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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. ©2022 Cooperative Children’s Book Center

CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 11-15
Age Range: Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-13) Grades 9-12 (Age 14 and older)
Format: Novel
Subjects: African Americans Autism Spectrum Christian People Families Friendship Gays Gender Identity LGBTQ+ Persons Love and Romance Multiracial Characters/Families School Sports Transgender People
Diversity subject: Black/African Christian LGBTQ Character/Topic

Publishers: Dial, Penguin Random House
Publish Year: 2021
Pages: 299
ISBN: 9781984815408
CCBC Location: Fiction, Fitzsimons

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