The Passing Playbook, Isaac Fitzsimons
The Passing Playbook, Isaac Fitzsimons
List: $20.00 | Sale: $14.00
Club: $10.00

The Passing Playbook

Author: Isaac Fitzsimons

Narrator: Jamie K. Brown

Unabridged: 7 hr

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 06/01/2021


Synopsis

Love, Simon meets Bend It Like Beckham in this feel-good contemporary romance about a trans athlete who must decide between fighting for his right to play and staying stealth.

“A sharply observant and vividly drawn debut. I loved every minute I spent in this story, and I’ve never rooted harder for a jock in my life.” – New York Times bestselling author Becky Albertalli

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.

About The Author

Isaac Fitzsimons is a lifetime dabbler in the arts. His background includes performing sketch comedy in college, learning how to play three songs on the banjo, and, of course, writing. He currently lives outside Washington, DC, and does research for an arts advocacy nonprofit in the city.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Kai on June 18, 2021

a trans boy falling in love with his super Christian team mate sounds exactly like the kind of gay disaster I need in my life right now......more

Goodreads review by Aiden on June 15, 2021

With a sweet romance on the backdrop of high school, soccer and first loves, THE PASSING PLAYBOOK is a big heart of a book about how acts of courage — both small and large — can be so empowering. Fitzsimons explores complicated relationships and family dynamics that many trans and queer kids experie......more

Goodreads review by theresa on September 27, 2021

I’ve been putting off writing this review because I don’t know how to put into words how much I loved this book. The Passing Playbook is a new favourite but, unfortunately for this review, has fallen into the ‘I love this too much to talk about it coherently’ category. However, I’ll do my best to do......more

Goodreads review by Reading_ on November 14, 2023

I love this book so much 😭😭😭😭😭😭 "Being an introverted child of two extroverts was exhausting." Did you just quote my life?! "It was an interesting assignment, listening to music, examining the lyrics, and working out hidden meanings." I need this assignment. Seriously. I really like how the adult charac......more

Goodreads review by ☆Pelumi☆ on June 21, 2021

OUT OF FIVE RATING: 5 PLOT: 4 CHARACTERS: 4.5 ROMANCE: 4 REPRESENTATION: 4 Content warnings: transphobia, homophobia, misgendering, religious bigotry, ableism, medical content, references to school shootings This hit way too close to home and yet it felt like comfort to my soul I'm so happy I got to read t......more


Quotes

An Indie Next Pick
Kirkus Best Book of 2021

* “Balancing hope and honesty, this debut deftly handles multiple social themes, including racism, privilege, identity, and accessibility. A game-changing score to the back of the net.” – Kirkus, starred review

“Fitzsimons' debut novel treats gender, religion, sports, and family dynamics with a deft hand, using nuanced character building while setting up a high-stakes narrative that circumvents tropes of physical violence and trauma. This is a truly charming and heart-warming exploration of friendship, community, and acceptance.”
Booklist
 
An excellent addition to realistic fiction collections. Give to fans of Tobly McSmith’s Stay Gold and Bill Konigsberg’s Openly Straight.”
School Library Journal

“Debut author Fitzsimons’s conversational writing style invites empathy for the cast of clearly drawn characters and their journeys of self-discovery…A heartwarming tale of determination and one teen’s path to authentic living.” —The Horn Book


[A] heartfelt debut…Fitzsimons's protagonist is easy to love, and he writes with ease and finesse when navigating Spencer's connected identities.” Shelf Awareness

“A gentle and wholesome depiction of the struggles of passing to fit in, Fitzsimons’ debut The Passing Playbook is a wonderful exploration of what it means to be true to yourself and step up for your right to play—and live —the way you want to.”
The Nerd Daily
 
“Equal parts heartwarming and funny, this delightful debut romance is not to be missed.”
BuzzFeed

The Passing Playbook feels like a simultaneous warm hug and a lightning strike of courage. Isaac writes from the heart, creating characters you will love and cheer on. This is a wonderful debut!” —  Kacen Callender, National Book Award winner and author of Felix Ever After

A big heart of a book about how acts of courage — both small and large — can be so empowering. It’ll leave readers feeling both loved and hopeful." —Aiden Thomas, the New York Times bestselling author of Cemetery Boys

The Passing Playbook is a literary hat trick: a story of finding your voice, living your truth, and being yourself, all in one joyful package. This one's a keeper!” —Adib Khorram, award-winning author of Darius the Great Is Not Okay

"This book is a national treasure. I fell in love over and over again: with Spencer and Justice, with Fizsimons’ sharp and witty prose, and a romance that made my heart burst.” —Victoria Lee, author of The Fever King and A Lesson in Vengeance
 
The Passing Playbook is a quietly powerful and earnestly hopeful debut. Fitzsimons explores privilege, identity, the complicated relationships we create through family and friends, and discovering the potential our voices have with charm and passion. Teens everywhere will love this one.”—Julian Winters, award-winning author of Running with Lions

"An absolutely perfect story about identity, first love, and finding a voice for yourself. I loved every single page.” —Mason Deaver, bestselling author of I Wish You All the Best and The Ghosts We Keep
 
“In this remarkable debut, Isaac Fitzsimons perfectly balances a hopeful, captivating story with a charming cast of characters. The Passing Playbook is the pitch-perfect YA romance of the summer.” —Phil Stamper, bestselling author of The Gravity of Us and As Far As You’ll Take Me