I’m in a little bit of awe that this is a debut novel. The emotion was woven into the words so seamlessly that I know Isaac Fitzsimons will go on to write more books (books I will be reading). This book is about a lot of things layered together to tell a story. This book is about soccer and with that how to be a team and support each other through winning and losing. This book is about being transgender and with that how brave you must be. This book is about how to be an ally and with that how silence and passive acceptance can hurt just as much as rejection. This book is about figuring out who are you and being that person proudly and with that how to articulate what you are thinking and need to those that love you. The main character Spencer (and can I say that I was so pleased to find that Spencer’s dead name was not mentioned once time) has had a lot of support in his transition to helping the world see him the way he was meant to be seen. His parents supported him getting on hormones quickly, seeking their own support in how to best support him, and a general acceptance of who he is (this does not mean they got everything right, no one gets everything right). But despite that support Spencer has faced bullying and has intense anxiety if he comes out he will no longer be safe. Let that sink in a minute. This book realistically describes a teenager who has all the best built in support and their safety has been threatened and he is afraid his safety will be threatened if people in his new school find out. This is not a stretch, this is a reality. Spencer’s parents are able to swing sending him to a very liberal private school in hopes that will keep him safe. But being an adolescent is inherently full of trouble and Spencer’s new school is no different. Spencer joins the soccer team but not without major struggles and in the end he has to decide if he can safely advocate for himself or give up the sport and team he loves. Throw in some additional layers like does the boy on his team that he likes really like him back and you have a fun story that will make you really think and if you’re like me cry just a little bit.