such an enjoyable read, and I'm glad that I finally picked it up after seeing it around for so long. I believe you will enjoy this graphic novel even if you are not a fan of hockey, believe am not either but I still loved this so much.Overall, I really, really loved this book, definitely agree with it being a feel good read.

Where do I even start?! Check, Please! is a graphic novel that made me feel very happy while reading it. The story was fun, and the characters were all adorable and I really did love basically all of them. I was constantly just smiling at everything that was happening, and how much everyone cared for and supported one another. I'm sure this is going to be something I pick up often to get myself to relax.

This graphic novel is super cute. If you're looking for a light, fun, happy read then I would recommend this book! I struggled to get into the book in the beginning but it started to grow on me as I was reading. I loved the characters, the growing friendships, and the LGBT+ representation in the book. I would recommend this book!

A lovely, heart warming graphic novel that accurately depicts young adult life whilst also depicting positive LGBT+ representation. There's a little of everything: sports, baking, broody brunets,, Beyoncé; what more do you need? This book is such a welcome change to most LGBT media you see because, ultimately, the story is a happy one. You get to see the ups and downs of Eric Bitty's life and it's only his first two years of university!!This story beautifully highlights the importance of friendship and growing as an individual. There are struggles and there are a lot of shenanigans worked in too. All wrapped into a, somehow up to code, house, a few smelly hockey changing rooms, and lots of pies. Plus there is a few bonus stuff at the end worth checking out such as fake tweets!!Be warned there is reference to alcohol and drug use and there is swearing but it works within the context of the story and is only done in a tasteful manner, in my opinion. Usual young adult material honestly.Ngozi Ukazu is a wonderful storyteller and an amazing artist who manages to breathe life into her stories and work. Cannot wait to see more from her in the future. (If you haven't already go and read this online! It's available for free on Ngozi Ukazu's website but you'll definitely want to have a physical copy for your own).

This is an absolutely adorable and sweet graphic novel. This is such a good intro if you haven't read any graphic novels before and I've already ordered the second one. I love the switch between different formats, I think it's very smart.

I’ve adored this comic for years now and to actually have it physically in my hands is wonderful, especially as the printed book itself is beautifully made and all around gorgeous.