Check, Please!: #Hockey, Vol. 1 by Ngozi Ukazu
Published by First Second on September 18th 2018
ISBN: 1250177960
Pages: 288
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads

Check, Please! is a fantastic young adult graphic novel chronicling Eric Bittle’s first two years at Samwell University on the hockey team. Eric, a former figure skater and baking aficionado, is the smallest player on the team who struggles with a fear of being hit, but he’s fast and good on his feet. Even worse, the captain of his team seems to really dislike him, even though Eric is pretty sure he has a crush on Jack. The characters introduced are compelling and fully formed, the issues raised are sensitively dealt with, and the story leaves the reader hanging at each chapter, right to the end. The artwork is both clear and beautiful, conveying the action of the hockey scenes as well as it does the emotion of the moments between. A strong recommendation.

Reviewed by Sarah Cropley, Scarborough Public Library