Small Town Pride - by Phil Stamper (Paperback)

About the Book

After middle schooler Jake Moore comes out to his parents and friends as gay, his father tries to be supportive by hanging a huge pride flag in their front yard. However, the flag causes people in their small Ohio town to take sides. Jake's neighbor, the mayor, is not on his side, but Jake does find support from the mayor's cute son, Brett, and Jake's best friend, Jenna. Jake decides to throw the town's first pride festival, but he will need approval from the town council. Brett wants to help Jake, but Jake doesn't know if he can trust him.

Book Synopsis

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?

An ALA Rainbow List PickA 2022 Goodreads Choice Awards Finalist for Best Middle Grade and Children's BookA School Library Journal Best Book of 2022A Maine Student Book Award 2023-2024 Reading List Nominee

Review Quotes

Stamper evidences his love for village life while acknowledging that life for gay kids can be difficult there. But where there's strife, there's hope, isn't there? - Booklist

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. Drawing from his own childhood experiences and employing sympathetically rendered characters, Stamper keeps the accessible story hopeful with a clear-eyed message of acceptance, inclusion, and bighearted community - Publishers Weekly

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

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

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'