The Passing Playbook

The Passing Playbook is a great story of what it means to live in a world where threats of violence can scare transgender youth into not coming out and how great it is when they have the support of friends, family, and community to finally do so. After facing violence and discrimination at his old school, Spencer's family moves him to a progressive and liberal school in Ohio where he lands a spot on the school's soccer team. But Spencer isn't out in Ohio. And a discriminatory rule from the soccer league will leave him benched unless he fights for his rights and those of other transgender students like him. I absolutely adored the romance aspect between Spencer and Justice and their chemistry was sweet and really remarkable and a joy to read. I loved Spencer's little brother as well and thought he served as a true sign that intolerance is something that is learned and not born into you. The Passing Playbook is a beautiful story and Isaac Fitzsimons did an excellent job with the writing and character development.

THE PASSING PLAYBOOK is a joyful, affirming story of a biracial transgender boy who loves soccer. Spencer is entering his sophomore year at a new school; he plans to keep his identity private there (he's proud of being trans, but also wants to be safe). The reader follows along as Spencer joins the soccer team and the Queer-Straight Alliance, develops a crush, and forms friendships. This story just had so much heart. It's the sort of YA that I can't help but think how great it'd have been to read as a kid -- and how grateful I am that it exists now, for both preteens/teens and adults. Spencer is faced with complications, but this isn't a book about pain and trauma. It's about courage and empathy, joy and belonging. It's beautiful, and I so hope there's a copy in every school library.

I loved this book. It quickly drew me in and kept me interested until the last page. throughout this book I found myself having strong feelings about each and every character from Spencer to Justice's parents. They all felt so real and put together that they existed outside of the story in their own ways. What I found so wonderful about this novel and the writing/character development is that there were many arcs happening but not in a way that was confusing or seemed less important. This story felt so real and I am sure parts of it are in different parts of peoples lives. This book has representation of so many different things including a trans main character as well as a brother who is autistic and other characters that are queer, non-binary or gay. This book left with a kind of open end but, reminds us that society has not developed enough for the author completely tie up the loose ends. Overall, I would recommend this book to anybody who wants to learn more about the experiences and hardships of others. There is enough wholesome-romance for anyone who loves romance as well as talks about soccer and just being a young person in today's society.