Review: The Passing Playbook by Issac Fitzsimons
The Passing Playbook was pitched to me as “Love, Simon meets Bend it Like Beckham” and let me tell you, I was quickly sold. I’ve been loving YA recently and this book solidified why! There’s just something about YA and the summer time.
Synopsis: “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.
What I Liked:
The Soccer Storyline—I love a sports romance. Hockey is my favorite but Bend It Like Beckham is one of my favorite movies so I was all for this one. The team was so great and I loved how they supported Spencer.
The Romance—I liked how messy, relatable, and self aware the romance was. Spencer sees Justice and is immediately attracted to him but recognizes that immediacy. It reminded me of myself at that age, where the attraction is so strong before you even really know them so you’re like, “I like him! Wait, why do I like him? I like him!!!'“
The Adult Characters—Spencer’s parents and his coach were such great examples of supportive adults. I feel like sometimes in YA we don’t get to know the parents too much but we were able to understand their hesitations and intentions pretty well in this book!
What Didn’t Work:
A lot of telling rather than showing—Some moments felt rushed with harsh transitions into the next moment. It could be because it’s YA, so the language was a little more simplified, but it left me wanting more at moments. But I’m not the target audience as I’m not a teen, so it didn’t bother me too much!
TW/CW: transphobia; homophobia; religious conservatism; mentions of addiction, loss of a child, and overdose
Character Authenticity: 4/5 Steam Rating: N/A Overall Rating: 4/5