Review By: Liz Geist
Published: 2023
Genres: YA Graphic Novel, Contemporary, Romance, LGBTQ+
Audience: Grades 9–12
Number of Stars: ★★★★ (4/5)
Goodreads Link: Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy
Content Warnings: LGBTQ+ themes, bullying, physical violence/altercations, mild romantic content, mentions of domestic violence.
Publisher’s Summary
New York Times bestseller Faith Erin Hicks is back with Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy , a young adult graphic novel romance about a hotheaded hockey player who asks for temper management lessons from the cool, calm boy in drama club. It should have been a night of triumph for Alix’s hockey team. But her mean teammate Lindsay decided to start up with her usual rude comments and today Alix, who usually tries to control her anger, let it finally run free. Alix lashes out and before she knows it, her coach is dragging her off Lindsay, and the invitation to the Canada National Women’s U18 Team’s summer camp is on the line. She needs to learn how to control this anger, and she is sure Ezra, the popular and poised theater kid from her grade is the answer. So she asks for his help. But as they hang out and start get closer, Alix learns that there is more to Ezra than the cool front he puts on. And that maybe this friendship could become something more….
Full Review
Faith Erin Hicks’s graphic novel, Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy, follows Alix, a determined and talented high school hockey player who is intensely focused on her sport and preparing to try out for an elite national team. Early in the story, a confrontation with her team captain escalates into a physical altercation that threatens her coach’s recommendation for the camp. Because Alix is so focused on hockey and has little social life outside of the rink, she reaches out to a classmate, Ezra. He is a calm, confident drama club student that Alix asks for help on learning how to manage her emotions. Ezra, a bisexual teen who has experienced bullying and confrontation himself, approaches those interactions with confidence and grace. As the two spend more time together, their unlikely friendship gradually grows into something deeper.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I appreciated how contemporary issues such as sexuality, bullying, domestic violence, and the different types of relationships teens have with one another were woven into the story. Hicks’s depiction of the characters and their dialogue helps show the depth of the main character without becoming overly heavy or complex. The illustrations were strong overall; however, some of the action scenes (particularly the hockey scenes) were a bit confusing, though the general idea was still clear. Several themes are introduced early in the book, including emotional regulation, identity and self-discovery, friendship and connection, peer conflict, and the pressures of sports culture. Hicks does a nice job incorporating them without each theme feeling overwhelming. I think high school readers, especially those interested in hockey or drama based on the title alone, would gravitate toward this book. Overall, I would recommend this graphic novel to high schoolers.
🏒 Key Themes & Curricular Connections
As noted in the review, this book is an excellent resource for discussing social-emotional learning (SEL) with high school students.
- Emotional Regulation: The core of the plot involves Alix identifying her “triggers” and seeking strategies to stay in the “Green Zone.”
- Identity & Stereotypes: The story subverts the “jock” vs. “theater kid” trope, showing that students are multi-faceted and can find common ground across different social circles.
- Conflict Resolution: The contrast between Alix’s physical outburst and Ezra’s poised response provides a great starting point for discussing healthy ways to handle peer conflict and bullying.
