Charlie Spring is an introverted tenth grade student who finds himself placed into a new vertical class group. There he meets a kindhearted eleventh grade student named Nick Nelson who initiates a friendship with Charlie. Throughout the story, the reader explores the various struggles and experiences of both characters as their friendship grows into romance.

This funny, comforting, slice-of-life graphic novel is the first in a series. The monochromatic artwork is pleasantly simplistic and gives the feeling of reading a teenager’s personal diary. Finally, while the story explores the beginnings of a male-to-male relationship, its overall appeal is universal.

If you enjoyed this book as much as I did, I totally recommend Bloom by Kevin Panetta and Savanna Ganucheau.