Heartstopper: Volume One

Heartstopper: Volume 1 is a fictional graphic novel by Alice Oseman, a young adult author and illustrator. It functions as both a young adult LGBTQ+ romance and a bildungsroman or coming-of-age story. Heartstopper was first published in 2018 and has since been adapted into a Netflix series of the same name. Oseman continues to publish the comic both as a webcomic and a graphic novel, and there are currently four volumes. Oseman garnered support for her idea on Kickstarter, reaching her funding goal within two hours of posting. Oseman’s series Heartstopper is considered pivotal in creating change and moving toward acceptance and understanding of young LGBTQ+ relationships.

This guide utilizes the 2020 Graphix (Scholastic, Inc.) edition.

Plot Summary

The story begins as Charlie, a 14-year-old boy in year 10 at Truham Grammar School for Boys, finds out that his new registration classes for January will have kids from multiple years in it. He is seated next to Nicholas (Nick) Nelson, a friendly rugby player in year 11. Charlie is gay, and after facing a lot of bullying when he came out, he has become quite popular at his school. Despite this, he is shy around Nick, whom he sees as out of his league and definitely straight.