I really enjoyed the Cute and fascinating story with lovable characters. It’s a quick and light read too!

The Passing Playbook is a story about a trans teen who wants to play soccer at his new school but must decide whether or not to stand up for his right to play or live the rest of his life in the background.

I thought this was a fantastic debut novel, it is not often you see an LGBTQ+ sports romance. As an avid fan and former soccer player, I loved getting to see Spencer pursue his dreams of playing. I thought the romance was pretty good, the other love interest, Justice, is from an ultra-religious and conservative family which caused a lot of friction in their relationship.

Overall this was a nice, quick, heartfelt read that was different than other LGBTQ+ books I've read in the past!

Thanks to Penguin Teen for the arc of this title.

One sentence review: I really enjoyed this feel good story of a transgender student who switches schools and has to decide between fighting for his right to play soccer for his high school team or continuing to blend in at his new school.

The Passing Playbook by Isaac Fitzsimmons for me feels like a book about transgender joy. Serious issues and harsh realities are for sure discussed, but the emphasis of this book is about acceptance. Spencer is a fifteen year old who switches schools after being bullied at his previous school. As Spencer starts a new year at this new, more liberal, private school, we get the teen experience of how to fit in in a new environment. Things go sideways for Spencer when the coach of his soccer team requests a birth certificate and issues of gender come up.

My thoughts:
- This book brilliantly captures Spencer's hopes, dreams, doubts and worries.
- While this book is meant for teens, I think it would also be a fantastic read for parents with kids who are transgender. Spencer's mom is such an advocate for her kid. And Spencer's dad, while not as perfect as mom, still is a very supportive parent who loves his kid and is there for him.
- And so comes my one worry for this book. Spencer's parents are amazing. Dad slips up with names and pronouns at the beginning, but overwhelmingly these parents are there for their kid. And the school they send Spencer to is largely the same way. I just worry that for teens who don't have this kind of support this might be triggering. Or it might inspire hope. I suspect it could vary greatly depending on the person. This is in no way a criticism of the book, just more of a strange trigger warning I guess.

In summary, I really think this is a great book. It is hopeful while still outlining the reality and difficulties that transgender youth face.

*Thank you PenguinTeen for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*

CW: Death threats, homophobia, flashbacks to past bullying, references to child death and overdose, misgendering, transphobia, and religious fanaticism

"You don't get ally points for doing one thing for trans people when they're dead if you're not doing anything for them when they're alive."

This book was such a fun and addicting read. There was so much casual diversity and representation, especially within the LGBTQ+ community, more specifically, the transgender community. I loved the plot of the story and the writing was very quick and easy to read. Many important topics that are very common within the LGBTQ+ community were discussed in a very respectful way, including what it truly means to be an ally in the community. For a debut novel (and a book in general), this was incredible. The romance was such a sweet relationship, while also dealing with and discussing many important topics. It was so fresh and comforting to see such a welcoming community of people (for the most part) within Spencer's school. Seeing people casually talk about their sexuality, pronouns, transitioning, and what being an ally means, means so much to me as someone who is part of the LGBTQ+ community and can't discuss certain topics with everyone. I would highly recommend this story to anyone and everyone, especially to those who want to learn more about the LGBTQ+ community and every ally within the community as well.

I would recommend this story to anyone who was a fan of Cemetery Boys, The Black Flamingo, or Red White and Royal Blue, though I do believe that everyone should truly read this story.

Thank you so much @penguinrandomhouse & @thedialpress for the free e-book via Netgalley, @bookishfirst for the free physical copy, and @prhaudio for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

This book was phenomenal. It is definitely one of my favorites of this year. It exceeded my expectations! I really loved all the LGBTQIA+ rep in this. It was honestly amazing! I also loved the added sports (I love me a good ol' sports romance). It was SO cute and a very important read that I highly recommend.

The audiobook was also really good. It was overall just amazing. If you don't have this on your radar already, you should definitely add it!

𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲: Sports Romance, LGBTQIA+, Trans Main Character, Coming of Age, Standing Up For What's Right, Super Cute Love Story.

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Denying someone a basic human right is another way to dehumanize them.”

I knew I was going to love this book. The minute they released the cover I just knew.
Thank you to @prha for the ALC and @penguinteen for the eARC #PenguinTeenPartner

The Passing Playbook is just a sweet and wonderful book everyone needs to read.
I truly enjoyed everything from the writing to the characters. This book does have some romance but I wouldn’t say that’s the main focus. It’s a trans coming of age story and it’s something that should be available at schools.

I absolutely love our main character Spencer, a trans guy. Spencer had to leave his old school due to bullying, but chooses not to disclose his trans identity this time around.
This book covers the topic of trans people and school sports. It perfectly explains why trans people deserve the right to play sports in schools.

Overall I thought this was a great debut! I look forward to reading more from this author!

Trigger Warnings: transphobia, bullying, outsing, religious propaganda, homophobia, misgendering,

Gah! Where do I even start with this review that isn't just incoherent screams. This is one of those books that I think should be required reading for all young people (adults too!) especially with the sweeping anti-trans legislation that has come to light.

The Passing Playbook follows 15 year old Spencer Harris (Black; biracial) who recently transferred schools in hopes of starting over following a traumatic experience after he came out as transgendered at his previous school. Now that he's at Oakley, the possibilities are endless, which includes playing for the boy's soccer team. To everyone else, this wasn't an issue, but no one knows that Spencer is trans. Things quickly escalate for Spencer when an anti-trans law jeopardizes his eligibility.

First off, I absolutely loved Spencer as a character. He's so unapologetic about his identity and space even when his parents still struggle with the idea that they need to protect him. He's passionate, talented, compassionate, and just wants to be like other teenage boys.

In regards to Spencer's parents, it is so rare to read about a protagonist that has full parental support in terms of medically transitioning. This was definitely a first for me, and I think this is something that we need more of on page.

I loved Spencer's little brother who is autistic. His brother immediately accepted Spencer as soon as Spencer announced that he was trans without ever misgendering. It was a reminder that kids can and do understand what it means for someone to embrace their true selves regardless of the previous labels that society gave them.

Spencer's love interest, Justice was such a dichotomy to Spencer's character. Justice comes from an incredibly religious family that does not accept queerness whatsoever. This is complicated by the fact that Justice's family literally relies on help from their church just to be able to have the bare necessities in life. There were definitely moments that I didn't agree with Justice being put in the situation he was (being forced out), but I understand why the contrast was made in comparison to Spencer.

Overall, this book was incredible, and I can't recommend it enough.

A very cute read, I love this book so much!! It’s very very very cute! I recommend this book to everyone, perfect for pride month!

The Passing Playbook was pitched to me as “Love, Simon meets Bend it Like Beckham” and let me tell you, I was quickly sold. I’ve been loving YA recently and this book solidified why! There’s just something about YA and the summer time.
Synopsis: “Fifteen-year-old Spencer Harris is a proud nerd, an awesome big brother, and a David Beckham in training. He's also transgender. After transitioning at his old school leads to a year of isolation and bullying, Spencer gets a fresh start at Oakley, the most liberal private school in Ohio.At Oakley, Spencer seems to have it all: more accepting classmates, a decent shot at a starting position on the boys' soccer team, great new friends, and maybe even something more than friendship with one of his teammates. The problem is, no one at Oakley knows Spencer is trans—he's passing.But when a discriminatory law forces Spencer's coach to bench him, Spencer has to make a choice: cheer his team on from the sidelines or publicly fight for his right to play, even though it would mean coming out to everyone—including the guy he's falling for.

What I Liked:

The Soccer Storyline—I love a sports romance. Hockey is my favorite but Bend It Like Beckham is one of my favorite movies so I was all for this one. The team was so great and I loved how they supported Spencer.

The Romance—I liked how messy, relatable, and self aware the romance was. Spencer sees Justice and is immediately attracted to him but recognizes that immediacy. It reminded me of myself at that age, where the attraction is so strong before you even really know them so you’re like, “I like him! Wait, why do I like him? I like him!!!'“

The Adult Characters—Spencer’s parents and his coach were such great examples of supportive adults. I feel like sometimes in YA we don’t get to know the parents too much but we were able to understand their hesitations and intentions pretty well in this book!

What Didn’t Work:

A lot of telling rather than showing—Some moments felt rushed with harsh transitions into the next moment. It could be because it’s YA, so the language was a little more simplified, but it left me wanting more at moments. But I’m not the target audience as I’m not a teen, so it didn’t bother me too much!

TW/CW: transphobia; homophobia; religious conservatism; mentions of addiction, loss of a child, and overdose

Character Authenticity: 4/5 Steam Rating: N/A Overall Rating: 4/5

Really enjoyed this book. Definitely for a younger audience but that isn’t the books fault that I’m older. I can for sure see this book meaning a lot to queer and trans kids coming into their sexuality and gender identity. Covers very deep and oftentimes painful subjects, but it doesn’t read like trauma porn, but both the good and the bad as existing as a gay trans guy. Can’t wait to see what this author does next.

I loved The Passing Playbook! The story picks up a couple years after Spencer came out and started transitioning, so the focus is on adjusting to his new school, making friends, and joining the soccer team. Spencer is a likable main character: he's nerdy, kind, sporty, and a good brother. I enjoyed watching him work through different situations, like standing up for his nonbinary classmate and helping them find more trans friends and support, or learning how to use his smaller stature as an advantage when playing soccer. I also loved the other characters, especially Spencer's teammates and his love interest -- if you love wholesome soccer bros you will definitely love this book!

While this book covers heavy topics (transphobia, homophobia, racism) the overall vibe is refreshing. Things aren't always easy for Spencer - he's trans, queer, and biracial - but he's loved and supported by his family, friends, and team, and that makes all the difference. I've read too many books -- especially books with trans main characters -- where the protagonist is pressured to be out, even when it's not safe. That never happens to Spencer. Instead, he's given the time and space to make his own decisions. I also like the way the romance develops in the story and the love interest's acceptance of all of Spencer. Their story is very sweet and left me feeling light and hopeful.

The Passing Playbook is heartwarming and full of trans joy and just what I needed!

I absolutely loved this book!
It was heartwarming, powerful, and wholesome!
I found Spencer's chemistry with all of his friends so amazing, and I hope that some other characters get together!

I would definitely say this book is not targeted to me, but I see the value for younger readers, especially for younger trans teens. I cannot on the top of my head think of a book that features a trans kid of color targeted to a young audience. I think it is important that books like this exist so teens can feel represented in the works they read.

The Passing Playbook
By Isaac Fitzsimons

A fantastic debut about a trans teen grappling between standing up for his rights or staying quiet and not making any waves.

Isaac Fitzsimons' wrote a heartwarming LGBTQ+ YA novel, that is as emotional as it is hopeful with amazing representation and characters I love reading about. This is a perfect read for Pride Month. This well written story is very hard to put down for the great plotting and characterization. The issues addressed are very relatable and resonates to teens today. I am so proud that these stories are available for young adults as Fitzsimons certainly wrote a great story with lots of heart, telling stories about courage and being proud of who you are.

What a great debut and look forward to more of Fitzsimons work.

Big thanks to @PenguinTeen for providing me a free copy to read and review!!

I LOVED this book! Oh my gosh, I am obsessed. I love the trans rep in highschool sports as it's a topic that we struggle with currently and it's nice to see what a future could be like for trans athletes. I wasn't sure what to expect in regards to the sports being played but I do believe that the author did a great job of incorporating this into the story. There were struggles within the book as most coming of age stories do, mostly about identity and social pressures. I also adore coming of age stories! All of the characters had growth in my eyes, I loved the team, I loved the Spencer's family, and the book was paced very well. I pretty much read this in one sitting!

Thank you so much for allowing me access to read this cinnamon roll of a story!! I think most kids would LOVE this. 5 stars!

Yall know I love a good sports book and this is a good sports book. It has romance, sports (obviously) and deals with the very real issues faced by transgender individuals who want to do sports. But it does a good job at balancing all of these things in a way that makes the characters feel just as real as the issues that the story is presenting. (Plus the romance was kinda super cute).

Throughout June, GeekMom celebrates Pride Month with lots of LGBTQ content. Follow the Pride Month tag to find all the content in one space (including LGBTQ content from previous years) and keep checking back for more throughout the month. Today’s book review is The Passing Playbook by Isaac Fitzsimons.

Please note: This post contains affiliate links.
Trigger Warnings: transphobia, drug abuse, homophobia, religious fanaticism, and disturbing abortion-related imagery

Who doesn’t enjoy a book with a good pun in its title? The Passing Playbook by Isaac Fitzsimmons is a book that provides just that with a storyline about transgender rights and football (soccer) in equal measure.

Spencer is a new sophomore student who just transferred to Oakley, “the most liberal school in the county.” However, given that the county happens to be in rural Ohio, that statement doesn’t mean as much as the school would like to think. Spencer also happens to be transgender and after an “Incident” at his previous school that resulted in his transfer, both he and his parents have decided that staying firmly in the closet is probably for the best.

Quote from The Passing Playbook: "Am I a coward for not being out? Dude, no. You have to do what's right for you. Sometimes existing is enough."

However, soccer is Spencer’s passion. He is a skilled midfielder and desperately wants to play for the school team in the local league. Coach is immediately impressed with his skills but when the gender marker on Spencer’s birth certificate forces him to be benched, he faces a choice; should he come out to his whole school and fight for his right to play or remain in the closet to stay safe? Spencer is also falling for his Wesley Crusher-lookalike teammate Justice who happens to come from an ultra-conservative Christian family, just to make matters more complicated.

This was such a sweet, fun, book and I raced through the whole thing in only a few hours. The writing style was casual and easy to follow, making this an ideal summer read. The relationship between Spencer and Justice grew in a slow, believable way, and the friendships between the rest of Spencer’s soccer team also felt realistic and were a joy to read – if only all teenage boys could have such a supportive group around them.

Quote from The Passing Playbook: "As if Spencer's thoughts were sending out a homing beacon, Justice looked over in his direction, making eye contact, and Spencer understood what Gimli saw when he gazed upon Galadriel."

The relationship between Spencer and his parents was also well-written. His parents are clearly working hard to be supportive but they don’t always get things right and this creates its own conflicts. I found it especially refreshing to read an LGBTQ YA story that didn’t involve a coming-out narrative with the parents. I also appreciated the diverse cast of main characters. Spencer is mixed race with a Black father and also has an autistic younger brother named Theo who faces his own challenges throughout the story but is fully supported by his family including Spencer, as well as Spencer’s friends.

My only real criticism of The Passing Playbook was that the ending felt a bit too “and they all lived happily ever after.” Several plot lines were wrapped up far too easily and some elements of the conclusion felt unbelievable for a story set in a conservative, rural area. I can’t discuss this any more without getting into spoiler territory and I’m certainly not complaining about a YA book having a fairly happy ending, more that it might paint an overly rose-tinted view of reality that could possibly be dangerous for real trans youth. However, that being said, there is a great passage toward the book’s conclusion that does seem to specifically talk to the reader about this exact scenario. Another issue I want to briefly mention regards the Hell House that Spencer and his friends visit on Halloween. This is an attraction run by an ultra-conservative church and is described as being “like a haunted house, but everything is about going to hell.” Some of the rooms described in the house will be extremely triggering to many readers for disturbing imagery related to abortion, sex, and homosexuality.

Quote from The Passing Playbook: "He was more anxious watching the game than he ever was playing. At least when he was on the pitch, he could transfer the energy into action, but on the bench, it remained bottled up with nowhere to go."

Despite a few surprisingly intense moments, The Passing Playbook is generally a relaxed, feel-good story. It has plenty of romantic moments, but I would personally classify it more as a coming-of-age sports story than a romance and would recommend it to everyone, but especially trans youth who might be struggling with figuring out exactly who they want to be and how much they want to share.

GeekMom received a copy of this book for review purposes.

<deeeeeeeeep sigh!> Wow! I can not tell you how much I loved The Passing Playbook. It was a mixture of two books I loved immensely, Running with Lions and Autoboyography, but so so so much more!

The MC, Spencer, is not only Gay and Black, but also Trans. He left his last school after he was attacked and his life was threatened. The whole family has made changes, including his little brother, Theo, who is Autistic, having to be put into public school so that Spencer could find safety in a progressive Private school.

You know that Justice is the love interest, almost, from page 1, when Spencer’s Mother barely misses running him over. He’s a closeted Gay boy from a conservative family, going to the school on a full scholarship.

The entire book is centered around soccer, which I don’t typically love reading about, but the way that Isaac Fitzsimons writes it, I was pulled in. Justice is the star player and all Spencer has wanted his entire life is to be accepted and play on the team he should be on.

I love how even though I guessed what the opposition was going to be from early on (Justice’s conservative family and the fact that Spencer wasn’t assigned Male at birth), I still was captivated the entire time I was reading.

A ++++++ This was a book I will cherish! Now, I wanna know what happens next!!!

"Recent events have shown me that being passive is going against progress."

A book that should be in all middle-school and high-school libraries because I believe it is a trans coming-of-age story that every young teen needs to read.

REVIEW
Let me start off by saying that I was having a really stressful day when I picked up this book. I even thought I might be in a reading slump. And then, suddenly, I was 35 percent through this book and my mind was completely immersed in the story. Just for that, I want to thank this book.

This is the story of a young trans teen who has moved to a new school and joins the soccer. Because he is passing, no one knows that he is trans at his school.

All the people in Spencer's life are incredibly supportive. I really loved that it wasn't just his friends and family who supported him, but his teammates and the other adult figures in his life. This is a book about acceptance and standing up for what you believe in. It is an extremely positive story and I am glad that it doesn't focus too heavily on the negative. Yes, there are transphobic people in Spencer's life and there are other issues that he has to deal with, but this is Spencer's coming-of-age story.

Spencer does join the QSA, and I think it was a really interesting aspect to the story. The QSA is thinking about their next project and one of the nonbinary members mentions petitioning for gender-neutral bathrooms. Most of the other members are dismissive and think this is a pointless endeavour because it wouldn't help "that many people." The book really talks about how there is a lack of trans knowledge even within the queer community and that a lack of sensitivity can be detrimental to growth.

"Whether you come out tomorrow or in five years, or thirty years, I guarantee that the fight will still be going on in some form or another. And I promise that when you join us, we'll welcome you with open arms."

Spencer's little brother, Leo, has autism and struggles a lot in this book with having to move schools. I really loved the sibling relationship and my heart melted during so many scenes.

The romance in this book is a sub-plot, which I appreciated. While there was a focus on how Justice, Spencer's love interest, comes from an incredibly religious and devout family who project homophobia/transphobia into the world, it is also a story of first-love. Their relationship was messy and reflective of being fifteen. The aspect of homecoming had me cringing because I remembered just how awful those dances were--and Fitzsimons doesn't shy away from the obscene grinding that occurs at these dances.

Spencer is on the soccer team and soccer plays a large part in this story, but the jargon isn't too prominent. Sure, there were some scenes where there was a lot of soccer-speak, but I survived. If you are a soccer fan, you would really love it! I really loved the team aspect, and as someone who played on a sports team during high school, the scenes had me reminiscing.

I cannot wait to see what Fitzsimons writes next, and I really hope that everyone has the chance to pick up this book.

The Passing Playbook is a story about a Black trans boy named Spencer who is going stealth at a new school after a serious incident at his old school threatened his safety. When an embarrassing encounter orchestrated by his mom on the first day of school introduces him to Justice, a charming and handsome sophomore who looks like a younger version of his celeb crush, Spencer can't get him out of his head. When Spencer winds up on the soccer team alongside Justice, the two are drawn to each other even when the religious views of the people around the might tear them apart.
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I would categorize this book as a romance, but it definitely explored some heavier topics, like trans people having the right to play on sport teams and the discrimination LGBTQ+ people face simply for existing--especialy in a very religious state like Ohio. I was especially concerned about the route this book was going to take when I learned how religious some of the characters were, but it turned out better then I thought. Even with these heavy topics this book had an overall hopeful tone, especially towards the end. I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it. But I would advise you to look at the content warning below before you decide to pick it up.
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CW: homophobia, transphobia, outing
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Release day: June 1, 2021
[Disclaimer: I recieved this eARC via netgalley in exchange for an honest review]