Heartstopper: Volume One

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

Heartstopper deals with LGBTQ+ issues and features the development of a romantic relationship between two high school boys. What do you know about the specific issues faced by LGBTQ+ teens? Are you aware of any support groups or organizations that address these issues?

Teaching Suggestion: Input and ideas on LGBTQ+ issues may vary greatly among class members as well as group to group. Some students may hold biases; some may have little frame of reference; others may be particularly passionate or sensitive regarding LGBTQ+ issues. Some may have a great deal to say while others may be hesitant to share at all. In this regard, a short or less detailed response does not necessarily indicate a lack of interest or effort. Some students may also be struggling with their own sexuality or coming out. It might be beneficial to prepare a list of local support groups or organizations so that all students readily see a connection between the text’s themes and their community.

• LGBT Foundation – Coming Out offers information and live support for people in the LGBTQ+ community who may be struggling with coming out, bullying, or other issues.
• The scholarly article “LGBTQ Bullying: Translating Research to Action in Pediatrics” discusses the disproportionate level of bullying experienced by LGBTQ+ youth, the stigma surrounding the LGBTQ+ community, and what actions can and should be taken to address bullying against this group.

Short Activity

Heartstopper explores some of the challenges that LGBTQ+ youth face in the real world. Think about the specific needs of LGBTQ+ youth, and then, with a partner or small group, create an ideal LGBTQ+ organization for youth. What does it look like? Who works there? What are its foundational beliefs and goals? How does it help LGBTQ+ youth? Note ideas offered in the discussion; share the organization’s description and goals with the larger group as time permits.

Teaching Suggestion: Encourage students to be as creative as possible; for example, they may work within a construct of limitless funding in order to better envision how an ideal organization for LGBTQ+ youth would appear and function. This activity will allow students to brainstorm effective solutions to address bullying against LGBTQ+ youth and other concerns. They may also wish to reference the article from the Short Answer question. This activity connects to the text’s theme The Damaging Nature of Bullying and Stereotyping.

• “UN Free & Equal: #YouthLead Us Toward a Fearless Future” is a brief video motivating youth toward acceptance and equality regarding LGBTQ+ rights and freedoms.
• “LGBTQ+ Bullying: Making Schools Safe for LGBTQ+ Community” by Stomp Out Bullying provides information on how youth can become active in their schools and communities to help end bullying against the LBGTQ+ community.

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the novel.

Have you or a friend ever experienced bullying or been cast out for being who you/they are? What type of support do you think would have been helpful in that situation?

Teaching Suggestion: Now that students have considered support organizations, youth activism, and the specific issues with bullying that LGBTQ+ youth experience, they can consider the ways in which their own experiences relate or connect. Thinking about their own experiences with bullying and support that might have benefitted them will also better allow students to empathize with the book’s characters.

Differentiation Suggestion: A more visual-spatial approach might include the creation of an anti-bullying poster through the use of digital tools or by creating a physical mock-up. Remind students that the poster should be focused on LGBTQ+ youth.