Encore!
Anxious trans teen Clayton Noguchi has done a great job of avoiding his former best friend, popular swimmer Aron Santos – until they’re forced to team up in theatre class. With their worlds colliding, and Aron enthusiastically trying to reconnect, the pair grow close, and sparks start flying. Meanwhile, Clay’s letting his final year of school pass him by …
This stunningly illustrated graphic novel is a sweet, warm hug of a book, perfect for older fans of Heartstopper. With a diverse cast and a wide range of LGBTQ+ representation, Toriko Burks has crafted a set of loveable, enthusiastic nerds who don’t shy away from being themselves. While it is primarily a romance centering Clay and Aron, their story is part of a strong celebration of friendship. Clay’s central arc is learning his value, both to his friends and to himself. The story focuses on the effort relationships and good quality friendship require, and readers will cheer Aron and Clay on as they navigate all the changes that come with finding yourself.
The illustrations feature a bold, beautiful colour palette, with some anime-style character aspects this reader particularly enjoyed. Clay’s struggle with losing Aron is effortlessly depicted through pictorial memories of himself pre-transition, offering a snapshot insight into his inner world that wholly enhances the text. Toriko Burks has achieved a deeply visually-led story, where the characters truly come alive on the page – readers will fly through this novel as though they’re watching it!
