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The Passing Playbook

Isaac Fitzsimons

Ages 14–18

Readers rate it 4.2 (32 on Hardcover)

305 pages · Released Jun 1, 2021

Content report card

The Passing Playbook parent’s guide: what’s inside

High confidence

Violence

Substance use

What it offers

Educational value

A note for parents

This is a thoughtful coming-of-age romance centered on a transgender teen navigating identity, acceptance, and belonging. The story balances authentic emotional challenges—including past bullying and social anxiety around disclosure—with genuine warmth, humor, and hope. Strong LGBTQ+ representation and positive messaging about authenticity and courage make it affirming for queer teens, while the character-driven narrative and universal themes of friendship and belonging appeal broadly. Language and romantic content are age-appropriate for mid-to-late teens.

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From the publisher

Love, Simon meets Bend It Like Beckham in this feel-good contemporary romance about a trans athlete who must decide between fighting for his right to play and staying stealth. “A sharply observant and vividly drawn debut. I loved every minute I spent in this story, and I’ve never rooted harder for a jock in my life.” –... Love, Simon meets Bend It Like Beckham in this feel-good contemporary romance about a trans athlete who must decide between fighting for his right to play and staying stealth. “A sharply observant and vividly drawn debut. I loved every minute I spent in this story, and I’ve never rooted harder for a jock in my life.” – New York Times bestselling author Becky Albertalli 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.

Shelved under

  • Young Adult Fiction
  • Character driven
  • Strong Character Development
  • Loveable Characters
  • Diverse Characters
  • emotional
  • hopeful
  • inspiring
  • Adventurous
  • reflective
  • Young Adult
  • LGBTQ

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ISBN 9781984815408 · Penguin

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