Small Town Pride

Phil Stamper is the bestselling author of The Gravity of Us, As Far as You’ll Take Me, Golden Boys, Small Town Pride, and other queer books for kids and teens. He currently works in author development for a major book publisher in New York City, where he lives with his husband and their dog. Visit him at philstamper.com.

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? — BooklistIn 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 WeeklyWith 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 VisitorsTender 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 WorldSmall 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 OutSmall 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 WitchlingsFull of warmth, hope, and joy, Phil Stamper's middle grade debut is an absolute celebration! — Julie Murphy, New York Times bestselling author of Dumplin'