Me, My Dad and the End of the Rainbow

Archie Albright’s parents are splitting up. So far, so unhappily normal - but Archie senses his parents are hiding something from him. His mother seems angry but also sad, and yet his parents still seem to care for each other. It’s only when he overhears them arguing that he learns the truth – his dad is gay.

Benjamin Dean crafts some brilliant comedy scenes in this sweet, heart-warming story about Archie’s determination to go to Pride in London to support his Dad. He is also great at conveying the rabbit-in-the-headlights psychological response of a pre-teen boy who cares about his family but doesn’t know how to express his emotions. Refreshingly, homophobia doesn't form the focus of this book, and all the main characters accept Archie’s dad’s sexuality without question: the pain comes from the split it inevitably causes in Archie's family.

This is a kind book which frames the topic of a parent coming out with a gentle story about decent people dealing as best they can with seismic changes to their lives, and one which will be warmly welcomed by readers waiting to read about a story that mirrors their own.