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)

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.