ACT Cool - Hardcover

by Tobly McSmith (Author)

*Named a Rainbow Book List Title and one of Bank Street Children's Best Books of the Year*

A trans teen walks the fine line between doing whatever it takes for his acting dream and staying true to himself in this moving, thought-provoking YA novel from the acclaimed author of Stay Gold.

Aspiring actor August Greene just landed a coveted spot at the prestigious School of Performing Arts in New York. There's only one problem: His conservative parents won't accept that he's transgender. And to stay with his aunt in the city, August must promise them he won't transition.

August is convinced he can play the part his parents want while acting cool and confident in the company of his talented new friends.

But who is August when the lights go down? And where will he turn when the roles start hitting a little too close to home?

• Transgender Protagonist: August Greene is an aspiring actor who knows he's a boy, but for his parents, he must play the role of their daughter to keep his dream alive.
• Performing Arts School: A coveted spot at a prestigious New York arts high school is his ticket out of Pennsylvania, but the pressure to fit in is as intense as any audition.
• Found Family: He may be lying to his parents, but August finds unexpected acceptance and friendship with a new group of talented, queer-friendly classmates who see him for who he really is.
• Identity and Self-Discovery: A moving, authentic story about the performance of identity, the courage to be yourself, and what happens when the role you're playing starts to feel a little too real.