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The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta. Balzer (Best Fiction for Young Adults)

 The Black Flamingo 

by Dean Atta. Balzer 


About the Author:

Dean Atta’s poems deal with themes of race, gender, and identity. He regularly performs across the UK and internationally and his work has been shortlisted for the Polari First Book Prize and appeared on MTV and BET. The Black Flamingo is his debut YA novel. You can find him online at www.deanatta.com.

Book Summary:

"A Greek Jamaican gay teen living with a single working mother in London, Michael is an outsider in his own life. But when he goes to university, Michael discovers the Drag Society. Reborn as “The Black Flamingo,” he has the chance to showcase all the unique aspects of his identity."

Reviews:

“A triumphant and emotional story about standing up for and embracing oneself that readers of any orientation and ethnicity will relate to.” -- School Library Journal (starred review)

“Courage and fierceness abound in this lyrical coming-of-age story…Gripping, unflinching, and unforgettable.” -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"The Black Flamingo is an essential addition to the canon of queer coming-of-age stories. Dean Atta has gifted us with words that are lyrical, hilarious and intimate. I’m obsessed with this book and you will be too." -- Abdi Nazemian, author of Like a Love Story

Connections:



Great novel to incorporate in the library to the LGBTQ student community. Diversity in literature is always a good thing, especially when students are checking them out and reading them. 

Sources:

http://www.ala.org/yalsa/2021-best-fiction-young-adults

https://www.amazon.com/Black-Flamingo-Dean-Atta/dp/0062990292/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=The+Black+Flamingo&qid=1618172197&sr=8-1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS7DwvN0Hqw

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