Stay Gold

by Tobly McSmith

Ebook, 2020

Status

Available

Call number

813.00

Genres

Publication

HarperTeen (2020), 361 pages

Description

Romance. Young Adult Fiction. Young Adult Literature. LGBTQIA+ (Fiction.) HTML: Debut author Tobly McSmith delivers a coming-of-age teen love story about a transgender boy who's going stealth at his new Texas high school and a cisgender girl who is drawn to him, even as she's counting down the days until graduation. Perfect for fans of David Levithan, Becky Albertalli, and Jenny Han. Pony plans to fly under the radar this year. Tired of getting too much attention at his old school after coming out as transgender, he's hoping for a fresh start as a Hillcrest High senior. But it's hard to live your best life with the threat of exposure lurking around every corner. Georgia is beginning to think there's more to life than cheerleading. She just wants to keep a low profile until graduation . . . which is why she promised herself that dating is a nonstarter for the foreseeable future. Then, on the very first day of classes, the new guy and the cheerleader lock eyes... In this moving, honest debut from Tobly McSmith, one transformative relationship opens the eyes of a whole town�??and opens the door for Pony and Georgia to celebrate their truths, even when it feels hard.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member sennebec

Refreshing, satisfying, deserving a spot on many library shelves, all describe this book. While the story happens in Texas, the characters and events happen daily all over the world. It's a sensitive and unflinching tale of a transgender boy, a cheerleader, their attraction and how their families

and friends handle it. Yes, Pony's in denial in some ways, as is Georgia, but as the story unfolds, the real message is that love is love...And that's just fine.

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LibraryThing member quondame

Senior Pony starts a new school and immediately falls for the pretty cheerleader he sees as he arrives. She likes him too, the problems being that he is trans and she is recovering from a very public crash and burn breakup. It's all about being who you are, and the pressures around that. However

reality and wish fulfillment mix in this book, it didn't really work for me, probably because it was high school and who needs that?

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LibraryThing member ToniFGMAMTC

This is sort of a high school romance coming of age story from a trans male POV and from the viewpoint of the popular cheerleader that falls for him. It's not heavy on the romance. A good bit of time is given to telling about transitioning and the problems he faces. Since I haven't read this

perspective much, I liked some of the extra info. If someone already knows all of this, it will probably get old quickly. Some characters had a problem with Pony being trans like his dad so there was that to deal with. Others gave him a hard time for not putting all his business out there to the public. One of the worst was his trans friend. I had a problem with the pressure that was put on him to be out.

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LibraryThing member electrascaife

Pony is starting a new school this year in an attempt at a clean slate - a place where no one knows he's trans and he can be more than just the Trans Kid, and hopefully avoid the bullying that comes with that label. Georgia is one of the most popular girls in school and a member of the cheerleading

squad, but after a bad breakup over the summer, she's ready to reevaluate what's important, even though the thought of leaving cheerleading to be a journalist for the school paper scares her. On the first day of school, these two lock eyes, feel a spark, and both lives start to change.

A loose (but clever and interesting) take on The Outsiders, with an excellent treatment of what it's like to be trans in a Texas high school, how it's great to feel ready to come out but also how it's absolutely valid not to be ready, and how even the most unlikely people can change their views. Highly recommended.

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