"Stay Gold" by Tobly McSmith

If you were to look at the similarities between Stay Gold and S.E. Hinton's famous novel, The Outsiders, you might say that they were cut from the same cloth. For one thing, the title of Tobly McSmith's debut novel is created after The Outsiders' most famous line — "Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold." — and even the main characters have some things in common with each other, including being called "Pony." However, despite the countless similarities we can draw from Ponyboy and Pony, their stories are vastly different from one another. Instead of focusing on a coming-of-age story about exploring the blacks, whites, and greys of a dog-eat-dog world, we're focusing on a contemporary tale of romance, persistence, and figuring out how to make it in your lot in life while finding what or who makes you happy through a sometimes-aggressive and alienating society.

What's the book about?

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?

(Summary from Goodreads)

When did I read this?

September 4 - 12

Positives:

+ Pony and Georgia’s sarcastic banter.

+ Pony and Georgia’s chemistry.

+ Pony’s kindness.

+ Pony's sister, Rocky.

+ The Ted London storyline.

+ Victor’s anxious, but lovable personality.

+ The ending that was so bright and beautiful in an ugly world. ❤️

Negatives:

- Max. Max.

Well, okay. I don't dislike the character, Max, entirely. He's fun, he's passionate, he's out and proud, he cares about his community, he fights for what's right. What else is there to like about Max?

There is this one sticking point when he decides to suddenly ghost Pony after he keeps refusing to share a petition for trans student rights to his social media feeds.

On one hand, I get what Max is saying. The trans community does need more voices and representation in order to get the life that they deserve without discrimination or harassment and the trans community needs all the help they can get. However, the way that Max pushed Pony to do so really gets on my nerves. Clearly, Pony is not comfortable with outing himself when he's settled on going stealth for his last year of high school. It's clearly the easiest and safest option. Despite this decision, Max continues to push Pony to follow in his example by going to the roof of the highest building he can find and shouting from the rooftops that he's trans and he's proud.

There's just one problem with this: Pony goes to a public high school in Texas (no need to explain this); Max goes to a special arts school where being LGBTQ+ isn't a huge issue.

So, when Max decides to ghost Pony after hassling him multiple times to share a petition he obviously isn't comfortable with sharing, I would have to tell Max, if he were a real person, to check his privilege. Not everyone is lucky enough to exist in an environment where being trans, much less being queer, in Texas is homophobia- and harassment-free. I mean, look what happens later in the book! (Spoiler alert: it's not great!) At least he had the decency to apologize for his actions later. Jesus Christ...

*Let me be clear: this is not a criticism on Tobly’s part. From a narrative perspective, it’s an effective way to create more conflict in the plot and it served its purpose well, maybe a little too well. I am only saying this to Max, a character who has been made into flesh and bone by the power of Tobly’s writing: Max, you’re being a bit of a bonehead. Please stop.

Reality Check:

High school stereotypes, heteronormative attitudes, money troubles, strained relationships with parents, divorced parents

Content Warning:

Misgendering someone (both accidental and on purpose), slurs against the trans community, homophobia, dead naming with the dead name mentioned by a couple of characters, body dysphoria, graphic assault, suicidal thoughts, familial abuse

Is it a truly litassociative experience?

Stay Gold was an engaging read. I really liked the personalities of the characters and their banter with each other, and wanted to continue following them as their stories progressed. It was also somewhat informative for a reader like me who doesn't know about what being trans looks and feels like on a daily basis. However, I wouldn't feel right if I failed to mention that not only are there some significant reality-based things that might take you out of the narrative, but there are some intense scenes of violence and hate that happen along the way (as listed above). If you are trans and/or a person who is highly sensitive to these topics and moments, I would advise you to proceed with caution. This is not a light read where nothing bad happens: reality happens in its worst form and the sooner you know about that, the better prepared you'll be for when it happens. If what's listed above sounds like an absolutely bad time for you to even think about going through, then do whatever you need to take care of yourself, especially if it means not reading this particular title.

Stay Gold can be found at your local library and/or your nearest bookstore, should you choose to pick it up.

Final rating: