Thirteen-year-old Rob Fitzgerald, who lives in a small town in Australia, is determined to impress new girl Destry Camberwick, on whom he has a major crush, even though he’s painfully shy and prone to panic attacks, and the target of a bully. He would much rather hang out with his granddad all day—until he starts getting mysterious texts from an unknown number with challenges designed to encourage him to venture outside his comfort zone.
Rob tries to rise to the challenges, with the help of his friend Andrew. We see him gaining confidence in many ways, including by trying out for the football (read: soccer) team and becoming a standout player, and even taking part in the school talent show. His relationship with his grandfather also deepens as the book progresses, and he learns more of his family history and of his grandfather’s PTSD from military service. Rob’s first-person self-reflections offer thoughtful and often amusing insight into his personal growth.
To say anything about the LGBTQ inclusion in this book would be to reveal a major spoiler, so I am writing it in white on white below. Click and drag over the next paragraph if you want to know.
Towards the end of the book, Rob receives his final challenge, to “Stop hiding. Be proud of who you are.” He summons his courage and when he is accepting an award at a school assembly, also announces that he is a transgender boy. Now, transgender “reveals” are a trope that can be dangerous; too many play into the harmful stereotype that trans people are trying to trick or fool others. I don’t believe that was author Barry Jonsberg’s intent; Jonsberg is cisgender, but according to an afterward, consulted many transgender people over the course of writing the book—and the fact is, Rob’s “reveal” surprises few people. Most of his classmates already knew via the grapevine or had guessed, and no one accuses him of tricking them. Astute reader will also pick up on incidents throughout the book (such as Rob’s wearing his soccer uniform all day rather than use the changing room with the other boys) that hint at his trans identity. The point of Rob’s announcement feels more like a personal step towards feeling more comfortable with who he is, and perhaps also a reminder to readers not to assume that anyone is necessarily cisgender. I say this as a cisgender person myself, however, and recognize that some transgender people may feel differently; I hope you will read the book and evaluate it for yourself.
