Book review by Aarene Storms: Check Please!

Check Please! by Ngozi Ukazu

Eric "Bitty" Bittle just wants to bake pies, listen to pop music, vlog, play hockey, and maybe make some friends on the college hockey team. A former Southern Junior Champion figure skater, he's kinda small for hockey, but he's wicked fast on the ice and that counts for a lot on a competitive team.

It will take a long time for Bitty to come out as gay to his teammates...especially to team captain (and secret crush) Jack Zimmermann. In the meantime, there are college classes, epic keggers, and (of course) hockey.

Don't let the big-eyed manga style of the illustrations fool you: this is not a kiddie comic. The characters are college guys (and gals) and they are rude, crude, and socially unacceptable. In other words, they are hockey players. They are also good friends, and much sweeter to each other than you might think.

I wouldn't normally put "hockey player" and "adorable" in the same sentence, but this book practically requires that I do. Love the supportive environment, love the ongoing references to fabulous food (mmmMMMmm, pie!), love the art, love the story.

Highly recommended for ages 14 and up.


The events may not have happened; still, the story is true. --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach and Lake Forest Park Libraries, KCLS astorms@kcls.org