Title: Small Town Pride
Author: Phil Stamper
Publisher: HarperCollins Children’s Books
Publication date: May 31, 2022
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Summary
As the first openly gay kid at his school, Jake is just learning how to settle into his life. After all, in the small town of Barton Springs, Ohio, not everyone is supportive of him. Especially when Jake’s dad hangs a huge pride flag in their front yard. Which the town defintiely has opinions about.
When the mayor starts to receive complaints, Jake decides that he’s going to throw his town’s first pride festival. Even though there are people in Barton Springs who are absolutely against the idea. But Jake is determined. When the mayor’s son, Brett, starts to take interest in spending time with Jake, he’s at first suspsicious. But maybe there’s another reason Brett wants to spend time with him.
Review: Small Town Pride
Thanks to HarperCollins and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Small Town Pride to review! I’ved loved Phil Stamper’s YA books, so I was definitely interested in reading his debut middle grade. Stamper definitely nails the voice, and I think middle grade readers will fall in love with Jake.
From the plot to the characters to the setting, I think everything about this book fits the middle grade audience perfectly. Jake is desperate to make a difference in his town, but only being in middle school means that he needs help from adults. And his parents absolutely step up! I love to see a queer middle grade book where the parents are nothing but supportive. Even if their large gestures of love might draw the wrong attention. The positive intent was there.
There are also a lot of queer middle grade readers who will find themselves in towns like Jake. It’s so encouraging to see that even if the loudest people are the least supportive, there will be others that support them. Outside of Jake, Stamper does a good job fleshing out the surrounding characters, and I especially loved the evolving relationship between him and Brett. It was so middle school, and it was so perfect.
This will honestly be the perfect book to read going into Pride Month. Definitely pick it up when it comes out at the end of the month!
4/5 stars