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“Chu’s companion novel to The Queen Bees of Tybee County proves to be an engaging mystery with a delightful emotional core.”

—Booklist

“Derrick’s journey here is just as real as his previous one as he slowly begins to understand what he wants out of his life and who he wants it with. Meanwhile, JJ is a standout character, realistically succumbing to peer pressure and feeling unable to speak out against his teammates but eventually gaining the confidence to do so. The ending is hopeful but open, with an uncertain future but assurance in the now. For full appreciation of the depth of evolution of Derrick’s relationship with his own queerness and love of drag, readers should pick up the first book, but new readers won’t be lost.”

—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Juana Fanta Needs a Hero

Written by Kyle Casey Chu
Published by Quill Tree Books

Derrick Chan is shooting for a once-in-a-lifetime high-school basketball scholarship with his childhood best friend, JJ, by his side. But Derrick’s life is about more than just free throws since embracing his queer identity and love for drag (even if he’s not ready to share either with the whole world quite yet)!

Right now, he’s just trying to take his dad’s advice: don’t sweat the small stuff.
This weekend, however, Derrick’s two worlds are colliding in a big way. At a career-defining basketball tournament, where scouts from elite schools are watching his every move, Derrick secretly plans to meet his drag idol, the magnificent Juana Fanta, at the Comic Con held in the very same hotel.

As the stakes skyrocket, team tensions bubble to the surface, including Derrick’s own growing feelings for JJ. But when Juana Fanta disappears from the con, Derrick and JJ must team up to find her before she misses her show-stopping live performance.

Can Derrick find a community that celebrates slam dunks on the court and dazzling drag in the spotlight? Can he really save Juana Fanta’s future—and his own—in one weekend?

Explore the Derrick & JJ’s original story:

Primary ISBN: 9780063327009
Publication Date: October 2026
Available As: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook
Middle Grade, Age 08 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , , ,

Setting: United States (Georgia)

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Unknown Arrival

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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Source: Shelf Stuff