This was honestly such a beautiful story!! I think it's common to read about coming out stories leading to unacceptance, which I know is a reality, but seeing the love and support in this book made me so emotional!! But it wasn't all just fun and games because Jake wants to throw the first pride parade in his little town, and that's a big task!

I thought that this book was very bright, with engaging writing. I loved the characters and it reminded me of Erin Entrada Kelly's books.

Phil Stamper's middle grade books are just as amazing as his YA! I absolutely loved it! This should be in all middle school libraries! Five stars to Phil Stamper!

This book is a fantastic book of a.groupnfomkids standing up for what they Believe in and rallying their community behind them.

A wonderful coming of age story that will keep you guessing while taking you on an emotional rollercoaster of betrayal, loyalty and the bonds of true friendship.

I think every queer person should read this book , but especially if they come from a small town or village because it shows how bravery in the face of adversity with the right people in your corner will yield unexpected but sensational rewards.

Absolutely loved this book. 10/10

As someone that lives in a small closed minded southern US town, I really related to the MC's feeling of disconnect and not belonging. This story was a comforting read that made my heart prideful and full of love. An endearing quick read that I absolutely adore, and will definitely recommend.

I wanna put a copy of this book in every young queer child's hands. It is such a sweet positive story and jakes support system is amazing

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for giving me free access to the advanced copy of this book to read.

This was so cute!! I wanna put one in every young queer child's hands. I loved Jake and his support system.

Small Town Pride is a darling of a book!

It's such a sweetly positive story. It's a story about acceptance and finding your place in the world, even if it's just your small town.
Jake is such an endearing character, you can't help but want all the good things in life for him. I loved that he didn't want to escape his town, he wanted to be accepted there and make it more welcoming for all.

I hope Small Town Pride finds it way into the hands of all the readers who need it-which, honestly, could be anyone, of any age, really. It's a feel good read, but definitely makes you think.

Queer middle grade contemporary stories will always hold a special place in my heart, and this MG debut by Phil Stamper is no exception. I love that it was set in a small town and required the main character to speak up to be authentic to himself.

I received this book for free from netgalley for an honest review.

I wish more book were like this one. Young people need more queer representations.

Talk about a book that’s needed for the children who it’s intended for.. and all of the adults across the country. Small Town Pride is a book that on the surface is about a young gay boy named Jake who just wants to have a pride festival. But beneath that, it’s so much more.

Stamper has this way of weaving heavy topics into his books. Given everything that’s happening right now, the need for allies to be vocal and turn out for queer children who need to be protected and fought for is paramount. This book tells the children reading it that it’s okay to be you! And to want things that should be offered to you and all the safety that should come with it! And that no matter who you are, stay true to yourself.

But for adults and parents who might read it? The message is clear. Be a voice for these children who shouldn’t have to carry such burdens alone.

A beautiful book from start to finish.

5 stars.

I loved this beautiful book that highlights small-town pride and acceptance, found in the most unique places!

When Jake comes out, he didn't think his family would take it QUITE so well! Now he's dealing with a town full of people who know he's gay, and is trying to figure out how to host a pride parade through town without losing his friends, his crush, and the support of people in the town he's grown to love.

This is a sweet coming-of-age story. I really liked the exploration of queerness in a rural town. I really liked the MC a lot. However, I wasn't the biggest fan of the best friend, but appreciated her unwavering support. Stories like these are really important. I didn't expect to feel as connected to the story as I did.

Rating: 3-3.5 stars

This book needs to exist, but it's not a book I'll reread over and over. I also feel like I'll only suggest it to specific people. I hope it gets a lot of attention in middle-America, but in NYC, it reads as something happening far away. I love the cover.

As someone who lives in a small town, this one hit quite close to home. I can see my students and my town reflected in the story - in both great and terrible ways. This is an excellent addition to any library or collection, and an important read as well.

3.5 rounded up! This was cute, but it dealt with a good amount of homophobia which I didn’t realize going into it. I listened to the audiobook, and I was fine with the narrator for most voices but I absolutely could not STAND Jenna, the best friend. Probably would have liked this better if I had read it! Overall it was a sweet story though with some important messages. Still made me tear up at the end from the young queer joy :)

Small Town Pride is a wonderful book about family, community, and LGBTQ+ pride. Jake's struggle, being outed to his community, but a supportive, but overenthusiastic parent, is not a story I'd seen before and it raised valuable points about the process of coming out. We often talk about "coming out" as a one-time thing, when it is a lifelong process. An individual has to decide who, when, and if they will come out at each new school or job, each new friend they meet. Phil Stamper did an admirable job tackling this topic. Jake and his friends were relatable and the story moved at a reliable pace. Definitely a book I'll recommend.

As an educator currently battling with state and local governments removing books from classrooms due to “inappropriate” content that is in no way inappropriate, I felt this book harder than I should have.

However, nobody can make you feel the way Phil Stamper can make you feel. This is an excellent book about a middle school boy who is coming to terms with who he is and how he can support others in his community. Kids need representation like this.