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A review by literaryprincess
The Passing Playbook by Isaac Fitzsimons
4.0
Any time a book makes me actually interested in sports, it deserves a gold medal.
This story was heartwarming and painful and funny and downright adorable all at once.
And it took me far longer than I care to admit to realize the double meaning of the title. Passing, as in passing as cis, but also passing as in, like, soccer. Duh.
Spencer is a black trans boy and also simultaneously a sports kid and a giant nerd. I can only begin to think of the thousands of young readers who will resonate with his character and I'm so happy he exists.
This book deals with a lot of hard-hitting topics beautifully, all while providing a tearjerker love story and making you care so deeply for these teens who just want to be loved and accepted exactly as they are despite the rest of the world not understanding.
I'll admit there were a few moments that felt rushed and a number of lines here and there that I wish had been expanded on or explained in more depth, but overall, the lessons and message of this story come across loud and clear.
Each person's journey in acceptance - both within themself and to the world around them - moves at a different pace, and there is no shame in being two steps ahead or twenty steps behind anyone else. The pressure to conform to societal or familial expectations can be a major roadblock, and ultimately it is up to you and you alone when you are ready to let people know you entirely.
Overall, an excellent debut from Isaac Fitzsimmons and a wonderful story that I will be glad to revisit again in the future.
This story was heartwarming and painful and funny and downright adorable all at once.
And it took me far longer than I care to admit to realize the double meaning of the title. Passing, as in passing as cis, but also passing as in, like, soccer. Duh.
Spencer is a black trans boy and also simultaneously a sports kid and a giant nerd. I can only begin to think of the thousands of young readers who will resonate with his character and I'm so happy he exists.
This book deals with a lot of hard-hitting topics beautifully, all while providing a tearjerker love story and making you care so deeply for these teens who just want to be loved and accepted exactly as they are despite the rest of the world not understanding.
I'll admit there were a few moments that felt rushed and a number of lines here and there that I wish had been expanded on or explained in more depth, but overall, the lessons and message of this story come across loud and clear.
Each person's journey in acceptance - both within themself and to the world around them - moves at a different pace, and there is no shame in being two steps ahead or twenty steps behind anyone else. The pressure to conform to societal or familial expectations can be a major roadblock, and ultimately it is up to you and you alone when you are ready to let people know you entirely.
Overall, an excellent debut from Isaac Fitzsimmons and a wonderful story that I will be glad to revisit again in the future.