Book Club Pick: August 2020
Title: The Black Flamingo
Author: Dean Atta
Series: Stand alone novel
Country: Great Britain
Publisher: Hodder Children’s Book
First Published: 2019
Pages: 360
Publisher Description:
This is Michael’s story.
Join him as he discovers the world, with tiny eyelashes. Travel from school to college, where he discovers his flock and comes to terms with his identity as a mixed-race gay teen. At university, take a seat in the audience and watch him find his wings as a drag artist, The Black Flamingo.
A bold story about discovering that only YOU get the privilege of choosing who you are. There is power in embracing your uniqueness. What’s your story?
Review:
Michael is a young biracial British man of Greek Cypriot and Jamaican descent. He feels like he is caught between many identities: black and white, masculine and feminine, straight and gay. He feels that he is not “Greek enough”, not “Black enough” or “queer enough.”
The novel begins with Michael aged six and we follow him on his journey from childhood through to university.
When Michael goes to university he joins the Drag Society and creates his drag persona The Black Flamingo. In finding his voice Michael becomes more confident and accepting in who he is.
The novel is told in verse, which makes it an easy ready. It also features beautiful black and white illustrations by Anshika Khullar.
Links:
I borrowed this book from my public library.
The Teen Book Club 