Reviews

The Passing Playbook by Isaac Fitzsimons

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esther_me's review against another edition

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emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0

Loved every minute I spent in this story! Just like the cover says ;-)

melodys_library's review against another edition

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3.0

This book surprised me! I was not expecting a comfort read that was just brimming with trans joy. I was expecting a fight for basic rights and activism - and while there was some of that - this book was careful to highlight the community love and support that the main character also was not expecting to encounter after having been bullied at a previous school. The author also gets bonus points for explaining soccer plays in a way that was easy to follow.

thepagelady's review against another edition

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5.0

Book Club Review…..THE PASSING PLAYBOOK by Isaac Fitzsimons

Fifteen-year-old Spencer Harris is a proud nerd, an amazing big brother and training to be a Messi. He's also transgender. When his classmates at his old school found out Spencer went through a horrible year of bullying. But now Spencer is transferring to Oakley, the most liberal private school in Ohio he is hoping for a fresh start.

Everything is going well at Oakley for Spencer. Great new friends and classmates that are accepting of who he is, a chance at a starting position on the boys soccer team and maybe even a little romance with one of his teammates.

But that doesn't last!

You see, one at Oakley knows Spencer is trans. He's passing! So when Spencer's coach discovers the 'F' on Spencer's birth certificate due to a discriminatory law the coach is forced to bench him. Now Spencer needs to decide whether he will cheer his team on from the sidelines or publicly fight for his right to play. even if it means coming out to everyone including the guy he's falling for.

Passing the Play was a delightful story with a high school setting about first love, courage, friendship and so much more! As a group we absolutely loved this story! The love and acceptance that Spencer's family showed was heartwarming. Even his little brother! He was just too cute! The romance Spencer and Justice was absolutely wonderful to read about! The chemistry between them was sweet and they were great together!

The author has shined a spotlight on the real life trials that trans teens face. The pacing is perfect and the story itself is easy to follow and fall in love with. Fitzsimons does not shut away from the hard stuff but handles them with care. But that is not the main focus of the book, it's love! Love in so many different forms! The love of a family, friend or even a first love!

Passing the Play was an absolutely amazing heartwarming read! I really can't wait to share this book with our teen reading group The Booked Teen!

Thank you The Book Club Cook Book, Penguin Teen and Isaac Fitzsimonsfor sharing this absolutely amazing and heartwarming book with us!

searobin's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful 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

4.5

Well this was fricking adorable! I liked that the ending was realistic (especially for Justice), and I loved Theo and Macintosh and Coach as side characters. Spencer's parents bugged me to begin with (I really dislike it when folks let their own fears overshadow their support) but I have to admit, it is the reality for many, and the way they and Spencer interacted and tackled this issue was really good.
I definitely teared up a bunch while reading this, I love (mostly anyway) happy queer and trans teens so much!

lbarsk's review against another edition

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5.0

AH I would’ve loved this so much as a teen. If you have a teen in your life, give them this book! Even if they’re not queer or trans it has a lot of good messaging about acceptance and being brave and speaking out without sounding preachy.

The characters are so sweet, and it’s not only good queer and Trans rep but autism rep as well, which warmed my heart. This is what it’s like to have thoughtful ownvoices stories! I’d love to read whatever Isaac Fitzsimons writes next.

readwithkiekie's review against another edition

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4.0

I really enjoyed The Passing Playbook. I love reading about trans and gender non conforming characters and this was a great, light hearted, hopeful read.

However, I did think the characters lacked depth. I felt like I didn’t know them as well as I could have and it took me at least 80 pages to finally relax into the story.