Heartstopper: Volume 1 by Alice Oseman

Heartstopper: Volume 1 by Alice Oseman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this graphic novel about 2 guys in a British boys high school! Charlie is a levl 10, out and gay (the year before he was outed and bullied) still kissing a mean guy (Ben, I think) who has a girl friend and sends mean texts. When Charlie is paired with Nick, a year 11 rugby player, they quickly become friends--- while Nick, protects Charlie from Ben a few times. As Charlie falls for nice guy Nick, how does Nick feel? Loved this graphic novel so much, I have Vol 2 & 3 on order at the public library!!! Can't wait!

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Stand Off by Andrew Smith

Stand-Off by Andrew Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ryan Dean was so different in this book; devastated, sad, and hawked by N.A.T.E. a big scary dark figure keeping him up at night for the next terrible experience in his life. Without Joey, Ryan Dean doesn't have much to look forward to his senior year without his best friend. But Annie is still Ryan's true love but he still has his "I am such a loser" mentality and he draws from her strength and compassion and this ends up making him a better person...and the fact that Pine Mountain has seen fit to give him a 12 year old roommate really puts Ryan Dean further over the edge. Ryan Dean is so hysterical and insecure and as a reader I LOVE his outlook and musings! Boys and girls will love the rugby, the action, and Ryan Dean's narration of the games are so exciting. And the romance between Annie and Ran Dean just gets better and better. A highly recommended read, I love all of Andrew Smith's books but Winger and Stand Off hold a special place in my heart. Ryan Dean is a special guy and I'd love to continue reading more about him.

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Winger by Andrew Smith

Winger by Andrew Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book as part of the Yalsa Hub 2014 Reading Challenge and I loved it. For most of this book, I laughed at Ryan Dean West's loser status and proclamations. Winger, as he is called by his Rubgy friends is smart, 14, and a junior at a Prep school. After getting in trouble, Ryan Dean is now exiled to the bad kids dorm, Opportunity Hall with a really scary roommate, Chas. He misses his old roommates in the normal dorm. He is also madly in love with Annie Altman, who has been his best friend for two years. He is so insecure about so many things, you laugh out loud with him about his loser status. But this book is about so much more than his fumbling, sports, and high school hijinks. On the back cover of the book, I didn't understand why AS King said the book was "heart-wrenching" and Matt de la Pena called the book "raw." You only have to read Part Four to become so totally sad, angry, and beyond hope about this book. That is all I will say, YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK!!!!

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