Check, Please! Book 1: # Hockey

The first book in the New York Times bestselling and award-winning graphic novel series, whose printing campaign is one of the most funded webcomics Kickstarter ever.

Eric Bittle may be a former junior figure skating champion, vlogger extraordinaire, and very talented amateur baker, but being a freshman on the Samwell University hockey team is a whole new challenge. It is nothing like co-ed club hockey back in Georgia! First of all? There’s checking (anything that hinders the player with possession of the puck, ranging from a stick check all the way to a physical sweep). And then, there is Jack—his very attractive but moody captain.

A collection of the first half, freshmen and sophomore year, of the megapopular webcomic series of the same name, Check, Please!: #Hockey is the first book of a hilarious and stirring two-volume coming-of-age story about hockey, bros, and trying to find yourself during the best four years of your life. This book includes updated art and a hilarious, curated selection of Bitty’s beloved tweets.

Awards and Praise for the Check, Please! series:
A New York Times Bestseller
A Boston Globe Best YA Book of 2018
YALSA William C. Morris Finalist 2018
Eisner Award Nominee for Best Publication for Teens 2021
Ignatz Award Winner for Outstanding Comic 2019
Harvey Award Winner for Digital Book of the Year 2018 and 2019
A New York Public Library Top Ten Book for Teens
An NPR 100 Favorite Comics and Graphic Novels Pick
A National Cartoonist Society Winner for Best Online Comic: Long Form 2017
Best of Austin Arts & Entertainment Critics Pick 2018

“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.” ―Booklist, starred review

“This is a warm story with an irresistible protagonist, a clever supporting cast, and lively and plentiful game and practice scenes… A fun and deeply satisfying read for teens.” ―Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“Check, Please! is very much a thing of our time in its approach to gay identity and romance… There’s no big coming-out scene, no ‘convert the lone homophobe’ drama, no storyline cooked up just to educate the reader about the gay experience. Bitty doesn’t need any of that, and Ukazu gives the reader credit for not needing it either.” —NPR

“Charming, addictive, and genuinely romantic―Check, Please is the hockey/baking comic you never knew you needed.” ―Rainbow Rowell, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Rights details

US/Canada: First Second/Macmillan

• Young Adult
• Adult