By Dean Atta (author) , Anshika Khullar (illustrator)
"Fabulously authentic free-form fiction about navigating intersectional identities and finding your wings to fly free."
Paperback In Stock £9.99 £8.99
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Shortlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal 2020 | August 2019 Debut of the Month
Uplifting and dazzlingly unique, this coming-of-age treasure explores identity and sexuality with an emboldening message to remember that “you have the right to be you”.
As a young Barbie-loving boy, mixed race Michael wonders if he’s “only half” of everything, to which his mother poignantly replies: “Don’t let anyone tell you/that you are half-black/and half-white. Half-Cypriot/ and half-Jamaican./ You are a full human being.” But he doesn’t feel like a whole human being.
Dubbed a “queerdo and weirdo” by bullies and subjected to “batty bwoy” taunts through his teenage years, he leaves London for Brighton University with hope in his heart. But even here Michael feels “like Goldilocks; trying to find a group of people/the perfect fit for me”.
He doesn’t feel black enough for the Caribbean Society, or Greek enough for Hellenic Society, or queer enough for the LBGT Society. Then Michael finally finds a fit at Drag Society where he becomes The Black Flamingo, “someone fabulous, wild and strong. With or without a costume on.”
Michael’s journey is complex, moving and told with a raw vitality that makes the soul soar and the heart sing, with Anshika Khullar’s magnificent illustrations and the smart design adding further depth, prompting the reader to pause for thought as his story requires.
This is not about being ready, it's not even about being fierce, or fearless, IT'S ABOUT BEING FREE.
Read the full description
Michael waits in the stage wings, wearing a pink wig, pink fluffy coat and black heels. One more step will see him illuminated by spotlight. He has been on a journey of bravery to get here, and he is almost ready to show himself to the world in bold colours ... Can he emerge as The Black Flamingo?
*The paperback edition has beautiful gold foil added to the striking cover design*
'I masquerade in makeup and feathers and I am applauded.' A bold and joyous hymn to self-discovery and acceptance - The Bookseller
The Black Flamingo is the book I wish I had when I was younger ... joyful, emotional and full of depth. The Black Flamingo becomes an emblem of so much, and I am so excited to read this again -- Travis Alabanza - performance artist and poet
Dean Atta's tender coming of age novel casts a fresh and enriching perspective on what it means to be seen as different at the level of race, culture, identity, heritage and gender ... an important book for young people -- Malika Booker - Poet
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.
Dean Atta's debut poetry collection, I Am Nobody's Nigger , was shortlisted for the Polari First Book Prize. His poems deal with themes of race, gender, identity and growing up, and have appeared on BBC One's The One Show and several times on BBC Radio 4, BBC World Service and Channel 4. Dean was named as one of the most influential LGBT people in the UK by the Independent on Sunday. He regularly performs across the UK and internationally.
Photo credit Thomas Sammut.
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This is not about being ready, it's not even about being fierce, or fearless, IT'S ABOUT BEING FREE. Michael waits in the stage wings, wearing a pink wig, pink fluffy coat and black heels.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Black Flamingo and determined it is suitable for children aged 13-18 years old
The Black Flamingo features in the following genres: Debuts of the Month, Recommendations, Stories about Family and Friends, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Stories in Verse, PSHE: Family Issues, Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), PSHE: Multiculturalism, Diversity and Inclusion, PSHE: Sexuality, Gender and Relationships, Romance / Relationship Stories, Featured Books for Young Adults, Featured Books for 13+ readers
Hardback, Paperback. £8.99, down from the £9.99 cover price. In Stock.
The Black Flamingo was written by Dean Atta and published by Hodder Children's Books an imprint of Hachette Children's Group
The Black Flamingo has 356 pages
£8.99, reduced from £9.99. In Stock.
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