51 pages • 1 hour read
Heartstopper: Volume One
Fiction | Graphic Novel/Book | YA | Published in 2018
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Introduction
Heartstopper: Volume One
- Genre: Fiction; young adult graphic novel
- Originally Published: 2018
- Reading Level/Interest: Grades 7-12
- Structure/Length: 2 chapters plus 5 sections and author’s note; approx. 278 pages
- Protagonist and Central Conflict: The first volume of the Heartstopper series follows the friendship-turned-romance of Nick and Charlie, two students at a British all-boys school.
- Potential Sensitivity Issues: Emotionally abusive relationship; bullying; brief references to past bullying and intolerance toward gay people
Alice Oseman, Author
- Bio: Born in Kent, England in 1994; attended Durham University; full-time writer, screenwriter, and illustrator; first work published at age 19
- Other Works: Solitaire (2014); Radio Silence (2016); Loveless (2018); I Was Born for This (2018)
- Awards: YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Readers (2021); YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens (2021)
CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Unit:
- Coming Out and Self-Acceptance
- The Damaging Nature of Bullying and Stereotyping
- Love Against All Odds
STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Unit, students will:
- Develop an awareness of specific social issues (such as bullying) facing youth in the LGBTQ+ community.
- Read/Study short paired texts and other resources to make connections on themes of Coming Out and Self-Acceptance, The Damaging Nature of Bullying and Stereotyping, and Love Against All Odds.
- Examine and discuss the ways in which the author uses the nature of stereotypes to characterize directly and indirectly.
