The Passing Playbook by Isaac Fitzsimons
What is it about?
After transitioning leads to bullying, 15-year-old Spencer is forced to transfer to a new, more liberal school in Ohio. At Oakley, Spencer quickly makes great friends, meets a coach eager to recruit him for the boys football team, and falls head over heels for Justice, his congenial partner in midfield. The only problem is that nobody knows that Spencer is trans – he’s passing. Due to a discriminatory law, the coach has to bench him, and Spencer faces a dilemma: Should he stay quiet or fight for his spot in the starting lineup, even though it means he has to come out?
Is it any good?
When I first heard about this book, I was instantly hooked. I love football, and I love YA, I haven’t really read any YA novels revolving around football yet. In that sense – even though I have outgrown my teenage phase a very long time ago – I was probably an easy audience. Be that as it may, I fell in love with “The Passing Playbook” almost immediately.
Even though Spencer’s parents are supportive and accepting, they tend to be overprotective – and sometimes they still struggle with their son’s transitioning, though not for a lack of trying and always admitting that they are also still learning. This felt very honest and authentic, and it also explains why Spencer needs support from other sides, too. He finds a second family in the boys of his football team, he becomes an active member of the Queer Straight Alliance, and of course, he relies on Aiden, his friend from trans camp. I liked how Spencer found these safe spaces for himself, and how he supports friends in need in return.
I adored Spencer’s relationship with his younger brother Theo and could relate to his rather complicated budding romance with Justice: the butterflies, the sheepish smiles, the self-awareness and the awkwardness of it all; it’s exactly how I remember falling in love as a teenager.
The author finds the right balance between romance, coming of age and sports - a winning combination, even more so when you add the LGBTQ+ representation. He also sheds light on the discriminatory practices of both the state of Ohio and the sports league. The time for change is now.
Favorite character?
While I think that Spencer is an extremely relatable protagonist, I almost loved the supporting characters more: Aiden, Spencer’s best friend, who constantly reassures him and is his “safe space”; Theo, his little brother who has autism and is so lovingly accepting of Spencer’s transition, no questions asked; and his dad, who still needs to process the fact that Spencer is trans but really comes through over the course of this book.
Most memorable quote?
“I think that the more people who are out and visible, the safer it is for everyone. BUT, and this is a big but, you need to make sure that you’re safe first. Physically safe, yes, but also emotionally and psychologically safe. 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.”
Conclusion?
“The Passing Playbook” (I love the title, by the way, it’s so clever!) is full of love and hope and joy, without avoiding the real problems and discrimination many transgender people unfortunately still have to face. Even if you don’t like football or don’t know much about it, you won’t have any trouble following the storyline. If you’re a football fan, you’ll appreciate the game scenes, the talks about variation in tactics, the occasional football joke – and the author’s nod to and obvious respect for Pep Guardiola. I know I did.
Trigger warning: transphobia, homophobia, religious bigotry
AT A GLANCE
Title: The Passing Playbook
By: Isaac Fitzsimons
Published by: Penguin Books (2021)
Pages: 304
Language: English