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Kickflip Vol. 1: A heartfelt graphic novel about LGBTQ+ identity, acceptance and friendship
A poignant LGBTQ+ graphic novel about self-discovery, skateboarding and finding your true community of friends, perfect for fans of
Heartstopper
. What happens when your two worlds collide . . .
At school, Elliot gets bullied for being 'different to other girls' whereas at the skate park, everyone welcomes Elliot - presuming they're male - but neither label feels right.
As Eliot's love of skateboarding and friendships grow, their worlds collide at a sports expo where the school netball team and skate crew are competing. Can Elliot find the courage to share what they've learned about non-binary identity? Will best friend Jess or the skateboarding crew accept Elliot for who they are? And what about Ryan, the skater who Elliot has been feeling increasingly close to?
The first volume of a new graphic novel series that will steal your heart!
At school, Elliot gets bullied for being 'different to other girls' whereas at the skate park, everyone welcomes Elliot - presuming they're male - but neither label feels right.
As Eliot's love of skateboarding and friendships grow, their worlds collide at a sports expo where the school netball team and skate crew are competing. Can Elliot find the courage to share what they've learned about non-binary identity? Will best friend Jess or the skateboarding crew accept Elliot for who they are? And what about Ryan, the skater who Elliot has been feeling increasingly close to?
The first volume of a new graphic novel series that will steal your heart!
224 pages, Paperback
Published June 19, 2025
3 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
L.D. Lapinski
17 books210 followersL. D. Lapinski is the best-selling author of JAMIE, Stepfather Christmas, and The Strangeworlds Travel Agency series, including Adventure in the Floating Mountains, which was a 2023 World Book Day title. JAMIE was nominated for the 2024 Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing.
L. D's new middle-grade fantasy series ARTEZANS launches in February 2024 with the first book Artezans: The Forgotten Magic.
L. D.'s books are published around the world in fifteen languages, and each book in the Strangeworlds trilogy has been awarded a Kirkus star - one of the most coveted designations in the book industry,
marking books of exceptional merit.
L. D. Lapinski lives just outside Sherwood Forest with their family, a lot of books, and a cat called Hector. L. D. first wrote a book aged seven; it was made of lined paper and sellotape, and it was about a frog who owned an aeroplane. When L. D. grows up, they want to be a free-range guinea pig farmer.
L. D.'s literary agent is Claire Wilson at Rogers, Coleridge and White Literary Agency. For Film / TV, contact Emily Hayward Whitlock.
Twitter / Instagram / TikTok: @ldlapinski
L. D's new middle-grade fantasy series ARTEZANS launches in February 2024 with the first book Artezans: The Forgotten Magic.
L. D.'s books are published around the world in fifteen languages, and each book in the Strangeworlds trilogy has been awarded a Kirkus star - one of the most coveted designations in the book industry,
marking books of exceptional merit.
L. D. Lapinski lives just outside Sherwood Forest with their family, a lot of books, and a cat called Hector. L. D. first wrote a book aged seven; it was made of lined paper and sellotape, and it was about a frog who owned an aeroplane. When L. D. grows up, they want to be a free-range guinea pig farmer.
L. D.'s literary agent is Claire Wilson at Rogers, Coleridge and White Literary Agency. For Film / TV, contact Emily Hayward Whitlock.
Twitter / Instagram / TikTok: @ldlapinski
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
July 12, 2025
Ooh this was so wonderful, even better than I expected. It gave me Heartstopper vibes, both the artwork and the writing. I'll definitely pick up the next volume!
Read
May 23, 2025The kind of book that makes you happy to know it exists out in the world, as you know it'll bring such comfort to people. A fantastic story of coming of age and exploring gender identity, likely to appeal to readers of HEARTSTOPPER and BOYS RUN THE RIOT.
June 15, 2025
Sooo cute!! I would read so many more volumes of this!!
August 18, 2025
A very sweet and moving graphic novel about a nonbinary teen discovering their identity and sharing it with those around them, all while learning to skateboard.
The scenes between the mother and child made me a bit emotional. It was lovely to see such a wholesome and supportive dynamic.
This would be perfect for fans of Heartstopper.
The scenes between the mother and child made me a bit emotional. It was lovely to see such a wholesome and supportive dynamic.
This would be perfect for fans of Heartstopper.
June 21, 2025
OH MY— oh. my. 32 non binary person here and i might not exactly be the targeted audience age wise but this made me tear up several times, the story was so endearing to me! very very important topic to bring up and i hope many many children/teenagers will find their way to this absolutely sweet novel, queer or not, thank you so much for this! 🤍
i wish i had this kind of representation growing up because gender was such a struggle back then!
i wish i had this kind of representation growing up because gender was such a struggle back then!
December 27, 2025
I sure love me a good queer graphic novel and this one was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!
July 15, 2025
Why haven't more people read this book.
💖nonbinary mention
❤️pansexual mention
💖bisexual mention
it's an interesting book about realising who you are and I knew it would be good when I saw the colours and that l d lapinski had had a hand in it. I love the watercolour styling I think more graphic novels should use it as it's such a neutral and gorgeous way of creating art. Also all of the pictures with the starry backgrounds reminded me of my void. like when I feel like I'm not being seen for me it's this safe space I go to. I'm a trans man so I don't understand what it's like for nonbinary folk but I loved how there was an element in the story I also related to. like you just exist and things don't always have to be binary.
why be purely masculine or feminine you know why not enjoy parts of both worlds ? there's so much out there. I think this book captures that very well. Highly recommend plus the book is absolutely stunning.
💖nonbinary mention
❤️pansexual mention
💖bisexual mention
it's an interesting book about realising who you are and I knew it would be good when I saw the colours and that l d lapinski had had a hand in it. I love the watercolour styling I think more graphic novels should use it as it's such a neutral and gorgeous way of creating art. Also all of the pictures with the starry backgrounds reminded me of my void. like when I feel like I'm not being seen for me it's this safe space I go to. I'm a trans man so I don't understand what it's like for nonbinary folk but I loved how there was an element in the story I also related to. like you just exist and things don't always have to be binary.
why be purely masculine or feminine you know why not enjoy parts of both worlds ? there's so much out there. I think this book captures that very well. Highly recommend plus the book is absolutely stunning.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2025
Overall a good story about someone trying to get to understand their gender identity, which doesn’t seem to feel right as either a boy or a girl. We get to follow their journey as they explore their options. I did feel that the acceptance from their friends seemed too quick and easy. I think, just like Elliott, they would have questions and this would have been a great opportunity to impart some more information to the reader, especially as this isn’t a much covered subject. I did feel that the illustrations were a little dark and messy and found myself getting distracted by the frequent use of random lines in speech bubbles. I kept wanting to make sense of them.
June 9, 2025
Absolutely obsessed with this. These characters mean so much to me. Need volume 2 like I need air
June 1, 2025
4.5. 5 stars for the concept but I think the production quality of this leaves a smidge to be desired. Logan Hanning's illustrations are gorgeous, and some of these spreads should be life-changing, but the print is often blurry, the panels slide off the top of the page (bleed not correctly accounted for) and the half-tone shading looks more like ink smearing than intentional design. Let it be known that I only pick on these details because I draw comics and I love comics and I think this beautiful piece of art deserves to be presented in as polished a form as it can be. The story is lovely, the art is lovely, the characters are lovely. Queer coming-of-age comics where nothing bad happens... I love this genre... Thank you Lapinski and Hanning ily
May 25, 2025
This is a glorious exploration of identity, finding yourself and the repercussions of this. Elliot is living a multitude of lives and it’s not until skateboarding comes along that they start to accept themselves for who they truly are. I loved the scenes with his mam - we need more mams like this in the world. Friendships and passions can really be the places people find themselves the most comfortable. I’m so glad I got to read this.
July 2, 2025
This is a review of the paperback, early UK version of 'Kick Flip Vol. One'.
A great book to end Pride Month on.
What a sweet, touching, funny, open, honest, and wonderful coming-of-age graphic novel about exploring gender identity, gender dysphoria, finding yourself and your place in life, and love and acceptance from your friends and family for who you are. And skateboarding.
I haven't read nor heard of many graphic novels, nor many books really, with a nonbinary protagonist, and something like 'Kick Flip' is vitally needed; important to show the world.
It definitely caters to the 'Heartstopper' fandom and demographic - it has similar artwork and LBGTQ+ themes, plus a British school setting - but this is in no way a bad thing, and it succeeds on its own merits; it demonstrates that it is its own beautiful, violet and amethyst-shine creation, and pride and joy.
'Kick Flip' (or is it 'Kickflip'? I've read it both ways, even in the two authors' accounts in their separate Acknowledgments) is also about bullying, bigotry, and how obviously wrong, ignorant, sad, pathetic, and deeply unhappy and insecure those people are.
Why should anyone care about other people's gender? Why is anyone bothered by pronouns of all things? Why care about gender when it is all about individual identity? It is a concept, and a state of mind. No one can be sorted into a one dimensional, stereotyped box, and it's folly to assume so. It's dangerous, and boring anyway, and not how humans work.
What has anyone got to be afraid of these facts? Trans and nonbinary people existing is not harming anyone.
Bigots are no one's problem to deal with but the bigots' themselves. Bigotry is a choice, and they have chosen to not accept reality, to be angry, to be borderline unhinged, to lash out for no real reason, to not listen, to not learn and change. To be sad.
Be kind, always. Let's make the world a kinder, happier, compassionate, free place.
'Kick Flip' offer us nonbinary rep, different sexuality rep, femme friendships, skateboarding romance, and the freeing, cathartic beauty of acceptance, support, sympathy and empathy. There is plant roots and growth symbolism, and world-hopping and colliding and sinking symbolism. It's a cute, yet deep and thoughtful book.
I have to give it extra props for mentioning BS gender divides, gendered BS, and menstruation. Not that that's important, especially with its subject matter, but it is something to bring up at least once. Periods shouldn't be taboo, either.
To talk about the characters: Elliot Powell, a young enby novice skateboarder, is a complex and shining gem of a protag. They are just them; their own person. They are who they are, and are still figuring themself out, and that is enough. They are flawed and scared like everyone else. They should be allowed to fit into anywhere they want.
And their mum is awesome, I love her, too - one of the best mothers I've ever come across in YA.
Elliot, their best friend Jess, their skateboarder love interest Ryan, and their bully Katherine are really the only characters with names in the whole book. I don't think the names of the other two skater boys in Elliot and Ryan's team are ever mentioned, when they are otherwise well developed characters in their own right. How bizarre.
Why is this published under Orion Children's Books when it contains swear words?
Oh well, regardless, 'Kick Flip Vol. One' is a must-read for everyone.
Conclusive remarks: The creators of this comforting, empathetic, educational, acceptable and accessible LBGTQ+ graphic novel, writer L.D. Lapinski and artist Logan Hanning, are nonbinary, so it is #ownvoices all around, and they seem like such wonderful people. Let's thank them for their hard work, and putting something like 'Kick Flip' out in the world.
The next 'Heartstopper'? Who cares. It is its own thing, with its own identity, and special qualities to love about. Like Elliot themself, and other humans like them.
A minority group is a community. In fact, they are not a minority. No human is a minority; they are not small, insignificant, and alone. They are people, it is simple as that.
No one is alone. No one should suffer alone, for being who they are. Let them exist in their truth. Let them exist, period.
LBGTQA+ books are nothing new anymore, but keep them coming, nonstop. Keep them kicking into high, mainstream gear.
Final Score: 4/5
A great book to end Pride Month on.
What a sweet, touching, funny, open, honest, and wonderful coming-of-age graphic novel about exploring gender identity, gender dysphoria, finding yourself and your place in life, and love and acceptance from your friends and family for who you are. And skateboarding.
I haven't read nor heard of many graphic novels, nor many books really, with a nonbinary protagonist, and something like 'Kick Flip' is vitally needed; important to show the world.
It definitely caters to the 'Heartstopper' fandom and demographic - it has similar artwork and LBGTQ+ themes, plus a British school setting - but this is in no way a bad thing, and it succeeds on its own merits; it demonstrates that it is its own beautiful, violet and amethyst-shine creation, and pride and joy.
'Kick Flip' (or is it 'Kickflip'? I've read it both ways, even in the two authors' accounts in their separate Acknowledgments) is also about bullying, bigotry, and how obviously wrong, ignorant, sad, pathetic, and deeply unhappy and insecure those people are.
Why should anyone care about other people's gender? Why is anyone bothered by pronouns of all things? Why care about gender when it is all about individual identity? It is a concept, and a state of mind. No one can be sorted into a one dimensional, stereotyped box, and it's folly to assume so. It's dangerous, and boring anyway, and not how humans work.
What has anyone got to be afraid of these facts? Trans and nonbinary people existing is not harming anyone.
Bigots are no one's problem to deal with but the bigots' themselves. Bigotry is a choice, and they have chosen to not accept reality, to be angry, to be borderline unhinged, to lash out for no real reason, to not listen, to not learn and change. To be sad.
Be kind, always. Let's make the world a kinder, happier, compassionate, free place.
'Kick Flip' offer us nonbinary rep, different sexuality rep, femme friendships, skateboarding romance, and the freeing, cathartic beauty of acceptance, support, sympathy and empathy. There is plant roots and growth symbolism, and world-hopping and colliding and sinking symbolism. It's a cute, yet deep and thoughtful book.
I have to give it extra props for mentioning BS gender divides, gendered BS, and menstruation. Not that that's important, especially with its subject matter, but it is something to bring up at least once. Periods shouldn't be taboo, either.
To talk about the characters: Elliot Powell, a young enby novice skateboarder, is a complex and shining gem of a protag. They are just them; their own person. They are who they are, and are still figuring themself out, and that is enough. They are flawed and scared like everyone else. They should be allowed to fit into anywhere they want.
And their mum is awesome, I love her, too - one of the best mothers I've ever come across in YA.
Elliot, their best friend Jess, their skateboarder love interest Ryan, and their bully Katherine are really the only characters with names in the whole book. I don't think the names of the other two skater boys in Elliot and Ryan's team are ever mentioned, when they are otherwise well developed characters in their own right. How bizarre.
Why is this published under Orion Children's Books when it contains swear words?
Oh well, regardless, 'Kick Flip Vol. One' is a must-read for everyone.
Conclusive remarks: The creators of this comforting, empathetic, educational, acceptable and accessible LBGTQ+ graphic novel, writer L.D. Lapinski and artist Logan Hanning, are nonbinary, so it is #ownvoices all around, and they seem like such wonderful people. Let's thank them for their hard work, and putting something like 'Kick Flip' out in the world.
The next 'Heartstopper'? Who cares. It is its own thing, with its own identity, and special qualities to love about. Like Elliot themself, and other humans like them.
A minority group is a community. In fact, they are not a minority. No human is a minority; they are not small, insignificant, and alone. They are people, it is simple as that.
No one is alone. No one should suffer alone, for being who they are. Let them exist in their truth. Let them exist, period.
LBGTQA+ books are nothing new anymore, but keep them coming, nonstop. Keep them kicking into high, mainstream gear.
Final Score: 4/5
January 9, 2026
Elliot likes her hair short, wearing baggy hoodies and keeping under the radar at school. Her nemesis is a girl called Kate who calls her weird, and a lesbian, alongside all manner of insults. Elliot’s bestie Jessica sticks up for Elliot and checks in on how she’s feeling about the bullying.
Elliot brushes it all off, as Jessica says for the umpteenth time, “Girls Together Forever, right?”
The thing is, Elliot doesn’t feel like a girl. But she doesn’t feel like a boy either, and whenever she is accused of wanting to be one, she loudly denies it.
When she meets a group of skateboarders, she enjoys their company. One guy in particular calls her, “Mate…” consistently, which also makes her uncomfortable. The more time they spend together and the more skilled she becomes on her skateboard heading into a competition, the more conflicted she becomes.
Elliot wants to be themselves. Not a girl. Not a boy. But will anyone understand that? Is their mum right in saying they are living three different lives trying to keep their true identity a secret.
But will Kate be even worse when she finds out, Jessica be mad, and the skateboarders even more so?
This graphic novel is a powerful story in black and white illustrations by Logan Hanning (they/them), and multi award winning author L D Lapinski.
Elliot may have a boy’s name as a girl, but they feel like they are neither – constantly batting off insults at school for their appearance, and struggling to reveal the truth.
Kick Flip shows Elliot’s journey as they struggle to find who they really are inside, before they then worry about revealing their true selves to others. Along the way, they are surprised to meet others with similar struggles, and acceptance from people who they care about.
A moving graphic novel that tugs at the heartstrings and strengthens the point that people don’t have to be labelled to be happy within themselves – just to be themselves.
Looking forward to more in this series.
Age – 11+
Publisher – Hachette
Set – School/Home/Skateboarding Park
Viewpoint – 1st person
Violence – None
Real Life – Yes
Fantasy – No
Blend – LGBTQ+/Real Life
Elliot brushes it all off, as Jessica says for the umpteenth time, “Girls Together Forever, right?”
The thing is, Elliot doesn’t feel like a girl. But she doesn’t feel like a boy either, and whenever she is accused of wanting to be one, she loudly denies it.
When she meets a group of skateboarders, she enjoys their company. One guy in particular calls her, “Mate…” consistently, which also makes her uncomfortable. The more time they spend together and the more skilled she becomes on her skateboard heading into a competition, the more conflicted she becomes.
Elliot wants to be themselves. Not a girl. Not a boy. But will anyone understand that? Is their mum right in saying they are living three different lives trying to keep their true identity a secret.
But will Kate be even worse when she finds out, Jessica be mad, and the skateboarders even more so?
This graphic novel is a powerful story in black and white illustrations by Logan Hanning (they/them), and multi award winning author L D Lapinski.
Elliot may have a boy’s name as a girl, but they feel like they are neither – constantly batting off insults at school for their appearance, and struggling to reveal the truth.
Kick Flip shows Elliot’s journey as they struggle to find who they really are inside, before they then worry about revealing their true selves to others. Along the way, they are surprised to meet others with similar struggles, and acceptance from people who they care about.
A moving graphic novel that tugs at the heartstrings and strengthens the point that people don’t have to be labelled to be happy within themselves – just to be themselves.
Looking forward to more in this series.
Age – 11+
Publisher – Hachette
Set – School/Home/Skateboarding Park
Viewpoint – 1st person
Violence – None
Real Life – Yes
Fantasy – No
Blend – LGBTQ+/Real Life
August 12, 2025
I loved this beautifully illustrated graphic novel! It had an interesting storyline which was all about finding yourself and where you belong.
Elliot is a teenager who doesn’t know exactly where they belong. They’ve tried being a boy and a girl, but nothing feels right. They live three different lives, one at home, one as a girl with their best friend Jess, and the other as a boy with their new skate club, where Elliot is learning a new hobby which is slowly becoming their passion. Still, he feels like he doesn’t fit in properly. Will Elliot ever realise who they are all along and find the courage to tell the world how they really feel?
I loved this book. Other than something like Heatstopper, I haven’t really read anything about trying to figure out who you are and where you belong in the LGBTQ+ community. It made me see things differently, including skateboarding, and made me feel quite sad for Elliot, as they didn’t know where they belonged and felt lost and lonely. I really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it, and I don’t wait for the next one to come out!
Elliot is a teenager who doesn’t know exactly where they belong. They’ve tried being a boy and a girl, but nothing feels right. They live three different lives, one at home, one as a girl with their best friend Jess, and the other as a boy with their new skate club, where Elliot is learning a new hobby which is slowly becoming their passion. Still, he feels like he doesn’t fit in properly. Will Elliot ever realise who they are all along and find the courage to tell the world how they really feel?
I loved this book. Other than something like Heatstopper, I haven’t really read anything about trying to figure out who you are and where you belong in the LGBTQ+ community. It made me see things differently, including skateboarding, and made me feel quite sad for Elliot, as they didn’t know where they belonged and felt lost and lonely. I really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it, and I don’t wait for the next one to come out!
June 21, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Orion Children's Books for providing me with a digital ARC for review purposes. This review is provided voluntarily and no payment was received.
What a wonderful read. A very complex, sensitive subject matter was handled with compassion, and presented in a way that made it easy to understand. The book follows Elliot as they endure bullying and begin to explore and understand their gender identity, and how it impacts both new and old relationships.
The black and white out is simple, but effective, easily transitioning from depicting the speed and energy of the skate park to expressing the emotions of the characters when they are talking.
The characters are, for the most part, interesting and likable, and I am hoping that there will be a volume 2 before long as I am interested to see how the relationships develop, and to have the opportunity to learn more about the supporting cast.
What a wonderful read. A very complex, sensitive subject matter was handled with compassion, and presented in a way that made it easy to understand. The book follows Elliot as they endure bullying and begin to explore and understand their gender identity, and how it impacts both new and old relationships.
The black and white out is simple, but effective, easily transitioning from depicting the speed and energy of the skate park to expressing the emotions of the characters when they are talking.
The characters are, for the most part, interesting and likable, and I am hoping that there will be a volume 2 before long as I am interested to see how the relationships develop, and to have the opportunity to learn more about the supporting cast.
July 28, 2025
Mir hat „Kickflip“ gut gefallen – besonders Elliots non-binäre Repräsentation, das Coming-out und der Geschichte rund um die Suche nach der eigenen Identität. Die Charaktere waren sympathisch (Ryan mochte ich besonders gern), und der Zeichenstil mit den Universums-Metaphern war richtig schön.
Etwas gestört hat mich, dass alles sehr harmonisch verlief – es war mir ein wenig zu „Friede, Freude, Eierkuchen“. Auch wenn die Geschichte wichtige Themen aufgreift, blieb sie insgesamt etwas oberflächlich und zu kurz, um mich emotional voll zu packen.
Ich würde das Buch vor allem Menschen empfehlen, die sich gerade mit ihrer Identität auseinandersetzen – oder Angehörigen, die einfühlsamere Einblicke suchen. Und Fans von Heartstopper könnten hier auch fündig werden.
Etwas gestört hat mich, dass alles sehr harmonisch verlief – es war mir ein wenig zu „Friede, Freude, Eierkuchen“. Auch wenn die Geschichte wichtige Themen aufgreift, blieb sie insgesamt etwas oberflächlich und zu kurz, um mich emotional voll zu packen.
Ich würde das Buch vor allem Menschen empfehlen, die sich gerade mit ihrer Identität auseinandersetzen – oder Angehörigen, die einfühlsamere Einblicke suchen. Und Fans von Heartstopper könnten hier auch fündig werden.
November 11, 2025
4.5.
I really liked this and how it explored gender. It was nice seeing a character who already knew that they weren't cisgender but lacked the words to describe their feelings and thus were closeted because of it for the majority of the story.
I liked the art style, however on some pages where it lacked hard panel borders I did get confused regarding the order of the dialogue.
All characters were likeable in their own way and I liked the diversity. Supporting characters like Eliot's best friend is plus-sized for example and two of their new skater friends are bisexual and pansexual.
As someone who has somewhat of a secret interest in skateboarding, I enjoyed that element too. And overall I'm curious to see where everything goes with Volume 2.
I really liked this and how it explored gender. It was nice seeing a character who already knew that they weren't cisgender but lacked the words to describe their feelings and thus were closeted because of it for the majority of the story.
I liked the art style, however on some pages where it lacked hard panel borders I did get confused regarding the order of the dialogue.
All characters were likeable in their own way and I liked the diversity. Supporting characters like Eliot's best friend is plus-sized for example and two of their new skater friends are bisexual and pansexual.
As someone who has somewhat of a secret interest in skateboarding, I enjoyed that element too. And overall I'm curious to see where everything goes with Volume 2.
July 4, 2025
I dropped everything, and read this graphic novel in a day, and internally sobbed my heart out.
The artwork is black and white, and straightforward. Quite like Heartstopper.
Watching Elliot discover who they are, and that there is a place for them in the world was so heartwarming and made me so soft.
But this doesn't come without its struggles, some bullying, and a whole lot uncertainty too.
I loved Elliot's mum, how much friendship was the focus in this, and the blooming crush moments were cute too!
The ending has a lot to say about exclusion and assumptions, and I really liked how those conversations were done.
The artwork is black and white, and straightforward. Quite like Heartstopper.
Watching Elliot discover who they are, and that there is a place for them in the world was so heartwarming and made me so soft.
But this doesn't come without its struggles, some bullying, and a whole lot uncertainty too.
I loved Elliot's mum, how much friendship was the focus in this, and the blooming crush moments were cute too!
The ending has a lot to say about exclusion and assumptions, and I really liked how those conversations were done.
October 25, 2025
Kickflip is such a heartfelt and beautifully illustrated story about finding yourself and the people who truly get you. Elliot’s journey of navigating identity and belonging felt so real and relatable it’s tender, honest, and full of emotion. The mix of school life, skate culture, and self-discovery was perfectly balanced, and the artwork brought every moment to life. It’s the kind of book that makes you smile, tear up, and cheer for the main character all at once. A must read for anyone who’s ever felt like they don’t quite fit in.
July 2, 2025
This book ticks all of my boxes!! 5/5 from me!!
This graphic novel explores so much of my own experience with being non-binary I just felt so seen and validated!
Not to mention, cool skateboarding stuffs, amazing art (especially for comedic purposes), and just a really great story about realising you’re non-binary whilst not /just/ being about being non-binary.
I will 100% be continuing this series!
Thank you so much Netgalley for my ARC!!
This graphic novel explores so much of my own experience with being non-binary I just felt so seen and validated!
Not to mention, cool skateboarding stuffs, amazing art (especially for comedic purposes), and just a really great story about realising you’re non-binary whilst not /just/ being about being non-binary.
I will 100% be continuing this series!
Thank you so much Netgalley for my ARC!!
September 25, 2025
when ld lapinski writes kids (or young adult) books about discovering you’re nonbinary it makes me so emotional and happy that kids like me growing up nowadays have something they can look at and see themself in. not only was this written beautifully but the logan hanning was able to perfectly capture the moments in their illustration. what a great read about trusting your friends to understand your true self and not hiding who you are around those closest to you, because they may just get it.
October 11, 2025
I loved this 🥰🥰 From the gorgeous art to the complex but loving relationships between Elliot and their friends and family, I loved it. I saw some reviews of Kick Flip saying it reminds them of Heartstopper and I 100% agree (I wish it was apart of the Heartstopper universe). I honestly think L.D. Lapinski and Logan Hanning did an amazing job of bringing this characters and story to life. I read it basically in one sitting it was THAT good
August 30, 2025
Teen/LGBTQ+ graphic
4.5
A terrific graphic novel that is reminiscent of Heartstopper, only with less romantic angst and a whole lot more skateboarding. Startlingly beautiful at times. Though it resolves a little too quickly (though it seems there will be furthre volumes), it is a beautiful and healing read. Well worth your time.
4.5
A terrific graphic novel that is reminiscent of Heartstopper, only with less romantic angst and a whole lot more skateboarding. Startlingly beautiful at times. Though it resolves a little too quickly (though it seems there will be furthre volumes), it is a beautiful and healing read. Well worth your time.
November 6, 2025
The only way this could have been better would be if it was in full colour ;)
Skating, friendship, exploration of identity - this book has it all! It's not too light and not too heavy, not too dark and not too easygoing. I also liked the drawing style a lot. It seamlessly changes from goofy to serious, from dynamic to voluminous. Can't wait to read the next volume!
Skating, friendship, exploration of identity - this book has it all! It's not too light and not too heavy, not too dark and not too easygoing. I also liked the drawing style a lot. It seamlessly changes from goofy to serious, from dynamic to voluminous. Can't wait to read the next volume!
July 1, 2025
very cute little YA comic book about nonbinaryness
August 30, 2025
Loved it!
September 2, 2025
this was so good !!! i really hope we get some good romance between ryan and elliot in future volumes they are so cute
December 31, 2025
I met the author and illustrator of this book at comic con and they were both some of the nicest people I have ever met! <3 thank you guys for making this book.
August 1, 2025
“You can’t tell what kind of person someone is just by looking at them, can you?”
Kickflip centres around teen Elliot who feels like they don’t quite fit in anywhere. At school, Elliot is bullied from being different to the other girls on the netball team. Whereas when Elliot meets a guys at the skatepark, they appear to fit in seamlessly except that the guys all think Elliot is male.
This was such a beautifully illustrated graphic novel about a teen trying to find themselves and figure out their identity, all while maintaining their close friendships and avoiding the bullies. I also loved the skateboarding aspects and how El discovered a passion that they didn’t know they had 🛹
The illustrations really captured El’s journey, from the speed of the skatepark to feelings about themselves and the situations they found themselves in. The facial expressions of all of the characters were brilliant at conveying emotion. I loved the conversations El had with their friends Jess and Ryan towards to end of the book and how the characters were so empathetic and caring with one another. This graphic novel gently explores gender identity, communicating with friends and family, and the complexities of navigating societal reactions to gender expression.
This was pitched just right for a teen audience. I will 100% be reading volume 2!
Kickflip centres around teen Elliot who feels like they don’t quite fit in anywhere. At school, Elliot is bullied from being different to the other girls on the netball team. Whereas when Elliot meets a guys at the skatepark, they appear to fit in seamlessly except that the guys all think Elliot is male.
This was such a beautifully illustrated graphic novel about a teen trying to find themselves and figure out their identity, all while maintaining their close friendships and avoiding the bullies. I also loved the skateboarding aspects and how El discovered a passion that they didn’t know they had 🛹
The illustrations really captured El’s journey, from the speed of the skatepark to feelings about themselves and the situations they found themselves in. The facial expressions of all of the characters were brilliant at conveying emotion. I loved the conversations El had with their friends Jess and Ryan towards to end of the book and how the characters were so empathetic and caring with one another. This graphic novel gently explores gender identity, communicating with friends and family, and the complexities of navigating societal reactions to gender expression.
This was pitched just right for a teen audience. I will 100% be reading volume 2!
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