THE REBEL'S GUIDE TO PRIDE

A gay teen mobilizes people in his small Alabama town against a homophobic mayor.

The mayor bans Pride Day and other activities as part of his condemnation of “public displays that flaunt unnatural sexualities.” Worse still, Zeke Chapman’s city attorney father supports the ordinance to protect families from “immoral agendas” and believes that Zeke should try to avoid attracting too much attention. Inspired by Alabama icon Zelda Fitzgerald and her Prohibition-era speakeasies, Zeke organizes an alternate Pride in defiance of the mayor’s clampdown on the town’s queer community: underground speakeasies. Carmen Bedolla, the Latine-cued owner of Estrella Books, hosts the events in the basement of her bookshop. A love triangle adds spice to the story, as Zeke is torn between a hot new guy he meets through the speakeasies and a boy in his orbit whom he hasn’t been on friendly terms with. The romance is well executed, but the novel falters in portraying the evolution of Zeke and his father’s relationship, which is resolved too suddenly. Informed by his own experience of growing up in rural Alabama, Hubbard tells a story with emotional depth that reflects contemporary political realities. The theme of allyship is exemplified through the community surrounding Zeke, including strong, well-etched women such as his mother, a divorced mechanic, and Sawyer, his lesbian best friend. Most central characters present white.

An inspiring, feel-good book that’s timelier than ever.