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From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)

Spencer, who is Black/biracial, has decided not to come out as trans at his new private high school, since coming out the year before at his old school didn’t go well. Spencer’s parents want him to take things slowly, including sticking to clubs like AV rather than sports like soccer that involve locker rooms and changing clothes. But Spencer misses soccer and tries out without his parents’ permission, making the team. One of his new teammates is Justice, who is white and from a conservative religious family. Justice is gay but isn’t out at home. The two boys are attracted to each other and have the full support of their soccer teammates when they begin exploring a relationship. Deciding if and when to come out as trans becomes a bigger and bigger issue for Spencer as he and Justice grow closer, and as Spencer seeks to support genderqueer classmate Riley’s quest for a gender neutral bathroom. Things get even more complicated when a discriminatory league rule threatens Spencer’s place on the team. Characters that are wonderfully and fully drawn, from Spencer and Justice to their families, including Spencer’s autistic brother, Theo; their classmates; and others, distinguish this novel that also offers plenty of soccer action. (Ages 11-15)

CCBC Choices 2022 © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2022. Used with permission.

From Horn Book

September 1, 2021
Spencer Harris begins sophomore year at a new school in Ohio, hoping for a fresh start after having had to transfer because of "the Incident" at his previous school: Spencer is trans, and he was outed and threatened during his freshman year. He succeeds at finding his circle on the soccer team and in the Queer Straight Alliance, but even there he's tentative about revealing his queer and, especially, his transgender identity. To Spencer, fitting in seems dependent on remaining in the closet, but a love interest and other circumstances force him to consider whether he wants to live with a secret. The story briefly touches on secondary topics such as racial identity (Spencer is described as Black, his family as interracial) and disabilities (Spencer's brother is autistic) but keeps the focus on the trans experience. Debut author Fitzsimons's conversational writing style invites empathy for the cast of clearly drawn characters and their journeys of self-discovery. In addition to providing a basic understanding of some of the daily challenges faced by trans youth and their families, the story models how a community can come together to take care of one of its own. A heartwarming tale of determination and one teen's path to authentic living. Nicholas A. Brown

(Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

From Horn Book

July 1, 2021
Spencer Harris begins sophomore year at a new school in Ohio, hoping for a fresh start after having had to transfer because of "the Incident" at his previous school: Spencer is trans, and he was outed and threatened during his freshman year. He succeeds at finding his circle on the soccer team and in the Queer Straight Alliance, but even there he's tentative about revealing his queer and, especially, his transgender identity. To Spencer, fitting in seems dependent on remaining in the closet, but a love interest and other circumstances force him to consider whether he wants to live with a secret. The story briefly touches on secondary topics such as racial identity (Spencer is described as Black, his family as interracial) and disabilities (Spencer's brother is autistic) but keeps the focus on the trans experience. Debut author Fitzsimons's conversational writing style invites empathy for the cast of clearly drawn characters and their journeys of self-discovery. In addition to providing a basic understanding of some of the daily challenges faced by trans youth and their families, the story models how a community can come together to take care of one of its own. A heartwarming tale of determination and one teen's path to authentic living.

(Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

From School Library Journal

June 1, 2021

Gr 9 Up-Spencer is a transgender student at a new school determined to pass by not letting anyone know he is trans. He left his old school after it went under lockdown when he received a death threat from a student after coming out. When an incident occurs during PE, Spencer is recruited to the boys soccer team, a sport that he loves but has not played since his transition. While his parents support his transition, they feel he is not ready to play on the boys team, so Spencer lies so he can participate. This novel deals with more than just Spencer's journey into deciding whether to come out to his teammates and new school. His love interest, Justice, comes from a conservative Christian background and has to deal with parents who will not accept him for who he is. Spencer also has an autisic younger brother who is having difficulty getting settled in his new school as well. Spencer comes from an ideal situation of support, and flashbacks to experiences early on in his transition help readers understand how his parents came to accept him. Spencer is biracial (Black and white) and Justice is white. VERDICT An excellent addition to realistic fiction collections. Give to fans of Tobly McSmith's Stay Gold and Bill Konigsberg's Openly Straight.-Ashley Leffel, Griffin M.S., Frisco, TX

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

From Booklist

June 1, 2021
Grades 8-12 Spencer, a Black teen, doesn't want any drama when he starts his sophomore year at a new school. When he came out as trans at his previous school, things went downhill fast, so his parents decided he could start fresh at Oakley, known for being the most liberal school in the county. But Spencer's plans don't last long when he runs into--and soon begins to fall for--a Wesley Crusher look-alike named Justice, whose white, ultraconservative family is known for pushing back against LGBTQ+ initiatives at Oakley. Spencer soon finds a sense of community in the boys soccer team, at least until the league discovers the assigned gender on his birth certificate, which could end up disqualifying the whole team if coach lets him play. 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.

COPYRIGHT(2021) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

From Kirkus

Starred review from April 15, 2021
A teenage soccer star starting over at a new school finds love and courage as he takes the field to fight for his team and what he believes in. Spencer, a biracial (Black and presumably White) transgender boy, begins sophomore year with a firm game plan--blend in and keep his identity private. However, when he's confronted with an opportunity to join the boys soccer team, Spencer can't resist the challenge, especially after the cute vice captain says he doesn't think Spencer has what it takes. Soccer means everything to Spencer, and he refuses to give up his shot to play, even if he has to keep it a secret from his overprotective parents. This contemporary sports romance subverts typical patterns of coming-out stories about transgender youth by centering the feelings of the transgender main character, giving him full agency over his identity disclosure, and providing him with an affirming support system that includes other queer and transgender characters. Initial rivalry heightens the tension between Spencer and his crush, a White boy whose Christian extremist family doesn't know he's gay. Their romantic arc adds another layer of nuance to the coming-out narrative. Spencer's connection to his younger brother, Theo, who is autistic, is also woven into the story. 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. (Romance. 14-18)

COPYRIGHT(2021) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.