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The Black Flamingo

by Dean Atta

Identity, belonging, and the making of the Black Flamingo

Regular price $15.24 USD
Regular price $25.40 USD Sale price $15.24 USD
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Paperback New English

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AlbakiReads Editorial

Identity, belonging, and the making of the Black Flamingo

Told in verse, Dean Atta’s coming-of-age novel follows Michael, a mixed-race gay teen in London, as he navigates his Greek-Cypriot and Jamaican heritage and begins to understand where he fits. Coming out is part of that journey, but discovering the Drag Society gives the story another way to explore self-expression and belonging. The book brings cultural identity, sexuality, and drag together through Michael’s search for a place where the different parts of himself can coexist.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Teens and young adults interested in coming-of-age fiction told in verse.
  • Readers interested in stories about mixed-race identity, sexuality, and belonging.
  • Readers curious about drag and self-expression in young adult fiction.

Themes

Cultural identitySexuality and coming outBelongingDrag and self-expression

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

Stonewall Book Award Winner * A Time Magazine Best YA Book Of All Time

A fierce coming-of-age verse novel about identity and the power of drag, from acclaimed poet and performer Dean Atta. Perfect for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo, Jason Reynolds, and Kacen Callender.

Michael is a mixed-race gay teen growing up in London. All his life, he's navigated what it means to be Greek-Cypriot and Jamaican--but never quite feeling Greek or Black enough.

As he gets older, Michael's coming out is only the start of learning who he is and where he fits in. When he discovers the Drag Society, he finally finds where he belongs--and the Black Flamingo is born.

Told with raw honesty, insight, and lyricism, this debut explores the layers of identity that make us who we are--and allow us to shine.

"In this uplifting coming-of-age novel told in accessible verse, Atta chronicles the growth and glory of Michael Angeli, a mixed-race kid from London, as he navigates his cultural identity as Cypriot and Jamaican as well as his emerging sexuality."(Publishers Weekly, "An Anti-Racist Children's and YA Reading List")

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