Stay Gold by Tobly McSmith--Starting June 10th, 2021

[Dr. Andy]

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 all the attention he got at his old school after coming out as transgender, he’s looking for a fresh start at Hillcrest High. But it’s hard to live your best life when the threat of exposure lurks down every hallway and in every bathroom.

Georgia is beginning to think there’s more to life than cheerleading. She plans on keeping a low profile until graduation…which is why she promised herself that dating was officially a no-go this year.

Then, on the very first day of school, the new guy and the cheerleader lock eyes. How is Pony supposed to stay stealth when he wants to get close to a girl like Georgia? How is Georgia supposed to keep her promise when sparks start flying with a boy like Pony?

Funny and poignant, clear-eyed and hopeful, Stay Gold is a story about finding love—and finding yourself.

[Dr. Andy]

Starting early bc i overslept and this is shorter than the falling in love montage lol

30% (view spoiler)[ I was nervous that Pony was going to be the only queer character but his sibling is poly, and he has a trans friend plus the other queer kids from the LGBTQIA+ center so yay! I don't like his dad tho, what an asshole. Also Pony and Georgia are so cute! I hope Pony does tell her he's trans, but only if he feels safe and ready!

Also Georgia passing him that note about his "real" name made me cringe on the inside. (hide spoiler)]

[Melanie]

lmao I have not started either yet.

[Dr. Andy]

I want to strangle Georgia

[Dr. Andy]

50% (view spoiler)[ Every time Georgia tells Pony he's lied or betrayed her trust or what fucking ever I want to strangle her. Bitch you are not trans you don't get it! Even when Pony explains how he's been bullied at his last school for being trans, she's still all like well you should've told me. DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

75% (view spoiler)[ FUCK YOU GEORGIA. I hate her. This book is making me mad. FFS Georgia. Pony is a boy, he is a trans boy. That simple. Dating him would not make you queer you motherfucking asshole. (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

Im fucking pissed

[Dr. Andy]

Finished (view spoiler)[ Okay I really liked the end. I'm glad that Pony's new friends were so supportive. I'm glad he and Max are still friends, though I wish there had been more dialogue between the two about being ready to come out as trans and being visible and safety.

I'm still pissed at all the things Georgia said, but I'm willing to give her the benefit of the doubt bc she's shown that she can learn and grown. I'd still like more proof that she's growing. (hide spoiler)]

[Melanie]

17% (view spoiler)[ I just started so not seeing why Georgia is bad yet? Other than that she is kind of annoying and superficial. Pony's dad makes me angry. (hide spoiler)]

[Melanie]

Also I wish this narrator is faster. I'm at 3x speed and it feels slow :(

[Dr. Andy]

Melanie wrote: "17% [spoilers removed]"

it doesnt start until 30% and on

[Melanie]

26% (view spoiler)[ okay I'm not sorry but Max does not get to choose whether or not Pony is stealth or comes out to Georgia and he shouldn't pressure Pony to do that. (hide spoiler)]

[Melanie]

48% (view spoiler)[ Ew Georgia is awful. I don't like this. Pony deserves WAY better (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

Melanie wrote: "48% [spoilers removed]"

there it is

[Melanie]

Andy wrote: "50% [spoilers removed]"

She is terrible.

[Dr. Andy]

yep

[Melanie]

Andy wrote: "75% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ She is completely terrible and I need her to.... umm?? be sad forever. Yup. (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

Melanie wrote: "Andy wrote: "75% [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

lmaooooo

[Melanie]

93% (view spoiler)[ When Harry and Dick learn more than the MC (hide spoiler)]

[Melanie]

Finished (view spoiler)[ I don't actually know if I liked this? Some issues:
1) deadnaming Pony. I get that the dad needed to go through that arc, but that was not necessary. Especially from Georgia's pov...I did not like that AT ALL.
2) Everyone praising the crap out of Georgia and telling them how proud of her they were???? No. You don't get a parade for being less transphobic than you were earlier this year. Please.
3) Not enough time debriefing the issues with Max and his pressuring of Pony to come out. That should have been given more space.
4) This book is advertised as happy????? Excuse me. A trans character gets beaten nearly to death? What is happy about this. The nearly part? No.


I actually really liked: Jake and Pony's two stoner friends whose names I can't remember? They apologized for their language! Were accepting! Treated Pony with so much respect. Good!
And Jake was great at the end. I'm glad he wasn't weird and vindictive.
Glad the cheerleaders slightly improved. (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

Melanie wrote: "Finished I don't actually know if I liked this? Some issues:
[spoilers removed..."

And this is why I havent rated it yet lmao

[Melanie]

Andy wrote: "Melanie wrote: "Finished I don't actually know if I liked this? Some issues:
[spoilers removed..."

And this is why I havent rated it yet lmao"

I went and read the questions on the book page and now I'm pissed about the Hinton stuff.

[Dr. Andy]

Melanie wrote: "Andy wrote: "Melanie wrote: "Finished I don't actually know if I liked this? Some issues:
[spoilers removed..."

And this is why I havent rated it yet lmao"

I went and read the questions on the bo..."

hmm i must explore