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The Black Flamingo

The much loved, award-winning, queer coming-of-age story
4.33 goodreads logo

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( 33,385 ratings, 6,473 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta follows the journey of Michael, a young mixed-race gay man in London, as he navigates his identity and self-acceptance. Through poetry and prose, the book captures his experiences growing up, the challenges he faces, and his discovery of the vibrant world of drag, culminating in his transformation into the Black Flamingo. This coming-of-age story explores themes of identity, belonging, and finding one's voice.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$2499
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this young adult novel if you appreciate coming-of-age stories that explore identity and self-discovery through the lens of poetry and prose. It vividly portrays the journey of a mixed-race, gay teenager finding his place in the world and discovering a sense of belonging through the vibrant world of drag performance.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Fiercely told, this is a powerful coming-of-age story told in verse, from one of the UK's leading poets, Dean Atta. Perfect for fans of Sarah Crossan and Poet X.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Fiercely told, this is a powerful coming-of-age story told in verse, from one of the UK's leading poets, Dean Atta. Perfect for fans of Sarah Crossan and POET X.

A boy comes to terms with his identity as a mixed-race gay teen—then at university he finds his wings as a drag artist, The Black Flamingo. A bold story about the power of embracing your uniqueness. Sometimes, we need to take charge, to stand up wearing pink feathers—to show ourselves to the world in bold colour.

'I masquerade in makeup and feathers and I am applauded.'

"A bold and joyous hymn to self-discovery and acceptance" The Bookseller

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Dean Atta's The Black Flamingo is praised for its fresh perspective on being seen as different in terms of race, culture, identity, heritage, and gender. Critics describe it as an important and enriching novel for young readers, highlighting its joy, emotional depth, and emphasis on self-discovery and acceptance. The narrative is celebrated as a bold and joyous exploration of identity and sexuality, with a powerful message of embracing one's true self.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781444948608

Publisher: Hachette Children's Group

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 05 March 2020

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Hodder Children's Books

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Anshika Khullar

Audience: Teenage

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 28.0mm

Width: 126.0mm

Height: 194.0mm

Weight: 328g

Pages: 368

About the Author

Dean Atta (Author)

Dean Atta is the author of YA novels-in-verse The Black Flamingo and Only on the Weekends. Named as 'one of poetry's greatest modern voices' (Gay Times). The Black Flamingo was a top-selling debut of 2020 and was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize, CILIP Carnegie Medal, The Jhalak Prize and The YA Book Prize. The Black Flamingo was also awarded the prestigious Stonewall Book Award and the Carnegie Shadowers' Choice Award 2020, and sold to the US in a five-way publisher auction.

Anshika Khullar (Illustrator)

Anshika Khullar is an illustrator based in Southampton, England, whose bold and vibrant work aims to showcase the ordinary as beautiful. Anshika is an Indian, non-binary transgender creative with a BA in English Literature & Media from the University of Brighton; they have a focused interest in intersectional feminist narratives, a study which has invariably informed their art practice, with illustrations that are colourful, detail-oriented, and thoughtfully studded with hidden gems of metaphors made literal, often dealing in overarching socio-political themes.

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They are a CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal nominee for their work on the cover and interiors of YA novel The Black Flamingo (by Dean Atta, published by Hodder Books).

In addition to commercial, editorial and literary projects, Anshika has appeared as a guest speaker on panels at London Illustration Fair and House of Illustration.

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