Starred Review ALA Booklist (Sun Jul 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

Starred Review Freshman year of college can be a rocky transition for anyone, but wide-eyed, irrepressible Eric Bittle is here to make the best of it. Bitty's a vlogging, pie-baking, pop-music-loving, figure-skating boy from Georgia, who's come to Samwell University in Massachusetts on a hockey scholarship. At first, it's a whole new world that Bitty isn't too sure about. He doesn't connect with the team right away ("I guess it just takes time to click with people after they do unspeakable things to your pies"), the game is a lot more intense than he's used to (they didn't have checking back home, and Bitty does not respond well to being body slammed), and the team captain, Jack, may be gorgeous and from hockey royalty, but he's really intense. Through his first two years at Samwell, Bitty vlogs about his ups and downs as he gains confidence in his team and himself. Ukazu, who began Bitty's story as an uberpopular webcomic, folds in plenty of hockey terms and highlights team camaraderie while skillfully dismantling themes of toxic masculinity. The bright, energetic illustrations are as buoyant as their hero, and the hockey scenes ten close-up shots of elbows, skates, and pucks e especially frenetic. A slow-burn, same-sex romance is just the icing on the cake (sorry e) in this irresistibly fun and utterly charming sports story. Volume two can't come fast enough.

Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews

A pie-baking hockey player from small-town Georgia begins college and settles into jock culture.Eric "Bitty" Bittle's dreams are coming true: He is starting college on the hockey team at Samwell University in Massachusetts. Bitty played hockey and figure skated competitively; unfortunately, the coed team back home did not allow "checking," or physical contact, and Bitty's fear of being hit becomes a real impediment in college hockey. Bitty's team captain, Jack Zimmerman, "the hockey prince," is determined to break Bitty of his fear of being checked. Despite Jack's mercurial nature, Bitty develops a serious crush on the attractive athlete. As the practices and games develop, Bitty forms bonds with the other players and, after coming out, settles into college life. When sophomore year rolls around, Bitty has to face that two of his closest teammates are seniors and will be leaving soon. Based on a popular webcomic, this is a warm story with an irresistible protagonist, a clever supporting cast, and lively and plentiful game and practice scenes. There are many themes here: acceptance, standing up to fear, and finding your place, to name a few. Despite its episodic style, the humor and heart at the center of the story carry it through. The art relies on expressive facial shots to complement the snappy and sometimes-raunchy dialogue. Bitty is white, and there is some diversity in secondary characters.A fun and deeply satisfying read for teens. (Graphic novel. 14-18)

School Library Journal Starred Review (Wed Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

Gr 10 Up-Originally created as a webcomic, this tale follows junior champion figure skater and small-town Georgia boy Eric "Bitty" Bittle as he begins freshman year on the Samwell University varsity hockey team. An avid video blogger, recipe fanatic, and pie baker extraordinaire, Bitty is bewildered by his new world of bros, kegsters, and aggressive "checking"roughness that wasn't allowed in his coed hockey league back home. In addition, he is still unsure how to tell his tough guy team members that he's gay. However, despite some disheartening setbacks, eternal optimist Bitty is determined to overcome his checking anxiety, work his heart out, and win over the guysand his handsome team captaineven if it means bribing everyone with homemade pecan pie. Although this appears to be a simple sports comic at first glance, it is far more complex. Through a combination of hilarious team banter, foodie humor, and a lovable main character, Ukazu has crafted a compelling story about acceptance, identity, and confidence. She expertly uses bold colors and exaggerated facial expressions, such as Bitty's large eyes, to convey emotion. VERDICT Although casual profanity, a few crass jokes, and some alcohol use make this a comic best suited for mature teens, this endearing volume is a must-have for YA graphic novel collections. Sure to resonate with hockey fans and sports newbies alike. Lara Goldstein, Orange County Public Libraries, NC

Horn Book (Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)

This sly picture book about a father helping his son get rid of a perceived "enemy" by baking an Enemy Pie is now available in Spanish. The suspense around the mysterious pie builds as the boy fulfills his end of the bargain by spending what becomes a very enjoyable day with the now-former enemy. Warm colored-pencil illustrations feature goofy globe-headed characters.

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

A pie-baking hockey player from small-town Georgia begins college and settles into jock culture.Eric "Bitty" Bittle's dreams are coming true: He is starting college on the hockey team at Samwell University in Massachusetts. Bitty played hockey and figure skated competitively; unfortunately, the coed team back home did not allow "checking," or physical contact, and Bitty's fear of being hit becomes a real impediment in college hockey. Bitty's team captain, Jack Zimmerman, "the hockey prince," is determined to break Bitty of his fear of being checked. Despite Jack's mercurial nature, Bitty develops a serious crush on the attractive athlete. As the practices and games develop, Bitty forms bonds with the other players and, after coming out, settles into college life. When sophomore year rolls around, Bitty has to face that two of his closest teammates are seniors and will be leaving soon. Based on a popular webcomic, this is a warm story with an irresistible protagonist, a clever supporting cast, and lively and plentiful game and practice scenes. There are many themes here: acceptance, standing up to fear, and finding your place, to name a few. Despite its episodic style, the humor and heart at the center of the story carry it through. The art relies on expressive facial shots to complement the snappy and sometimes-raunchy dialogue. Bitty is white, and there is some diversity in secondary characters.A fun and deeply satisfying read for teens. (Graphic novel. 14-18)