Description
Description
Grace Woodhouse has left a lot behind. She used to have a great friend group, an amazing girlfriend, and a right foot set to earn her a Division I football scholarship--before she came out as trans. As senior year begins, Grace is struggling to find her place in early transition, new social circles, and a life without football. But when her skills as the best kicker in the state prove to be vital, her old teammates beg her to come out of retirement, dragging her back into a sport--into a way of life--she thought had turned its back on her forever. When a chance meeting cracks the door to college football back open, she has to decide how much of herself she's willing to give up for the game she loves.
About the Author
About the Author
Victoria Zeller is a trans writer born and raised in Buffalo, New York, where she still proudly resides. A former football player and lifelong fan, her initial focus was sports journalism before she made a sharp pivot to writing about queers who can't stay out of trouble. Her sportswriting can be found at Defector, while her manic minute-by-minute sports analysis can be found on Twitter at @dirtbagqueer. One of the Boys is her debut novel. Author residence: Buffalo, NY
Critical Reviews
Critical Reviews
"Heartfelt, hilarious, and blisteringly honest. One of the Boys is genuinely one of the best contemporary YAs I've ever had the pleasure of reading."
"The phenomenal characterizations of Grace, her friends, and members of the football team make the novel special... Laced with humor and hope, One of the Boys is an exceptional coming-of-age novel about a trans girl forging her own identity while playing on her high school's football team."
★ "Zeller artfully exposes the tender underbelly of locker room posturing, presenting a subversive, experience-informed interpretation of toxic masculinity... An intersectionally diverse cast--which includes Grace's taciturn yet supportive single father--helps the protagonist forge her own path and blaze a trail for others in this necessary debut." - Publisher's Weekly Starred Review
★ "Grace's journey through senior year is portrayed with nuance... Grace grapples with the challenges and transphobia of rural proximity, but this experience is thoughtful and well balanced... Zeller speaks well to her roots as a native Western New Yorker, Bills fan, and trans woman. A standout first work, setting a high bar for the blooming subgenre of queer sports fiction."
"Honest, gentle, and hopeful. A winning game of feelingsball." - Kirkus
★ "Grace is a wonderfully well-rounded character whose depiction goes beyond challenges she faces as a trans girl. At the same time, Zeller writes Grace with an eye to the discomfort and othering that trans folks endure even in mostly welcoming spaces... One of the Boys is an amazing feel-good read for any teen (or adult!) who loves football--but for those who know nothing about the sport, Zeller does a great job making it accessible... a standout work of YA fiction, as inspiring and illuminating as it is funny and relatable." -Bookpage
Publishing Information
Publishing Information
Publisher:
Levine Querido
Pub date:
2025-05-13
Length:
344 pages
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