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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.

The product of a webcomic Kickstarter campaign, this sweet (and swear-filled) graphic novel introduces pie-baking former figure skater Eric Bittle and his bro-filled college hockey team, including handsome, tormented captain Jack. "Bitty" and Jack's tender romance unfolds alongside college shenanigans, vlog asides, and hockey triumphs, all charmingly illustrated in neat panels. Even as the book mines personal dramas, readers never question the characters' essential goodwill. (c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.