The Rebel’s Guide to Pride follows Zeke Chapman, a
17-year-old gay boy trying to get over his first love and former friend, Cohen.
When his best friend, Sawyer, the leader of their school’s Queer-Straight
Alliance, asks him to help throw a Pride party, Zeke jumps at the chance to see
his unsupportive father mad. Only the mayor cancels every single LGBTQIA+
celebration in town for his new “Family First” organization...and Zeke’s father
is the main sponsor. The four members of the QSA, Sawyer, Zeke, Kennedy, and,
unfortunately, Cohen, make the risky decision to hold underground, secret Pride
events where people can still celebrate all throughout June. They have to keep
this secret from everyone, especially the mayor. Will the QSA be able to
succeed or have to hide who they are the rest of their lives?
This book is one of the best I have ever read. The
characters and relationships between them feel real, and more than once I have
found myself forgetting the book is realistic fiction. The conflict also hits
the spot, with an anti-LGBTQ+ mayor being unfortunately common in today’s
world. Hubbard’s writing style is truly incredible and I’m looking forward to
reading more from him.
I would definitely recommend The Rebel’s Guide to Pride
to everyone. The lesson of being yourself no matter what is an important one
that I think needs to be shared and given more attention. A similar series to
this book would be Heartstopper by Alice Oseman, an LGBTQ+ graphic novel
adapted from a webcomic.
