Common Sense Media Review
By Sage Moreaux
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Trans rights, sports clash in powerful coming-of-age drama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In ONE OF THE BOYS, Grace had quit playing football when she came out as trans. But after summer ends, the football team approaches her, looking for her help training their new field goal kicker. When her skills as the best kicker in the region prove vital, the team begs Grace to come out of retirement. Playing football again is exhilarating, but exhausting. While many of her teammates support her, others look on warily, unsure how to handle a girl on the team. When college recruiters start poking around, Grace has to decide if football is a key player in her future.
Is It Any Good?
Thought-provoking and engaging, this book handles a hefty topic with grace and humor. One of the Boys weaves together the realities of gender transition, the pressure of football, the uncertainty that comes with being a teenager, and the importance of a supportive friend group and community. It's refreshing to see a story with a diverse cast, where people come together from many walks of life to support their friends, risking their own status as they stand up for what they believe in. The author does a wonderful job of exploring the themes in this book with levity and without leaning into melodrama. At times, the football talk gets a bit long, so teens who don't have a connection to the sport might find the story slow. But the strong friendships and real look at what it means to be an ally make this book quite powerful.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the many ways Grace's life changes after she transitions in One of the Boys. How does her courage and perseverance help her through this challenging time?
The author uses several creative writing techniques, including second person, text chains, and flashbacks. How did these techniques serve the story?
The author is a trans writer and a former football player. Does knowing that the author had a similar background to the main character change how you perceive the story?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Coming of Age
- Topics : Activism ( Gender equality , LGBTQ+ rights ) , Competition , Friendship , School ( High School ) , Sports ( Football )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Compassion , Courage , Empathy , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Levine Querido
- Publication date : May 13, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 12 - 17
- Number of pages : 344
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : March 27, 2026
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