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Stay Gold

Tobly McSmith (Goodreads Author)

4.24 · Rating details · 41 ratings · 22 reviews

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 just wants to fly under the radar during senior year. Tired from ...more

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ebook, 368 pages

Expected publication: May 26th 2020 by HarperTeen (first published May 5th 2020)

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Stay Gold
by

Tobly McSmith (Goodreads Author)

Release date: May 26, 2020

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 ...more

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Availability: 5 copies available, 1266 people requesting

Giveaway dates: Feb 04 - Mar 03, 2020

Countries available: U.S.

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· 41 ratings · 22 reviews

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Dec 28, 2019 ✨ jamieson ✨ marked it as to-read

Shelves: anticipated-2020, trans-mc, lgbtqiap

Thankyou to the publisher for providing me with a review copy of this book !

This is an ownvoices book about a trans mc falling for a girl at his school, and it looks so cute. Can't wait !!

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Dec 13, 2019 noah rated it liked it

Shelves: lgbt, trans-nb, young-adult, arc

oh man i have so many conflicting feelings about this book.

it was so nice to read a book about a trans dude. there really isn't enough representation out there, but, i gotta say, this was pretty much the boy version of If I Was Your Girl. plotwise it was so similar.

the first chapter from pony's pov was a lot of info dumping on what being transgender is for him, it felt a little stiff, but thankfully pony's pov became a lot more casual and i ended up really liking him. it was really cute oh man i have so many conflicting feelings about this book.

it was so nice to read a book about a trans dude. there really isn't enough representation out there, but, i gotta say, this was pretty much the boy version of If I Was Your Girl. plotwise it was so similar.

the first chapter from pony's pov was a lot of info dumping on what being transgender is for him, it felt a little stiff, but thankfully pony's pov became a lot more casual and i ended up really liking him. it was really cute experiencing pony falling in love with georgia and i just wanted him to be happy. and for them to be happy together!! they have such great chemistry.

the thing that got me really angry about this book was how black and white the narrative is about coming out. i know the message was supposed to be "be true to yourself" but it really came across more like "if you're not publicly out to everyone in the world you're a bad person and will never be happy." pony is called a liar by some of the characters for not coming out sooner. and he's constantly berated by his trans friends for not being out to his whole school. there's also an older gay side character who says one of his biggest regrets was not coming out on a large public platform.

i think being out and proud and very vocal about it is great. those people are valuable members of the lgbt community, but i think queer people that only want to be out to their friends and family, and people that stay closeted are also important.

this book made it seem like being trans was the biggest, if not the only, defining identity a trans person can have and that "lying" about it to everyone was more damaging than literally being beaten half to death.

there's more to trans people than just being trans. and it's okay to protect yourself by limiting how many people you come out to.

i think if this book didn't have such drastic ideas about coming out i would have absolutely adored it, because i did find myself smiling and getting warm fuzzy feelings while reading it. i really do hope this book inspires queer people to be true to themselves. i just hope they're safe too! ...more

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Oct 14, 2019 Gabrielle marked it as to-read · review of another edition

10/14/19

"Stay Gold" ? "Pony" ? THE OUTSIDERS, anyone? Hello????

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Oct 14, 2019 Ben Ace marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: age-ya, genre-fiction, genre-romance, rep-queer, alamw-2020, copy-owned

Why did no one tell me about this sooner??!?!!?!

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Dec 01, 2019 Sana marked it as anti-library

Shelves: arcs

A love story featuring an #ownvoices trans main character, yessss

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Jan 07, 2020 mahana rated it liked it

Shelves: rep-trans

2.5 stars

tws: transphobia (assault, bullying, deadnaming, slurs), lesbophobia

rep: trans mc

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Jan 20, 2020 Sophie Elaina marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020-releases, owned-arcs, owned-unread

So so so excited for this!!!

Thank you so much to Harper Collins for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review! ...more

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Jan 07, 2020 || Soph || marked it as to-read

*inhales* HIS NAME IS PONY OHEMGEEE

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Jan 22, 2020 Michelle marked it as to-read

Shelves: lgbtq, sss, wishlist

did... did anyone say druck season three

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Dec 18, 2019 Fanna marked it as to-read

Shelves: 2020-releases

- ownvoices transgender rep
- coming of age rom-com, compared to To All the Boys I've Loved Before
- alternate pov
- opposites attract trope

THIS debut novel will definitely be anticipated by me with all my heart!

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Dec 13, 2019 Akelly rated it it was amazing

Everybody get ready for this new YA release! An exploration of how we all withhold information and essential parts of ourselves to fit in and experience an uncomplicated existence. The characters were believable, relatable and fun to follow. Also my girlfriend was proud of me for reading something that didn’t leave me crying or having an existential crises for once ...more

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Dec 03, 2019 rachel ☾ marked it as arc-tbr

Shelves: coverporn, contemporary, releases-2020, rep-queer, edelweiss

Review copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Blog • Goodreads • Twitter • Instagram • The Book Depository ...more

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Jan 15, 2020 Leo marked it as to-read

Shelves: 2020-anticipated-releases, trans-enby-mc

own voices own voices own voices own voices own voices own voices own voices
trans mc trans mc trans mc trans mc trans mc trans mc trans mc trans mc trans mc

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Jan 29, 2020 Starr ❇✌❇ rated it really liked it

Shelves: got-an-arc, reviewed

I received a DRC from Edelweiss
TW: transphobia, dead naming, lesbophobia, suicidal thoughts
3.8

For Pony, a new school is the perfect fresh start. When he came out as trans, he got a lot of attention, some of it bad, some of it just annoying. Now, he can just be Pony. And maybe even cheerleader Georgia's boyfriend. The only problem is, he hasn't told anyone at school that he's trans yet.

This is another matter of reading an educational book and appreciating the education its attempting to give, ...more

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Jan 04, 2020 Chloe added it

*Spoiler free*

This was a book with a trans main character, who is going to a new school and wants to keep his identity under wraps. He also develops a crush on a cheerleader and she feels the same connection he does. I practically pounced on this book when I heard about it. Honestly, I heard it had a trans main character and that's all I needed to want to read it, everything else was just a major bonus. Trigger warnings: transphobia, homophobia, transphobic attack, suicidal ideation, implied *Spoiler free*

This was a book with a trans main character, who is going to a new school and wants to keep his identity under wraps. He also develops a crush on a cheerleader and she feels the same connection he does. I practically pounced on this book when I heard about it. Honestly, I heard it had a trans main character and that's all I needed to want to read it, everything else was just a major bonus. Trigger warnings: transphobia, homophobia, transphobic attack, suicidal ideation, implied parental abuse

I hate saying that I didn't like books, but I wasn't the biggest fan of this one. It wasn't inherently bad and I don't want to turn anybody off from reading it. It just wasn't up my alley.

There were multiple things that made me uncomfortable. Pony's deadname is mentioned multiple times. Georgia was kind of a jerk about Pony being trans (though she did come around). Pony becomes friends with two guy guys who are sort of just gross. There were way too many "your mom" jokes and other things along those lines. Pony likes them because he feels like one of the guys, which I can appreciate! Though, I think there were better ways for him to get that feeling then to hang out with two guys who say inappropriate things all the time.

Pony's friend cuts off contact from him when he won't be out and proud at his new school. That was the biggest thing for me. There was this whole thing about how Pony had to be out and proud because there needs to be more visibility for trans people. Sure, I get visibility, but I don't agree with forcing people to out themselves when they don't feel comfortable. Sometimes it's not safe for them, but that doesn't make them any less trans or any less queer. It really rubbed me the wrong way when his friend decided to cut him off because he didn't agree with Pony hiding his identity. Someone also made a big speech about how queer people need to be more visible and how allies need to be there for them. Again, for me, I think queer people should exist how they feel comfortable and safe existing. Sometimes that's quietly and sometimes that's loudly, but neither of them is wrong.

Another thing I didn't love (but not something that made me uncomfortable!) was a quick switch in emotional thinking. A character is at the lowest of the lows and then there's this sudden spark at they're out of it. I sort of get the inciting incident, but their feelings felt a bit more serious than something they could spark out of.

Alright, moving onto the things I did like! I really liked Pony's character. He was such a sweet dude and I really liked reading his POV. He's a bit awkward and fully adorable. And I did really love reading about another trans main character. I think that's something that will always be special for me. I loved reading about his journey, his feelings, and how he thinks. He struggles, since people in his life aren't fully accepting, but he also has people in his life who love him for who he is. I liked reading about his highs and lows and how he handled everything that was thrown at him.

I wasn't sure about Georgia for a bit, though I think I liked her. But in a more "I can appreciate her character from afar, though I don't fully relate to her" kind of way. She was an alright character and I did like her in the end. She's funny, bright, and crafts ridiculous stories that I thought were brilliant.

Georgia and Pony are what saved this book for me. They were great characters and they made me interested to keep reading, even when there were things I didn't like.

I know it sounds like I hated this book, but please don't take this as me telling you not to read it. I'm sure there will be people who love it and I'm sure this book will mean everything to some people. There were just some things that rubbed me the wrong way. There also wasn't quite enough things I loved to overshadow them. It was a solid book, it just wasn't for me. ...more

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Feb 15, 2020 Lucsbooks rated it really liked it

This book reminded me of a lot of “Birthday” by Meredith Russo and “I Wish You All The Best” by Mason Deaver so if you liked those books, I think you would like this one as well.

I pretty much loved everything about this book: the fact that it is own voices, the way it actively fights against stereotypes, the importance it places on teen-friendly safe LGBTQ spaces, but most of all I loved the characters because they ARE teenagers.

No one is a finished work, they are still learning about who they This book reminded me of a lot of “Birthday” by Meredith Russo and “I Wish You All The Best” by Mason Deaver so if you liked those books, I think you would like this one as well.

I pretty much loved everything about this book: the fact that it is own voices, the way it actively fights against stereotypes, the importance it places on teen-friendly safe LGBTQ spaces, but most of all I loved the characters because they ARE teenagers.

No one is a finished work, they are still learning about who they are and who they want to be and on the way to that they are often callous or prejudiced, they care about stupid stuff that they’ll cringe about in a few years, they let themselves be peer pressured and care too much about what others think about them, but guess what? That’s what being a teenager feels like and those feelings should not be discounted because at the time, they are real and we learn from them.

Now, off to the part that made me so anxiety-ridden that I put off writing this review for days.

Let me start by saying that I got access to a DRC so by the time this book is released, this might have been changed, I hope it has been changed…but if anyone from the publishers or the author is reading this - please, please rewrite the ending because what Max did to Pony is not okay, and having a character trying to force the other to out themselves and still being hailed as a hero at the end is not only problematic but actually harmful to your readers and that should not be what this book is about or is remembered for.

To the people reading this:

You are still LGBTQ even if you are not out to anyone!

The only person who gets to decide when and how to come out is you. Coming out is a deeply scary and often dangerous experience and your security comes first. YOU come first. If your friends either out you or try to force you to come out, they are not your friends.

The only people to whom your sexual orientation or gender should matter are you and whoever you are with. Everyone else should mind their own business.

Be proud, but be safe. You don’t owe anyone anything, and you certainly don’t owe them your life. The argument in this book seems to be that the more people come out, the safer it will be for those still to come, but it has to be safe for YOU first. The fight will still be here tomorrow. And we’ll still receive you with open arms then.

Thank you to Edelweiss+ and HarperTeen for this DRC.

7/10 ...more

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Dec 07, 2019 samantha rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. - thank you so much to HarperTeen for this advanced readers copy of STAY GOLD by Tobly McSmith -

Now that I’m done crying, I can craft this review!

When I decided that I wanted to read this book, it was in large part due to the fact that the title of the book was Stay Gold. Once I saw the main character’s name was Pony, I knew for sure that I needed to read this book. The Outsiders is one of my all-time favorite novels (Georgia herself said it best in her final article written in the book, but - thank you so much to HarperTeen for this advanced readers copy of STAY GOLD by Tobly McSmith -

Now that I’m done crying, I can craft this review!

When I decided that I wanted to read this book, it was in large part due to the fact that the title of the book was Stay Gold. Once I saw the main character’s name was Pony, I knew for sure that I needed to read this book. The Outsiders is one of my all-time favorite novels (Georgia herself said it best in her final article written in the book, but let’s not jump into SPOILER CITY just yet), and I knew this would be a novel that stuck with me.

And it has.

Pony is a young, trans boy in his senior year of high school. He is only out to his family and his best friend. When he meets Georgia, charismatic cheerleader and story spinner extraordinaire, he falls hard and he falls fast. But how can he tell her the truth about who he is when he’s so worried that it’ll be the ultimate dealbreaker?

Georgia was such a fun character. I’ve written ridiculously dramatic characters similar to her before, so it was really refreshing to read. She showed tremendous growth as a character throughout the novel, and it was quite believable as well. Ultimately, love conquered fear, and I think that’s all any of us could ask for.

PONY my sweet baby boy. He was witty, but he was scared. He grew so much throughout the novel and I was in tears throughout the final 20% almost constantly. His relationship with Ted London was very necessary, in my opinion, and I was deflated when it came to a close.

Pony’s relationships were crucial to the story - Max, Rocky, Kenji, Jerry, his parents, Ted, and of course Georgia. All I wanted was for Pony to find a place where he felt safe and felt like he belonged. As someone from Texas, I know how brutal it can be. But you have to stay gold, right?

All in all, STAY GOLD was sweet, funny, moving, cheesy at times, and most importantly: a very important narrative that we should be having more and more in today’s world.

I’m glad books like this exist, and I can’t wait to handsell it in May.

Thank you, again, SO MUCH, for this ARC. I just might go read it all over again. ...more

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Feb 17, 2020 Taylor rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: own

Above all, I adore Pony. He is a sweet, thoughtful guy who wants to start fresh at Hillcrest High and just blend in, not be the transgender guy but just be another guy. His plans of laying low are disrupted when he falls for Georgia, one of Hillcrest's most popular cheerleaders.

I thought STAY GOLD would be fairly lighthearted, but McSmith does not shy away from the serious pain of transphobia, homophobia, dysphoria, and other hardships. At times, this book is really brutal to read, but it’s ...more

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Jan 30, 2020 Tiffany rated it really liked it

I just finished wiping my tears, after finishing this book.
I’ll start off by saying that this book is needed. We need more diverse books that represent ALL groups. I’m glad that Tobly has been able to do that and has been given the opportunity to share it with the world. I truly do hope that this book serves as an avenue for awareness for people outside the LGBTQIA community.

I’ll be honest and say that, at first, I felt very uncomfortable reading about Pony’s stealth mode and lying to Georgia. ...more

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Feb 04, 2020 Reid rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc

I am too emotional to write a coherent review, but wow. What a tremendous book. Beautifully, unfortunately, realistic. Transmasc dudes will likely see some facet of their experience reflected here (I sure did!) and cis readers might get the wake-up call more than a few of them desperately need. Everyone else who's already "on board," so to speak, will enjoy this will-they-or-won't-they high school love story as a contemporary microcosm of the fight for authenticity.

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Dec 16, 2019 Mary rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ya-realistic-fiction

I am going to totally steal the review of Riley Davis (Next Chapter Booksellers, St. Paul, MN) who says: "Stay Gold is the classic boy-meets-girl romantic comedy with characters that break the traditional tropes of a rom-com." Genius to have the reader rooting for Pony's success. And kudos to the author for really putting his money where his mouth is by creating the Stay Gold Fund.

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Feb 10, 2020 Amanda Zirn Hudson rated it it was amazing

Love, love, love, loveeeeee. Longer review later :)

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About Tobly McSmith

Tobly McSmith

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Tobly McSmith is the co-creator/writer of eight somewhat successful musical parodies, including Friends! The Musical Parody and The Office! The Musical Parody. Tobly was born in Texas. He now lives in New York City with his two cats, Bam-Bam and Bananas McSmith. Tobly is proud to be transgender.

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