A review by nomonbooks
The Passing Playbook by Isaac Fitzsimons

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective 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? It's complicated

4.25

 I really enjoyed this YA novel. It’s about Spencer, a black gay, trans teen who is absolutely obsessed with football. Did I ever see myself enjoying a novel that was so much about people playing football and winning footballs and losing footballs? No, I did not. However, it was so well written it kind of didn’t matter. Spencer was a great protagonist, mostly super relatable and fun to read, occasionally childish and / or unforgiving. His flaws and strengths were present throughout and his characterisation was consistent. For me, reading books like this provides a base line in understanding issues that I may not be faced with on a daily basis. Just by the way Spencer and Riley discussed / reacted to certain issues I learned another vocabulary / further embedded that vocabulary around LGBTQI+ issues.  

I also loved the way this book dealt with past trauma. There was a whisper but it did not define any of the characters. You did not get to know the details of some of it, because it wasn’t your business. I feel like those lines being drawn were important too. I would definitely recommend this read. 

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC! 

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