This is a story about community. Jake is the only openly gay student at his middle school. His friends and his immediate family have been supportive, but others in his small town of Barton Springs, Ohio, including some of his extended family, have not been as accepting. When Jake’s dad tries to demonstrate his own support by putting up a large pride flag in their front yard, it stirs up controversy. The mayor, who happens to live across the street and be in the middle of a re-election campaign, begins to receive complaints. Some of the town’s residents are concerned the flag will lead to something even harder for them to fathom — a pride parade in their small town.

At first not sure what to think of his father’s gesture, Jake becomes convinced that a pride parade is exactly what his small town needs — and he is the the one to organize it. Getting the pride parade off the ground will require getting approval of the town council, who is largely controlled by the mayor. Luckily, Jake had his best friend (whose Dad is on the council), his parents (including his mom, who works at the middle school), and a secret weapon — the mayor’s son — helping him. But will it be enough to convince the town, and a mayor — and to prove to Jake and other queer kids in Barton Spring that their hometown wants them to stay.

I really enjoyed this book. I’m a huge fan of the author’s previous books, including the recent Golden Boys, so I was excited to read his middle grade debut. This story brought what I enjoyed in his earlier works — compelling and kind main characters, a nuanced portrayal of friendship, and a thoughtful exploration of the realities of being queer in different parts of the country. The author’s affection for small town life is evident, even as he clearly shows the challenges that Jake faces there.

Strongly recommended!

Phil Stamper’s Small Town Pride is a sweetly earnest—and earnestly sweet—middle grade novel about embracing who you are and discovering the meaning of pride. Jake has only recently come out to a few people at school, including his best friend Jenna. When he finally works up the courage to come out to his parents—even though he knows, without a doubt, that they’ll keep supporting and loving him unconditionally—he couldn’t have predicted his dad would be so enthusiastic to show his support that he’d hang a giant Pride flag from the pole in their front yard. The issue is that Jake had no intention of coming out to the entire village of Barton Springs in one massive and unmistakable display, but he leaves the flag up while he works out how he feels about it.

Jake might be the only out kid in the 8th grade, but he eventually comes to the conclusion that he can’t be the only queer person in the entire village. He gives a lot of thought to this as he ponders the meaning of pride and why he doesn’t know what it’s supposed to feel like or exactly what it is. When he finally comes to the conclusion that what Barton Springs needs is its very own Pride festival, he isn’t prepared for the political stonewalling from the mayor and town council, or to discover that some of his neighbors are blatant homophobes. Not that that will stop him and his parents and friends from trying to throw the best small town Pride festival Ohio has ever seen.

Jake finding support from his fellow classmates adds to the hope and warmth abundant in this story even as he faces resistance from certain adults, even his own uncle, whose heart and mind is changed without the excess drama that might have been tempting to confront if this book were aimed at older readers, which added to the feel-good positivity of the story. Jake’s cute neighbor, Brett, who also happens to be the mayor’s son and suspect by default, becomes something much more important to Jake than just a neighbor, classmate, and Jenna’s academic rival. Brett is the character who struggles on several levels and is burdened with the antithesis of Jake’s outwardly loving and supportive family.

Just in time for Pride month, Small Town Pride is a book that needs to be given a place on middle school library shelves and made accessible to tweens and young teens who may be just beginning to question and define who they are. It’s an uplifting story about the power of love and acceptance, and, of course, taking pride in who you are.

I CANNOT express how much I loves this story! This is my second Phil Stamper book and I absolutely love his writing!

In this story, we are introduced to Jake, a middle school boy who is gay, but only really feels comfortable being out in a virtual world. Although he's told a handful of his friends about his sexuality, he still hasn't come out to his parents... Until he begins crying at a news story about a gay young man being grand marshall of a parade. The next day he comes home to find a gay pride flag on the family's flag pole, essentially outing him to the entire town.

At first, Jake has mixed emotions about the flag his father put up, but eventually comes around to the idea that being gay is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, it's something he can be proud of. Using the young man in the news story as his inspiration, he decides he wants to throw a gay pride festival in his small, rural Ohio town.

This is Stamper's first book for middle graders and I think it is perfect! Middle school is such an awkward age for children as it is. I couldn't even imagine all the emotions a child struggling with their sexuality must go through.

Stamper writes such beautiful characters that I instantly fall in love with. They are real. They are emotional. They're well developed. Besides Jake, we also are introduced to Jenna, who is Jake's best friend and neighbor. She is the type of friend who has so much courage when it comes to those she truly cares about, but lacks the courage for herself. We also meet Brett, a new friend for Jake and a neighbor across the street (also the mayor's son). Jake feels so much pressure from his mom and often times finds himself confiding in Jake.

There is nothing about this book I'd change. It was a fast-paced, easy read. I found myself cheering for our three main characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Jake is really starting to enjoy his life and that's hard to say for a lot of middle schoolers. He's come out to a group of friends and his parents and is starting to become comfortable in his own skin. That is until his dad, in support of Jake hangs a huge pride flag right in front of their house. When people in his small town become concerned that this pride flag might lead to even more outlandish things, such as a pride parade, Jake takes it on himself and his friends to bring some much-needed Pride and awareness to his town. I have loved Stamper's YA books and it's clear that not only is he a talented YA writer but he also nails the middle-grade books as well.

I’ve read and enjoyed Stamper’s YA books, so I was very excited about the opportunity to read his middle grade debut.

After finishing the book, I had to go over to Stamper’s website to look at his bio. I am not at all surprised that he grew up in a village in Ohio because he totally nailed small town life: the factions, everybody knowing everyone’s business, divisive local elections—they were all perfectly on display in the narrative.

Jake is a sweetheart of a protagonist. He’s content with doing his own thing, but his dad putting up the Pride flag helps Jake realize that he shouldn’t have to live in the margins of society. He has the support of his parents and his best friend, and is surprised to find additional support from his classmate and neighbor, who just happens to be the mayor’s son.

This book works well as a middle grade as opposed to a YA title. To put it delicately, the hormones haven’t kicked in yet, so Jake isn’t interested in finding a boyfriend; he just wants to live his life and express who he is. And while there are poignant moments, there isn’t a ton of teenage angst. That said, as the mother of two 7th graders and one 9th grader, Jake does come off a bit “young” for an 8th grader, but he is completely perfect as a middle grade protagonist.
I would absolutely recommend Small Town Pride to middle grade readers and younger YA readers. This is a heartwarming book with a positive message about being yourself and finding your place in the world. I especially enjoyed the scenes where Jake plays his favorite video game Songbird Hollow. Seeing an homage to my favorite video game—Stardew Valley—put a smile on my face. Having Jake use Songbird Hollow to express what he wants out of life was so sweet, and I loved all the gameplay details Stamper managed to work into the narrative. I will be seeking out my own copy of this book to add to our collection of queer YA/middle grade fiction.

I received a digital ARC of this book from HarperCollins Children’s Books/NetGalley.

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.

This is a heartwarming story. Jake is the first openly gay student at his school. When his father puts a pride flag in their front yard in a well intentioned but somewhat misguided show of support, their small town has a mixed reaction. Jake, who originally had mixed feelings about the flag, decides what his town really needs is a pride parade — and he is determined to work with his best friend to convince the town council and the mayor, who seems quite skeptical, to approve his idea. Through the challenges of putting on the parade, Jake learns important lessons about his family, friends, and community while making some new connections along the way.

This is a sweet and honest story, full of bighearted characters determined to build acceptance within their own communities.

Highly recommended!

Phil Stamper is an absolute legend! I would lie if I said that I was slightly worried about this shift from YA to Middle Grade fiction but Phil took the change with pride. He was able to make the language and movements of these tween characters seem effortless. It was one of my favorite books this year so far. I felt like this one touched on several topics that were really deep but were explained so well that a young reader could recommend. 10/10 would recommend anything that Phil write and especially this for your younger readers!

Thank you so much, NetGalley, HarperCollins Children's Books and HarperCollins, for the chance to read this book in exchange of an honest review.

TW: homophobia, anxiety

Jay is the first openly gay kid in his school and while his family and friends are supportive and loving, not everyone is in his small town of Barton Spring, Ohio. When his father hangs a huge pride flag in their front yard, showing his love for his son, the mayor starts receiving complains and some people are concerned the flag will lead to something more...like a pride parade. Impossible in Barton Spring, right? Except Jake doesn't think it's an outlandish idea and while it's hard to get approval from the town council, Jake, his family and friends aren't ready to give up. Even when the mayor's son, Brett, starts hanging out with him and Jenna, his best friend. He isn't in league with his mother, right?

Small town pride is my first queer middle grade and I absolutely loved everything. Set in a small town, or better, in a village, told by the powerful and stubborn voice of Jake, the main character, the story is poignant, amazing and truly important. Jake is young gay man and he's struggling to feel loved and accepted in his town, especially since his new huge pride flag gets complaints by neighbours and he doesn't feel welcomed. He only wants to hide in his videogame, Songbird Hollow, where proposing another male character and getting marries isn't seen as an outlandish idea, in a village where he feels loved and he can be himself. When his flag gets complaints, but also push people to show support and desire to be themselves, Jake understand its importance. Even when the idea of having a pride parade, the desire of making others like him feeling loved and accepted meets difficulties and obstacles, he starts to understand he's not alone, he's surrounded by love and support and with his family and friends, new and old, Jake decides not to give up.

I loved Jake and Jenna's relationship, their bond and jokes, how Jake's family shows their support and love and also I really loved Brett's character, how he slowly starts to hang out with Jake and Jenna and how he and Jake start to learn things about themselves, helping, supporting and loving one other, in a starting blossoming queer love, even if complicated by feelings, insecurities and fear of coming out. Brett's character was really well written and I appreciated how the author dealt with his anxiety and family's pressure, his struggle in feeling safe in coming out and his hope in the future and in Jake.

Jake's growth in this book was pretty amazing and impressive. The reader starts to know him as a young man struggling to feel accepted, choosing to hide in a videogame village and fearing the others' opinion, but slowly, learning he has love and support all around him, Jake grows up, becoming more and more confident in himself, learning the meaning of pride and community and abandoning behind games and fake villages, accepting his own and the good people in it.

Small town pride is a lovely story about finding one's place, one's community, friendships, young queer love and the importance of being loved and accepted. The author deals with the importance of finding one's place, using your voice and fighting back, with young, but confident characters ready to change things for the better, to find the meaning of pride. Moving, heartfelt and funny, I loved everything.

A heartfelt book perfect for MG readers. I really appreciated the theme of staying in your hometown. Sure, plenty of people leave and that is fine, but some people can't leave or don't want to, and it was wonderful to see that here and to see him making his town better for him.

Jake is the first openly gay kid at his middle school in his small Ohio town. He just came out to his parents, and his dad goes over the top and hangs a ridiculously enormous pride flag in their front yard. Some people in the town freak out and start complaining to the mayor. In response, Jake and his friends (including the mayor's cute son) begin planning their very own Pride festival.

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Small Town Pride was such a pleasure to read, and I'm so excited to add it to our ever-expanding LGBTQIA+ collection at the elementary school library where I work. I thought it had such a powerful, hopeful message about being accepted and loved for who you are, wherever you are. Jake makes such a beautiful point about not wanting to have to move to a city to feel safe and welcomed -- he loves the little village where he lives and shouldn't have to leave or hide his identity to feel at home.

The writing was lovely, and I'm so happy this story exists. Kids (and adults) are going to LOVE this book!!!

To be honest, I didn't really do more than a quick glance at the blurb when I chose this book to read. I had absolutely NO IDEA it was middle grade (although I'd thought young adult). I have no regrets though...not a single one. This story grabbed me from the beginning and it is everything I think a good middle grade story should be. There was conflict which is what drives the story. There is support and love and acceptance and honesty and that is what is most needed especially in a LGBTQIA storyline. I think all parents of middle schoolers could learn a lesson or two about acceptance, not only of their own child but of all children in general. I would not hesitate to read another story by this author. Thank you NetGalley for this amazing ARC.

SMALL TOWN PRIDE by Phil Stamper is the story of what happens when a middle schooler tries to throw a pride festival in his small town in Ohio. With help from his supportive parents and his best friend, Jake has to go up against the homophobic residents of his town to convince the mayor that she should allow the pride festival as a sign that their town is welcoming to all.

SMALL TOWN PRIDE is a fantastic middle grade debut from Phil Stamper, whose previous published works have all been in the young adult space. He makes the transition perfectly, as he really shines at making quiet stories feel important and personal. Jake's journey is full of ups and downs as he becomes more open about his identity and learns whom he can trust. His sweet friendship with Brett, the mayor's son, is also well done, as it develops into feelings that go beyond platonic. Brett's struggles with his own identity and his mother's expectations is compelling, as well.

The pacing is strong, and the the characters are charming. The story has its clear heroes and a few faceless villains, but most of the antagonistic forces exist in a gray area, where people are torn between the new and the familiar and their personal and professional loyalties. That's a big part of why this book is so interesting, but most importantly, it's a beacon of hope that young queer people so desperately need.

The book we need right now. A wholly original tale of belonging and learning to love where you come from, even if there is work to be done. Phil Stamper is not afraid to say gay and imagines a better, more accepting world for our queer youth. It's a reaxamination of what pride means, and a rallying call for adults to listen to, protect, and validate students in all areas, even small towns. If only.

This was a great middle grade read! The story is fairly simple, which lets kids think about the main plot point of the book: throwing a pride festival. I loved that this gives small towns a good representation, not just stereotypical. I definitely can see a lot of kids enjoying this text. Having the main character be 13 was a perfect choice, 13 is old enough to put these plans in place and can give younger readers someone to look up to without being in high school.

a lovely, heartwarming and tearful story. it was just amazing to get through jake's history as an queer child. i liked this way better than author's YA books.

Jake Moore lives in a small town led by a mayor who shuts down any sort of self-expression in order to "keep the peace" between all of its inhabitants. However, when Jake's father puts up a pride flag in their front yard to show his support after Jake comes out to him, it sparks controversy amongst the town, with several people asking Jake's family to take it down. But Jake isn't sure he wants to take it down. In fact, he thinks they could take pride eve further in their small conservative town and plan its first pride parade. With the help of his fiercely supportive parents and best friend Jenna, along with, surprisingly, the mayor's son Brett, will Jake be able to bring pride to Barton Springs? And more importantly, will he be able to define what pride means to him?

I have read a few of Phil Stamper's YA books, and while I liked them I always seemed to be expecting a bit more than I received. However, I loved Small Town Pride! I thought the little town had a lot of charm and I appreciated all of the roles the characters within it made up. There were people with opinions all over the spectrum: some who were all the way supportive, some who were all the way unsupportive, and some who were in the middle but afraid to rock the boat. I thought Jake was adorable and I could understand his struggle with finding pride in a small town, both loving it and not quite feeling like there was a space for him there. I also loved Jenna and her enthusiastic support of her best friend. Brett was another great character, and the complicated relationship he has with his mom is well developed. I maybe would have liked to see more of that, but since the entire novel is in Jake's POV I understand why that couldn't happen.

Some over bits I loved about this book: the way religion is written in relation to the queer community, the acceptance and power of young people, and the loyalty and support of Jake's family. Jake's parents made me slightly emotional, as I know that had I lived in a conservative town like Jake my parents would have supported me just as loudly and proudly as his parents do. So many queer children continue to face rejection from their families, so seeing support was a great change of pace.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one and I think it is a great read for any middle schooler, especially those who identify as queer or are still figuring themselves out. I would have loved to have had this in middle school! Thank you very much to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4 Stars.

As someone who realized she was queer in middle school - this book hit hard, in the best possible way. I wish I had this when I was a tween, and I’m so happy this representation is out in the world now.

The story follows Jake, who recently came out to his parents, as he tries to find his pride, and ultimately, throws the first pride parade in Barton Springs, Ohio. While Jake is surrounded by acceptance from his best friend and his parents, he hasn’t really found pride in himself and his identity. He’s comfortable being gay but it feels like something is missing. Pride is a huge theme in this book, along with belonging.

Jake’s dad hangs up a progress pride flag in front of their house, which causes a lot of commotion in their small village, that’s not even big enough to be considered a town. Jake experiences bits of homophobia during this time, but realizes that he wants to feel like he belongs in this town, and a pride parade might just help, especially other queer kids that aren’t ready to come out.

I particularly loved Brett, and seeing his friendships develop with both Jenna and Jake. Even though the characters were tweens, you could see the complexities of them all, and some real trials that happen in middle school. It hit on quite a few important topics, which is super valuable in a middle-grade book. Though it does include some homophobia, which I think could be hard for some to handle, but it’s not overly present, and, sadly, it is a reality for queer people.

Overall, I absolutely loved it. I would’ve loved if there was more older queer rep (like a neighbor or townsperson), but seeing Jake come into himself was such a satisfying journey, and I know this book will resonate with a lot of queer kids.

I appreciated that the author started the story after Jake's coming out so this explored the next chapter in the life of a gay youth as well as the inclusion of a bisexual male character. One criticism was that it seemed unlikely that in such a small town, Jake had the support of his peers but faced the prejudice of their parents.

This book reminded me of what I love about Middle-Grade books: the positivity, innocence, and simplicity of the subject. It pulled at my heartstrings, making me feel vulnerable, sad, and hopeful from the beginning. The questions it asks are basic but relatable: what does pride mean to you? What does it even mean to have pride? Why is it important to be able to celebrate who you are when you live in a society that wants you to hide?
When middle schooler Jake comes out to his parents, his father responds by hanging a giant rainbow flag outside of their house. Although at first this makes Jake embarrassed, soon he decides to push back in response to the negative feedback some people have in response. He determines his town should hold a pride festival. And with the help of supportive friends and family, he attempts to do just that.

He faces many barriers that make him question how much influence a young person can have on their community and if it's really possible to create change in a small town. There is a sweet age-appropriate romance and the characters get a chance to grow and expand their perspective.

I love that this story doesn't have the queer kids deciding to leave in order to find acceptance but they fight to make their community accept them as they are. And though you can't get everyone to accept you, you can carve out space for yourself and others like you with the help of the supportive members of a community. I absolutely recommend this book to people who enjoy reading middle grade and to give to children when you want them to see how they can make a difference in a difficult world.