Stay Gold

Pony, a transgender boy, starts his senior year at a new high school in Texas determined to live stealth - keeping his gender identity private. He hopes for a fresh start where he can simply be himself, join the football team as a kicker, and experience a normal teenage life away from his previous school's drama. Georgia, a cheerleader focused on becoming a television journalist, is dealing with relationship troubles and her own search for authenticity. When she meets Pony, an unexpected connection forms between them, forcing both to navigate new feelings while protecting their vulnerabilities. As Pony and Georgia grow closer, they each face mounting pressure from friends, family, and their own fears about revealing their true selves. Their relationship tests the boundaries between privacy, honesty, and the courage to be known for who they really are. The story explores themes of identity, trust, and the complex ways people choose to present themselves to the world. Through its dual perspectives, Stay Gold examines how the masks people wear - whether for protection or perception - impact their ability to form genuine connections.

Readers describe Stay Gold as a YA romance that handles transgender representation with care and authenticity. The relationship development between Pony and Georgia progresses at a natural pace. Readers appreciated: - The authentic portrayal of a trans teen's experiences - The dual perspectives between Pony and Georgia - Discussion of complex family dynamics - The balance of serious themes with lighter romantic moments Common criticisms: - Some found the pacing slow in the middle sections - Several readers wanted more resolution with certain subplots - A few noted the dialogue occasionally felt unrealistic Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (3,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (180+ ratings) BookBrownie: 4/5 Reader quotes: "Captures both the joy and anxiety of being a trans teen" - Goodreads reviewer "The romance felt genuine but some conflicts wrapped up too neatly" - Amazon reviewer "Important perspective but needed more development of secondary characters" - BookBrownie review

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🌟 Author Tobly McSmith drew from his own experiences as a transgender man when writing Stay Gold, making the protagonist Pony's journey particularly authentic and personal. 📚 The book's title is inspired by the Robert Frost poem "Nothing Gold Can Stay," which was also prominently featured in S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders. 💝 Stay Gold was selected as a Junior Library Guild Selection and was featured on multiple LGBTQ+ recommended reading lists in its release year of 2020. 🎭 The story takes place in Texas, specifically chosen by McSmith to highlight the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ teens in conservative areas. 🌈 McSmith wrote Stay Gold while also working as a theatrical producer and creator of parody musicals, including FRIENDS! The Musical Parody and The Office! A Musical Parody.