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betweentheshelves's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
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!
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I would say that Phil Stamper's middle grade debut is a success! Stay tuned for a full review to come soon!
I would say that Phil Stamper's middle grade debut is a success! Stay tuned for a full review to come soon!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Biphobia
Minor: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Hate crime
kaylaphaneuf's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Biphobia
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Hate crime, Lesbophobia, Child abuse, Transphobia, and Emotional abuse
There’s a lot more positive than negative in this book but that doesn’t mean moments of homophobia don’t exist as the centric plot revolves around Jake trying to start a pride parade in a conservative village/town.lillierh's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
4/5
I loved this book with my whole heart- once I got to about 30% I read the rest in one sitting. Stamper's writing is so addictive- you are never able to read just one chapter, or even just 5. Middle grade is not one of the genre's that I typically read in, but that might change after this book. It was that good.
Small Town Pride follows Jake, the only openly gay person at his small village school, as he tries to organize a pride festival to celebrate queerness in a small, conservative area.
This was something that my middle school self absolutely needed to read, but my current self very much enjoyed reading it as well. If you know any young queer people or are on a journey to heal your inner (queer) child- I would recommend this book over and over again!
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an e-ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this book with my whole heart- once I got to about 30% I read the rest in one sitting. Stamper's writing is so addictive- you are never able to read just one chapter, or even just 5. Middle grade is not one of the genre's that I typically read in, but that might change after this book. It was that good.
Small Town Pride follows Jake, the only openly gay person at his small village school, as he tries to organize a pride festival to celebrate queerness in a small, conservative area.
This was something that my middle school self absolutely needed to read, but my current self very much enjoyed reading it as well. If you know any young queer people or are on a journey to heal your inner (queer) child- I would recommend this book over and over again!
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an e-ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
halfwaytoaugust's review against another edition
5.0
Set in a small midwest village, Jack is the first openly gay kid at his school. Upon receiving a grand gesture of support from his family, he decides to fight the homophobia of his village and throw their first Pride.
This book means so much to me because I grew up not far from places like Jake's village. I've had friends who are from cities just like his. But it also means so much because the support Jake receives from his family and friends is what I wish every queer kid had.
Jake is a wonderful kid and we get to see the very real emotions that go through a young kid's head when facing homophobia. Stamper wrote in such an honest way but at the same time keeps the details to a minimum so as to not make it such a heavy story, because overall, it's much more about hope and community. I really appreciated all of this because it makes for a very immersive and engaging story. And we get to see that Jake isn't perfect, which I love in fiction. We see him realize mistakes and correct them and approach his friendships with care and compassion and a willingness to apologize. Much of the same can be said for Jake's friends as well.
We also see what it's like for one of the side characters to watch everything in the village go down from inside the closet. It's such an honest portrayal as well, and one that will resonate with many queer kids because most of us have been there too.
There is just so much packed into this story that is so comforting despite it being a story of fighting homophobia within a community. I was drawn in from the start, loving the writing, the setting, the characters, and the plot. I honestly don't have a bad word to say about it. Reading this book filled me with a lot of hope, inspiration, and most of all, pride.
Rep: gay MC, bi SC with anxiety
CW: homophobia
Rating system:
5 - absolutely love, little-to-no dislikes that did not impact my reading experience
4 - great book, minor dislikes that did have an impact on my reading experience
3 - good/decent book but for some reason did not hook me or there were some problematic things that just were not addressed or greatly impacted my reading experience
2 - is either a book I did not click with and did not enjoy, problematic aspects are not addressed and severely impacted my reading experience, or I DNF'd but think it has potential for others
1 - is very problematic, I would not recommend the book to anyone
Thank you to Netgalley & HarperCollins Children's Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected pub date: May 31, 2022.
This book means so much to me because I grew up not far from places like Jake's village. I've had friends who are from cities just like his. But it also means so much because the support Jake receives from his family and friends is what I wish every queer kid had.
Jake is a wonderful kid and we get to see the very real emotions that go through a young kid's head when facing homophobia. Stamper wrote in such an honest way but at the same time keeps the details to a minimum so as to not make it such a heavy story, because overall, it's much more about hope and community. I really appreciated all of this because it makes for a very immersive and engaging story. And we get to see that Jake isn't perfect, which I love in fiction. We see him realize mistakes and correct them and approach his friendships with care and compassion and a willingness to apologize. Much of the same can be said for Jake's friends as well.
We also see what it's like for one of the side characters to watch everything in the village go down from inside the closet. It's such an honest portrayal as well, and one that will resonate with many queer kids because most of us have been there too.
There is just so much packed into this story that is so comforting despite it being a story of fighting homophobia within a community. I was drawn in from the start, loving the writing, the setting, the characters, and the plot. I honestly don't have a bad word to say about it. Reading this book filled me with a lot of hope, inspiration, and most of all, pride.
Rep: gay MC, bi SC with anxiety
CW: homophobia
Rating system:
5 - absolutely love, little-to-no dislikes that did not impact my reading experience
4 - great book, minor dislikes that did have an impact on my reading experience
3 - good/decent book but for some reason did not hook me or there were some problematic things that just were not addressed or greatly impacted my reading experience
2 - is either a book I did not click with and did not enjoy, problematic aspects are not addressed and severely impacted my reading experience, or I DNF'd but think it has potential for others
1 - is very problematic, I would not recommend the book to anyone
Thank you to Netgalley & HarperCollins Children's Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected pub date: May 31, 2022.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
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