Small Town Pride
by Phil Stamper (Author)
From acclaimed author Phil Stamper (The Gravity of Us and As Far as You'll Take Me) comes a poignant coming-of-age, contemporary middle grade debut novel about finding your place, using your voice, and the true meaning of pride. Perfect for fans of Rick by Alex Gino and The Best at It by Maulik Pancholy.
Jake is just starting to enjoy life as his school's first openly gay kid. While his family and friends are accepting and supportive, the same can't be said about everyone in their small town of Barton Springs, Ohio.
When Jake's dad hangs a comically large pride flag in their front yard in an overblown show of love, the mayor begins to receive complaints. A few people are even concerned the flag will lead to something truly outlandish: a pride parade.
Except Jake doesn't think that's a ridiculous idea. Why can't they hold a pride festival in Barton Springs? The problem is, Jake knows he'll have to get approval from the town council, and the mayor won't be on his side. And as Jake and his friends try to find a way to bring Pride to Barton Springs, it seems suspicious that the mayor's son, Brett, suddenly wants to spend time with Jake.
But someone that cute couldn't possibly be in league with his mayoral mother, could he?
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Publishers Weekly
In a heartfelt middle grade debut, Stamper (Golden Boys) traces a gay 13-year-old's arc toward authenticity and queer community in Midwestern America. After Jake Moore comes out to his parents, his father installs a large pride flag in the family's front yard, spurring uncomfortable reactions from more conservative members of their rural Ohio village--led by Jake's neighbor mayor, who actively silences discourse around the topic. Fearing that he'll never be fully accepted, but inspired by queer inclusion in a farming simulation game in which he feels at home, Jake decides to throw Barton Springs' first Pride festival, envisioning "something huge and full of joy that for once didn't have to do with a basketball game." He has the support of his parents and his academically ambitious best friend, Jenna, and finds an unexpected ally in his crush, mayor's son Brett Miller. But village politics and red tape threaten to derail the festival, forcing Jake and his cohort to work toward changing the system for the better. Drawing from his own childhood experiences and employing sympathetically rendered characters (protagonists read as white), Stamper keeps the accessible story hopeful with a clear-eyed message of acceptance, inclusion, and bighearted community. Ages 8-12. Agent: Brent Taylor, Triada US. (May)
Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
Full of warmth, hope, and joy, Phil Stamper's middle grade debut is an absolute celebration! — Julie Murphy, New York Times bestselling author of Dumplin'
Small Town Pride is a queer Footloose for the middle grade crowd, with heart, laughs, and a journey that will make readers stand up and cheer. An absolute triumph! — Claribel A. Ortega, award-winning author of Witchlings
With endearing characters and a timely message of love and acceptance, Small Town Pride is a charming story of friendship, family, and living your truth beyond your wildest dreams.
— Greg Howard, author of The Whispers and The Visitors
Tender and empowering all at once, Small Town Pride is a story of bravery, friendship, and not only finding one's voice, but using it to make a difference. This is a story I wish I had as a young reader. — Ashley Herring Blake, author of Stonewall Honor Book Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World
Small Town Pride captures the complexities of contemporary queer kids with incredible nuance and empathy. So many readers will feel seen in these pages. — Chad Lucas, author of Thanks A Lot, Universe and Let The Monster Out
JUV039140 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance
JUV060000 - Juvenile Fiction | LGBT
JUV039290 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Activism & Social Justice
Coming of age
Bildungsromans
Ohio
Gay teenagers
Gay pride parades
Small cities
