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.
Genre: Young Adult Romance
“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.
Genre: Young Adult Romance
Praise for this book
"The Passing Playbook feels like a simultaneous warm hug and a lightning strike of courage. Isaac writes from the heart, creating characters you will love and cheer on. This is a wonderful debut!" - Kacen Callender
"An absolutely perfect story about identity, first love, and finding a voice for yourself. I loved every single page." - Mason Deaver
"The Passing Playbook is a literary hat trick a story of finding your voice, living your truth, and being yourself, all in one joyful package. This one's a keeper!" - Adib Khorram
"This book is a national treasure. I fell in love over and over again: with Spencer and Justice, with Fizsimons' sharp and witty prose, and a romance that made my heart burst." - Victoria Lee
"In this remarkable debut, Isaac Fitzsimons perfectly balances a hopeful, captivating story with a charming cast of characters. The Passing Playbook is the pitch-perfect YA romance of the summer." - Phil Stamper
"A big heart of a book about how acts of courage -- both small and large -- can be so empowering. It'll leave readers feeling both loved and hopeful." - Aiden Thomas
"The Passing Playbook is a quietly powerful and earnestly hopeful debut. Fitzsimons explores privilege, identity, the complicated relationships we create through family and friends, and discovering the potential our voices have with charm and passion. Teens everywhere will love this one." - Julian Winters
"An absolutely perfect story about identity, first love, and finding a voice for yourself. I loved every single page." - Mason Deaver
"The Passing Playbook is a literary hat trick a story of finding your voice, living your truth, and being yourself, all in one joyful package. This one's a keeper!" - Adib Khorram
"This book is a national treasure. I fell in love over and over again: with Spencer and Justice, with Fizsimons' sharp and witty prose, and a romance that made my heart burst." - Victoria Lee
"In this remarkable debut, Isaac Fitzsimons perfectly balances a hopeful, captivating story with a charming cast of characters. The Passing Playbook is the pitch-perfect YA romance of the summer." - Phil Stamper
"A big heart of a book about how acts of courage -- both small and large -- can be so empowering. It'll leave readers feeling both loved and hopeful." - Aiden Thomas
"The Passing Playbook is a quietly powerful and earnestly hopeful debut. Fitzsimons explores privilege, identity, the complicated relationships we create through family and friends, and discovering the potential our voices have with charm and passion. Teens everywhere will love this one." - Julian Winters
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