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.