Between the Pipes

Chase (Cree) is a gay teenage boy who is coming to terms with his sexuality. Luckily, he has his best friends Kevin and Jade to help him work through his feelings, but, after being bullied by his hockey teammate Leo both on and off the ice, Chase feels like he has nowhere else to go.

After struggling at school and at home, Chase asks his guidance counsellor for help, but they do not seem to understand where he is coming from. To make matters worse, he feels like he cannot go to his teammates for help as the toxic masculinity in hockey culture makes him afraid he will not be accepted.

As Chase begins having strange dreams of a large bear, Kookum, Chase’s grandmother, senses that he is struggling. Ever the loving grandmother, Kookum arranges for Chase to meet with other two-spirit Elders who take him on an early morning canoe ride. After teaching him about the importance of two-spirit people in Cree culture and explaining that the bear in his dreams “…inspires us to face our greatest enemy – ourselves”, Chase finally begins to accept who he is and find inner peace.

Between the Pipes is a coming-of-age YA graphic novel that deftly tackles the topic of homophobia in sports. Chase is a highly sympathetic and relatable protagonist who comes to accept himself with the love and help of his Elders and his community. Its central theme is one of hope and will resonate with young readers who may be struggling with their own sexuality and feel like they have nowhere else to go.

Adding to the story’s appeal are Alice RL’s stellar illustrations that add a splash of colour and vibrancy. Their choice of colour palette, especially the use of pink throughout, complements the storyline’s central theme.

Overall, an inspiring LGBTQ+ coming-of-age story, Between the Pipes is highly recommended.