Check, Please!: #Hockey

Name: Check, Please!: #Hockey
Author: Ngozi Ukazu

Safe for the age band

Age-appropriate with no significant concerns.

Published: 2018
Ages: 14–18

About the book

A charming and funny story about a gay hockey player who loves to bake.

AI summary

A charming and funny story about a gay hockey player who loves to bake.

Why parents choose this book

What makes Check, Please!: #Hockey worth choosing

An honest, parent-first look at who this book suits, what it offers, and what to know before you buy.

Best for

Age range: 14–18 (fits siblings across a range).
Reading maturity: Young adult — teen protagonists and more nuanced themes.
Kids who tend to love it: Graphic Novels.
Personality fit: kids ages 14–18 who enjoy a good story.

Parents love this book because

Age-appropriate content for the 14–18 band with no significant flags.
Written by Ngozi Ukazu, whose books parents return to for consistently thoughtful storytelling.

Your child will probably enjoy Check, Please!: #Hockey if they…

Enjoy stories written for kids around ages 14–18

This book helps develop

Vocabulary, sustained attention, and reading confidence for the 14–18 age band.

Things parents should know

Language: clean language throughout.
Sexual content: essentially none.

Reading commitment

Estimated reading time

Varies by reader

Length

Length varies by edition

Difficulty

Young adult

Works as read-aloud

Usually read independently

Good for independent readers

Yes — suits confident readers in the age band

Similar books your child may love

Heartstopper: Volume 1 · Alice Oseman
Also popular with parents choosing books for ages 14–18.
The Prince and the Dressmaker · Jen Wang
Also popular with parents choosing books for ages 14–18.
Fruits Basket · Natsuki Takaya
Also popular with parents choosing books for ages 14–18.
Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1: No Normal · G. Willow Wilson
Also popular with parents choosing books for ages 14–18.
American Born Chinese · Gene Luen Yang
Also popular with parents choosing books for ages 14–18.
Anya's Ghost · Vera Brosgol
Also popular with parents choosing books for ages 14–18.
The Adventure Zone: Here There Be Gerblins · Clint McElroy
Also popular with parents choosing books for ages 14–18.
Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me · Mariko Tamaki
Also popular with parents choosing books for ages 14–18.

Why we recommend it

We think Check, Please!: #Hockey is a confident pick for the 14–18 age band. It leans into graphic novels in a way that feels genuine, not formulaic. Ngozi Ukazu's voice is what makes it stick: readable, respectful of kids, and easy to hand to the next child in the family.