The most in-demand graphic novels of the moment aren't tales of good versus evil, or even mystery or horror; they're the Heartstopper novels, which tell a story of teenage love that has captivated readers of all ages — adults and teens alike.
Following the courtship and romance of high schoolers Charlie Spring and Nick Nelson, the four books in the Heartstopper series (with a fifth due in 2023) tackle the joys and challenges of staying true to oneself while making room for those who understand and appreciate who you are.
Rooted in identity, honesty, and self-love, the Heartstopper books unpack complex adolescent topics in a relatable way that resonates with readers. The processes of coming out, exploring personal boundaries, and advocating for oneself are handled gently and with warmth — a stylistic choice by series author Alice Oseman to always promote inclusivity and sensitivity over trauma.
For this reason, and many more, the book series makes for great family discussions with your growing reader about their personal experiences and challenges they may not otherwise volunteer to share.
Oseman, 27, debuted Charlie and Nick as queer supporting characters in her novel Solitaire, which she wrote when she was 17 and a high schooler herself. In 2016, she put the boys front and center in a black-and-white web comic, quickly amassing a devoted following. Oseman crowd-funded and self-published the first Heartstopper graphic novel in 2018.
Now, it’s also a streaming series on Netflix. The live-action series has received praise for staying true to the graphic novels in many ways, namely by casting leads whose physical features mirror those of illustrated Charlie and Nick in the books. Animated 2-D touches appear throughout the show, like snow falling and flowers blossoming, which harken to the graphic novels’ storytelling format. (Think of the “margin doodles” so closely associated with high school crushes and other teenage preoccupations.)
Check out the Heartstopper graphic novels below — and follow it up with a viewing party of the Netflix adaptation! You can find all books and activities at The Scholastic Store.
