This book is so joyful and heartwarming and uplifting. And funny! So funny. The voice is so spot on, you zoom right into Archie's head and feel with him as his world changes.

At the heart of the book is a boy who just wants his family to be happy. That's it. And because of that, the book is just bursting with love and empathy and it fills me with hope to see that middle grade books like this one exist today. The author said this: “our stories - black stories, LGBTQ+ stories - need to be heard and celebrated”. 'Celebration' is just the word for this book. It's going to make such a difference to so many people. I just know it.

(Sandhya Prabhat's artwork is also the most joyous thing and a perfect fit for this story!)

I have sat thinking how to possibly review Me, My Dad and the End of the Rainbow for a good couple of weeks now and I still haven’t got any closer to answering that question. So what you will be getting is probably less a review and more a rambling collection of words, hopefully in some form of coherent, grammatical structure, but I can’t promise it.

But anyway.

You know how, for all that reading books aimed at your own age group is fun, going back to children’s-slash-middle grade or whatever you want to call it, just hits different? Something about it being uncomplicated and able to evoke some serious emotions, probably. And I feel like that’s all the more evident when it comes to LGBT middle grade lit.

In Me, My Dad and the End of the Rainbow, we follow Archie, whose parents have recently separated and who desperately wants them all to be happy again. When his dad comes out to him, Archie decides the best way to fix things, and make his dad happy, is to go to London Pride, to find out just what he can do to help.

Firstly, a lot of what contributed to my rating of this book was about the emotions. It’s a book about a boy who just wants his father to be happy, so goes about it in the only way he knows how, and it’s probably the most heartwarming and wholesome book I’ve read this entire year (and I’ve read…over 500 at this point, please do not ask). It was also one of those books you read and you know nothing bad is going to happen so you can relax completely into it (and not just because it was MG).

And it’s a book that’s very much about love. Love for your family, but also love for the LGBT community, and that’s probably the major reason it had me crying. Every page was suffused with that love and it showed throughout the book. So, really, I think it’s a book that everyone, no matter what age, should read.

And then you, too, can have the experience of trying to read words through blurry vision!

Me, My Dad and the End of the Rainbow by Benjamin Dean is a 5⭐️ joy.

Archie is 12. His Mum and Dad have split up, and emotions are high. Suddenly his Dad explains the reason why they’re divorcing - he’s gay.

This book explores pretty deep and difficult themes for children, but does so with a light touch and a great sense of honesty, empathy and commitment to help & educate.

Archie is given space to explore what these life events mean, with his brilliant friends Seb and Bell being supportive sounding boards.

Once the idea of London Pride enters the story, for, well, reasons, the story kicks up a notch and the reader, through the children learning really gets a sense of the warmth and support both Pride itself, and being part of the gay community can bring.

Dean manages to introduce different parts of the LGBTQIA+ spectrum from older people who came out later in life, to Oscar and Dean, a charming gay couple in their late teens. With an added whirl of drag (and glitter) the story reaches a warm hearted and emotional conclusion.

Dean’s gift is capturing the voice of the child, making all three of the protagonists funny, endearing and authentic. I don’t think there is a 12 year old who doesn’t know a bit about the community - especially Pride - but it works here to discover about it with them.

An essential read for any kids have a gay parent (or two!) or who are questioning their identity, and this must be in as many schools as possible for all kids to read about the normality and warmth of LGBTQIA+ people. A fantastic tool for encouraging empathy, without feeling like a PSA or a chore to get through due to its humour.

Straight away in the ‘books I wish had been around when I was a gay kid’ category. Damn Thatcher and her horrendous Section 28...

Out in Feb 21 from @simonkidsuk - available to pre order now..

Electronic copy provided in exchange for an honest review. (I covet the BEAUTIFUL proof that I’m not a big enough account to get on the mailing list for...)

This is the kind of book I wish I had as a kid. "Me, My Dad and the End of the Rainbow" makes me incredibly hopeful for the future, where diversity will be proudly represented in children's literature.

A heartwarming story about Archie, whose father comes out as gay. It's a huge change for the family and Archie is confused, and so seeks help at the end of the rainbow - a Pride festival in London where he meets all sorts of incredible people, from drag queens to trans men and women, to young gay and lesbian teens who are just trying to find their place in the world.

There is so much colour in this gorgeous book that will prove important for shaping the children who will be so lucky to read this. Following Archie and his best friends Seb and Bell as they head off on their impossible adventure will make the conversations surrounding the LGBTQ+ community and making it accessible to children so much easier. Archie is a brilliant protagonist to follow, and while he and his friends don't always make the best decisions, one thing is vitally clear - he has heart. A demonstration of human kindness and empathy and understanding is evident from all of the main characters of this book.

I will recommend this book to everyone for years and years to come.