While the boys have some pretty broad shoulders, the girls don’t have equally large breasts. To compensate, he bakes a lot, which no one on the hockey team is about to complain about. Bittie is so earnest and yet so confused by life. Even better are the tweets at the end of the graphic novel. The humor always fits the situation so it doesn’t feel forced. We keep wanting to read little bits to each other because they make you laugh. That just changes who the boys hook Bittie up with for Winter Screw. That’s true even for the hard things, like finding out Bittie is gay. While they swear and joke and complain, the boys always have each other’s backs. No #epikegster after a big win at the high school level (at least that my kid is getting invited to). Granted it’s high school instead of college and soccer instead of hockey, but the only real difference is the amount of drinking that goes on after a win. So, let me try to talk about why we all love it so much.įor one thing, it’s a great depiction of a boys sports team, at least according to Mr. You can’t even talk about all the team members without swearing because one of the player’s nicknames is a swearword (and no one knows his real name). The only things stopping me from recommending this book to everyone is the constant swearing. The kids have each read it at least four times in the week since we’ve gotten the book from the library. They kiss at Jack’s graduation as Jack heads off to the pros and Bittie has two more years at Samwell.įinal thoughts: This is such an awesome story. Bittie’s gay and has a total crush on Jack, the team captain.

He vlogs and tweets about baking, his team, and his life in college, and we see bits of college life along with him, everything from game time to epic parties at the hockey house. He first wins them over with his baking (he bakes when he’s nervous) and then with his general goodnaturedness. He’s drawn right in to the team, with all their crazy nicknames, swearing, drinking, and general goofing off. He’s got a background in figure skating so he’s quick on the ice, but terrified of taking a check. Long version: Eric Bittle (nicknamed Bittie) has just joined the Samwell hockey team. Summary: Short version: Bittie’s first two years on Samwell’s hockey team Setting: Samwell College (near Boston), 2013-2015 I picked this one as our next read, mainly because it was about hockey (which I play) and baking pies. The back of Bloom had several other graphic novels published by First Second with quick blurbs about each one.

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