Stay Gold - Tobly McSmith

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⭐ 9.0/10

(Originally written by Magdalene)

Pony is a trans boy who has started at a new school and decided to go stealth insted of letting everyone know he's trans. He just wants to be seen as a normal guy. He falls for a popular cheerleader, and to his surprise she seems to like him too, but what happens when he tells her he's trans? Georgia likes being popular but hides parts of herself to save her image, including her feelings for the new guy.

This is not my first book with a trans main character, but every time I read one I feel like I get a better understanding of what trans people go through. This one focuses a lot on passing/not passing, especially pre-surgery, as well as going stealth vs. being openly trans for visibility. Pony is still wearing binders, often gets dead-named by his father, and occasionally gets misgendered, which causes him a lot of self-doubt. Georgia is also a narrator, and I have to admit I felt ambivalent about her, but her struggles underline the theme of self-image and how people you see you. This book is another valuable look at the lives of trans people, and I'm glad it exists.

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