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A review by nickartrip102
The Rebel's Guide to Pride by Matthew Hubbard
4.0
I requested and received an eARC of The Rebel’s Guide to Pride by Matthew Hubbard via NetGalley. After coming out and facing criticism from his father, Zeke Chapman is willing to do anything it takes to the tarnish the man’s reputation. He quit basketball, has been starting fights, and his grades have definitely seen better days. When his best friend, Sawyer, asks for his help in planning the QSA’s community Pride Day, he’s happy to help — anything to piss his dad. When the town’s mayor steps in and cancels their Pride Day, Zeke steps forward and urges the community to celebrate anyway.
The Rebel’s Guide to Pride features an awesome cast of characters. Zeke is a very well-written character for a young adult audience. His feelings toward his father and the way he reacts to him felt very natural and reflects a difficult relationship I’m sure many queer readers can identify with. Zeke is brave, but takes too many risks. Like a good YA protagonist, he character has a need to grow and is given the proper space and appreciation to do just that in Hubbard’s novel. I also really loved both Sawyer and Cohen. I like the way that they both challenge Zeke and the struggle over what it means to be a “good gay.”
This was the first book that I’ve ready Hubbard and I have to admit that I really quite enjoyed it! I think the messaging in this book, sadly, is more important than ever. So many young folk continue to live in fear and uncertainty, which is something that Hubbard doesn’t shy away from. What The Rebel’s Guide to Pride shows the reader, however, is the importance of community. Learning from one another, supporting each other, even if that means being afraid together. The novel remains faithful to the idea of pride, to resisting and protesting, and finding joy along the way.
The Rebel’s Guide to Pride features an awesome cast of characters. Zeke is a very well-written character for a young adult audience. His feelings toward his father and the way he reacts to him felt very natural and reflects a difficult relationship I’m sure many queer readers can identify with. Zeke is brave, but takes too many risks. Like a good YA protagonist, he character has a need to grow and is given the proper space and appreciation to do just that in Hubbard’s novel. I also really loved both Sawyer and Cohen. I like the way that they both challenge Zeke and the struggle over what it means to be a “good gay.”
This was the first book that I’ve ready Hubbard and I have to admit that I really quite enjoyed it! I think the messaging in this book, sadly, is more important than ever. So many young folk continue to live in fear and uncertainty, which is something that Hubbard doesn’t shy away from. What The Rebel’s Guide to Pride shows the reader, however, is the importance of community. Learning from one another, supporting each other, even if that means being afraid together. The novel remains faithful to the idea of pride, to resisting and protesting, and finding joy along the way.