School Library Journal Review
Gr 10 Up-Originally created as a webcomic, this tale follows junior champion figure skater and small-town Georgia boy Eric "Bitty" Bittle as he begins freshman year on the Samwell University varsity hockey team. An avid video blogger, recipe fanatic, and pie baker extraordinaire, Bitty is bewildered by his new world of bros, kegsters, and aggressive "checking"-roughness that wasn't allowed in his coed hockey league back home. In addition, he is still unsure how to tell his tough guy team members that he's gay. However, despite some disheartening setbacks, eternal optimist Bitty is determined to overcome his checking anxiety, work his heart out, and win over the guys-and his handsome team captain-even if it means bribing everyone with homemade pecan pie. Although this appears to be a simple sports comic at first glance, it is far more complex. Through a combination of hilarious team banter, foodie humor, and a lovable main character, Ukazu has crafted a compelling story about acceptance, identity, and confidence. She expertly uses bold colors and exaggerated facial expressions, such as Bitty's large eyes, to convey emotion. -VERDICT Although casual profanity, a few crass jokes, and some alcohol use make this a comic best suited for mature teens, this endearing volume is a must-have for YA graphic novel collections. Sure to resonate with hockey fans and sports newbies alike.-Lara -Goldstein, Orange County Public Libraries, NC © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Eric Bittle loves three things: skating, baking pies, and vlogging. Somehow, that combination has landed him a scholarship at Massachusetts' Samwell University, where he joins the ice hockey team. Idiosyncratic teammates provide a surprising kinship network for Bittle as he moves away from his home state of Georgia, acclimates to college life, and comes out. But while his fellow players take to his pies and tolerate his resistance to being hit on the ice, they reach their threshold with Bittle's singing throughout all hours of the day and night. This series opener collects the drama, mishaps, successes, and romance of Bittle's first two years at college from Ukazu's webcomic of the same name. The art relies on thick linework and facial shots to tell the story, playing to Ukazu's knack for pithy, personality-showing dialogue. Ukazu blends a series of tropes (coming-of-age, coming out, an outsider finding acceptance) into one coherent, amusing tale. Ages 14-up. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.