Reviews with content warning for Deadnaming - The Passing Playbook

Reviews tagging 'Deadnaming'

The Passing Playbook by Isaac Fitzsimons

31 reviews

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.

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elwirax's review

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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.

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sambesi's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

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caseythereader's review

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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.

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a_libra_library's review

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emotional reflective sad

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

My first book with a trans main character. I liked the story of our MC wanting to join the soccer team, finding a romance but also the laws and hurdles of being a trans student in high school and how that effects students. It made me think of how it effect students in real life and how I as an ally can actually help or advocate. It was a hopeful, inspiring story.

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horns_and_ember's review

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emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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mary_johnston's review against another edition

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funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-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

Becky Albertalli explained my feelings toward this book pretty damn well, cause boy did I love it!

It tackles topics like identity, fear of coming out, bullying, and what that can do to a person, being on the spectrum and, my absolute favorite one, religious bigotry.

"Spencer always assumed that coming out was a one-way thing, that the responsibility fell on him, and him alone. But Coach's story made him reconsider. Just because the onus always fell on trans and queer people, didn't mean it should."

Being excluded from society because of the person you identify as is such bullshit and should not be happening anymore, although it still is. And then, as Spencer also said plenty of times, he had it very good compared to other people which is really inhumane when you think about it. Trying to conform to the so called "norms" could mentally and physically harm a person and this book shed some light on that. It also paid tribute to many transgender people and queer people alike, the most obvious one, and intended so, is for Aiden Rivera Schaeff, this being one of the many reasons I enjoyed reading the book as much as I did.

The Passing Playbook also has in main focus "football" and the bonds created between teammates and their coach as well as the struggles they encounter together. It described this relationship as a very healthy and warm one, without any prejudices. In the end, they are a family and they have each other's back.

I've never cared much for football or any other sport in general and I had a sort of hesitation before picking the book up, because of this. However, now that I've finished it, I think of football as a less brutal sport, in which the aim is not just to kick the ball.

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