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A review by mamadaughterbookclub
The Queen Bees of Tybee County by Kyle Casey Chu
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for letting me a read an advanced digital copy of this book.
I was so impressed with this heartfelt and courageous book! Derrick is a skilled point guard on his middle school basketball team who makes a championship game winning shot at the beginning of the book. He lives with his single dad in Georgia, and his dad wants Derrick to continue to focus on basketball and develop his skills. While Derrick loves basketball, he can't help but think something is missing from his life, something that will make him feel whole. When the opportunity comes up for Derrick to spend the summer with his eccentric grandmother Claudia, his dad is a bit concerned, but Derrick finally starts discovering who he really is.
What a beautiful book this is. Truly. My heart warmed for Derrick, and I was rooting for him so much throughout the entire book. His questions and feelings about his identity and then finding what made him content and comfortable in his own body was handled with such care. As readers we relate to all the emotions Derrick feels. His confusion at first over why wearing nail polish and dresses made him feel a certain way, but then he grows to embrace and love his queer identity and wearing drag. He makes terrific friends and his relationship with his one of a kind, quirky and tenacious grandmother is excellent.
This is a story about identity, acceptance, family bonds, and so much more. I really enjoyed this book. Recommended for ages 10+.
I was so impressed with this heartfelt and courageous book! Derrick is a skilled point guard on his middle school basketball team who makes a championship game winning shot at the beginning of the book. He lives with his single dad in Georgia, and his dad wants Derrick to continue to focus on basketball and develop his skills. While Derrick loves basketball, he can't help but think something is missing from his life, something that will make him feel whole. When the opportunity comes up for Derrick to spend the summer with his eccentric grandmother Claudia, his dad is a bit concerned, but Derrick finally starts discovering who he really is.
What a beautiful book this is. Truly. My heart warmed for Derrick, and I was rooting for him so much throughout the entire book. His questions and feelings about his identity and then finding what made him content and comfortable in his own body was handled with such care. As readers we relate to all the emotions Derrick feels. His confusion at first over why wearing nail polish and dresses made him feel a certain way, but then he grows to embrace and love his queer identity and wearing drag. He makes terrific friends and his relationship with his one of a kind, quirky and tenacious grandmother is excellent.
This is a story about identity, acceptance, family bonds, and so much more. I really enjoyed this book. Recommended for ages 10+.