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Heartstopper: Volume Five by Alice Oseman


Rating:

5 Stars


Themes:

Graphic Novel, Teen, LGBTQ+


Thoughts:

This may be one of the most complex and reaching installments of Heartstopper yet with everyone working with Charlie on his recovery and questions around the next steps in the older members of the groups lives such as university the book handles it all well. I liked the way that different people were portrayed in regards to Charlie as it can be hard for family members to know how to help or communicate with people with mental illness and we got to see both sides and also how to advocate for ourselves with both sides. I also liked seeing the tour of universities with the older 3 as it shows a normal stage in life for 17/18 year olds and reinforces that they are just normal teens who happen to be LGBTQ+. I appreciated the way in which Oseman managed to communicate the natural nervousness of a first time to show just how normal it all is while still remaining closed door and respectful for younger readers. 


Favourite Quote:

“I’m so tired of everyone treading on eggshells around me. Like, yeah, I’m still working on my anorexia, and some days it’s really hard … but that doesn’t mean I can’t have fun and do teenage stuff!”


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