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kj468's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
rep: mlm; trans man mc; gay LI; LI from religious family; enby sc; trans sc
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tags: sports; soccer; religious bigotry; fighting transphobia; coming out
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ratings: funny: 2 // ease: 4 // plot: 5 // romance: 4 // representation: 5 // total: 5
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This book is a gem; I'm so glad it exists for trans youth to read and feel inspired by. It would also be a great read for anyone who doesn't quite *get* the human-level emotional harm done by transphobia and transphobic legislation policing where trans people are allowed to exist. This book does an outstanding job of making readers feel the tangible daily harm of banning trans kids from playing sports, and it highlights how it's not just trans kids who suffer -- it's cis kids, it's coaches, it's parents. It's everyone.
Despite so clearly communicating that harm, this book manages to be happy and joyful and full of wonderful characters who support each other even when their identities differ. Justice, the love interest, comes from a religious family and it was so comforting to read about him getting to explore safe queer spaces. The team's and coach's reactions to Spencer coming out as trans, and to queerness in general, was like a warm hug. Transphobia definitely exists in this book, but the author did such a great job of making that transphobia shrink in comparison to the outpouring of love for queer folks.
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TW explanations:
religious bigotry: the love interests family is religious and homophobic. We see his struggles living in this type of home as a young gay kid & hear some of the shitty things his family says and believes. Of note, there is a particularly visual scene of religious bigotry where Spencer and his friends go to the church's haunted house for Halloween & the horror is very Christain "values" inspired -- graphic antiabortion sentiments, gay folks going to hell, etc
bullying: Spencer was bullied at his previous school and it's why he's now at a new school, but we don't see any on page bullying.
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tags: sports; soccer; religious bigotry; fighting transphobia; coming out
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ratings: funny: 2 // ease: 4 // plot: 5 // romance: 4 // representation: 5 // total: 5
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This book is a gem; I'm so glad it exists for trans youth to read and feel inspired by. It would also be a great read for anyone who doesn't quite *get* the human-level emotional harm done by transphobia and transphobic legislation policing where trans people are allowed to exist. This book does an outstanding job of making readers feel the tangible daily harm of banning trans kids from playing sports, and it highlights how it's not just trans kids who suffer -- it's cis kids, it's coaches, it's parents. It's everyone.
Despite so clearly communicating that harm, this book manages to be happy and joyful and full of wonderful characters who support each other even when their identities differ. Justice, the love interest, comes from a religious family and it was so comforting to read about him getting to explore safe queer spaces. The team's and coach's reactions to Spencer coming out as trans, and to queerness in general, was like a warm hug. Transphobia definitely exists in this book, but the author did such a great job of making that transphobia shrink in comparison to the outpouring of love for queer folks.
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TW explanations:
religious bigotry: the love interests family is religious and homophobic. We see his struggles living in this type of home as a young gay kid & hear some of the shitty things his family says and believes. Of note, there is a particularly visual scene of religious bigotry where Spencer and his friends
bullying: Spencer was bullied at his previous school and it's why he's now at a new school, but we don't see any on page bullying.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Religious bigotry and Transphobia
Minor: Bullying
ana_the_frog's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Religious bigotry, and Transphobia
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Drug abuse, Medical content, and Outing
mxbluet18's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Trigger warnings for The Passing Playbook include: transphobia, bullying, religious propaganda, homophobia and misgendering.
☆
☆
This book has so many important elements to it. It had both open and stealth trans characters, as well as a non-binary character, and gay and bisexual characters.
~
It also showed the importanance of acceptance from a community, as well as how shit passive acceptance actually is for a community. The QSA as well as the principal of the school were accepting until it was inconvenient for them, and it would take more work to make a change. Acceptance shouldn't be conditional, or until it makes problems or makes it challenging.
~
I loved that it showed more than one perspective to the trans experience. How being open can be a benefit, not just for that person but for all the trans people who might come after them. And I liked that it openly said that non-binary people deserve to be able to use the bathroom, and that gender neutral bathrooms benefit lots of people, not just non-binary people.
~
The scene for Transgender Day of Remembrance was really touching for me. The idea of one person saying their names and it echoing around until everyone was saying it felt really special. And it also felt fitting that it started pouring rain as the names were being read out, and it stopping when they were done.
☆
☆
This book has so many important elements to it. It had both open and stealth trans characters, as well as a non-binary character, and gay and bisexual characters.
~
It also showed the importanance of acceptance from a community, as well as how shit passive acceptance actually is for a community. The QSA as well as the principal of the school were accepting until it was inconvenient for them, and it would take more work to make a change. Acceptance shouldn't be conditional, or until it makes problems or makes it challenging.
~
I loved that it showed more than one perspective to the trans experience. How being open can be a benefit, not just for that person but for all the trans people who might come after them. And I liked that it openly said that non-binary people deserve to be able to use the bathroom, and that gender neutral bathrooms benefit lots of people, not just non-binary people.
~
The scene for Transgender Day of Remembrance was really touching for me. The idea of one person saying their names and it echoing around until everyone was saying it felt really special. And it also felt fitting that it started pouring rain as the names were being read out, and it stopping when they were done.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Deadnaming, Bullying, Religious bigotry, Transphobia, and Homophobia
Minor: Drug use and Death
sisters26's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
this is so an heartwarming story. 🥺❤️🩹
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Religious bigotry, and Transphobia
Moderate: Bullying and Outing
Minor: Death
deadgirlwalking23's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Religious bigotry, and Transphobia
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Deadnaming and Drug use
smasson13's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I didn't hate this book. I also didn't love it.
Technically, there was nothing wrong with it. A little cliche and as though it was filling up with as many tropes and plot devices as possible. Yet, it was so boring. The characters and writing lacked so much depth and detail.
I was expecting a YA novel and instead got a middle grade or lower reading level. As a result, the pace was slow, detail non existent, and characters were empty and unrelatable.
This might be a great option for a teen who has a lower reading level, like a high interest/low level book, but that might be it's niche.
Technically, there was nothing wrong with it. A little cliche and as though it was filling up with as many tropes and plot devices as possible. Yet, it was so boring. The characters and writing lacked so much depth and detail.
I was expecting a YA novel and instead got a middle grade or lower reading level. As a result, the pace was slow, detail non existent, and characters were empty and unrelatable.
This might be a great option for a teen who has a lower reading level, like a high interest/low level book, but that might be it's niche.
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Transphobia, Blood, Bullying, Deadnaming, Dysphoria, Hate crime, Medical trauma, and Outing
dummehure's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is the gay trans romance we all needed!! Finally a gay romance who's main conflict isn't homophobia. This book depicts the flaws within the LGBTQIA+ community and the struggles trans and non binary people face and how they overlap and differ. The complicated Family dynamic that often occur even if you do have accepting parents are depicted realistically and giving the appropriate amount of weight. I really enjoyed this book!! but also ew straight gays and soccer
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dysphoria, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Religious bigotry, Bullying, Outing, and Transphobia
l_353's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Religious bigotry, and Homophobia
Moderate: Bullying
elwirax's review
challenging
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Rep- Black queer trans MC, Gay LI, non-binary SC, Black autistic SC, bi SC.
"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.”
This book dealt with many difficult issues namely transphobia, homophobia and religious bigotry but it also chose to focus on moments of queer/ trans joy and acceptance which was such a great message, LGBTQIA+ youth deserve happy stories.
However, this was very clearly a debut, the juvenile writing style often conflicted with some of the more serious themes in this book. Though, I don't think that it was necessarily poorly written as I still enjoyed how easy it was to get into and through the book.
I think that Spencer's crush on Justice was a bit insta-lovey but the romance itself was a slow burn which I was glad for. I though their love was sweet and I appreciated seeing consent especially in a book of the YA category. However, I do think that the victim blaming was an aspect where their relationship wasn't as well represented as it could've been. It was a shame to see Spencer breaking up with Justice over not standing up to his homophobic family. I feel like it could've been handled in a healthier and more sympathetic manner.
The friendship/ family dynamics in this book were good and I was glad that Spencer's teammates not only had his back in football but also outside of it (Macintosh and Coach Schilling were great). I do wish that some of the secondary characters such as Theo where a bit more developed. I though that he was used as more of a tool to make Spencer seem like a better character rather than a person in his own right. Hence, his representation as an autistic individual may not be as authentic as it should have been.
Overall, this was a good book, not particularly memorable in terms of plot but very much so in terms of transgender representation. I'm glad that trans individuals are receiving the representation they deserve.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Religious bigotry, and Transphobia
Minor: Bullying, Child death, Deadnaming, and Drug abuse
caseythereader's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
- Oh, my heart. I want to hug Spencer and Justice so close.
- This book tackles so much heavy stuff: transphobia, religious bigotry, governmental bigotry, poor allyship and more. Somehow, though, it remained a gentle, caring story.
- I had a hard time buying that Spencer would be quite so oblivious as to why Justice's deep closetedness made him act the way he did, but also, sometimes teens don't see the whole picture, I guess. Definitely still a very worthwhile read even if that bit was a little forced.
- This book tackles so much heavy stuff: transphobia, religious bigotry, governmental bigotry, poor allyship and more. Somehow, though, it remained a gentle, caring story.
- I had a hard time buying that Spencer would be quite so oblivious as to why Justice's deep closetedness made him act the way he did, but also, sometimes teens don't see the whole picture, I guess. Definitely still a very worthwhile read even if that bit was a little forced.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Transphobia, Religious bigotry, Excrement, and Homophobia
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Deadnaming, Drug abuse, Racism, Addiction, and Blood