Bad Queer

Description:

A luminous and romantic debut novel in verse about navigating first love as a non-binary teenager.

"Not to be missed."--Publishers Weekly starred review ⭐

"A thoughtful and nuanced take on relationships."--Kirkus starred review ⭐

I feel invincible.
Like I could run and run
and never stop for breath.

I feel a power in me
I didn't know I had.

The power to speak,
to say what I need.

Surya knows exactly who they are. Coming out as non-binary to their queer parents and best friend? A total non-event. Catching feelings for Blessing - the boy in drama club whose smile makes their heart race? That's trickier.

As their final year of school unfolds and the two of them grow closer, Surya starts to question: Does Blessing really see them? Or just a version of them that doesn't exist? They'd ask their best friend for advice, but she's busy falling in love too. . .

With gorgeous illustrations throughout, Bad Queer draws us deeply into queer friendship, family secrets, and the necessary act of loving yourself. Perfect for fans of Alice Oseman, Dean Atta, and Sarah Crossan.

This is a love letter to queer futures - tender, curious, and fiercely alive.

Brief description: Gayathiri Kamalakanthan is a Tamil poet and producer. They're interested in how language shapes adolescence and how we might use it to build freer futures. Gayathiri is a recipient of the Disabled Poets Prize, the FAB Prize and the RSL Literature Matters Award. An alumna of the Southbank Centre New Poets Collective, Gayathiri runs Word-Benders, a poetry workshop centering the work of trans and queer poets of colour. Their work in Relationships and Sex Education shapes the questions they ask as a writer. gayathiri.co.uk, @unembarrassable.

Chi Nwosu is a Black, non-binary, queer, Nigerian artist based in Chicago. Their work is an alchemy of cultural narratives that centres marginalised experiences and utilises potent cultural, political, and spiritual symbols.

Review Quotes:

"Kamalakanthan debuts with a scintillating verse novel that chronicles a nonbinary transgender teen's journey toward publicly claiming their queer identity...This poetic slice-of-life portrait is not to be missed."--Publishers Weekly starred review ⭐

"This coming-of-age story centering on Surya, a genderqueer teenager from London, offers a thoughtful and nuanced take on relationships within and outside family."--Kirkus starred review ⭐

"Affirming and poignant."--School Library Journal

"This mesmerizing YA romantic novel-in-verse follows a nonbinary teen in London as they come out to their family, navigate changing friendships, and fall in love for the first time. Poet Gayathiri Kamalakanthan writes with compassion, tenderness, and radiance that makes their debut book unforgettable, and Chi Nwosu's vivid illustrations add even more texture to this powerful story."--Book Riot

"With illustrations that pull you further into protagonist Surya's story, this lyrical book... captures a young person in the process of self-discovery."--The Story Exchange